Dr Joanna Hart joined UKRI-STFC in November 2017 as the Harwell Space Cluster Development Manager, helping the Harwell Space Cluster to grow. This involves attracting new companies to the Harwell Space Cluster and helping the space companies that already have a presence at Harwell Campus to grow. Joanna is raising the profile of the Cluster internationally, helping build collaborations and working closely with stakeholders across the UK space sector. The Harwell Space Cluster has grown to 105 space organisations collectively employing over 1,100 people (from 80 organisations employing 800 in December 2017).

Previously, Joanna worked at the Satellite Applications Catapult for four years, as Head of Evaluation and Impact, tracking key performance indicators and understanding the economic impact that Catapult is having on UK space companies, in terms of jobs and revenue growth. Joanna has nine years of experience in equity research at investment banks UBS and Credit Suisse. This involved advising global fund managers to buy and sell shares in European telecoms companies. Joanna holds a DPhil in Particle Physics from the University of Oxford, which involved working on the ZEUS Central Tracking Detector (now a museum piece at the entrance to her office building).

Air Vice Marshal Paul Godfrey OBE, Commander of UK Space Command, was commissioned into the Royal Air Force on 9 May 1991. After serving as a Harrier Jump Jet pilot, he became station commander at RAF Lossiemouth in November 2015. In February 2021 it was announced that he would become the first Commander, United Kingdom Space Command. In taking up the post he was promoted to the rank of Air Vice-Marshal. Godfrey was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2014 Birthday Honours.

In his most recent role working with the US military, Paul was responsible for the planning and employment of coalition air and space power across the Middle East. Paul has seen first-hand how critical space domain is and how it is crucial to not only defence, but modern day life. This event will give Members the chance to learn more about the plans for this new organisation and how it will fit within the UK’s wider national defence strategy.

Phil joined the Royal Navy in 1993 having graduated from the University of Liverpool in Electronics and Communication Engineering. Twenty-eight years later he was delighted to accept the role of Deputy Head Space at UK Strategic Command, leading the Capability Development of Satellite Communications (SATCOM) and Position Navigation and Time. This is his second assignment in the Space Sector having previously worked as and Capability Manager for SATCOM and Programme Manager for Skynet 6.

Phil has been engaged in numerous major projects, notably delivery and acceptance of HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH Aircraft Carrier. He has also described the then future Royal Navy short-range air defence missile and radar systems, generated lifing policy for Defence ordnance, munition and explosives and contributed to the education of junior Royal Navy Officers at the Joint Services Command and Staff College.

Phil has served on T21, T22 and T23 class of Frigates and conducted UK and multinational operations in the North Atlantic, Caribbean, Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf. He also served in Hong Kong for territorial integrity and anti-smuggling operations and conducted media operations in Sarajevo, Bosnia.

Phil, together with his wife, son and dogs, live in the Gloucestershire countryside. When he isn’t making his way down the endless list of jobs to do around the house, he enjoys the outdoors, keeping fit and is the chair of the Royal Navy Rowing Association.

Becky joined the Ministry of Defence in 2015 as a Geospatial Imagery Analyst at the Defence Geographic Centre (DGC) in Feltham, it was her first ‘proper’ job after graduating from the University of Portsmouth with a degree in Geography. In her imagery role, she particularly enjoyed being in control of the imagery programme and having her first taste at talking with International Partners in the US.
After, Becky became a Defence Geographic trainer, where she inducted new recruits into the MoD on an 8 week orientation course, teaching the skills required to be a Defence Geographer; a mixture of Cartography, imagery analysis and Geoliteracy.
At the beginning of 2020, Becky moved from the DGC to UK Strategic Command to become the International Desk lead for SATCOM and Position, Navigation and Timing as her first role in Space. Since joining, she has enjoyed meeting her stakeholders across the global (virtually on MS Teams!) and continues to look forward to successful collaboration in the future.

Becky, with her boyfriend Matthew, lives on the outskirts of London and enjoys going to the beach, supporting Brighton and Hove Albion and going out for dinner!

Barry Austin joined the Ministry of Defence in 1984, with the expectation that it would be a short term appointment until something better came along. Having started work in the Central Accounting and Finance Teams, he was subsequently promoted to Executive Officer (Information Technology) and posted to the IT development team responsible for designing and implementing MOD’s New Management Strategy (NMS) – which oversaw the introduction of the TLB approach to managing Defence. Subsequent postings in IT Project Management took him to Worcester and then RAF Henlow where he became the Data and Integration Manager for the RAF’s enterprise Logistics Information system. Having gone through the Defence Finance Accountancy Training Scheme, he felt it was time to return to his core financial roots and was posted to HMNB Clyde as the Finance and Business Manager for the Facilities and Naval Base Design Authority Directorate. This then led to a return to the Air Environment where he became the Financial Planning manager for the Equipment Support Programme within the Defence Logistics Organisations. Having heard the plaintiff cries of IT once again, he returned to the world of Logistics Information Systems. Initially as the Business and Transformation Manager within the Logistics Applications Project Team and after successfully completing the MOD Assessment Centre he became the Assistant Head of the newly created Logistics Networked Enabled Capability (Log NEC) Team. Having navigated the team through Main Gate approval for the Future Logistics Information Services (FLIS) partnership, he was promoted to Deputy Head of Log NEC with responsibility for Programme and Performance Management. Having commuted between Somerset and Abbey Wood for several years, he seized on the opportunity to become the Deputy Team Leader for the Networks Delivery Team within the Information Systems and Services (ISS) organisation. In 2017 he became the acting Team Leader on temporary promotion to the Senior Civil Service and was subsequently appointed as the SKYNET 6 Acquisition Programme Manager in August In January 2019, the MOD decided to join together the SKYNET 5 In-Service Delivery Programme and the SKYNET 6 Acquisition Programme to create a unified SATCOM Programme within ISS, which he now leads. In his spare time, he likes to read history, travel and avoid anything too strenuous. In addition, he continues to wonder whether the Civil Service will provide a meaningful and long term career.

Dr Joanna Hart joined UKRI-STFC in November 2017 as the Harwell Space Cluster Development Manager, helping the Harwell Space Cluster to grow. This involves attracting new companies to the Harwell Space Cluster and helping the space companies that already have a presence at Harwell Campus to grow. Joanna is raising the profile of the Cluster internationally, helping build collaborations and working closely with stakeholders across the UK space sector. The Harwell Space Cluster has grown to 105 space organisations collectively employing over 1,100 people (from 80 organisations employing 800 in December 2017).

Previously, Joanna worked at the Satellite Applications Catapult for four years, as Head of Evaluation and Impact, tracking key performance indicators and understanding the economic impact that Catapult is having on UK space companies, in terms of jobs and revenue growth. Joanna has nine years of experience in equity research at investment banks UBS and Credit Suisse. This involved advising global fund managers to buy and sell shares in European telecoms companies. Joanna holds a DPhil in Particle Physics from the University of Oxford, which involved working on the ZEUS Central Tracking Detector (now a museum piece at the entrance to her office building).

Barry Austin joined the Ministry of Defence in 1984, with the expectation that it would be a short term appointment until something better came along. Having started work in the Central Accounting and Finance Teams, he was subsequently promoted to Executive Officer (Information Technology) and posted to the IT development team responsible for designing and implementing MOD’s New Management Strategy (NMS) – which oversaw the introduction of the TLB approach to managing Defence. Subsequent postings in IT Project Management took him to Worcester and then RAF Henlow where he became the Data and Integration Manager for the RAF’s enterprise Logistics Information system. Having gone through the Defence Finance Accountancy Training Scheme, he felt it was time to return to his core financial roots and was posted to HMNB Clyde as the Finance and Business Manager for the Facilities and Naval Base Design Authority Directorate. This then led to a return to the Air Environment where he became the Financial Planning manager for the Equipment Support Programme within the Defence Logistics Organisations. Having heard the plaintiff cries of IT once again, he returned to the world of Logistics Information Systems. Initially as the Business and Transformation Manager within the Logistics Applications Project Team and after successfully completing the MOD Assessment Centre he became the Assistant Head of the newly created Logistics Networked Enabled Capability (Log NEC) Team. Having navigated the team through Main Gate approval for the Future Logistics Information Services (FLIS) partnership, he was promoted to Deputy Head of Log NEC with responsibility for Programme and Performance Management. Having commuted between Somerset and Abbey Wood for several years, he seized on the opportunity to become the Deputy Team Leader for the Networks Delivery Team within the Information Systems and Services (ISS) organisation. In 2017 he became the acting Team Leader on temporary promotion to the Senior Civil Service and was subsequently appointed as the SKYNET 6 Acquisition Programme Manager in August In January 2019, the MOD decided to join together the SKYNET 5 In-Service Delivery Programme and the SKYNET 6 Acquisition Programme to create a unified SATCOM Programme within ISS, which he now leads. In his spare time, he likes to read history, travel and avoid anything too strenuous. In addition, he continues to wonder whether the Civil Service will provide a meaningful and long term career.

Squadron Leader Mike Brydon is the SO2 Requirements Manager for Skynet 6 working for UK Strategic Command through the Space Capability Planning Group.

