Brigadier General Cain Baker

 Brig. Gen. Cain Baker is from Fayetteville, GA and a graduate from Auburn University. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the Aviation Branch in 1996.
Baker’s assignments have included Platoon Leader positions in both 2nd Infantry Division and the 101st Airborne Division. While assigned to the 101st Airborne, Baker served as the Division G3 Air in support of Task Force Falcon IIIA, Kosovo. Baker was assigned to 1-227th Aviation Regiment “First Attack,” Fort Cavazos (Formerly Fort Hood), Texas as the Assistant Operations Officer during the initial invasion of Iraq and assumed multiple commands, deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following command, Baker served as an observer Controller at the National Training Center Fort Irwin, CA.
Baker served in the 3-101st Aviation Regiment as the Battalion Executive Officer and then the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade Operations Officer (S3), 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), while deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. As the Battalion Commander of the 1-227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Baker served as the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade Commander, 1st Cavalry Division while also deploying to Europe. Baker served as the Principal Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense from 2018 to 2021. Baker recently served as the Deputy Commanding General for Support, 25th Infantry from 2021 to 2023.
Baker is married and has three daughters.

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael Lima

 Chief Warrant Officer Four Michael Lima is a native of Huntington, New York. He enlisted in the United States Army in January 1999 and was appointed as an Army warrant officer in 2011. Michael Lima has served in a variety of operational and institutional positions.

CW4 Lima’s most recent assignment was as a training developer with Ordnance Training Development Division. Assigned to HHC 59th Ordnance Brigade, the Ordnance Corps and School under Combined Arms Support Command at Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia. In addition, he was selected as a Training With Industry Fellow with Raytheon Missile & Defense, Tucson. Arizona. His previous assignments include Group Munitions Officer for 10th Support Group, Okinawa, Japan; Senior Warrant Officer Advisor for 6th Ordnance Battalion, Camp Carroll, South Korea, Brigade Ammunition Officer, 602nd Aviation Support Battalion, Camp Humphreys, South Korea, and Brigade Ammunition Officer, 88th Brigade Support Battalion, Fort Johnson, Lousiana.

He served in various technical roles such as: Accountable Officer (Stock Record Officer) for 10th Support Group, Okinawa, Japan; and Accountable Officer (Stock Record Officer) for 52nd Ordnance Company, Camp Humphreys, South Korea.

Mike Lima is a graduate of the Ammunition Warrant Officer Basic/Advanced courses, Warrant Officer Intermediate Level Education (WOILE), and both phases of the Warrant Officer Senior Service Education (WOSSE). His civilian education includes Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) private pilot certification with an instrument rating. He holds a doctorate in business administration and a master’s degree from Baker College Center for Graduate Studies.

CW4 Lima’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (2nd award), Army Commendation Medal (5th award), Army Achievement Medal (3rd award), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and a Basic Aviation Badge as well as several other service medals and ribbons. He is the recipient of the Honorable Order of Samuel Sharpe

Colonel Shane Riley

 Colonel Shane Riley directs the Oklahoma National Guard’s unmanned systems and launched effects program focused on domestic and operational support capabilities integration related to the National Guard dual missions as a response force to the Homeland and combat-power asset to the Nation. Colonel Riley has over 36 years of service in the National Guard with 24 of those served on active duty. Colonel Riley is an infantry officer, having served in support of domestic response and combat deployments abroad. Before assuming the role as UAS/Launched Effects director, Colonel Riley directed the civil support, intelligence oversight, and force protection functions for the Oklahoma National Guard.
Colonel Riley holds a B.S. in Biology and an M.S. in Human Resources Administration from East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma, and a M.S. in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.

Dr Casey Perley

 Army Applications Laboratory Executive Director Dr. Casey Perley leads Army Futures Command's mission to put the best technology in the world in the hands of Soldiers and help the Army learn to ingest commercial innovation. Dr. Perley’s unique blend of scientific and military expertise includes a background in molecular genetics and microbiology, a PhD from Duke University and BS from Yale University, and a postdoctoral fellowship at USAMRIID, where she researched some of the most dangerous viruses and designed DNA vaccines. Dr. Perley is a talented harpist, featured on over 120 recordings, including one Grammy-nominated album.

