december 4, 2025

* JOIN US FOR THE PRE-EVENT HAPPY HOUR on December 3, 2025 FROM 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

7:00 am – 8:00 am MST

Delegate Registration and Networking Breakfast

8:00 am – 8:10 am MST

Chair's Welcome and Opening Remarks

Supply Chain & Logistics

Ellen Ferraro, Ph.D.

VP, Engineering, Land and Air Defense Systems
Raytheon | An RTX Business

Manufacturing & Operations

David Forward

VP, Operations
Woodward

Quality

Lisa Slagle

VP, Quality and Environment, Health and Safety
Boeing

AI & Emerging Technology

Dominic Perez

Chief Technical Officer
Curtiss Wright

8:10 am – 8:40 am MST

Keynote

  • Peter Lengyel

    President and CEO
    Safran USA

  • Edward Fortunato

    EVP, Safran Space and Defense Inc.
    Safran USA

Advancing Resilience and Innovation through Transatlantic Collaboration

  • Exploring how deepened U.S.-European aerospace partnerships are advancing national security priorities, technological innovation, and industrial base resilience
  • The evolving role of Safran USA in supporting both military and commercial aerospace advancements across 24 U.S. states – aligning global expertise with domestic needs
  • Navigating today’s complex geopolitical and economic environment: strategies for supply chain resilience, workforce development, and accelerating innovation pipelines
  • Preparing for the next frontier: How collaboration across borders, domains, and industries will define success in the future aerospace and defense ecosystem
8:40 am – 9:10 am MST

Plenary

Scott Alexander

President, Missile Solutions
L3Harris

Elevating Defense System Performance Through Quality Excellence and Risk-Driven Mission Assurance Strategies

  • Emphasizing the role of quality leadership in delivering consistent, high-stakes defense system performance
  • Breaking down mission assurance frameworks that anticipate failure points before they impact the field
  • Showcasing strategies that embed quality thinking early in design, development, and deployment processes.
  • Developing talent pipelines to support a resilient, quality-driven workforce
  • Discussing how proactive quality governance improves readiness and customer trust in critical missions
  • Highlighting enterprise-wide alignment techniques that sustain quality through operational complexity and change
9:10 am – 9:40 am MST

Plenary

John Tukker

SVP, Regulated Industries
Cognitus

AI In Action: Transforming End-to-End Government Contracting Efficiency

  • Streamlining bid planning, forecasting, and contract flowdown with embedded AI
  • Automating compliance, billing, and audit readiness across the contract lifecycle
  • Leveraging intelligent timesheets and real-time labor cost validation
  • Integrating seamlessly with SAP S/4HANA to meet FAR, DFARS, and DCAA requirements
9:45 am – 11:25 am MST

Refreshments, Networking, and Pre-Arranged 1-2-1 Meetings

11:30 am – 12:00 pm MST

Sessions

Supply Chain & Logistics

Kristoffer Hall

VP, Helicopter Programs
Rolls Royce

Embedding Supply Chain Strategy in Program Leadership to Drive Aerospace Supplier Excellence and Quality Standards

  • Uniting supply chain and program execution to meet demand for high-performance engine platforms
  • Managing constrained components by forecasting intelligently and engaging suppliers earlier in the process
  • Establishing clear escalation paths to address bottlenecks without impacting customer delivery timelines
  • Mitigating the impact of tariffs by proactively assessing trade policy risks and adjusting sourcing strategies accordingly

Manufacturing & Operations

Dave Hatch

VP, Space Security and Intelligence
Lockheed Martin

Delivering Fast with High Mission Confidence

  • Missionizing high-TRL components to accelerate delivery in response to urgent operational and strategic needs
  • Demonstrating technology today to build higher confidence in future capabilities and program success
  • Leveraging cross-functional collaboration across teams to streamline development, integration, and deployment processes efficiently
  • Incorporating iterative testing and feedback loops to reduce risk while increasing reliability and mission assurance

Quality

Mike Robb

VP, Engineering, Aerospace Electronics
Woodward

Driving Quality Through Aviation Standards and Cybersecurity Integration

  • How the FAA, Transport Canada, and EASA are evolving to address cybersecurity as a core aviation safety requirement
  • The operational impact of merging airworthiness standards with digital risk mandates
  • Building unified compliance frameworks that satisfy both traditional regulators and modern cyber expectations
  • How leading A&D organizations are preparing for audits, ensuring resilience, and avoiding costly delays in system certification and fleet readiness