He was born in Dingwall, Scotland and joined the RAF in 1986 as a Direct Entrant Airfield Technician and after basic training he spent 18 months technical training at No1 Radio School RAF Locking. His operational career began at Test Equipment Wing, RAF Henlow in 1987. In Sept 1991 he spent 4 months as the Communications JNCO at 303SU Mount Kent, Falkland Islands before being posted to Butcher Radar RAF Belize as resident Airfield Communications and Radar JNCO in 1992. Following a short spell at Comms and Engineering Flight, RAF Wittering, he began undergraduate training at The Department of Specialist Ground Training Cranwell; upon successful completion, he commenced undergraduate studies at Royal Military College of Science. After Shrivenham he spent 12 months at RAF Cranwell undergoing Initial Officer Training and Engineering Officer Training. His first tour as an engineering officer began in 1997 in Space Operations at 1001 SU, RAF Oakhanger. Following a fruitful tour as a Cat 1 Space Operations Officer 'flying' the Skynet 4 constellation of satellites, he took up the position of Chief of Communications and Engineering Section, HQ Allied Forces Northern Europe, Brunnsum in the Netherlands in 2000. A move to Regional HQ Allied Forces Southern Europe, Naples, Italy, supporting Air Operations in the Balkans in mid-2002 followed, before returning to the UK and Joint Service Unit Corsham as an E-Commerce Project Manager in early 2003. Staying at Corsham, he took up the position of Staff Officer for Air in Joint Operations and Planning. In 2007 he was posted to Kandahar Airfield in the Joint Force Communications and Information Systems team during Op HERRICK. His next role, in 2008, was in the Typhoon Project Team as the Information's Systems Officer at MOD Abbeywood, this work involved numerous international meetings in Europe alongside the establishment of the Typhoon Support Centre at RAF Coningsby. In 2011 he moved to RAF Brize Norton where he took command of the Information Systems Flight managing the delivery of IT services and systems to 8000 personnel. Following promotion to Squadron Leader in 2012 he began the role of Head of Satellite Operation Coordination, managing mobile satcom equipment and access to the UK Military Satellite Constellation at MOD Corsham. In 2014 he moved to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, as Chief of Staff in the Joint Force Communications and Information Systems Headquarters. In late 2014 he returned to MOD Corsham to become the UK Advanced EHF Naval Satcom Project and Programme Manager, delivering satcom terminals to UK attack submarines and integrating their operation through a United States Air Force constellation of Satellites. After successful completion of the NEST Programme in 2018 he moved to a role as Staff Officer Middle East looking after operational communication requirements on Ops SHADER, KIPION and TORAL. In Nov 20, Mike moved to his current role.

Richard is responsible for the Airbus Defence and Space lead business, Secure Communications, responsible for delivering connectivity build, operations and services. With satellite communications as its backbone, and defence customers at its core, solutions are increasingly focused on the integration of all critical communications for clients that demand the highest availability and security. Prior to joining Airbus in November 2015, Richard was the Commercial and Strategy Director and G4S, and prior to that held positions at both QinetiQ and Cable and Wireless. Richard is a keen cyclist, and winter sports enthusiast.

Stacy Kubicek is Vice President and General Manager for the Mission Solutions line of business within Lockheed Martin Space. In this role, she is responsible for approximately 4,400 employees and an annual sales base of over $1.5B in support of government defense and intelligence agencies. Mission Solutions develops, delivers and operates mission critical solutions including development of innovative enterprise, cloud and application-based solutions for mission management, command and control, collection orchestration and tasking, processing, and data analytics, along with premier operations and sustainment of space-based programs.

Previously, Stacy was the Deputy VP/GM and Vice President of Intelligence & Analytic Development within Mission Solutions, where she was responsible for approximately 2,500 employees and an annual sales base of over $525M, in addition to driving cross line of business synergies and strategic investments.

Stacy has an extensive background in program management, capture management and execution of portfolios spanning the software development lifecycle. She has run programs for multiple customers across both the defense and intelligence communities, including negotiating and execution of international business.

Stacy holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from the University of Arizona with a minor in Electrical Engineering. She holds an MBA with a concentration in Information Technology from the University of Denver.

Originally from Lincoln, Nebraska, Stacy began her career with Lockheed Martin in Northern Virginia as a Software Engineer and has had the opportunity to work across several locations, including Colorado, Arizona, Maryland and Virginia.

Kay Sears is the Vice President and General Manager of the Military Space line of business within Lockheed Martin Space. In this role, Kay is responsible for critical national security space programs and mission areas including global navigation satellite systems, space-based missile warning, protected communications, space protection and operations, logistics and sustainment for various customers including the Department of Defense.

Previously, Kay was the Vice President of Strategy and Business Development where she was credited with growing the Space business with a comprehensive strategy to develop new markets and expand core mission areas. She also led strategic planning, advanced program development and new business efforts for each of Space’s lines of business.

Prior to joining Lockheed Martin, Kay served as president of Intelsat General. As president, Kay implemented the company’s strategic and operational plans and was responsible for their mission to provide a range of sustainable, cost-effective and secure communication solutions to government and commercial customers. Before that, she helped launch the government services business units at both G2 Satellite Solutions and Verestar.

With three decades of experience, Kay is a respected leader in the aerospace and defense industry. Kay is passionate about building effective partnerships with her customers, which was sparked by her experience providing space services to warfighters while she was on the operations side of the business. She believes it will take true partnership between industry and government to defeat our adversaries. Kay prides herself on finding common ground and priorities to partner in trusting and long-lasting relationships, and she has done so time and time again throughout her career.

Notably, Kay was appointed to the President’s National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee in 2009 to provide information, technical expertise, advice and guidance regarding issues that may affect national security telecommunications capabilities.

In 2014, Kay was honored with the National Defense Industrial Association’s Peter B. Teets Award, which recognizes leaders of notable influence who have made significant contributions to strengthening our national security through space capabilities or technology.

Kay has a bachelor’s degree in Business and Economics from the University of Richmond and an MBA in Information Systems from George Washington University.

CDT Ballanger is in charge of SATCOM and GNSS international affairs for DGA (French MoD procurement agency) since September 2020. This position consists in supporting cooperations and exportations for both domains. She also manages a national SATCOM project, COMCEPT, which complements Syracuse capability.

Previously (2017-2020), as DGA lead for navigation expertise, she provided support to armament programs regarding Positioning Navigation and Timing (PNT). Other prior assignments includes a position as a Cooperative Program Person at the GPS Directorate (USA) from 2014 to 2017 and several assignments related to GNSS (NAVWAR expert, GNSS projects manager and lead of the radionavigation team at DGA MI, a technical center located in Brittany).

She has a degree in Electronics and Signal Processing from ENSEEIHT, an engineering school located in Toulouse, France.
 

Etienne BOUCHARLAT is Technical Deputy Director for Milsatcom and tactical networks at Thales SIX GTS France. Etienne is a graduate of Ecole Polytechnique where he received an Advanced MSc. in Science and Engineering in 1996.

After graduation, Etienne began his career in electromechanical hydropower and dam engineering. He then joined the French Alstom group where he managed railway signaling and control systems projects in Asia. In this position, he managed international teams in charge of high-tech solution engineering, integration and software development. Etienne then joined the Thales group in 2005 to work on a cellular highly secured telephony project for French governmental and defense use. He went on to conduct business development in Middle East and Asia of C4I systems for military forces. He extended his expertise on large bids for tactical radio communications and military satellite communication before holding his current position. He today manages a group of Satcom experts working for major bids and projects, oversees the technical development of the military Satcom ground segment product line and actively participates to the business development of the Thales System 21 offering.

Giovanni joined the IT Navy in 1974, when he was admitted at the NAVAL ACADEMY – Italian Officer Naval School in Livorno.

He has obtained his Doctorate and Master Degree in Electronic Engineering, from PISA UNIVERSITY. He retired as Rear Admiral from the IT Navy in 2013 after his full career (including technical, operational and procurement assignments).

He then joined NATO Information and Communication Agency - NCIA - where since 1 January 2016 he is the SATCOM Area Owner and SATCOM Programme Manager. In this role, he is responsible for both the delivery of SATCOM Services to NATO Commands and for the developing the new projects for the next 15 years. In this challenging role he is, in particular, responsible for the implementation of the Satellite Communication Transmissions Services Capability Package (CP 130), that worth about 1.5 B€.
 

Mr Andreas Hutzenlaub, has served NATO for over a decade, and is the Chief of the NSII Service Line within the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency).

His mission is to enable secure and resilient Transmission, Local Area Network (LAN), and Networks services worldwide. His team supports deployed operations and exercises for NATO Joint Forces, as well as political consultations between NATO Headquarters and Nations.

In his current post, he is accountable for the strategy, planning and execution of all lifecycle management activities enabling the NATO NSII Services world-wide.

He is Executive for the NSII Portfolio of programmes, projects and services with an investment volume of over EUR 2Billion for the next decade, covering service areas such as SATCOM, Wireless & Maritime communications, NATO Static Networks as well as Deployable Communications related to NATO Operations and Exercises.

He leads a team of 300+ highly skilled and motivated professionals geographically distributed over 15 locations world-wide, a multicultural diverse team including NATO civilians, military and contractors.

Prior to Mr Hutzenlaub’ s appointment as Chief NSII, he also served in NCI Agency as Deputy Service Line Chief, Head of Acquisition Management Office, and Principal Officer for Acquisition Integrated Logistics Support (ILS).

Mr Hutzenlaub began his career as Software Developer with Institute for Aviation, Technical University Berlin as Software Engineering, and then he worked as Project Manager with Avitec GmbH.

After graduating from Technical University Berlin as Master of Science of Communication Networks and Software Engineering, he worked with T-Systems GEI International GmbH as Senior Project Manager, Senior Consultant, and Senior Service Delivery Manager.

In 2007, Mr Hutzenlaub moved from industry to NATO, when he was engaged as Principal Programme Manager, and later as Principal Project Manager with NC3A Agency.

Mr Hutzenlaub is married with two children. He has enjoyed playing football in the national amateur league in Germany.

Robert Hauge is the Strategy Director for Space Mobility and Logistics for Northrop Grumman’s Space System Sector, a premier provider of space and launch systems serving national security, civil and commercial customers.

In this role, Hauge leads the strategy development for SpaceLogistics LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Northrop Grumman chartered with developing the on-orbit satellite servicing market including the development of a first of a kind autonomous robotic servicing vehicle.