Dr James Kirsch

 Dr. James Kirsch was appointed to the Senior Executive
Service in July 2019. He serves as the Director for the U.S.
Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation
& Missile Center. Dr. Kirsch leads a workforce of more than
11,000 engineers, scientists, researchers and support staff
in delivering life cycle engineering and advanced
technologies as required by the Army’s strategic priorities
and support to its Cross-Functional Teams and the Aviation
and Missile materiel development enterprise.
Under Dr. Kirsch’s direction, AvMC is responsible for
delivering collaborative and innovative aviation and missile
capabilities for responsive and cost-effective research,
development and life cycle engineering solutions. Many
Department of Defense and federal agencies, as well as
academic, corporate and industrial researchers and
developers, seek AvMC’s science, technology, and
engineering expertise, which is characterized by its talented
and technically proficient workforce and unique test bed
capabilities.
Prior to serving as director, Dr. Kirsch was the Director for
the DEVCOM AvMC Software, Simulation, Systems
Engineering and Integration Directorate (S3I).

Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Watkins

 LTC Watkins received her commission from Alabama Agriculture and Mechanical (Alabama A&M) University as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps, May 2005. Following Chemical Officer Basic Course (COBC) at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, LTC Watkins was assigned as a reconnaissance platoon leader in the 44th Chemical Company, 2nd Chemical Battalion, 48th Chemical Brigade, Fort Cavazos, TX. Further assignment history for LTC Watkins includes: Company Executive Officer (XO), 44th Chemical Company, 2nd Chemical Battalion, 48th Chemical Brigade, Fort Cavazos, TX, (2007-2008); Company Commander, A Company, 1-48 Infantry Regiment, 3D Chemical Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, MO (2008-2010); Brigade Chemical Officer, 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 32D Army Air and Missile Defense Command, Fort Liberty, NC (2010-2013); Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Capability Developer, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence, Fort Leonard Wood, MO (2013-2014), Assistant Product Manager (APM) Aviation Rockets and Small Guided Munitions, Joint Attack Munition Systems, PEO Missiles and Space (2015-2016); APM Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 Intercept Block 1, PEO Missiles and Space (2016-2017); XO to the Program Executive Officer, PEO Missiles and Space, Redstone Arsenal, AL (2017-2018); Acquisition Management Branch Career Manager, Human Resources Command, Fort Knox, KY (2018-2020); Army Acquisition Corps Policy Integrator, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1, Directorate of Military Personnel Management, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. (2020-2022).

LTC Watkins’ education includes a Bachelor of Art degree (Alabama A&M), Master of Science Degree in Environmental Management (Webster University), and a Master of Science Degree in Management (Liberty University). She is a graduate of COBC, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, Chemical Officer Advanced Course, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, Army Acquisition Basic Course, Huntsville, AL, and the Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS. LTC Watkins’ awards and decorations include the Army Meritorious Service Medal (with three oak leaf clusters), Army Commendation Medal (with three oak leaf clusters), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal the Army Service Medal, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.
LTC Watkins is a native of Atmore, AL and is married to MAJ Quinton Watkins of Huntsville, Alabama and they have one daughter.

