Abdulmenaf Erdem

Brigadier General Charles T. Lombardo

BG Charles “Chuck” Lombardo was commissioned into Armor in 1993 after graduating from
Missouri State University. His education includes, BA in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
from Missouri State University in 1992, MA in Human Resource Management from Webster
University in 2001 and MMAS from the School of Advanced Military Studies in 2015.
From 1993 to 1997 BG Lombardo was assigned to the 2nd Armored Division, Fort Hood, Texas where
he served as a Tank Platoon Leader, Rifle Platoon Leader, Task Force Scout Platoon Leader and
Battalion S1 in 3-67 Armor and 1-41 Infantry.
Upon completion of the Field Artillery Advance Course and Infantry Officer Advance Course, BG
Lombardo was assigned to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Carson, Colorado. In the 3rd
ACR, BG Lombardo served as the Regimental Planner, Squadron Motor Officer, B Troop and HHT 1/3
ACR Commander from 1997-2001. Upon completion of Troop Command, BG Lombardo served as a
Scout Platoon Leader, Company and Brigade S3 Trainer at the Joint Maneuver Readiness Center in
Hohenfels, Germany from 2001-2004.
Upon completion of Intermediate Level Education, BG Lombardo served in the 1st Cavalry Division
from 2005 to 2008 as the Chief of Training, S3 and XO for 1-7 CAV, and the Brigade Operations
Officer for 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, with service to Baghdad as a part of OIF 06-08.
Following completion of duties at Fort Hood, BG Lombardo’s next assignment was at Fort Monroe
with service at Training and Doctrine Command Headquarters. He served as the Aide de Camp to the
TRADOC Commanding General from 2008-2010. Following his service in TRADOC, BG Lombardo
commanded 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment from 2010 to 2013 at Joint Base Lewis- McChord
and Zabul, Afghanistan. After command, BG Lombardo served as a Special Assistant to the TRADOC
Commanding General from September 2013 to June 2014. In 2014, BG Lombardo completed his
Senior Service College as an Advanced Strategic Leadership Studies Fellowship at the School of
Advanced Military Studies (SAMS), followed with a year of service as a Seminar Leader in SAMS at
Fort Leavenworth, KS from 2015 to 2016
After completing the SSC fellowship, COL Lombardo commanded the 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored
Division from June of 2016 to June of 2018. The Iron Brigade executed the inaugural Army Warfighter
Assessment, transitioned from TRADOC back to FORSCOM, executed NTC 17-08 and served as the
CENTCOM Theatre reserve in Operations Spartan Shield and Inherent Resolve from October 2017 to
July 2018.
 

Upon completion of Brigade Command, BG Lombardo was selected to serve as the 26th Commander
of Operations Group at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, CA from 2018 to 2019. BG
Lombardo’s most recent assignment was XO, NATO-Allied Land Command (LANDCOM) in Izmir,
Turkey.

Colonel Esli Pitts

Colonel Pitts has 33 years of experience with infantry, armor, and reconnaissance formations. He commanded tank and headquarters companies and a combined arms battalion. His staff experiences include operations- then executive officer of a reconnaissance squadron, then operations officer then executive officer of an armored brigade combat team. His operational deployments include Kuwait twice, Kosovo, Macedonia, three tours in Iraq, and a deployment to Israel and the West Bank. He served as an instructor of tactics at CGSC, a battalion/task force senior maneuver trainer at Hohenfels, Germany, and is currently the director of training and doctrine at the Maneuver Center.

Colonel Kevin Chaney

Colonel Chaney started his military career at the United States Military Academy Preparatory School in July 1990. He received a Regular Army commission in 1995 from the United States Military Academy after graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. He holds a holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from the Naval Post-Graduate School and a Masters of Strategic Studies from the Air War College.

Colonel Chaney began his aviation service as a Maintenance Platoon Leader in C Company, 2nd Aviation Maintenance Company at Camp Stanley, Korea. In January 1998, he transferred to the 21st Cavalry Brigade where he served as the Brigade Aviation Maintenance Officer. After completing the Combined Logistics Captains Career Course in 2001, he was assigned to Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia. While at Hunter Army Airfield, Colonel Chaney served as the 603rd Aviation Support Battalion Production Control Officer and Company Commander for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division. In 2003, he transferred to Fort Riley, Kansas to serve as the Company Commander and Observer/Controller Team Chief for C Company, 2nd Battalion, 291st Regiment.