AI & Emerging Technology

Todd Kackley

VP and CIO
Textron

Enhancing Aircraft Readiness and Maintenance Logistics with Generative AI

  • Enabling frontline logistics and maintenance teams with real-time, AI-driven access to complex technical documentation
  • Applying generative AI to streamline diagnostic workflows and reduce downtime across aircraft fleets
  • Bridging the skill gap between veteran and new mechanics with step-by-step, contextual AI support
  • Leveraging scalable, cloud-based AI infrastructure to optimize site-to-site maintenance coordination
  • Case Study: Textron’s deployment of the TAMI generative AI system to drive efficiency in aircraft maintenance logistics
12:05 pm – 12:35 pm MST

Workshops

Room 1

Speaker TBA


Launchpad Build

Streamlining Aerospace and Defense Product Development through Digital Collaboration Platforms

  • How digital collaboration platforms bridge traditional communication gaps in aerospace and defense engineering projects
  • Best practices for leveraging digital tools to enhance visibility and collaboration among multidisciplinary and geographically dispersed teams
  • Reducing project timelines and improving efficiency through centralized digital management of complex development processes.

Room 2

Speaker TBA


Dassian Strategic Solutions, Inc


Optimizing Program Performance: Integrated Digital Management for Efficiency and Compliance

  • Strategies for achieving real-time financial and operational visibility across aerospace and defense projects
  • Leveraging digital integration to ensure accurate and automated compliance with government contracting regulations (FAR, DFARS, CAS)
  • Enhancing project profitability and reducing risk through proactive, integrated project management and financial forecasting
  • Best practices for unifying complex program management data and processes into a cohesive digital ecosystem

Room 3

Speaker TBA


Sigmetrix

Leveraging Tolerance Analysis and GD&T to Enhance Product Quality

  • Importance of dimensional management and tolerance analysis in ensuring product reliability and compliance with strict aerospace and defense specifications
  • Leveraging GD&T software tools to improve communication, collaboration, and reduce errors across global design and manufacturing teams
  • Strategies for minimizing manufacturing costs and risks through early identification of potential issues using predictive tolerance simulations

Room 4

Nick Kelly

VP, Product
1factory

Building Quality into Your Culture: A Digital Transformation Roadmap

  • Balancing compliance and efficiency by implementing strategic, digital quality systems across operations
  • Embedding quality as a continuous mindset in decisions, workflows, and daily operations
  • Prioritizing real pain points like paper trails, manual data, and revision bottlenecks
  • Eliminating manual entry and repetitive work to redirect focus on impactful quality improvements
  • Tracking reduced defects, faster inspections, and higher throughput to validate quality’s business impact
12:40 pm – 1:45 pm MST

Lunch & Learn Roundtable Discussions and Open Seating Lunch

Benefit from additional learning by joining a moderated roundtable discussion on pressing issues in the industry. Registration is required, and attendance for moderated roundtables on Day 1 is limited to attendees and speakers. Choose from:

  • Doug Erwin

    CEO
    TTP Solutions

Building Corporate-Level Supply Chain Visibility Across Business Units and Beyond

  • Matt Delaney

    Head, Enterprise Solutions
    Covalent

Systematically Building Subject Matter Expertise at Scale

  • Jack Caccioppo

    Managing Director
    Seraph

Driving Performance: Using Metrics to Align Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations, and Finance

  • Joe Loveless

    CMO
    DACIS

Commanding Mission Clarity in Complex Government Contracts

  • Phillip Kelterborn

    VP, Business Development, Aerospace and Defense
    GXO

Navigating the Skies of Growth: How 3PLs Alleviate Pain Points in Aerospace Manufacturing

  • John Tukker

    SVP, Regulated Industries
    Cognitus

Digital Twins in Action: Accelerating Mission Readiness in Aerospace & Defense

  • Kevin Darby

    VP, Sales
    LTW Intralogistics Inc.