Prior to this appointment, Hauge served in the Central Intelligence Agency as a Senior Intelligence Service (SIS-2) officer. In this capacity, his most recent assignment was as the Commander of a ground station for the National Reconnaissance Office.

Earlier, Hauge served as a Program Manager at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency where he led the development of a 3-D imaging laser radar capable of identifying targets under foliage. He is also a retired Air Force officer from the Office of Special Projects.

From concept development to operations, Hauge brings a blend of nearly thirty years of technical expertise, program management, operations execution, and experience in the breadth of intelligence community and Department of Defense capabilities to include air, space, and ground operations.

Hauge holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts and a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan. He is a recipient of the NRO’s Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals, Director’s Circle, and Innovator of the Year. From the Office of the Secretary of Defense Hauge received the Exceptional Public Service Medal. Hauge is also a graduate of the Walt Disney World College Program where he worked as a “Custodial Host” in the Magic Kingdom.

Pat Rayermann worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory while earning a BS in physics and a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. In the Army for 30 years, he was a Signal Officer and a Space Operations Officer. His assignments included command, operations, logistics, cooperative international efforts, acquisition and policy development, to include serving as the second commander of the 1st Satellite Control Battalion, management of the military’s use of military and commercial wideband SATCOM, and stewardship of the DoD’s future SATCOM architecture. Since retiring, Pat has worked in a variety of positions in the SATCOM community. Most recently, he has supported the U.S. DoD Chief Information Officer where he has been involved in a wide range of SATCOM-related initiatives, including the NATO SATCOM Services 6th Generation program.

LtCol Collin van Loon is Senior Staffofficer at the Netherlands MoD in The Hague within the Directorate of Plans, responsible for projects in the C4I domain. He has held a variety of assignments as a staff officer at the Training Command and Army Staff, as the S6 of 12th Infbn RvH AASLT and had several operational commanding officer assignments. Most recently he was the Battalion Commander of 101 CISBn, before he was the Military Adviser of the NATO SCR at HQ RS in Kabul, Afghanistan. LtCol van Loon contributed in several other missions in Bosnia, among them within 1 (UK) Armd Div at HQ MND (SW).

LtCol van Loon got a Bachelor degree in Information Management and in 2010 he attended the General Command and Staff College in Oslo, Norway. After that he completed his Master in Military Studies in Oslo as well, followed by an assignment in the Norwegian Army staff in Bardufoss and Oslo for 3 years. LtCol van Loon will from June 2022 be the Commander of the C2 Support Command and Commander of the Netherlands Signals Regiment.
 

Michael Baxter is Principal Director, SATCOM Capability Integration at The Aerospace Corporation supporting the US Space Forces’ Spectrum Warfare Division within Space Systems Command. Michael has more than 30 years experience at Aerospace including in the areas of dynamics and control, astrodynamics, space-based sensors, environmental monitoring, modeling and simulation, communications, operations, model based systems engineering, acquisition, and program management. He has a Doctorate in Engineering Design from the University of Southern California, and a Masters and Bachelors degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University. Michael is a former naval reserve officer having served with Naval Air Weapons Center (NAWC) 0276 and Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 305.

Nick is a member of the leadership team within Inmarsat’s Global Government business unit, providing satellite communications services to support the missions of over 80 governments around the world including all “5-Eyes” and NATO nations. At Inmarsat, Nick is responsible for engagement with senior government customers and the delivery of government strategic programmes around the world. These programmes include satellite communications services for critical public safety applications. Nick has led a distinguished career of 25 years in the European space industry in leading roles on a number of programmes such as the UK MOD Skynet military satcom system and the EU Galileo satnav programme. In July 2020, Nick was appointed Chair of UKspace, the trade association representing the British space industry. In this role, he works across government, industry, academia, and with other international space agencies to promote the UK space sector.

Koen Willems has +20 years’ experience working in different technology industries. Before joining ST Engineering iDirect (formerly known as Newtec) he was Product Marketing Manager for Europe at the electronics giant TOSHIBA. Currently Willems is Head of International Government Market & Strategy with focus on the global government, defense and humanitarian satcom markets at ST Engineering iDirect. In this role Willems is in charge of developing and defining the company’s strategy for the government and defense market worldwide as well as supporting large programs.

Willems has a master's degree in English & Scandinavian Languages (University Ghent, Belgium, 1997) and a master's degree in Marketing Strategy and Management (Vlekho Business School in Brussels, 1998).

More recently Koen received the degree for ‘High Studies in Security and Defence’ at the Belgian Royal Higher Institute for Defence as well as the degree for the SERA program (European Session for Armament Officials) which focusses on European defence acquisition regulation, challenges and procedures at the French National Institute of Higher Defense in Paris.

You may know Koen as a technology and thought leadership evangelist through his regular appearance in editorials in satellite focused publications, white papers and speaking slots at government and defence oriented conferences around the world.
 

Andy Sutton is a Principal Network Architect within BT Networks. He is responsible for 4G LTE and 5G radio access network architecture and x-haul connectivity strategy, including the use of satellite communications for mobile backhaul. Andy has 35 years of experience within the telecommunications industry, he holds an MSc in Mobile Communications from the University of Salford, is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the BCS, IET and ITP. Andy holds the posts of Visiting Professor with the University of Liverpool and University of Salford and sits on the editorial board of the ITP Journal. Andy is currently working on RAN architecture evolution (including C-RAN and Open RAN), terrestrial and satellite integration, and mission critical networks (including 5G Private Networks). In addition to his day job, Andy is a Specialist Reserve Officer serving with Specialist Group Information Services (SGIS) within 13 Signal Regiment, Royal Signals. Andy has co-authored four books on a range of telecommunications topics and is currently working on a fifth book, on 5G fronthaul and backhaul networks.

Patrick Biewer is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GovSat. He reports directly to the GovSat Board of Directors, and is in charge of all GovSat business activities, building customer relationships with international institutions such as the European Union (EU), the United Nations (UN) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Patrick has held a number of executive positions since he joined SES in 1993, including Managing Director of SES Broadband Services (SBBS). He is a Luxembourg national, and was educated in France and the UK. He holds a Master’s Degree in Telecommunications from Université de Nancy and an MBA from the Open University.

Mr Geoffroy Beaudot joined the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs - Directorate of Defence of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in May 2016 in order to develop Space programs, including mainly Satellite Communications and Earth
Observation systems. He currently the Head of ‘SPACE and CYBER’ Office at the Directorate of Defence and represents Luxembourg in different European initiatives (at EDA, ESA or EU Commission level) and is the national representative for the NATO SatCom capability team meetings. He is also engaged in many bilateral developments
with NATO Allies.

As Head of Office, he advises the Minister of Defence and his Chief of Staff on numerous occasions when meeting international leaders and stakeholders from different sectors.

He started his career in 1996 as Offcier in the Belgian Ministry of Defence and in 2002, his first position was Head of a Network Supervision team. In 2007, he started managing the service in charge of the satellite communication hub for the Belgian MoD. After three years in this function, he became SatCom Program Manager for the Belgian Defence. In 2012, after a one-year staff course, he joined the 4th Group Communications and Information Systems as Officer ‘Operations & Training’. In 2015, he became Major (OF-3) and went back to the procurement service of the Belgian Defence as Head of the Cell C³ Platforms Integration.

Mr Beaudot attended the Royal Military Academy in Brussels, Belgium and graduated with a Master of Engineering, Telecommunications. He is born in 1978, is married with three children. He grew up in Belgium, used to practice sports and is an active member of the scout movement.

Dr Joanna Hart joined UKRI-STFC in November 2017 as the Harwell Space Cluster Development Manager, helping the Harwell Space Cluster to grow. This involves attracting new companies to the Harwell Space Cluster and helping the space companies that already have a presence at Harwell Campus to grow. Joanna is raising the profile of the Cluster internationally, helping build collaborations and working closely with stakeholders across the UK space sector. The Harwell Space Cluster has grown to 105 space organisations collectively employing over 1,100 people (from 80 organisations employing 800 in December 2017).

Previously, Joanna worked at the Satellite Applications Catapult for four years, as Head of Evaluation and Impact, tracking key performance indicators and understanding the economic impact that Catapult is having on UK space companies, in terms of jobs and revenue growth. Joanna has nine years of experience in equity research at investment banks UBS and Credit Suisse. This involved advising global fund managers to buy and sell shares in European telecoms companies. Joanna holds a DPhil in Particle Physics from the University of Oxford, which involved working on the ZEUS Central Tracking Detector (now a museum piece at the entrance to her office building).

Mike Dean is the Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Division Chief for C3 Infrastructure Directorate of the Deputy Chief Information Officer for Command, Control, and Communications (C3), Office of the Secretary of Defense, Chief Information Officer. As DoD SATCOM Chief, he provides technical expertise, oversight and broad guidance on policy, programmatic and technical issues relating to DoD SATCOM to integrate and synchronize defense-wide communications programs and achieve the DoD’s Digital Modernization Strategy initiatives. He also advises on efforts to achieve and maintain information dominance through DoD SATCOM for the Department of Defense. He manages efforts defining DoD policies and strategies for design, architecture, interoperability standards, capability development and sustainment of DoD SATCOM and serves as the DoD CIO’s focal point for international partnership activities in SATCOM to include the NATO SATCOM Services 6th Generation (NSS6G) activities.

Mike’s DoD SATCOM division also maintains synchronization architecture roadmaps and employs various governance forums to synchronize end to end SATCOM activities, including the SATCOM Synchronization and Integration Workshop and the SATCOM Systems Engineering Group.

Before joining federal government service, Mike served as a career Army Signal Corps and Cyberspace officer for more than 27 years (including multiple command positions and multiple combat deployments within the 82d Airborne Division as well as serving as the Space Branch Chief in the Joint Staff J6). Following his military career, Mike served as a defense contractor for in multiple roles supporting the DoD CIO in satellite communications and information enterprise management. Mike’s most notable role in DoD SATCOM is the development of the Enterprise SATCOM Management and Control Reference Architecture published in 2019 by the DoD to describe the building code for DoD enterprise SATCOM modernization.