After transferring into the Acquisition Corps, Colonel Chaney was stationed at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama in 2007. At Redstone Arsenal, Colonel Chaney was the Assistant Product Manager for the T-700 Engine Controls Program and the UH-60 Modernization Product Office. In 2010, Colonel Chaney joined Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology) as a Department of the Army Systems Coordinator for the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile and Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle. He later served as the Executive Officer to the Deputy for Acquisition and Systems Management before being selected to be a Special Assistant to the Director of the Army Staff in the Executive Communications and Control. In 2013, Colonel Chaney assumed the duties for the Product Manager for Infrared Countermeasures at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. In 2016, he was hand selected by the Acting Secretary of the Army to be his Acquisition Military Assistant. Colonel Chaney completed the Air War College in 2018 and assumed the duties as the Project Manager (PM) for Aircraft Survivability Equipment. In 2021, the Army selected Colonel Chaney for a second command and he assumed the duties as the PM for Future Attack and Reconnaissance Aircraft.

Colonel Chaney‘s awards and decorations include Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medals, and other Army commendation and achievement medals. In 2015, Colonel Chaney was selected as the Army’s Product Manager of the Year. He is an Army Aviator and graduate of the Air Assault course.
 

Colonel William Venable

Colonel Bill Venable was commissioned in 1996 as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry through the U.S. Army’s Green to Gold program after graduating from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. He holds a Master of Business Administration and Master of Arts in Procurement and Acquisitions Management from Webster University. He is a 2018 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Air War College. COL Venable is a Doctoral student in Purdue University’s Technology Leadership and Innovation program.

His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the U.S. Army Ranger Course, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, the Defense Acquisition University’s Executive Program Manager’s Courses, and Senior Service College.

Colonel Venable has served in a variety of command and staff positions including: Infantry Rifle Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer with the 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, WA and Battalion S3-Air, Battalion S4, Infantry Rifle Company Commander, and Aide de Camp to the Commanding General, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, HI. Since 2006, he has served as an Acquisition Officer in a variety of positions including: Assistant Project Manager for Project Manager – Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Warren, MI; ASA(ALT) Operations Officer for the US Army Network Integration Evaluation, Fort Bliss, TX, and the Department of the Army (ASA(ALT)) Trailboss for Capability Set 13 Network Modernization, Arlington, VA. From December 2013 to August 2016, he served as the Product Manager for Common Systems Integration (ground control), in the U.S, Army’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Project Office, Redstone Arsenal, AL. His most recent assignments include Branch Chief, Electronics and Special Developments, Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort Benning, GA and Director, ASA(ALT), Forward CENTCOM, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. His deployments include Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Resolute Support, and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (4th Award), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award), the Army Achievement Medal (6th Award), the National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), the Iraq Campaign Medal (2nd Campaign Star), the Afghan Campaign Medal (2nd Campaign Star), the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon (4th Award), and the NATO Medal. Other awards include the U.S. Army Ranger Tab, the U.S. Army Parachutists Badge, the U.S. Army Air Assault Badge, the Expert Infantry Badge, the Combat Infantry Badge.

Colonel and Mrs. Melody Venable currently maintain their home in Columbus, GA with their three dogs.
 

Dr. Jan Krestan

Jan Krestan is responsible for research and development of national and international projects in the areas of armor protection of persons, military vehicles and buildings, with a particular focus on new special armor materials, processing technology and applications.

John Auten

Major Gary P. Flowers II

Major General (Ret'd) Brian Cummings

Before joining Cypress International, Brian served at in all levels of Department of Defense acquisition management organizations and was a Program Executive Officer (PEO) for Ground Combat Systems, PEO Soldier Programs, and Deputy PEO for Combat Support & Combat Service Support. As a PEO and DPEO, he was responsible for budgeting, development, production, and fielding of components and systems to support the Army. Brian is an Infantry officer with numerous tactical assignments to include the 1st Infantry and 101st Airborne Division. Brian also had numerous previous assignments both operational and acquisition which includes service in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq wars.

Brian has led and conducted many strategic engagements with senior leaders of companies operating in the Defense Industrial Base. His experience includes network systems, energy programs, weapons programs, soldier programs and technology development, and legacy and future combat vehicle development and associated technologies, and the enabling combat support and service support programs.

Major Steven Naser

 MAJ Steve Naser was commissioned as in Infantry Officer through OCS in 2009.  He was assigned to 3^rd Brigade, 1^st Infantry Division at Fort Knox, KY.  His first assignment was as a Rifle Platoon Leader in 1^st Battalion 26^th Infantry Regiment with follow on assignments as a Company Executive Officer and Assistant S3 in 1^st Battalion 26^th Infantry Regiment.  During this time he deployed to Khost Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. 

Following completion of the Maneuver Captains Career MAJ Naser was assigned to 3^rd Brigade, 1^st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX.  His first assignment in this unit was as an assistant S3 in 1^st Battalion 12^th Cavalry Regiment.  Following that assignment, he assumed command of B Company, 3^rd Battalion 8^th Cavalry Regiment and followed that assignment by taking command of HHC 3^rd Battalion 8^th Cavalry Regiment.  While serving at Fort Hood, he decided to transition the Acquisition Corps and attended school at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA.

