Brett Wade

Chris Melkonian

Mr. Melkonian has over 20 years of federal service spanning program management and systems engineering, and has served in leadership positions on complex acquisition and sustainment programs for the Navy and Marine Corps including joint programs with the Army and Air Force. Mr. Melkonian is currently the Program Manager for the USMC’s Advanced Amphibious Assault (PM AAA) after serving 2.5 years as Deputy PM AAA.
Prior to this assignment he served as the Deputy Program Manager for In-Service Attack Submarines at PEO(SSN). He worked alongside the Program Manager to lead and integrate all aspects of lifecycle management for in-service LOS ANGELES, SEAWOLF, and VIRGINIA Class Attack Submarines. In this role, he was responsible for assessing the strategic distribution of $350M annual budget across availability planning and execution, certification, technology insertion and modernization, as well as direct fleet support, to ensure submarine operational needs were constantly met. This also included management of private sector submarine availabilities totaling in excess of $2.5B over the FYDP. Prior to a recent Team Submarine realignment, Mr. Melkonian also managed OHIO Class SSBN/GN sustainment and modernization, and submarine inactivations.
Mr. Melkonian served as the Chief Engineer and then Deputy Program Manager for PMW 230, which comprises a portfolio of logistics IT including the Business Category (BCAT I) Global Combat Support System–Marine Corps (GCSS-MC) program supporting worldwide U.S. Marine Corps operations. He led organizational change to shift the IT culture to a system of systems mindset leveraging the latest in DEVSECOPs and agile development to quicken capability delivery. He was responsible for overseeing a budget of $150M to maintain and modernize logistics IT to remain responsive to the U.S. Marine Corps’ mission. He received the MCSC award for Excellence in Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Engineering in 2015 for his numerous contributions.
Mr. Melkonian was the Engineering Division Head for Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) where he was responsible for leading all aspects of systems engineering policy, additive manufacturing, IT portfolio modernization, independent technical risk assessments (ITRA), and obsolescence management for MCSC and affiliated Program Executive Offices (PEOs).
In 2009, Mr. Melkonian conducted a rotation at the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition (ASN(RD&A)) while attending the Executive Potential Program (EPP). He prepared congressional testimony, worked with Program Managers to prepare for Gate reviews, and led a team to develop modernization strategies for command and control aboard aircraft carriers and surface ships.
Mr. Melkonian served in several leadership positions at the Program Manager, Advanced Amphibious Assault (PM AAA) program office including Director of Systems Engineering. He was responsible for managing development, testing, and transition to production activities for the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle Acquisition Category (ACAT I), and subsequently the Assault Amphibious Vehicle, Marine Personnel Carrier ACAT I, and Amphibious Combat Vehicle ACAT I programs with an annual portfolio budget of over $240M.
Early in his career he led product improvement programs (PIPs) for the Navy’s Hydra-70 and Zuni Rocket Systems, as well as the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) joint program with the Army, and an Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrator (ACTD) joint program with the Air Force.
Mr. Melkonian holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Old Dominion University, and a Master of Science Degree in Executive Systems Engineering Management from the Naval Postgraduate School. He is a graduate of the Defense Acquisition University’s (DAU) Executive Program Manager Course and the Graduate School’s Executive Potential Program. He is DAWIA level III certified in program management and engineering. Mr. Melkonian is the recipient of the Navy Superior Civilian Service award for his numerous contributions to reshaping how the US Navy conducts submarine sustainment and modernization.