Optimizing Material Handling and Storage Automation Across Large and Small Manufacturing Components

  • Nick Kelly

    VP, Product
    1factory

How is Non-Destructive Testing Evolving to Meet Advanced Manufacturing Demands?

  • Ethan Plotkin

    CEO
    GDCA

Mastering Obsolescence to Build Supply Chain Resilience: Insights from the U.S. Department of Defense

  • Dave Blatner

    Industry Executive Advisor
    SAP

Achieving Total Supply Chain Visibility – Bridging the Gaps Between Data, Transparency, and Trust

  • Dan Brokaw

    Vice President
    PEKO Precision Products

Unlocking Success in Determinant Assemblies and Complex Part Production for Aerospace and Defense

  • Speaker TBA


    Infor

Accelerating Efficiency: Cloud ERP Strategies for Modern Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing

  • Speaker TBA


    Sigmetrix

Streamlining Complex Assembly: Integrating Robotics and Human Workflow for Greater Precision

  • Fred Short

    Chief Growth Officer, FDH Hardware
    FDH Aero

Optimizing Supplier Relationships to Drive Performance and Collaboration Across Networks

  • Speaker TBA


    SQA Services

Ensuring Mission Success with Scalable Quality Programs Across Aerospace and Launch Vehicle Supply Chains

  • Speaker TBA


    Jamaica Bearings Co.

Enhancing OEM and MRO Efficiency with Bearing Solutions and Global Inventory Expertise

  • Speaker TBA


    DuPont

Enabling Reliability and Safety with Advanced Materials for Next Generation Aerospace Systems

1:50 pm – 2:20 pm MST

Sessions

Supply Chain & Logistics

Kai Arndt

CEO
Montana Aerospace

Enhancing Supply Chain and Procurement Efficiency in Aerospace Operations

  • Explore the impact of strategic leadership on advancing aerospace manufacturing, focusing on the integration of new technologies and processes
  • Discussing the implementation of rigorous quality management systems and environmental strategies that set new industry standards
  • Evaluating cross-functional collaboration models that improve supply chain resilience and procurement agility
  • Investigate the evolution of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) production processes and their significance in modern aerospace manufacturing

Manufacturing & Operations

Brenda Ortiz

VP, Short and Medium Range Ground Based Air Defense
Raytheon | An RTX Business

Scaling Advanced Air Defense Systems Through Manufacturing Innovation and Engineering Precision

  • Accelerating production readiness for Stinger, Coyote, NASAMS and directed-energy weapon systems
  • Integrating new materials and components to support speed, range, and performance requirements
  • Addressing ramp-up challenges through workforce development, automation, and process discipline
  • Collaborating with international partners to align design transfer, assembly standards and quality control

Quality

Gregg Burgess

VP, Space Systems
General Atomics

Quality-Centric Space Systems Integration for Mission Assurance Success

  • Outlining critical steps to guarantee mission success in complex environments
  • Highlighting best practices in spacecraft assembly and subsystem interface control
  • Discussing risk mitigation techniques for both hardware and software components under operational stress
  • Sharing methods for continuous monitoring to uphold performance standards throughout mission life cycles
  • Emphasizing cross-functional collaboration that drives defect reduction and robust system reliability

AI & Emerging Technology

Jamal Madni

Head, Engineering Strategy
Boeing Defense, Space and Security

AI Meets Engineering: Driving Intelligent Design and Scalable Innovation in Aerospace & Defense

  • Investigating critical aerospace engineering challenges
  • Integrating AI and machine learning to enable predictive engineering and simulation
  • Building the digital infrastructure to support next-gen design and validation
  • Reducing cycle time and improving precision through intelligent automation
  • Balancing AI innovation with rigorous regulatory and mission assurance requirements
2:25 pm – 3:00 pm MST

Workshops

Room 1

David Petrucci

Managing Director, Global Supply Chain and Operations Practice
Protiviti

Solving Operational Chaos by Rethinking Risk with Digital Twins and Agentic AI

  • Uncovering the root causes behind persistent operational disruption across the value chain
  • Understanding why this challenge goes far beyond traditional enterprise risk management
  • Reimagining decision-making by simulating outcomes through enterprise digital twins
  • Monitoring, learning, and adapting in real time using agentic AI and autonomous discovery
  • Focusing limited resources on what matters most with intelligent, data-driven prioritization