MAJ Naser’s first assignment as an acquisition officer was as Assistant Project Manager in PEO Ground Combat Systems in Warren, MI.  He was assigned to the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle program and has assisted in developing the new strategy to field a next generation Infantry Fighting Vehicle.  He was assigned as the programmatic lead on the Ground Combat Systems Common Infrastructure Architecture (GCIA) v.2.0 development.  Currently he is leading the IPT for DevSecOps within PdM OMFV.

MAJ Naser is a graduate of the Infantry Basic Officer Leadership course, the Maneuver Captains’ Career Course, and the Naval War College.  He is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a BS in Criminology, Columbus State University with an MS in Organizational Leadership, and the Naval Postgraduate School with an MS in Systems Engineering Management.

Mr. James Amato

Mr. James Amato was appointed as the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC) Executive Technical Director/Deputy to the Commander position in October 2020. In this capacity, he oversees the technical execution of all ATEC test plans and reports, as well as the command’s evaluation strategy and analyses. He is also responsible for integrating the command’s instrumentation, policy, modeling and simulation, and continuous business improvement projects. He ensures that Army and Office of the Secretary of Defense senior leaders have the essential information required before weapons and equipment are placed into the hands of Soldiers and throughout the lifecycle of those systems.
 

Mr. Amato formerly served as the Director of the U.S. Army Materiel Systems Analysis Activity (AMSAA)
as a direct report unit to the Army Materiel Command from August 2013-February 2019. He later
became the Director of the Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Data and Analysis
Center (DAC) when AMSAA transitioned into the U.S. Army Futures Command and CCDC. He served in this role from February 2019 until October 2020.
 

As Director of CCDC DAC, Mr. Amato led a diverse organization of 650 Civilians and Soldiers who
delivered objective analysis, experimentation, and data across the entire life cycle of weapon systems -- enhancing Readiness and enabling Modernization. These world-class engineers, data scientists, mathematicians, and operations research analysts informed critical decisions on requirements trades, technology investments, acquisition strategies and risk, test and evaluation, cyber resiliency, soldier performance, sustainment alternatives, and lifecycle cost.
 

Mr. Amato was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in September 2008 and served as the
Executive Director of the U.S. Army Operational Test Command at Fort Hood, Texas – a position he held until July 2013. He led operational testing of Army and Joint weapons to determine effectiveness, suitability, and survivability. Mr. Amato also served as ATEC’s Executive Agent for the first five Network Integration Evaluations. In addition, he was responsible for the Forward Operational Assessment teams, who deployed into Iraq and Afghanistan to collect Soldier feedback on weapons systems and
equipment.

Mr. Mark Cancian

Mark Cancian (Colonel, USMCR, ret.) is a senior adviser with the CSIS International Security Program. He joined CSIS in April 2015 from the Office of Management and Budget, where he spent more than seven years as chief of the Force Structure and Investment Division, working on issues such as Department of Defense budget strategy, war funding, and procurement programs, as well as nuclear weapons development and nonproliferation activities in the Department of Energy. Previously, he worked on force structure and acquisition issues in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and ran research and executive programs at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. In the military, Colonel Cancian spent over three decades in the U.S. Marine Corps, active and reserve, serving as an infantry, artillery, and civil affairs officer and on overseas tours in Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Iraq (twice). Since 2000, he has been an adjunct faculty member at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, where he teaches a course on the connection between policy and analysis. A prolific author, he has published over 40 articles on military operations, acquisition, budgets, and strategy and received numerous writing awards. He graduated with high honors (magna cum laude) from Harvard College and with highest honors (Baker scholar) from Harvard Business School.

Mr. Richard Hooper

Richard Hooper is the Land Systems Programme Manager at Dstl, responsible for the delivery of Science and Technology across the Land environment. Previously a Principal Vetronics Engineer in Platform Systems Division, Dstl, he led the UK Icarus Technical Demonstration Programme, developing architecture standards to support an agile Modular Integrated Protection System (MIPS) capability for land platforms.

Mr. Rob Baker

Rob Baker completed an Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree with honours at the University of Adelaide in 1998 and commenced with Weapons Systems Division at the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) in 2000 into as a Weapons Modeller and Analyst.

Rob has worked on Army, Navy and Air force programs conducting research and delivering advice and support to acquisition and capability development mainly associated with weapons systems and operational support with a focus on missile systems.

Rob’s experience and background includes a secondment to UK DSTL in 2007, deployment to Afghanistan as an operations analyst in 2010, probabilistic range safety expertise, and 4 years as an advisor with the Australian Special Forces.

Since early 2016, Rob has been leading the Active Protection Systems program at DST Group. This has involved conducting research, leading research teams, managing various collaborative programs with partner nations and providing advice to Army and the Land 400 Project on Active Protection systems and Anti-Tank guided missiles.
 

Ms. Lisa Gronowski

Scott Coulson

Wayne Simoni