Colonel Aaron E. Morrison

Colonel Andrew Konicki

Colonel James A. Tony Lindh II

COL James A. (Tony) Lindh II was born in Billings, Montana and raised in Anchorage,
Alaska. He attended Montana State University in 1995 and graduated with a Bachelor of
Science degree in Biomedical Sciences in 1999. COL Lindh was commissioned as a
Chemical Officer through Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and attended the Officer Basic
Course at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri in October 2000. He was released to the
Quartermaster Branch in February 2001 after completing his branch detail to the
Chemical Corps. COL Lindh served in the 3rd BCT (Greywolf), 1st Cavalry Division, Fort
Hood, Texas from October 2000 until January 2006. During this time he was a Chemical
Officer and Assistant Operations Officer for the 2-82 Field Artillery Battalion and then
served as a Supply Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, Material Readiness
Officer, Supply and Services Officer, and Support Operations Plans Officer for the 215th
Brigade Support Battalion. COL Lindh deployed with the 1st Cavalry Division to Baghdad,
Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II from March 2004 to February 2005.
COL Lindh attended the Combined Logistics Captain’s Career Course at Fort Lee, Virginia
en route to Fort Richardson, Alaska and the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th
Infantry Division. COL Lindh served as the Battalion S-4, Bravo Field Maintenance
Company Commander, and Rear Detachment Commander for the 725th Brigade Support Battalion for deployments to Iraq and
Afghanistan.
COL Lindh joined the Acquisition Corps in 2010 and completed his Master of Science in Project Management before serving as an
Assistant Program Manager for Army Enterprise Systems Integration Program (PEO EIS) at Fort Belvoir, VA. He then served as a
Department of the Army Systems Coordinator for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare, and Sensors (IEW&S) and the Executive Officer to
the Deputy for Acquisition and Systems Management (DASM) in the Pentagon. COL Lindh commanded Product Manager Ground
Sensors in PEO IEW&S located at Fort Belvoir. He was called back to the Pentagon to serve as the Executive Officer to the Principal
Military Deputy (PMILDEP) to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (ASA(ALT)) and most
recently served as the Branch Chief for Acquisition Management Branch at Human Resources Command in Fort Knox, KY. COL Lindh
is currently serving as the Project Manager Soldier Survivability in PEO Soldier.
COL Lindh’s military education includes Airborne School, Chemical Officer Basic Course, Supply and Services Officer Management
Course, Combined Logistics Captain’s Career Course, Aerial Delivery Management Officer Course, Acquisition Basic Course,
Command and General Staff College, The Program Manager’s Course at the Defense Acquisition University, and The Eisenhower
School for National Security and Resource Strategy. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal
(with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), the National
Defense Service Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Iraq
Campaign Medal, the Overseas Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Meritorious Unit Citation, the Combat Action Badge, the Army
Parachutist Badge, and the Army Parachute Rigger Badge.
COL Lindh is married to the former Christina Noel Adams of Poolesville, Maryland. They have two children, Penelope Helen, and
James A. (Tripp) Lindh III

Colonel Jennifer Massett

Colonel Scott W. McLellan

Colonel Scott W. McLellan is a 1998 graduate of Drew University in Madison, New Jersey and was commissioned after completing the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey. He is a graduate of the Air Defense Artillery Officer Basic Course, Airborne Course, Air Assault School, Infantry Advanced Course, Mechanized Leaders Course, Joint Fire Power Control Course, the Command and General Staff Officers Course (CGSC), and the Army War College. He has completed a Bachelors in Politic Science and Spanish, a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Tennessee, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the Army War College.
COL McLellan began his career as a Platoon Leader and Executive Officer for the Alpha Battery, 3rd Battalion, 62nd Air Defense Artillery (Fort Drum, NY). He then went to Camp Sears, Korea where he served as the assistant Operations Officer for 5th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment. After that assignment, he assumed command of Bravo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment (Fort Campbell, KY) where he deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. COL McLellan then went to serve as a senior staff trainer for the Brigade Special Troops Battalion Task Force and the senior Counter – Improvised Explosive Device Observer/Controller/Trainer at the Joint Readiness Training Center (Fort Johnson, LA).
Upon completion of his time in Louisiana, COL McLellan returned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky and was assigned to the 4th Brigade, 101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division where he served as the deputy Brigade Operations Officer and in 2010 deployed to Paktika Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He returned to Khost Province, Afghanistan a second time in 2013 as the Operations Officer for the 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion. He transitioned to Headquarters, Department of the Army G3, Force Management where he served for 18 months as the Organizational Integrator for Air Defense Artillery Branch. At the conclusion of his assignment in HQDA, COL McLellan took command of the 3-43 Air Defense Artillery Battalion at Fort Bliss, Texas. There he was responsible for the air defense modernization mission that included testing and facilitating the Integrated Air and Missile Defense battle command systems. After command, he joined the Joint Staff as the Air and Missile Defense Operations Officer in the Directorate of Operations where he coordinated and supported the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff and other Joint directorates on global air and missile defense operations. He later served as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Director of Nuclear and Homeland Defense Operations, Operations Directorate, Joint Staff. COL McLellan recently spent three years in Korea as the Commander for the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Osan and the Chief of Staff, 8th Army on Camp Humphreys.
His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal (2 OLC), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC), the Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), the Army Achievement Medal (5 OLC), the Meritorious Unit Award, the Basic Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, and the Ranger Tab.
He is married to Ms. Stephanie Lesser and has a daughter, Wren (6).