Room 2

Accelerating Digital Transformation Through Low-Code Automation

  • Using low-code platforms to rapidly streamline complex processes in aerospace and defense organizations
  • Improving agility and adaptability to quickly respond to changing regulatory and compliance demands
  • Empowering cross-functional teams with accessible automation tools to drive innovation and operational excellence
  • Enhancing efficiency, reducing human error, and ensuring end-to-end visibility through digitized workflows

Room 3

Bill Burton

Senior Director, Client Relations
DACIS

Staying Ahead of the Curve: Driving Strategy with Competitive Intelligence

  • Leveraging detailed competitive intelligence for effective business development and strategic planning
  • Understanding market dynamics, competitive threats, and new opportunities through advanced data analytics and research
  • Case studies demonstrating how leaders successfully navigated complex markets by utilizing timely and accurate intelligence
  • Emerging trends: Predictive analytics enhancing strategic forecasting to drive competitive opportunity advantages

Room 4

Tim Romley

Senior Solution Engineer
iBase-t

Bye-bye Bottlenecks: Breaking the Backlog Cycle

  • Learning how to burn backlogs and free data from manual systems
  • Experiencing an interactive exercise converting wasted time into throughput
  • Walking away with proven methods to shift from reactive to proactive operations
  • Seeing how paper-based systems continue to be a silent killer
3:00 pm – 4:20 pm MST

Happy Hour, Networking, and Pre-Arranged 1-2-1 Meetings

4:25 pm – 4:55 pm MST

Plenary

Mark Covelli

SVP, Space Division
Moog

The Next Frontier: Harnessing Emerging Technologies and AI to Shape Space Exploration

  • Examining breakthrough technologies poised to transform the future of space missions
  • Highlighting actuation advances improving spacecraft precision, reliability, and performance
  • Integrating AI for predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, and spacecraft optimization
  • Advancing sustainability through reusable spacecraft, green propulsion, and mission design
  • Forecasting future challenges in tariffs, tech integration, and supply chain resilience
5:00 pm – 5:30 pm MST

Plenary

Speaker TBA


Infor

Mission-Ready Manufacturing: Building Resilient, Smart Operations in Aerospace & Defense

  • Defining the pillars of a future-ready manufacturing ecosystem in aerospace and defense
  • Discovering how integrated data platforms reduce costs and improve compliance and traceability
  • Learning how digital thread and digital twin technologies enhance lifecycle management
  • Examining strategies for navigating geopolitical volatility through intelligent supply chain design
5:30 pm – 6:15 pm MST

panel discussion

  • David Forward

    VP, Operations
    Woodward

  • Roy Donelson

    Sector VP, Engineering, Defense
    Northrop Grumman

  • Frank Pelkofer

    Chief Operating Officer, Spacecraft Production
    Maxar Space Systems

  • John Lewis

    VP, Engineering
    Collins Aerospace | An RTX Business

  • Mike Kauffman

    SVP, Supply Chain
    GE Aerospace

  • Speaker TBA


    Infosys

Attracting, Retaining, and Developing Top Talent for the Future

  •  Navigating the workforce shortage: Understanding its impact on the future of aerospace and defense innovation
  •  Proven strategies for recruiting top engineering, technical, and leadership talent in a highly competitive market
  • Building training and upskilling programs to meet evolving demands in advanced manufacturing, cyber, and defense technologies
  • Cultivating mission-driven leadership that inspires teams, drives operational excellence, and builds a strong culture
  • Ensuring a resilient, future-ready workforce prepared for rapid technological advancement and global security challenges
  • Sharing real-world examples and success metrics from talent initiatives to drive measurable workforce impact
6:15 pm – 6:25 pm MST

Chair's Closing Remarks

Supply Chain & Logistics

Ellen Ferraro, Ph.D.

VP, Engineering, Land and Air Defense Systems
Raytheon | An RTX Business

Manufacturing & Operations

David Forward

VP, Operations
Woodward

Quality

Lisa Slagle

VP, Quality and Environment, Health and Safety
Boeing

AI & Emerging Technology

Dominic Perez

Chief Technical Officer
Curtiss Wright

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm MST

Networking drinks reception

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