Major General Frank Lozano

 Major General Frank J. Lozano is the Program Executive Officer (PEO) Missiles and Space, Redstone Arsenal, AL. He is responsible for the development, production, fielding, sustainment, and international program aspects for assigned missile and space systems. MG Lozano assumed his current position August 2022. MG Lozano graduated from Texas A&M University in 1993 and commissioned as a second Lieutenant in the Armor Branch. He served as a Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, Cavalry Squadron Staff Officer and Calvary Troop Commander, before transitioning into the Army Acquisition Corps in 2001. He graduated with a MBA from the University of Texas at Arlington and served with Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Grand Prairie, TX in 2002 as part of the Training With Industry (TWI) program.After completion of Command and General Staff College, MG Lozano was assigned as the Assistant Product Manager for Project Manager Soldier Weapons, PEO Soldier, followed by an assignment as an Ammunition and DemolitionSystem Acquisition Manager for the Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and the Army Research Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM). In 2008, MG Lozano was assigned as a Department of the Army System Coordinator (DASC) for Tactical Missile Systems and Ballistic Missile Defense Systems. He was subsequently selected to be the Special Assistant for the Army’s Vice Chief of Staff. In his position as the Special Assistant, he provided insight, advice, and counsel on Army acquisition programs crossing many different functional capability areas. MG Lozano commanded the Product Management Office for Soldier Protective Equipment, PEO Soldier from 2011 until 2014. From 2014 to 2016 he was assigned to the Joint Staff, J-8 Capabilities and Acquisition Division. Upon graduation from the U.S. Army War College, he assumed the position of Project Manager for the Lower Tier Project Office, PEO Missiles and Space from 2017 until 2020, followed by an assignment as the Integrated Fires and Rapid Capability Office PM. He was then assigned as the ASA(ALT) Chief of Staff from 2021 to 2022.MG Lozano’s operational and combat experience include deployments to Bosnia, Kuwait and Iraq. His awards and decorations include the Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, the NATO Service Medal, the Army Staff Identification Badge, and the Joint Staff Identification Badge. He is certified in Program Management; Contracting; System Research; Planning and Engineering; and System Test career fields.

Major Sean Harper

 
Major Sean Harper is a United States Marine Corps Infantry Officer currently serving as an Operations Research Analyst at the Marine Corps Operations Analysis Directorate in Quantico, Virginia. He advises senior Marine decision-makers on operations, contingency planning, and force design. During his time as an operations research analyst, he has worked on critical projects in USINDOPACOM related to the Marine Corps Force Design 2030 and the Defense Posture Review Initiative. Previously, Captain Harper served as a Company Executive Officer and Platoon Commander at 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, where he led combat operations supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. Captain Harper earned his Bachelor of Science in Operations Research with a minor in Spanish from the United States Naval Academy. He holds a Masters in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School. He has published on topics such as loitering munitions in the United States Naval Institute’s Proceedings magazine.

Mr Justin Croutch

 Mr. Justin Croutch began his career with the U.S. Army in 2008 at the Yuma Proving Ground's Aviation Systems and Electronic Test Division. He currently serves as a Cross Functional Team (CFT) Integrator and subject matter expert advisor to YPG Staff, providing critical insights on DT/OT testing and assessments relating to the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) CFT portfolio, including Loitering Munition and Launched Effects programs. His experience includes supporting the Army Futures Command's Project Convergence 2020 and 2021, the FVL CFT's EDGE23 and EDGE24 events, in addition to other Loitering Munition and Launched Effects programs at YPG.

Mr Tony Garcia

 Tony Garcia is the Director of Munitions Technologies for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology (OASD(S&T)). His office oversees the Joint DoD/DOE Munitions Program and the Joint Enhanced Munitions Technology Program, and also serving as the primary advisor to the staff of OASD(S&T) and others for munitions topics, including developing and implementing munitions science and technology strategy for the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Tony has served 20 years in the Navy and Navy Reserve as a helicopter pilot and operations planner, and previously supported various offices in DoD as a contractor.

Mr Trent Emeneker

 Trent served on active duty in the Marine Corps where he was a Weapon Systems Officer in the F/A-18D, qualified as a division lead and Forward Air Controller (Airborne). He deployed twice to the Western Pacific, to Iraq, and to Afghanistan as a Forward Air Controller. Post active duty, he joined the Reserves where he has served as a Battalion and Regimental Air Officer. He is currently on staff with Tactical Training and Exercise Control Group in 29 Palms, CA as an instructor during Marine Corps service level exercises.

After leaving active duty, he earned his MBA from Columbia Business School and a MA of International Affairs from Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs. He worked for GE Aviation in a variety of roles on a rotational program and then was a project manager on the GE9X engine program. He joined the Autonomy Portfolio as DIU four years ago and has been the Blue UAS lead for the past year.

In his spare time, he coaches whatever teams his sons, ages 7 and 9, are on.