Commander Phillip Durand

LCdr Phillip Durand joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 2003. After graduating from RMC, he was posted to HMCS Athabaskan as a Bridge Watchkeeper, then as the ship’s Navigating Officer. In 2011, LCdr Durand return to RMC as a Squadron Commander, where he concurrently completed his Masters in Disaster Management. In 2013, he was posted to HMCS Montreal as the ship’s Combat Officer, in which he oversaw several different missions, including the At-Sea Demonstration for MTMD. In 2016, he was posted to Ottawa in various roles, including positions at Strategic Joint Staff, CFINTCOM and at the Director of Naval Requirements.

Director of Operations

DJ Smith

DJ Smith is a Technical Surveillance Agent for the Virginia State Police and has worked in the area of Covert Technical/Tactical Surveillance for almost 30 years. Several areas of specialty are GPS Installs, Video-Audio Clarification, Technical Surveillance Counter Measures (TSCM), Title III Intercepts, Mesh-Node Camera Deployments, Technical/Tactical Lock Bypass & Safe Penetration including GSA locks & containers, Cellular Tracking and Geo-Locating, Covert Audio/Video deployments, sUAS & Counter UAS deployment operations to name a few. In the area of sUAS and Counter UAS Operations:

· He is the Unmanned Aerial Systems Program Coordinator for sUAS & Counter UAS operations for the Virginia State Police

· He serves on the Virginia Safe and Secure Commonwealth Sub-Panel dealing with UAS/Counter UAS implementation and legislative issues for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

· Has served as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on various technologies for the DHS office of Electronic Surveillance, Law Enforcement Technology Board (SPAWARS Atlantic & Saver program).

· As a representative of the Virginia State Police, he is a stakeholder on the Mid-Atlantic UAS Partnership group (Google Wing) at Virginia Tech for Commercial/Enterprise UAS deliveries.

· He has served on the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate First Responder Robotic Operational System Test (FFROST) assessment & evaluations of sUAS for Public Safety.

· He has presented and moderated discussions at: Semi-Annual Counter UAS Summit in Washington DC, AUVSI Xponential, Commercial UAV Expo, Center for Innovative Technology and various agencies across the US.

· He also provides technical advice to legislative groups in Washington, DC assisting in getting the legislative carve-outs for SLTT agencies to obtain sUAS mitigation technology.

· He is also licensed part 107 pilot and has been flying sUAS for over 13 years.

Dominick Edwards

Dr Craig Robin

Dr Daniel Guillette

Daniel Guillette is an Electronics Engineer for the Air Force Research Laboratory's High Power Electromagnetics Division. He joined AFRL as a student in 2011 before becoming a full-time employee in 2014. He received his B.S. and M.S. In Electrical Engineering from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in 2012 and 2014, and his PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of New Mexico in 2022. Dr. Guillette has held a number of jobs in his 12 years at AFRL most notably as the THOR System Principal Investigator.

Dr Donald Shiffler

Dr James Bailey

Dr Nicholas Fell

Dr Randy Tompkins

Harijs Osis

• More than 15 years experience working in civil/mechanical engineering fields;
• More than 5 years as C-UAV specialist in JHQ FP in Latvian army;
• More than 10 years certified UAV pilot (I class);
• Certified Force protection specialist;
• Certified Physical security specialist;
• Certified Cybersecurity specialist;
• Certified Fire security specialist;
• Bachelor degree in Civil engineering;
 