Mike Dean holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Information Systems Management from Western International University and a Master of Arts in History from Western Illinois University

Lt. Gen. B. Chance Saltzman is the Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear, United States Space Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. As the Chief Operations Officer, Lt. Gen. Saltzman has overall responsibility for Operations, Intelligence, Sustainment, Cyber and Nuclear Operations of the United States Space Force.

Lt. Gen. Saltzman is a graduate of Boston University and was commissioned in 1991. He has operational experience with missile and space systems, as a Minuteman III launch officer, and as a satellite operator for the National Reconnaissance Office. He also served as the first Chief of Combat Plans for the Joint Space Operations Center, and later as Chief of Combat Operations.

Lt. Gen. Saltzman has commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels including the 614th Space Operations Squadron and 1st Space Control Squadron at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California; the 460th Operations Group at Buckley AFB, Colorado; and the Aerospace Data Facility Colorado, Aurora, Colorado. Prior to his current position, Lt. Gen. Saltzman was the Deputy Commander, U.S. Air Forces Central Command; Deputy, Combined Force Air Component Commander, U.S. Central Command, Southwest Asia.

Ms. Deanna L. Ryals is the Chief Partnership Officer, Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), Los Angeles, AFB CA. In this role, she is responsible for driving innovative partnerships with Allies, Inter-Agencies and Industry to build a joint robust and resilient military space enterprise.

Previously as the Chief, MILSATCOM International at SMC, her major contributions included creating partnerships with nine allies (the largest USAF International Armaments Cooperative Program for a space capability) across the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) program, expanding the constellation with two Allied funded satellites, and enhancing the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite program by including five international partners, all resulting in execution of over $3.6B in international partner investment in MILSACTOM. Ms. Ryals was also responsible for innovating the first ever Allied hosting of a US DoD National Security Space (NSS) payload through a partnership with Norway, and bringing new polar MILSATCOM to Allied warfighters.

In 1988, she entered federal government service and for more than 25 years, she supported the DoD in both civil service and industry in financial management and acquisition. In 2000, Ms. Ryals moved to the Secretary of the Air Force staff in the Space Acquisition Directorate and managed a MILSATCOM terminal portfolio worth $10B, then took over as the single SAF/AQS focal point for international activities. In 2012, Ms. Ryals moved to the Air Force Program Executive Officer for Space Launch (AFPEO/SL) as the PM for Acquisition Strategy Development and secured DoD Acquisition Executive approval of a new acquisition strategy for future DoD NSS launches that introduced a competitive environment for all certified U.S. launch service providers. Ms. Ryals rejoined MILSATCOM in January 2013 with her transition to Space and Missile Systems Center.

Col Ryan M. Colburn is the Director of the Spectrum Warfare Division, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB, California. In this role, he leads a team charged with designing and integrating the United States Space Force’s current and future integrated Satellite Communications (SATCOM) and Position Navigation and Timing (PNT) enterprise architectures. He works with military, commercial, allied and government partners to ensure SMC is able to design, acquire, integrate and field the space systems needed to support today’s warfighters on the battlefield of tomorrow.

Col Colburn was raised near Sacramento, California and entered the Air Force in 1998 after graduating from Seattle Pacific University and commissioning through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Washington. He has served in various levels of program management, staff and command positions for AFRL, ACC, DCMA, AFMC, SMC and the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

Prior to this position, Col Colburn served as the Support Cell Chief for the Space Development Agency, responsible for the strategy, architecting and acquisition of all space launch services, ground based command and control systems, operational planning and training, and user equipment for the Agency.

Stéphane is currently the Military Solutions Manager responsible for the Next UHF solution together with developing new and innovative solutions to support customers missions. Before this role, Stéphane has been Head of Service Management, Engineering and Operations delivering services to French and European customers.

Prior to joining Airbus in 2012, Stéphane was the Chief Operations Officer at SPIE Communications. Stéphane has also held Service Management roles at Nortel Networks.

Stéphane studied at the Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (l’INSA).

In addition to spending time with his family Stéphane enjoys tennis and hiking.

Hervé Postec is, since 2013, Director of the Satcom Line of Business of Telespazio France responsible for all satellite telecommunications services on commercial, governmental and defence markets.

Graduate of CentraleSupélec (Paris, France), he began his career in 1994 as design engineer for the development of the first IP routers built in France.

Hervé joined the space telecommunications sector in 2000 by integrating a subsidiary of France Telecom and Agence France Presse in charge of satellite broadcasting of AFP content where he was the Head of the Studies and Engineering Department.

As Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer, Jassem Nasser steers Thuraya’s vision and mission, and heads the company’s strategic, marketing and change management initiatives. In his current role, Jassem is responsible for corporate strategy, product management, business development and marketing development activities. He explores and leads new ventures outside Thuraya’s core MSS business through partnerships and alliances.

Prior to his current assignment, Jassem led Thuraya’s Strategy and Business Development streams as Chief Strategy Officer. He has more than 20 years of experience in the satellite industry, imparting strategic direction and overseeing functions including business development, market intelligence, spectrum management and regulatory affairs. Jassem’s engineering background and expertise have been applied to a business environment that specializes in satellite communication technologies and other radio communication systems. He was actively involved in setting up and managing Thuraya as a start-up satellite organization, and was thereafter part of its various stages of development by formulating plans, priorities and executing on strategic directions and business initiatives.

Jassem graduated with first class honors from the UAE’s Khalifa University with a Bachelor’s degree in communications engineering.

Andy Lincoln works in Viasat’s US Government Systems CTO office and is also seconded to Viasat UK as a senior technical advisor. His work is focused on government satellite communications systems, tactical networks, situational awareness, encryption, cyber/network security, and protected communications products. to Andy’s technical interests range from waveforms to protocols and networks and from ASICs to modems, radios, terminals, and gateways.

Andy joined Viasat in 1997 and has over 30 years’ experience in communications systems, including terrestrial wireless, satellite communications and terrestrial networking for defense, commercial, and consumer applications. Andy is part of Viasat’s Government Systems technical leadership team working to bring resilient, cyber-secure, protected, and affordable communications to Defense users through leverage of Viasat’s commercial high capacity satellite systems.

Andy holds Bachelor’s and Masters’ degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan and University of California San Diego, respectively, focusing on communications theory and system design.
 

Philippe is the Senior Vice President, Global Government for SES and is responsible for leading SES’ Global Government team in executing on strategic sales goals for global government customers around the globe.

In this role, he currently manages a unique customer set with defense, security, diplomatic, humanitarian as well as institutional connectivity needs and addresses key opportunities across the current and future GEO and MEO SES fleet as well as on the GovSat-1 military frequency satellite asset, GovSat-1.

Prior to this, Philippe led SES' Corporate Development activities and endorsed the responsibility of all related major opportunities and projects for SES worldwide.

With his more than 25 years of experience in satellite communications and building on an extensive know-how in dealing with business diversification, related products and services as well as commercialisation matters, he has also been one of the cornerstones for forging SES' entry into the governmental, defence and institutional arena over the last years.

As part of his earlier assignments, Philippe has successfully implemented many other SES projects and also actively driven some of SES' past mergers & acquisitions activities.

Maj. Gen. David N. Miller Jr is the Director of Operations, Training, and Force Development (J3/7), Headquarters United States Space Command. U.S. Space Command is one of 11 Unified Commands under the Department of Defense and is responsible for deterring conflict, defending U.S. and Allied freedom of action in the space area of operations, delivering combat-relevant space capability to the joint/combined force, and developing space forces to advance U.S. and Allied interests in, through and from the space domain. As the J3/7, he is responsible for executing full-spectrum space operations, maintaining credible space deterrence capabilities, providing analytical planning support, combatant command’s participation in joint and combined exercises, and for the education, training, and assessments of assigned and attached space forces.

Maj. Gen. Miller commissioned in 1993 and is a graduate of Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. He has operational experience across space power disciplines and has held a range of operational leadership and staff positions. During his career, Maj. Gen. Miller has commanded America’s Airmen and Guardians at the squadron, group and wing levels including the 2nd Range Operations Squadron, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California; the 21st Operations Group, Peterson AFB, Colorado; and the 460th Space Wing, Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado. Prior to his current position, Maj. Gen. Miller was the Assistant Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Cyber and Nuclear, United States Space Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, VA.

Gus Anderson served in the U.S. Army for 29 years as a Telecommunications Corps officer. During that period he commanded numerous tactical and strategic communications organizations, to include the 509th Signal Battalion, Vicenza, Italy, and the Regional Signal Group SHAPE, NATO HQ (Belgium). During his military career he also served as an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the United States Military Academy, and as the military speechwriter for two Secretaries of Defense. He retired as a Colonel in 2008.

Currently Gus Anderson leads DRS' Global Enterprise Solutions (GES) business development organization. Gus has been with DRS for 10 years. His initial assignments were as a program manager, overseeing satellite networks supporting NATO forces in the Balkans; Coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan; and networks supporting other U.S. Federal and International agencies. In the past several years, Gus' efforts have turned to business development, helping grow customer and market understanding of DRS' Information and Communications Technology Ecosystem - a global network that provides secure managed satellite and terrestrial services to major DoD, US Federal, and international agencies.

COL (retired) Yvette C. Hopkins is the Director of Innovation & Partnerships with SaxaVord Spaceport focused on the establishment of a Spaceport Complex in Shetland (Vertical Launch & Data services), Global Development, Community outreach, Education, and Innovation.

