T2 Stars: Cortny L. Dailey Thrives on Creative Problem-Solving

T2 Stars highlights people who are making a difference and leaving their mark on the federal technology transfer (T2) community. As a technology transfer agent for the National Security Agency (NSA), Cortny L. Dailey loves the variety of challenges and opportunities the work brings. Although this role is her first in T2, she quickly made an impact with her initiative, attention to detail, and her contributions to the Minority-Serving Institutions Working Group Cooperative Research and Development Agreement and a pilot Hacking 4 Intelligence course offered at the University of Hawaii.

How did you get involved in technology transfer?

I was ready for a change and ready to try something new and exciting. I had been working as a logistics service officer supporting the Research Directorate at NSA for four years, and I had gotten so proficient that I needed a challenge. The great thing about working at NSA is that there are so many different opportunities available. I saw that there was a position with the Office of Research and Technology Applications for a technology transfer agent and I applied. I got the job, and the rest is history!

What do you love about your job?

There are so many things I love about this job. It's so different than other jobs I've had; nothing prepares you for a job in technology transfer. There never is a dull moment at work - there is always something new and different going on. I love that I can be creative in solving problems. 

I am also very fortunate that I get to interact with a variety of individuals - college students, faculty members, university presidents, researchers, you name it, I've had conversations about T2 with them.

I am part of a great team too! We are a small but mighty team always pitching in when someone is out of the office. When I travel for ORTA, which I love to do, I know that the rest of the team will never let me fail.

What is your most valuable skill or asset at work?

I believe I'm a good listener. People may think I'm being quiet, when I'm really observing everything - the conversation, the body language, etc. I think that's why I have this remarkable ability to connect with our customers and partners. I listen to what they are saying, read their body language, and show empathy.

What's the biggest challenge in your position?

Getting people to understand what we do as an NSA ORTA and why we do it. You should see people's reactions after I tell them that we are a federal laboratory and that the technologies created in-house for mission purposes can be licensed by small businesses and nonprofits. I even tell them that we have a patent portfolio on NSA.gov that has around 200 patents that they can review. 

What do you wish more people knew about the National Security Agency?

We are just regular people like everyone else. We are not the big scary agency that people think we are. We are individuals dedicated to serving the nation and keeping the American people safe and secure. We do amazing things at the agency. The technology created in-house to serve the nation can be licensed to small businesses, nonprofits, etc.

What has been your favorite FLC experience?

Meeting individuals from other labs has been great. Attending the FLC National Meetings has been an amazing way to meet and network with other labs and T2 individuals. Connecting with other labs and learning how we can collaborate and learn from each other has just been incredible. I just attended the National Meeting in Dallas and I can’t tell you how many people I met at the previous meeting that just came up to me and hugged me.  

What do you do for fun?

I love attending festivals - wine and jazz are my favorites. I also participate with my sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., in events such as collecting food for our local food bank, helping with voter registration and doing road clean-up. My chapter is part of the Adopt-A-Road program, where on certain Saturday mornings, we collect all the trash from a road in Columbia, Maryland, and help beautify the area. 

What advice would you give to someone new to the tech transfer profession?

I have two pieces of advice: First, ask a lot of questions. There are no dumb questions. You don’t know what you don’t know.

Second, find a good mentor. No one graduates from college with a T2 degree, so having a mentor will help guide you and impart wisdom and knowledge.