Lewis E. Monroe III

Lewis “Lew” E. Monroe III is NNSA’s Associate Administrator for the Office of Defense Nuclear Security and Chief of Defense Nuclear Security, a position he has held since June 2023. He is responsible for the development and implementation of NNSA’s security programs, including the control, protection, accounting of materials, and cybersecurity for all NNSA facilities. He is a member of the Federal Senior Executive Service.
Prior to his current assignment, he was NNSA’s Director for the Office of Human Resources. In this capacity, he was responsible for executive leadership and oversight of the strategic partnerships with leaders across NNSA and DOE. He also ensured human resource policies and practices, workforce planning strategies, and fostered sound human resources management practices and accountability systems aligned with merit system principles. Prior to this, he served as the Deputy Associate Administrator for Defense Nuclear Security and was responsible for executive leadership in the vital areas of organizational transformation, strategic direction for security integration and standardization, nuclear security requirements, and implementing guidance affecting the nuclear security enterprise.
Mr. Monroe is a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving 30 years in nuclear security and as a Command Chief Master Sergeant. Mr. Monroe holds a degree in Criminal Justice from Saint Leo University and a Master of Science Degree in Psychology from Capella University. His executive development experiences include attendance and/or participation in the following organizations and educational programs: Center for Creative Leadership, La Jolla, CA, Kenan-Flagler Business School at UNC, Chapel Hill, Movers and Shakespeares, Aspen Institute, Gettysburg Leadership Experience, Lean Six Sigma for USAF Smart Operations, University of Tennessee, Enlisted Keystone, Joint Forces Command, Norfolk, VA, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Senior Executive Service Orientation Seminar, DOE Nuclear Executive Leadership Training (NELT), OPM Strategic Foresight Planning for Executive Leaders, USAF Institute of Technology School of Strategic Force Studies, and Harvard University Kennedy School of Government.
A native of Las Vegas, Nevada, he and his wife Nickey have three adult daughters and four grandchildren. Mr. Monroe is a member of the Board of Directors for the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association and the Board of Directors for the HireGround, a non-profit organization. His professional affiliations include the Air Force Security Forces Association, Air Force Sergeants Association, Air Force Association, and the American Society for Industrial Security.

Lieutenant Colonel / Deputy Chief Timothy Tyler

Deputy Chief Timothy Tyler is a distinguished veteran of the United States Marine Corps, having served from 1985 to 1989. He began his law enforcement career in 1990 with the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division, where he assisted in protecting Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton. In 1994, Deputy Chief Tyler transitioned to the Prince George’s County Police Department, where he dedicated over two decades of service, retiring in 2016 after 22 years of distinguished service at the rank of Major.
Throughout his tenure with the Prince George’s County Police Department, Deputy Chief Tyler held numerous roles, including patrol officer, community police officer, criminal investigator, and Sergeant on the Emergency Response Team. His career advanced steadily, with multiple promotions and increasing levels of responsibility. As a Police Lieutenant, he served as the Assistant Commander of the Police Personnel Section, overseeing the Personnel Section, Risk Management, and the Recruitment and Examination Section. After his promotion to Police Captain, he served as the Assistant Commander for District VI, District II, and the Special Investigations Division, where he managed specialized units including the Gang Unit, Organized Auto Crime Section, Organized Retail Crime Section, Warrant Squad, and Violent Crime Reduction Unit.
Upon his promotion to Police Major, Deputy Chief Tyler assumed the role of Commander of the Training and Education Division. In this capacity, he was responsible for overseeing the training and development of nearly 2,000 recruit officers, certified officers, and civilian staff.
In April 2016, Deputy Chief Tyler retired from the Prince George’s County Police Department to take on his current role with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police Department, where he serves as the Deputy Chief of Police for the Support Services Bureau. In this capacity, he oversees all police department training, investigations, special operations, technology and administrative functions. Additionally, in the past he has served as the Chief of Patrol Operations, responsible for managing daily patrol and security operations at Reagan National and Dulles International Airports.
Deputy Chief Tyler holds both a Master’s and Bachelor of Science degree in Management from The Johns Hopkins University. He is currently pursuing his doctoral studies in Criminal Justice with a focus on homeland security at Liberty University. He is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Police Executive Research Forum, International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, and the American Association of Airport Executives. Additionally, Deputy Chief Tyler serves as the 2nd Vice President for the Airport Law Enforcement Agencies Network (ALEAN) and sits on the Board of Directors for Safe Skies.
 

Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Mickle

Lieutenant Colonel Mickle is an infantry officer who has served in various roles since graduating from RMC in 2005. His experience spans Platoon and Company Command, Military Instruction, project management, operational analysis, and capability development. He has participated in several operational deployments, including OP SLIPPER, VIC FIRES ASSIST, PARAPET and RESOLUTE.
Over a twenty-year career, he has received several recognitions for his contributions to Army and Defence. In 2015, he received an Army Bronze Commendation for designing Army’s Regional Force Surveillance Group contribution to OP RESOLUTE. In 2018, he received an Army Silver Commendation for his leadership as a company commander. In 2022, during a posting to VCDF Executive as an operational analyst, he was part of a team who received a VCDF group gold commendation for their contribution to improving Joint Force Interoperability.
Lieutenant Colonel Mickle has experience in the Land 400 phase 3 acquisition program for Army’s future infantry fighting vehicle in which he is currently working in the Army’s Robotics and Autonomous Systems Implementation and Coordination Office (RICO), where developed a new road map for an improved culture of innovation and agile thinking in the Army to align with the Chief of Army’s vision for enterprise innovation. As the lead for Army Innovation, he sponsored the Army MakerSpace program as Army’s innovation collaboration software and Army Innovation Day. He is a conduit to the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) to represent Army’s interests in pursuing emerging technologies from Australian industry and academia.
Lieutenant Colonel Mickle is currently the Project Lead for Land 156, Army’s accelerated Counter Small Uncrewed Aerial Systems project responsible to deliver cutting edge technology solutions to protect deployed forces from the threat of drones and autonomous systems.
Lieutenant Colonel Mickle is a Capability and Technology Management College graduate with a Masters of Business and a Masters of Capability Management. He is also a qualified Test and Evaluation practitioner, experienced Operational Analysis practitioner and a Certified Practicing Project Manager with the Australian Institute of Project Management.
Lieutenant Colonel Mickle is married to his wife of 14 years Katey, and has two children Harriet (10) and Wallace (8) at primary school in Canberra.

Lieutenant Colonel Rudiger Rauch

Assistant Branch Chief Strategy and Operations Directorate I 6, C-sUAS, NATO Biometrics, Data Protection Military Intelligence, Federal Ministry of Defense, Germany
Lieutenant Colonel Rudiger Rauch was born on May 08th 1968 in Harderberg near Osnabrueck Lower Saxonia.
1988 Airforce Basic Training Essen-Kupferdreh
1992 67. Officercourse Airforce Officerschool Fuerstenfeldbruck
1994 Electronic Warfare Officer Course Airforce Technical School Lechfeld
1994 - 2000 Electronic Warfare Officer (Duty Officer COMINT, Platoonleader)
Signal Sector D, Berlin-Gatow
2000 - 2002 Electronic Warfare Officer, Desk Officer
German Airforce Command A3Va, Cologne
2002 - 2003 Electronic Warfare Officer, Desk Officer
Strategic Reconnaissance Command, Directorate Future Development, Equipment Department, Rheinbach
2003 - 2006 Sector Commander
3./COMINT Bn 911, Stadum
2006 - 2009 Teaching Staff Officer Airforce
Strategic Reconnaissance School, Flensburg
2009 - 2012 J3 and Deputy Commander
COMINT Bn 911, Stadum
2012 - 2013 Deputy Commander and J3
Signal Analysis Center 91, Flensburg
2013 - 2014 Group Leader 4 Technical Analysis and Head of COMINT Department
Bundeswehr SIGINT Technical Analysis Center (BwSTAC), Hof
05/2014 – 07/2018 Assistant Branch Chief for the authorised representative FMOD within the Paliamentary Inquiry Council, SME SIGINT
FMOD Berlin
08/2018 – 10/2018 Assistant Branch Chief Strategy and Operations Directorate II 4, EUTM MLI
FMOD Berlin
11/2018 – 07/2019 Assistant Branch Chief Strategy and Operations Directorate I 1, C-sUAS, NATO Biometrics, Data Protection Military Intelligence FMOD, Berlin
07/2019 –
today Assistant Branch Chief Strategy and Operations Directorate I 6, C-sUAS, NATO Biometrics, Data Protection Military Intelligence
FMOD, Berlin
 

Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Gerry

LTC Stephen Gerry currently serves as the Program Manager for Counterproliferation at USSOCOM. His portfolio includes Counter Unmanned Systems, Electronic Warfare Family of Systems, and Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction. His office executes over $500 million dollars annually and deploys capability to multiple theaters in support of SOF operators.