Yvette retired to Shetland, Scotland after a 28-year career as a US Military Intelligence officer culminating as the Director of Intelligence for Special Operations Command, Africa; and prior, as a Brigade Commander. A leading innovator in her craft, she has spent her career synchronizing and directing intelligence eco systems and leading teams. Yvette brings her expertise as a Data and Intelligence consumer, and as a collaborative partner to the UK Space Sector.

Yvette earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science, her Master of Military Arts and Science degree from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College School of Advanced Military Studies, and an additional Master’s degree in National Security Studies from the National War College. She also has earned certificates in Italian, Signals intelligence, Human intelligence, and in Cyber Advanced Support Operations (CASO). She lives a not-so-quiet life in Shetland.

Ms. Deanna L. Ryals is the Chief Partnership Officer, Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), Los Angeles, AFB CA. In this role, she is responsible for driving innovative partnerships with Allies, Inter-Agencies and Industry to build a joint robust and resilient military space enterprise.

Previously as the Chief, MILSATCOM International at SMC, her major contributions included creating partnerships with nine allies (the largest USAF International Armaments Cooperative Program for a space capability) across the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) program, expanding the constellation with two Allied funded satellites, and enhancing the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite program by including five international partners, all resulting in execution of over $3.6B in international partner investment in MILSACTOM. Ms. Ryals was also responsible for innovating the first ever Allied hosting of a US DoD National Security Space (NSS) payload through a partnership with Norway, and bringing new polar MILSATCOM to Allied warfighters.

In 1988, she entered federal government service and for more than 25 years, she supported the DoD in both civil service and industry in financial management and acquisition. In 2000, Ms. Ryals moved to the Secretary of the Air Force staff in the Space Acquisition Directorate and managed a MILSATCOM terminal portfolio worth $10B, then took over as the single SAF/AQS focal point for international activities. In 2012, Ms. Ryals moved to the Air Force Program Executive Officer for Space Launch (AFPEO/SL) as the PM for Acquisition Strategy Development and secured DoD Acquisition Executive approval of a new acquisition strategy for future DoD NSS launches that introduced a competitive environment for all certified U.S. launch service providers. Ms. Ryals rejoined MILSATCOM in January 2013 with her transition to Space and Missile Systems Center.

Ms. Loper presently serves as the Business Manager for Geospace Communications & Navigation Branch and the International Point of Contact at the Space Vehicles Directorate at Air Force Research Laboratory in Albuquerque, New Mexico. As the Business Manager she leads the financial and contractual management of a $50M Branch that executes far-reaching quantum technology investments to create new capabilities in PNT and SATCOM projects and programs. In addition, she serves on the AFRL/RV International Point of Contact and assesses and advises on n partner-nation technologies, partnership agreements & emerging opportunities to effectively address international relationships and avoid technological surprise. She manages international engagements for the Battlespace Environment to allow AFRL to continue to provide critical technologies rapidly to customers while simultaneously increasing effectiveness, reducing duplication, & enhancing systems compatibility and performance. Ms. Loper possess over 12 years of Program Management experience across the space enterprise. From 2009 – 2013, she served as the program integrator and segments lead for the U.S. DoD Enhanced Polar Protected SatComm System and returned to SATCOM in the Wideband Program Office in 2016. She joined the U.S. Government as a Presidential Management Fellow 2008 at the Space and Missile System Center in Los Angeles from a 6-year position in Germany, where she managed operations in Kuwait, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq as a support services contractor.

Kay Sears is the Vice President and General Manager of the Military Space line of business within Lockheed Martin Space. In this role, Kay is responsible for critical national security space programs and mission areas including global navigation satellite systems, space-based missile warning, protected communications, space protection and operations, logistics and sustainment for various customers including the Department of Defense.

Previously, Kay was the Vice President of Strategy and Business Development where she was credited with growing the Space business with a comprehensive strategy to develop new markets and expand core mission areas. She also led strategic planning, advanced program development and new business efforts for each of Space’s lines of business.

Prior to joining Lockheed Martin, Kay served as president of Intelsat General. As president, Kay implemented the company’s strategic and operational plans and was responsible for their mission to provide a range of sustainable, cost-effective and secure communication solutions to government and commercial customers. Before that, she helped launch the government services business units at both G2 Satellite Solutions and Verestar.

With three decades of experience, Kay is a respected leader in the aerospace and defense industry. Kay is passionate about building effective partnerships with her customers, which was sparked by her experience providing space services to warfighters while she was on the operations side of the business. She believes it will take true partnership between industry and government to defeat our adversaries. Kay prides herself on finding common ground and priorities to partner in trusting and long-lasting relationships, and she has done so time and time again throughout her career.

Notably, Kay was appointed to the President’s National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee in 2009 to provide information, technical expertise, advice and guidance regarding issues that may affect national security telecommunications capabilities.

In 2014, Kay was honored with the National Defense Industrial Association’s Peter B. Teets Award, which recognizes leaders of notable influence who have made significant contributions to strengthening our national security through space capabilities or technology.

Kay has a bachelor’s degree in Business and Economics from the University of Richmond and an MBA in Information Systems from George Washington University.

Mark Lambert is President of Kratos Communication Ltd, the UK-based satellite communications business of Kratos, which provides integrated ground systems using both Kratos and 3rd party technologies.

His recent activities have included support for Kratos’ activities to transform satellite ground systems to the digital domain; helping to shape Kratos response to various recent national defence satellite programs; and the design and delivery of ground systems for satellite control and data networking (typically in the Ka and Q/V bands).

Mr Lambert has been working in the satellite industry for over 20 years, with responsibilities that have spanned marketing; business development and business management, in the areas of sub-system products and system engineering. Prior to working for Kratos, he worked for several technology consultancies and product organizations, developing high performance communication and processing solutions for Commercial and Defence markets. He holds Master’s degrees in Marketing; Business; and Systems Engineering.
 

Dr. Gopal is responsible for resilient/protected communications, LEO, HTS, AI/ML and cyber related programs within Hughes DISD. He was involved in the design of the OneWeb LEO broadband system that completed its first two-way data transfer in 2019 summer. He earlier served as Network System Engineering lead for USAF Transformational Satellite (TSAT) space segment and was on the SPACEWAY® 3 (with onboard Layer 2 packet processing payload) architecture and Mobile Satellite systems (Thuraya, ICO, LEO Teledesic), development teams.

Dr. Gopal was the chief architect and software manager for the SPACEWAY, a $1.8B development, Network Operations Control Center (NOCC).
Dr. Gopal serves on the editorial board of Wiley’s International Journal of Satellite Communications and Networking (IJSCN) and is member of IEEE 5G World Forum and AIAA ICSSC technical program committees. He is the co-chair of the AIAA ICSSC Colloquium on “Satellites and 5G” to be held in the Washington DC area in October 2020. As a member of the US President’s NSTAC Satellite Task Force 2009, he co-authored the pioneering report on commercial satellite communications and cyber security.

He received a BE (Hons.) in Electrical Engineering from the Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani, India and a PhD in Computer Science from Vanderbilt University; has published more than 40 technical papers on topics ranging from satellites, software, artificial intelligence, machine learning, network management, and life science applications; and holds 9 patents on satellite systems.

James “J.J” Shaw, CDR (Ret.) U.S. Navy, is currently the Director, Government Solutions, Telesat U.S. Services. He retired as Branch Head of Satellite and Tactical Communications, OPNAV N6, in 2004, after bringing commercial C-band (CNO Special Project “Challenge Athena”) and Inmarsat L-band leases to the Fleet.

He subsequently worked for Inmarsat Government Solutions; O3b Networks; and joined Telesat U.S. Services in 2019 to help stand-up the Government Solutions Team.

Michael Baxter is Principal Director, SATCOM Capability Integration at The Aerospace Corporation supporting the US Space Forces’ Spectrum Warfare Division within Space Systems Command. Michael has more than 30 years experience at Aerospace including in the areas of dynamics and control, astrodynamics, space-based sensors, environmental monitoring, modeling and simulation, communications, operations, model based systems engineering, acquisition, and program management. He has a Doctorate in Engineering Design from the University of Southern California, and a Masters and Bachelors degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University. Michael is a former naval reserve officer having served with Naval Air Weapons Center (NAWC) 0276 and Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 305.

Mr. Burch is the Director of Advanced MILSATCOM for the Boeing Space and Launch Group located in El Segundo, CA, U.S.A. He has worked for over a decade to develop advanced resilient MILSATCOM systems, architectures, and solutions for the U.S. Government and international allies.

Mr. Burch joined Hughes Space & Communications as a Member of the Technical Staff in 1982 as an RF design engineer. Later assignments included subsystem engineering, project engineering, and ultimately project management. Boeing acquired Hughes, and from 1999 through 2002 Mr. Burch was the program manager for the Interim Polar EHF program, responsible for the delivery of two EHF communications payloads to the U.S. Navy. Subsequent assignments have included MILSATCOM systems development, as well as acting as both line manager and IPT lead for the development of laser communications (Lasercom) systems for space for the U.S. Air Force’s Transformational Satellite (TSAT) program (2004 – 2009). For the past 8 years Mr. Burch has been developing and evaluating new MILSATCOM solutions to provide resilience to emerging threats. In 2019 his book, “Resilient Space Systems Design: An Introduction,” was published. He is named on two U.S. patents.

Mr. Burch received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from California State University, Fresno in 1982 and a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering with an emphasis in communications science from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 1984.

Colonel Ed Skelly is the Operations Division Chief for the CCJ6 Directorate of US Central Command. He was commissioned through ROTC in 1996 as an Army Signal Officer. Colonel Skelly has held a variety of assignments during his 25 years of service: Area Signal Company Executive Officer and Range Extension Platoon Leader for a Mobile Subscriber Equipment Signal Battalion; Signal Battalion HHC Company Commander; S6 for a Military Police Battalion, a Parachute Infantry Battalion, and an Airborne Brigade Combat Team; Division Radio Officer for the 82d Airborne Division; Presidential Communications Officer, White House Communications Agency; Strategic Plans Officer for Combined Joint Interagency Task Force 435 in Kabul, Afghanistan; Tactics Instructor at the US Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC); the 7th Infantry Division’s Assistant Chief of Staff G6; and Deputy Brigade Commander for the 160th Signal Brigade. He has served overseas in Germany, Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait.

