Blog

<p>Earlier this month,&nbsp;the Philadelphia Business Journal announced that InterDigital's Desa Burton has been named as a 2017 "Veteran of Influence."&nbsp; This award recognizes those who not only excelled in their military careers, but have also turned their experiences into successful business careers.</p>
<p>Desa currently serves on the Board of Directors for the United Service Organizations of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey (Liberty USO), which is an organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of life of the U.S. Armed Forces personnel and their families.&nbsp; As a member of the Liberty USO Career Transitions Committee, Desa&nbsp;will lead&nbsp;a new initiative focused on STEM education&nbsp;for transitioning military service members and veterans.&nbsp; InterDigital - as the founding sponsor of this initiative - is joined by other Liberty USO partners using the software developer training platform offered through Zipcode Wilmington.&nbsp; Through Desa's efforts, this initative will enable service members and veterans to transition from military service into highly sought-after software development careers.</p>
<p>In addition, Desa has a long history of service in support of veterans' programs and initiatives.&nbsp; Desa was recently selected to serve as the Philadelphia area coordinator for the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association Women's Shared Interest Group.&nbsp; In that capacity, Desa will coordinate the efforts and interests of women alumni of the United States Naval Academy in the local area.&nbsp; She is also a former and founding member of various veterans affinity bar associations, affinity groups, and programs.</p>
<p>Desa&nbsp;is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy.&nbsp; Prior to her legal career, she served as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Naval Reserve, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander. &nbsp;Desa completed the following assignments while proudly serving her country: &nbsp;Engineering Officer onboard U.S.S. Briscoe (DD-977, Destroyer) responsible for a division of twenty personnel and the ship&rsquo;s emergency response teams; Landing Craft Officer for Assault Craft Unit 2 responsible for five Landing Craft Utility and their crews totaling sixty personnel deploying with the U.S.S. Saipan (LHA-2); Counternarcotics Operations Staff Officer (Colombia) for U.S. Southern Command coordinating assistance provided by the United States to the Colombian counternarcotics brigade; and Staff Officer for U.S. Central Command assisting with counterinsurgency operations following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.</p>
<p>The Philadelphia Business Journal will be hosting a special awards ceremony on November 9 at the Ballroom at the Ben.&nbsp; Desa will additionally be featured in a special section of the Philadelphia Business Journal, which will be released on November 10 online and in print.</p>
<p>Please join us in congratulating Desa on this tremendous honor!</p>
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<p><img src="http://ww2.interdigital.com/l/45252/2017-11-13/bb6vzz/45252/136105/IMG_4728.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="451" /></p>
<p>(Pictured from left to right: Ranae McElvaine, Jannie Lau, Desa Burton, Josh Schmidt, Amy Miraglia, Christos Ioannidi)</p>