The Seminole County Board of County Commissioners formally recognized the U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation, known as PEO STRI, during a proclamation ceremony held at the Seminole County Government Building, Jan. 13.
The event was organized by the University of Central Florida (UCF) in collaboration with the National Center for Simulation (NCS) to demonstrate Seminole County’s support for keeping the region’s modeling, simulation and training assets anchored in Central Florida.
Fred Kittinger, senior associate vice president of government and community relations at UCF, said the proclamation signals a long-term commitment to sustaining the region’s innovation ecosystem.
“PEO STRI’s presence in Central Florida has been foundational to the region’s growth as a global leader in modeling and simulation,” Kittinger said. “This proclamation reflects decades of partnership among the Army, local government, higher education and industry.”
While Seminole County has issued proclamations in previous years, the ceremony marked the county’s first resolution specifically recognizing PEO STRI, building on similar recognitions from the State of Florida, Orange County and the City of Orlando.
County leaders, representatives and industry stakeholders gathered for the signing to underscore the importance of maintaining the full PEO STRI mission footprint in the region amid recent discussions about the possible relocation of some components.
George Cheros, president and chief executive officer of NCS, said the action highlights the county’s awareness of the industry’s economic and strategic importance to the entire corridor.
“This proclamation sends a clear message that Seminole County understands how vital PEO STRI is to our regional ecosystem,” Cheros said. “Keeping these capabilities together in Central Florida is essential for jobs, companies and national defense.”
Attendees included Seminole County commissioners, representatives from UCF and NCS, industry partners such as Engineering & Computer Simulations (ECS) and local stakeholders. Approximately 40% of Orlando’s modeling, simulation and training (MS&T) workforce resides in Seminole County, further reinforcing the county’s direct connection to the industry’s success.
The resolution formally recognizes PEO STRI’s more than five decades of impact on workforce development, innovation and defense readiness, while affirming Seminole County’s commitment to supporting the industry’s continued growth in Central Florida.