Colonel Skelly is also a School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) Advanced Strategic Plans and Policy Program (ASP3) Fellow and PhD Candidate in Security Studies with the School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs at the University of Central Florida. He is a graduate of Virginia Tech, CGSC, and SAMS’s Advanced Military Studies Program. COL Skelly holds master’s degrees from CGSC and Webster University. He is a senior rated parachutist, has received various awards for service, and wears the Presidential Service Badge.

Ed is married to Eileen Burke Skelly of Metairie, Louisiana. They have four children and call Oviedo, Florida home.

Mike Dean is the Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Division Chief for C3 Infrastructure Directorate of the Deputy Chief Information Officer for Command, Control, and Communications (C3), Office of the Secretary of Defense, Chief Information Officer. As DoD SATCOM Chief, he provides technical expertise, oversight and broad guidance on policy, programmatic and technical issues relating to DoD SATCOM to integrate and synchronize defense-wide communications programs and achieve the DoD’s Digital Modernization Strategy initiatives. He also advises on efforts to achieve and maintain information dominance through DoD SATCOM for the Department of Defense. He manages efforts defining DoD policies and strategies for design, architecture, interoperability standards, capability development and sustainment of DoD SATCOM and serves as the DoD CIO’s focal point for international partnership activities in SATCOM to include the NATO SATCOM Services 6th Generation (NSS6G) activities.

Mike’s DoD SATCOM division also maintains synchronization architecture roadmaps and employs various governance forums to synchronize end to end SATCOM activities, including the SATCOM Synchronization and Integration Workshop and the SATCOM Systems Engineering Group.

Before joining federal government service, Mike served as a career Army Signal Corps and Cyberspace officer for more than 27 years (including multiple command positions and multiple combat deployments within the 82d Airborne Division as well as serving as the Space Branch Chief in the Joint Staff J6). Following his military career, Mike served as a defense contractor for in multiple roles supporting the DoD CIO in satellite communications and information enterprise management. Mike’s most notable role in DoD SATCOM is the development of the Enterprise SATCOM Management and Control Reference Architecture published in 2019 by the DoD to describe the building code for DoD enterprise SATCOM modernization.

Mike Dean holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Information Systems Management from Western International University and a Master of Arts in History from Western Illinois University

Nigel joined Airbus in 2012. He is Key Account Manager for the maritime domain and is leading Airbus’ campaign for the next generation of UK Military Satellite Communications. He has previously held a number of sales leadership and Key Account Management roles across the Defence & Space business.

Based in Portsmouth, he is able to draw on industrial expertise from across the Airbus portfolio to support his role. These include UK national programmes such as Skynet, the Zephyr solar powered stratospheric aircraft, and a growing number of innovative space activities.

Before joining Airbus, Nigel enjoyed 27 years’ service as a Warfare Officer in the Royal Navy, serving at sea and ashore in a range of command and staff appointments. These included operational deployments to the Middle East and Africa and periods spent with NATO, US and NL led staffs. A graduate of the Advanced Command and Staff Course and a C4ISR specialist, he complemented his operational experience with a rewarding appointment to MOD as Joint User for MilSatcom.

Nigel maintains a keen interest in international relations and maritime affairs. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Bristol and a Master’s degree from Kings College London in Defence Studies.

Married and living on the South Coast of the UK with his family, he enjoys getting on the water whenever possible, skiing and cycling around Hampshire and West Sussex.

Dr Olivia Samardzic started in Defence as a Research Scientist in DSTO in 1995 having completed her B.Sc. (Hons) and Ph.D. (in experimental Atomic Physics) at the Flinders University of South Australia (SA). She briefly worked as a Research Assistant in Lasers and Optics group at Adelaide University before commencing at DSTO.

From 1995 to 2004 she work in Electro-Optic (EO) threat warning, covering both EO missile warning and laser warning, leading a major engagement with the United States in laser warning and countermeasures to laser beamriding missiles. She was promoted to a Senior Research Scientist in 2001 and moved to the then Electro-Optic Technologies (EOT) group in 2004 (later known as the Laser Technologies group) and became the Discipline Leader of the Laser Systems and Effects discipline. During this time she was responsible for the research and development of several laser based detection, countermeasure and protection systems, in additional to leading a program in laser effects on sensors and materiel.

From August 2013 to January 2014 she undertook a Defence Science Fellowship at Dstl Porton Down working on Electro-Optic Protection Measure (EOPM). Between 2001 and 2018 she undertook several acting roles as Head of Group (HoG) EO Threat Warning, HoG EOT and Group Leader EO Countermeasures (EOCM).

Dr Samardzic was appointed as the permanent Group Leader of EOCM in March 2018 and became the Research Leader Electronic Warfare Operations (EWO) soon after that in November 2019. In this role she had responsibility for EO and Radio Frequency (RF) electronic warfare (EW) and for quantum technologies (QT) research and development. In April of 2021 she moved into her current role as Minister Counsellor Defence Science and Technology (London & Paris).

Dr Samardzic has also been involved in numerous extra-curricular activities. She has served on the National Executive of the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP, 2007-2021), was the Chair of the SA branch (2005-2006), convenor of the SA Branch Science Policy subcommittee, the Education subcommittee and convenor and secretary of the SA Women in Physics group (1994-2000) and currently sits on the both the Flinders University Science Industry Advisory Board and the Engineering Industry Advisory Board. She is one of the founders of the SA Space School (1997-present) and the National Space Camp and has been a Co-Director of the Centre for Australian Space Education since 2004. She also participates in numerous other STEM outreach activities and is passionate about improving the culture for women in STEM. She was awarded the Australian Public Service Medal in 2019, the 2020 Flinders University Convocation Medal and the 2001 APS Centennial Medal for her service to STEM outreach and to Defence.

Kirk joined the Royal Navy in 1989 as a young Communication Warfare Specialist. 22 years of service would see him serve on numerous Warships conducting operational deployments to the Middle East, South Atlantic, Black Sea, West Indies and within various UK and NATO Headquarters.

In 2011 Kirk left the Royal Navy and joined the Royal New Zealand Navy. Whilst serving in the Royal New Zealand Navy, Kirk would take on positions in the Defence Communications Station Devonport, HMNZS Wellington, Satellite Networking Operations Centre (SATNOC) as the Operations Manager and finally as the lead CIS Operations Planner at the HQ Deployable Joint Inter Agency Task Force (DJIATF).

In 2018 and on retirement from uniform service Kirk returned to the SATNOC as the lead planner for all MilSAT and COMSAT operations.

February 2021 saw Kirk take up the newly established role of the NZDF SATCOM Product Owner.

Kirk knows the importance of ensuring the NZDF is smart and creative about how it uses finite resources to provide secure and reliable communications for deployed military operations. He sees that it is imperative to provide a Networked Connected Force with robust satellite communications, whether it be via Military or Commercial means within the wide ranging and sparsely populated areas of NZDF operations.
 

Alfie joined Airbus Defence and Space in January 2017 and spent 4 years in Secure Communications Business Development & Capture Management setting up teams to bid on a number of Opportunities. His most notable success was winning the UK MoD Land Systems Reference Centre in 2019; a new venture for Airbus Secure Communications in the UK. Alfie moved to his current post as the UK Key Account Manager for Connectivity in March 2021. This new post is focussed on building the ADS digital connectivity business across the UK MoD, Government and Civil markets. He is also the ADS UK Account manager for cross Government R&D/R&T.

Prior to joining Airbus, Alfie spent 34 years in the British Army and retired as a Colonel. His specialist area was C4ISTAR and he worked on a number of UK MoD IT systems after completing an MSc in the Design of Information Systems. His Squadron Command included a tour in Northern Ireland as the Commander of HMP Maze, and his unit Command was as Commanding Officer of Tayforth Universities Officer Training Corps. The last 10 years of his military career was in the special programmes arena which saw him representing the specialist user community on a number of international R&D and capability planning committees developing new equipment across the spectrum of capability with an emphasis on counterterrorism.

With more than 25 years of experience in both telecommunications and space business, Willy Guilleux joined the Global Government Services Business Line of Eutelsat in 2016 after spending 7 years as Head of the Western Europe Sales and Business Development for the Communications, Intelligence and Security Business Line of Airbus Defence and Space.

Prior to joining Airbus Defence and Space, Willy spent 9 years at Arianespace, the European space launch services provider, where he was Marketing Director in charge of marketing, business development and market analysis within the Commercial Directorate of Arianespace.

Willy also worked for 6 years within Lucent Technologies in its Wireless Access Systems Business Unit. He held numerous commercial and field operations positions in the EMEA and Asia-Pacific regions, where he also led Technical Sales Support teams for delivering offers to telecommunication operators in these regions.

Graduated in Telecommunications Engineering from Telecom Bretagne in Brest, France, and post-graduated in Radio Telecommunications from ETSIT in Barcelona, Spain, Willy also has a Master of Science degree in EEA (Electronics - Electricity - Automatism) from Rennes I University, France, as well as a Certification in Business Financing from HEC Business School in Jouy-en-Josas, France.

Squadron Leader Gallagher was raised in Winsford, Cheshire prior to studying Mechatronic Engineering at the University of Leeds (2003-2006); during that time he was an Officer Cadet on Yorkshire University Air Squadron.

After Initial Officer Training at RAF College Cranwell (March 2007-February 2008), he conducted a brief hold at 90 Signals Unit (90SU), prior to returning to RAF Cranwell for Engineering Officer Foundation Training (Communications-Electronics) (EOFT(CE)) (April-December 2008).