Stephen entered service on 01 June 2006 and was commissioned as an Air Defense officer. His first duty assignment was with the 11th Brigade, 32nd AAMDC where he served as a Patriot Battery Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, and finished his time there as a Patriot Battery Commander where he deployed in support of Operation enduring freedom. LTC Gerry graduated from Providence College earning a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. Following his assignment with 11th ADA BDE, LTC Gerry attended Air Defense Captain’s Career Course at Ft. Sill, OK.

After command, LTC Gerry transitioned to the Acquisition Corps and attended the Naval Post Graduate School where he earned his MBA. Following completion of his master’s degree, LTC Gerry was assigned to the JPEO for CBRNE where he would serve as the APM for the Uniform Protective Ensemble that would eventually replace the JSLIST as the DoD wide CBRN protective suit.

LTC Gerry’s acquisition assignments include, Deputy Program Manager for Family of Special Operations Vehicles, Program Manager for SOF Remote Capabilities (Unmanned Ariel Systems 1-3 and Space), and Acquisition Chief at the Defense Innovation Unit in Silicon Valley. Currently, LTC Gerry is in a Training with Industry assignment with Sig Sauer.

LTC Gerry’s awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Clusters, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Order of St. Barbara.

LTC Gerry is married to his wife, Stephanie, and they have one daughter, Brooklyn, age 9.
 

Lieutenant General Joel "JB" Vowell

Lieutenant General Joel "JB"Vowell is the DeputyCommanding General for U.S.Army Pacific (USARPAC) -located at Fort Shafter,Hawaii. He received hiscommission as an Infantryofficer from the University ofAlabama in 1991. During hiscareer, he has been stationedin Europe, the Pacific, theMiddle East, and many postsacross the United States.
Lieutenant General Vowellhas been on three combattours in Afghanistan and twoin Iraq, including both surgecampaigns. He commandedthe 2d Battalion, 327
th
Infantry Regiment (“No Slack”) and the 3rd BrigadeCombat Team ("Rakkasans") of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell,Kentucky. MG Vowell was a War College Fellow at Stanford University andlater was the Army Chief of Staff's Senior Fellow to the Brookings Institutionfollowed by his assignment as Executive Officer to the Secretary of the Army.
Lieutenant General Vowell has been the Deputy Commanding General(Operations) for 25
th
Infantry Division, as well as the Deputy J5/Strategy Plansand Policy, USINDOPACOM. He has commanded US Army Japan/I Corps(FWD) and his last assignment was as Commander, CJTF-Operation InherentResolve in Iraq and Syria.
He is married and is the proud father of two great sons.
 

Major Craig T. Stump

Major Kenneth Welch

MAJ Kenneth G. Welch is currently assigned to JPEO Armaments and Ammunition and PM Maneuver Ammunition Systems, where he serves as the Assistant Program Manager (APM) for PdM Medium Caliber focusing on rapidly producing proximity munitions for C-UAS solutions. MAJ Welch was commissioned as an Army Field Artillery Officer after graduating from the University of New Mexico in 2013 and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. After Commissioning, MAJ Welch attended Field Artillery training at Fort Sill, OK where he completed the Basic Officer Leadership Course. MAJ Welch Transitioned to Military Intelligence in 2019 and attended the Captains Career Course at Fort Huachuca. He is a graduate of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas where he earned a master’s in business administration with a concentration in global supply chain management. Before transitioning to acquisitions MAJ Welch served at Camp Casey ROK, Fort Stewart GA, Schofield Barracks HI, Fort Shafter HI, and at the University of Kentucky. He served as a Fire Support Officer, Platoon Leader, and Executive Officer for M119 (105mm) units at Fort Stewart, GA. Additionally he deployed to Afghanistan in 2018 as the 3ID DIVARTY S2 in Bagram, Afghanistan. During his time in Hawaii, he served as the 3IBCT AS2 and the 2-27IN S2. Following those assignments, he served as a Company Commander for B Co, 205th MI BN, providing USARPAC with strategic intelligence and assessments.
MAJ Welch and his wife, Maggie, have been married for Six years and have two children: Calvin (2 Years Old) and Dean (5 Mos).
MAJ Welch’s awards and decorations include a Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (four oak leave clusters), Army Achievement Medal (two oak leave clusters), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Air Assault Badge, Basic Army Instructor Badge and Expert Soldier Badge.
 