Upon graduation from EOFT(CE) he was posted to RAF Leeming in January 2009 as Officer Commanding (OC) F Flight, 4 Squadron, Tactical Communications Wing (TCW) and he deployed in July 2009 in support of (ISO) Op HERRICK, as the TCW Detachment Commander within the Kandahar Information and Communication Squadron. Upon his return he took command of H Flight, 4 Squadron, TCW and in April 2010 deployed again ISO Op HERRICK. As the SO3 A6 within 903 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW), he held responsibility for tactical Air Traffic Control (ATC) services and wider A6 support to 903 EAW, whilst progressing Op MAINTOP (Fixed ATC capability).

Upon return from Op HERRICK in September 2010, he was posted to Remote Radar Head Staxton Wold. Shortly thereafter, he was selected for a US Air Force (USAF) exchange post and in April 2011 was embedded within the 5 Combat Communications Group (5 CCG) at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, USA. There he advised the USAF Group Commander on communications interoperability, alongside a primary role as the Operations Flight Commander within the 53 Combat Communications Squadron (53 CBCS). He held command of the Squadron (September 2011 - January 2012) and in July 2013 deployed to Jordan ISO USAF/Royal Jordanian Air Force bilateral defence of Jordan (July 2013-Febuary 2014). Elevated to the position of Communications Director of Operations within 407 Air Expeditionary Group, he led the transformation of initial entry bare base communications, to fixed Main Operating Base level information services. Upon return to the US, he assumed command of the 5CCG Training Flight holding responsibility for both the technical and combat readiness training of ~900 personnel.

In June 2014, he returned to the UK. Posted to the A6 Force Headquarters within Air Command, he held responsibility for Information Assurance across multiple Intelligence and Air Mobility aircraft delivery programmes. This was followed by a posting within the Defence School of Communications and Information Systems, as an EOFT(CE) course officer, within the No 1 Radio School at RAF Cosford. There he instructed and mentored newly graduated Officers prior to their first postings within the Engineering Branch.

In June 2017 he was promoted to Sqn Ldr and posted within the Defence Digital (DD) Ops HQ, Joint Spectrum Authority. Responsible for Spectrum Management (SM) of MOD Electromagnetic Activity (EMA), he advanced the processes and governance surrounding service fulfilment, incident management and planned outage (jamming) activity, advancing EMA and SM thinking within the DD Ops HQ.

Married to Rachel and father to Renna (3), his main focus outside of work and home life is split between golf and rugby union (RU). He enjoys the battle to reduce his golf handicap and supporting both RAF and civilian RU leagues as an RU referee.

As Vice President of Business Development at Virgin Orbit, Stephen Eisele is responsible for leading all sales and the strategies around business efforts and advanced concepts. His primary focus is to engage with the civil, commercial and new space small satellite community as well as lead Virgin Orbit’s growth opportunities through strategic partnerships. Prior to joining Virgin Orbit, Eisele served as a senior business development executive for Surrey Satellite Technology US, where he was responsible for engaging with commercial and government customers and collaborating with them on advancing their key programs from subsystems to platforms and mission fulfillment. He also helped lead Surrey’s business growth opportunities through strategic partnerships, enterprise marketing, and advancing new space technology and innovation developed from within the company’s core offerings.

Stephen previously served as vice president of Space Services Inc, a commercial space holdings and investment company, where he managed multi-million dollar companies and start-ups; served as head of sales and marketing for Excalibur Almaz (EA), an international space exploration company created to provide routine, affordable access to and from space; and also worked as the marketing coordinator for the X PRIZE Foundation's Google Lunar Lander Challenge in 2007. Prior to working with entrepreneurial aerospace firms, Stephen worked as a senior analyst for DFI International (now Avascent Group) in Washington, DC, managing and researching numerous projects for Fortune 100 aerospace and defense firms.

Stephen holds a bachelor of arts in international studies from the Johns Hopkins University and a master of arts in international economics and strategic studies from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) where he received the William C. Foster Award for “sound scholarship and a record of distinguished service and leadership.” He also holds a master's certificate from the International Space University in space business.

Per Norén became Ovzon’s CEO in May 2021 after a distinguished career and experience in leading international high-tech and high-growth companies and organizations mainly in the aerospace and transportation industry.

Ovzon is a fast-growing company specializing in unique solutions for mobile broadband via satellite. The company delivers the highest bandwidth through the smallest terminals. Ovzon’s SATCOM-as-a-Service solutions meets the growing demand for global connectivity for customers with the highest performance requirements including Government, Defense, Emergency Services (Police, Public Safety, Fire Brigades etc.) Mariners, Media and NGOs.

Before joining Ovzon Mr. Norén served as President of the Anuvu Group (Global Eagle), a leader in satellite connectivity solutions for the aviation, maritime, land, government, defense, and oil & gas industries. Prior to joining the Anuvu Group Mr. Norén held several senior executive positions for 10 years at The Boeing Company, including as Vice President Digital Aviation, Vice President Information Services and Managing Director Air Traffic Management and Environmental strategy.

Earlier was Mr. Norén the President and CEO of Carmen Systems for 10 years. Carmen Systems was a fast-growing technology, analytics and software company for the aerospace, aviation, transportation and logistics industries.

Mr. Norén graduated from the Swedish Military Academy and the Gothenburg School of Business, Economics and Law at The University of Gothenburg, Sweden. He also earned a degree from the Executive Education Program at Harvard Business School, MA, USA

Squadron Leader Gallagher was raised in Winsford, Cheshire prior to studying Mechatronic Engineering at the University of Leeds (2003-2006); during that time he was an Officer Cadet on Yorkshire University Air Squadron.

After Initial Officer Training at RAF College Cranwell (March 2007-February 2008), he conducted a brief hold at 90 Signals Unit (90SU), prior to returning to RAF Cranwell for Engineering Officer Foundation Training (Communications-Electronics) (EOFT(CE)) (April-December 2008).

Upon graduation from EOFT(CE) he was posted to RAF Leeming in January 2009 as Officer Commanding (OC) F Flight, 4 Squadron, Tactical Communications Wing (TCW) and he deployed in July 2009 in support of (ISO) Op HERRICK, as the TCW Detachment Commander within the Kandahar Information and Communication Squadron. Upon his return he took command of H Flight, 4 Squadron, TCW and in April 2010 deployed again ISO Op HERRICK. As the SO3 A6 within 903 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW), he held responsibility for tactical Air Traffic Control (ATC) services and wider A6 support to 903 EAW, whilst progressing Op MAINTOP (Fixed ATC capability).

Upon return from Op HERRICK in September 2010, he was posted to Remote Radar Head Staxton Wold. Shortly thereafter, he was selected for a US Air Force (USAF) exchange post and in April 2011 was embedded within the 5 Combat Communications Group (5 CCG) at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, USA. There he advised the USAF Group Commander on communications interoperability, alongside a primary role as the Operations Flight Commander within the 53 Combat Communications Squadron (53 CBCS). He held command of the Squadron (September 2011 - January 2012) and in July 2013 deployed to Jordan ISO USAF/Royal Jordanian Air Force bilateral defence of Jordan (July 2013-Febuary 2014). Elevated to the position of Communications Director of Operations within 407 Air Expeditionary Group, he led the transformation of initial entry bare base communications, to fixed Main Operating Base level information services. Upon return to the US, he assumed command of the 5CCG Training Flight holding responsibility for both the technical and combat readiness training of ~900 personnel.

In June 2014, he returned to the UK. Posted to the A6 Force Headquarters within Air Command, he held responsibility for Information Assurance across multiple Intelligence and Air Mobility aircraft delivery programmes. This was followed by a posting within the Defence School of Communications and Information Systems, as an EOFT(CE) course officer, within the No 1 Radio School at RAF Cosford. There he instructed and mentored newly graduated Officers prior to their first postings within the Engineering Branch.

In June 2017 he was promoted to Sqn Ldr and posted within the Defence Digital (DD) Ops HQ, Joint Spectrum Authority. Responsible for Spectrum Management (SM) of MOD Electromagnetic Activity (EMA), he advanced the processes and governance surrounding service fulfilment, incident management and planned outage (jamming) activity, advancing EMA and SM thinking within the DD Ops HQ.

Married to Rachel and father to Renna (3), his main focus outside of work and home life is split between golf and rugby union (RU). He enjoys the battle to reduce his golf handicap and supporting both RAF and civilian RU leagues as an RU referee.

With more than 25 years of experience in both telecommunications and space business, Willy Guilleux joined the Global Government Services Business Line of Eutelsat in 2016 after spending 7 years as Head of the Western Europe Sales and Business Development for the Communications, Intelligence and Security Business Line of Airbus Defence and Space.

Prior to joining Airbus Defence and Space, Willy spent 9 years at Arianespace, the European space launch services provider, where he was Marketing Director in charge of marketing, business development and market analysis within the Commercial Directorate of Arianespace.

Willy also worked for 6 years within Lucent Technologies in its Wireless Access Systems Business Unit. He held numerous commercial and field operations positions in the EMEA and Asia-Pacific regions, where he also led Technical Sales Support teams for delivering offers to telecommunication operators in these regions.

Graduated in Telecommunications Engineering from Telecom Bretagne in Brest, France, and post-graduated in Radio Telecommunications from ETSIT in Barcelona, Spain, Willy also has a Master of Science degree in EEA (Electronics - Electricity - Automatism) from Rennes I University, France, as well as a Certification in Business Financing from HEC Business School in Jouy-en-Josas, France.

Colonel Cam Stoltz enrolled in the Canadian Forces as a Communications and Electronics Engineering (Air) Officer. His postings include the Aerospace Maintenance Development Unit in Trenton, engineering and project support positions in Ottawa, and A6 of 1 Canadian Air Division and Canadian NORAD Region (Winnipeg). Senior staff positions at National Defence Headquarters include Director Strategic Communication Services and Director Air Support.

Colonel Stoltz has served as Commanding Officer of 8 Air Communications and Control Squadron (Trenton) and Commanding Officer of the Canadian Forces Joint Signal Regiment (Kingston). He also commanded the Operation APOLLO National Command Control and Information Systems Squadron in Camp Mirage.

In 2017, Colonel Stoltz was posted to his current position as Director Space Requirements. Colonel Stoltz holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering from the Royal Canadian Military College of Canada, as well as a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from University of Ottawa, and is a graduate of the Canadian Forces College in Toronto.

Col. Scott D. Brodeur is the Director of the National Space Defense Center and Director of Operations, Joint Task Force Space Defense, Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. He ensures synchronization and unified action in the space warfighting domain with mission partners across the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community to conduct space superiority operations in order to deter aggression against the U.S. and allies, to protect and defend space capabilities and to defeat our adversaries throughout the continuum of conflict.

Colonel Brodeur commissioned through Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1997. He served in a variety of operational assignments in ICBMs, space electronic warfare, space battle management, space command and control, and he deployed numerous times in support of contingency operations worldwide. Prior to his current assignment, Colonel Brodeur commanded the 614th Air Operations Center and Combined Space Operations Center at Vandenberg AFB, California.

Colonel Brodeur transferred into the U.S. Space Force in December 2020.

Colonel Mihai Burlacu assumed the current duties as Deputy Chief of Communications and Information Technology Directorate, Romanian Defence Staff, on 15th October 2017.

In this capacity, he is currently acting as military advisor to the Chief of Defence for planning, strategy, implementation and sustainment of major joint CIS/C4ISR capabilities and other relevant ICT services provided for national, NATO, EU and Coalition Operations and in addition, he is responsible to lead the overall MoD Digital Transformation as CIO.

Colonel Mihai Burlacu was commissioned with the 48th Signal Regiment in 1985 after he graduated the Signal Officer School.

He was assigned in various command and staff positions and after the National Defence University graduation in 1993 was appointed with the Communications and Information Systems/CIS Command.

Since 1997, he undertook different assignments and tasks in CIS Operations and Capability Planning within the J6 General Staff and afterwards between 1998-2001 and 2003-2007 he served as the Romanian C3 Representative to NATO HQ Brussels.

In 2008 he took over CIS Planning Branch/CIS Directorate and later was appointed the commander of the 48th CIS Centre.
Between 2016 -2017 he worked for European Union Advisory Mission/EUAM as Senior IT Advisor in Ukraine.
He is married and has one son.
 

I lead the newest branch within the R&D&I house of the Hungarian Defence Forces. Before that, I served as R&D engineer at the Modernization Institute, as Communication and Information Systems advisor of the Deputy Commander of the Hungarian Defence Forces, as project manager for our force modernization program, CIS systems officer in the General Staff, and systems engineer. I am a telecommunications engineer specialized in SATCOM and microwave.
I am working on my PhD dissertation at the National University of Public Service, and I am a researcher within the Outer Space and Social Sciences Research Group at NUPS.

Commandant Nicolas Gérôme is a telecom engineer from the Royal Military Academy in Brussels. He started his career for the Belgian Air Force in CRC Glons and moved afterwards to the Joint Staff where he managed various projects in C4ISR domain and space remote sensing for the Directorate General Material Resources. He has more than 15 years of experience in Joint and multinational C4ISR Project & Program Management for Belgian Defence and within private sector. After his senior staff officer course, he now works at the Strategy Department an leads the development of military Space-based capabilities.

Ralph D. Thiele, is President of EuroDefense, Germany, Chairman Political-Military Society, Germany and Managing Director StratByrd Consulting, Germany.

In his military career, Ralph Thiele has served in major national and international security and military policy, planning and academic assignments, including on the Planning Staff of the Minister of Defence, in the Private Office of the NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, as Chief of Staff at the NATO Defense College, as Commander of the Bundeswehr Centre for Transformation and as Director of Teaching at the German Armed Forces Command and Staff College. In his honorary and business functions he advices on Defence Innovation to include MilSatCom in times of digital transformation. He has been frequently consulting, publishing and lecturing in Europe, America and Asia.
 

Squadron Leader Gallagher was raised in Winsford, Cheshire prior to studying Mechatronic Engineering at the University of Leeds (2003-2006); during that time he was an Officer Cadet on Yorkshire University Air Squadron.

After Initial Officer Training at RAF College Cranwell (March 2007-February 2008), he conducted a brief hold at 90 Signals Unit (90SU), prior to returning to RAF Cranwell for Engineering Officer Foundation Training (Communications-Electronics) (EOFT(CE)) (April-December 2008).

Upon graduation from EOFT(CE) he was posted to RAF Leeming in January 2009 as Officer Commanding (OC) F Flight, 4 Squadron, Tactical Communications Wing (TCW) and he deployed in July 2009 in support of (ISO) Op HERRICK, as the TCW Detachment Commander within the Kandahar Information and Communication Squadron. Upon his return he took command of H Flight, 4 Squadron, TCW and in April 2010 deployed again ISO Op HERRICK. As the SO3 A6 within 903 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW), he held responsibility for tactical Air Traffic Control (ATC) services and wider A6 support to 903 EAW, whilst progressing Op MAINTOP (Fixed ATC capability).

Upon return from Op HERRICK in September 2010, he was posted to Remote Radar Head Staxton Wold. Shortly thereafter, he was selected for a US Air Force (USAF) exchange post and in April 2011 was embedded within the 5 Combat Communications Group (5 CCG) at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, USA. There he advised the USAF Group Commander on communications interoperability, alongside a primary role as the Operations Flight Commander within the 53 Combat Communications Squadron (53 CBCS). He held command of the Squadron (September 2011 - January 2012) and in July 2013 deployed to Jordan ISO USAF/Royal Jordanian Air Force bilateral defence of Jordan (July 2013-Febuary 2014). Elevated to the position of Communications Director of Operations within 407 Air Expeditionary Group, he led the transformation of initial entry bare base communications, to fixed Main Operating Base level information services. Upon return to the US, he assumed command of the 5CCG Training Flight holding responsibility for both the technical and combat readiness training of ~900 personnel.

In June 2014, he returned to the UK. Posted to the A6 Force Headquarters within Air Command, he held responsibility for Information Assurance across multiple Intelligence and Air Mobility aircraft delivery programmes. This was followed by a posting within the Defence School of Communications and Information Systems, as an EOFT(CE) course officer, within the No 1 Radio School at RAF Cosford. There he instructed and mentored newly graduated Officers prior to their first postings within the Engineering Branch.

In June 2017 he was promoted to Sqn Ldr and posted within the Defence Digital (DD) Ops HQ, Joint Spectrum Authority. Responsible for Spectrum Management (SM) of MOD Electromagnetic Activity (EMA), he advanced the processes and governance surrounding service fulfilment, incident management and planned outage (jamming) activity, advancing EMA and SM thinking within the DD Ops HQ.

Married to Rachel and father to Renna (3), his main focus outside of work and home life is split between golf and rugby union (RU). He enjoys the battle to reduce his golf handicap and supporting both RAF and civilian RU leagues as an RU referee.

Didier ANDOUCHE joined the European Defence Agency on 1 July 2021 as Programme Manager for EU SatCom Market (ESM) Project.

In this position he is responsible for the management of ESM, a two folded project aiming to deliver Satcom and CIS solutions to EDA’s participating member states and EU civilian and military missions and operations in the frame of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy.

An engineer by education, Didier worked in several IT related posts in the French Land forces, EU, and NATO, including operational deployments in Iraq, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Africa. Before joining the EDA, he was in the French MoD responsible for the digital policy in the division for digital strategy of the armed forces.

Mr. Michael “Mike” T. Laney is a Department of the Air Force Civilian working as the Lead on International Engagement for Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM) under the Space Division for the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force (International Affairs), at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Mr. Laney oversees the development of cooperative agreements in MILSATCOM including wideband, narrowband, and protected satellite communications.

Mr. Laney enlisted in the United States Army June 1989, later graduating from the United States Military Academy June 1995. He continued serving on active duty in the United States Army as a commissioned officer until June 2004. His active duty experiences included multiple overseas assignments and deployments in Europe with frequent contact with host nation government representatives as a Military Police Officer. Upon separation from the Army, he continued to serve overseas as a Department of the Army Civilian -- first as a Host Nation Liaison Officer, then later as a Government Relations Advisor in Belgium. Upon returning from his last overseas assignment in 2011, Mr. Laney transferred to the Department of the Air Force as an International Relations Specialist.
 

Nigel joined Airbus in 2012. He is Key Account Manager for the maritime domain and is leading Airbus’ campaign for the next generation of UK Military Satellite Communications. He has previously held a number of sales leadership and Key Account Management roles across the Defence & Space business.

Based in Portsmouth, he is able to draw on industrial expertise from across the Airbus portfolio to support his role. These include UK national programmes such as Skynet, the Zephyr solar powered stratospheric aircraft, and a growing number of innovative space activities.

Before joining Airbus, Nigel enjoyed 27 years’ service as a Warfare Officer in the Royal Navy, serving at sea and ashore in a range of command and staff appointments. These included operational deployments to the Middle East and Africa and periods spent with NATO, US and NL led staffs. A graduate of the Advanced Command and Staff Course and a C4ISR specialist, he complemented his operational experience with a rewarding appointment to MOD as Joint User for MilSatcom.

Nigel maintains a keen interest in international relations and maritime affairs. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Bristol and a Master’s degree from Kings College London in Defence Studies.

Married and living on the South Coast of the UK with his family, he enjoys getting on the water whenever possible, skiing and cycling around Hampshire and West Sussex.