Michael Torphy

Michel K.C. Koopman

The Major Michel Koopman has been an FP officer for twenty years, the first four years as an ground defense force platoon commander. Then followed different functions as an training officer for ground defense forces and basic military personnel, in the same area’s he then did two tours as a Captain.
After a short staff tour he became an FP officer within the Army staff of an GBAD unit. At the last post before his current task, as an C-UAS program manager, he was Squadron Commander of the 640 Sqn at Airbase Volkel. Throughout the years he has been deployed to Afghanistan, Kirgizstan, Kuwait, Mali and Jordan. He’s married with Sabine and has 1 daughter of 9 years (Senna) and 1 dog (Stacey) and lives in the southern part of Holland. (Brabant)
 

Michelle Self

Michelle Self is an Army Civilian with over 20 years of acquisition experience in various operational and staff positions. Through assignments in the Program Executive Office – Soldier, Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office, Army Futures Command, Army Contracting Command and the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Procurement, she has hands-on experience working within traditional and non-traditional contracting and resourcing principles to meet mission objectives in the areas of professional services, weapon system development and production, research and development contracts and Other Transaction Agreements. As the Strategic Portfolio Manager for Soldier Survivability, she is focused on identifying and mitigating challenges for this unique and fragile industrial base. She has a Bachelors of Business Administration from James Madison University, a Masters of Business Administration from The George Washington University and a Masters of Science in National Resource Strategy from The Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy.

Robert L. Green

Robert L. Green is the 8th Secretary and Executive Director of the American Correctional Association. Mr. Green brings over 39 years of corrections and government leadership experience to the position. He began his correctional career with the Frederick Sheriff's Office in 1985, ultimately becoming the Corrections Director. In 2000, he was selected for a senior position with the Montgomery County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation in Montgomery County Maryland, one of the 50 largest jail systems in the country, where he also served as the Director of that department. In 2019, Governor Larry J. Hogan selected Mr. Green to become the 12th Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services for the State of Maryland. Mr. Green has served the American Correctional Association for more than 30 years. His most recent committee assignment was as Vice Chair of the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections. Robert is a graduate of Shepherd University, West Virginia.

Stephen Bowdren

Mr. Stephen Bowdren leads the USMC’s only Program Executive Office at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. His team of Marines and Civilian Marine acquisition professionals, across five program offices with 15 programs, develops, delivers, and sustains over $8B in lethal capabilities for the world’s preeminent fighting force, the United States Marine Corps. Appointed to the Senior Executive Service in 2015, Mr. Bowdren served as the Executive Director of the Navy’s International Programs Office from 2019 to 2022, overseeing the Department of the Navy’s Foreign Military Sales, Cooperative Acquisition, and Technology Security and Foreign Disclosure programs. Prior to that assignment, he oversaw the Department of Navy’s TS&FD Directorate, coordinating releasability issues within the DON and with interagency stakeholders. In these and other positions, Mr. Bowdren spearheaded the development and implementation of several enterprise-wide security cooperation business and process management tools, including the Strategic International Acquisition planning process and the Navy’s Case Execution Performance Tool. He was NIPO’s inaugural Lean Six Sigma Deployment Champion and Black Belt and served in the same position for the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. A retired naval surface warfare officer, Mr. Bowdren also qualified as a Joint Specialty Officer and a Strategic Planning subspecialist. His ashore tours included service as European Command’s Sub-Saharan Africa Politico-Military Action Officer, Surface Warfare Requirements Officer on the Pacific Fleet Staff, and propulsion plant examiner on the Atlantic Fleet Staff. Mr. Bowdren holds degrees from the University of Connecticut (B.A. History, summa cum laude), Georgetown University (M.A. National Security Studies), and the Naval War College Command and Staff College. He is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute. Professional certifications include Defense Acquisition Corps Program Manager Level III, Business Financial Manager Level I, Certified Defense Financial Manager, International Affairs Certified Level III and Security Cooperation Workforce qualified. He is a recipient of the Department of the Navy’s Meritorious and Superior Civilian Service Awards.