Suzy Sterner
SVP, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer
BWXT
December 3, 2026
* JOIN US FOR THE PRE-EVENT HAPPY HOUR ON DECEMBER 2 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 and Logistics
MANUFACTURING AND OPERATIONS
Sarah Walter
Chief Operations Officer
True Anomaly
QUALITY
Sabrina Richmond
VP, Mission Assurance
Mercury Systems
AI AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGY
Macresia Alibaruho
VP, Human Landing Systems, Lunar Permanence
Blue Origin
8:10 am – 8:40 am MST
Keynote
Scott Alexander
President, Missile Solution
L3Harris
BOLSTERING NATIONAL SECURITY THROUGH A RESILIENT SOLID ROCKET MOTOR SUPPLY CHAIN
- Building a diversified and scalable industrial base capable of meeting U.S. and allied defense requirements
- Expanding capacity through new facilities, advanced manufacturing and strategic licensing
- Strengthening sub-tier suppliers with long‑lead investments, multi‑year demand visibility and coordinated industry planning
- Leveraging government and international partnerships to broaden global production
- Accelerating production timelines through AI‑enabled processes, robotics and advanced technologies
8:40 am – 9:10 am MST
Plenary
Chris Brady
President
General Dynamics Mission Systems
Scaling AI-Enabled Mission Systems Through Engineering and Operational Excellence
- Embedding AI and deep learning into mission-critical systems to enhance speed, precision, and decision-making
- Scaling AI-enabled engineering organizations to deliver complex, multi-domain defense programs globally
- Integrating AI across hardware, software, and communications systems for seamless, real-time operational execution
- Advancing digital twin technologies to simulate, test, and optimize mission systems before deployment
- Strengthening mission assurance through AI-driven quality, predictive analytics, and performance management frameworks
- Balancing rapid AI innovation with compliance, security, and reliability in regulated defense environments
9:10 am – 9:40 am MST
Plenary
Joby Jester
Associate Partner, Manufacturing Cybersecurity
IBM
Securing and Connecting the Global Defense Ecosystem
- Rising defense investment, evolving threats, and pressure to accelerate mission delivery require more than increased production capacity. They demand a new approach to connecting and securing the global defense ecosystem.
- Enabling trusted collaboration across the U.S. Department of Defense, allied nations, prime contractors, and multi-tier suppliers while protecting sensitive information, intellectual property, and national security interests.
- How AI-powered cybersecurity, Zero Trust principles, and sovereign hybrid-cloud architectures can support secure information exchange across organizational and national boundaries.
- Moving beyond reactive security toward predictive, adaptive protection and intelligent compliance capabilities that help defense organizations operate securely and at greater scale.
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 AND LOGISTICS
Ken Brown
Chief Supply Chain Officer
Northrop GrummanMari Hart-York
Senior Director, GSC Strategy/Business Integration and Chief of Staff
Northrop Grumman
Fireside Chat: Why GSC Acceleration Matters
- Implement autonomous supplier risk modeling to predict and -mitigate vulnerabilities before they impact warfighter readiness
- Utilize AI-powered predictive analytics to ensure the integrity of advanced weapons and missile defense components throughout the production lifecycle
- Establish a zero-trust supply chain framework that leverages AI to detect and neutralize adversarial subversion in multi-tier logistics
- Harmonize digital twins and real-time monitoring to safeguard the manufacturing of next-generation aircraft and space systems
- Bridge the gap between rapid technological innovation and rigorous defense safety standards through automated compliance and governance
MANUFACTURING AND OPERATIONS
Steve Howes
VP, Aeronautics Operations
Lockheed Martin
Neil Thurgood
SVP
Anduril Industries
Fireside Chat: Operational Excellence: Achieving Higher Performance and Throughput with Existing Workforce
- Contrasting traditional prime defense manufacturing frameworks with agile tech-first operational paradigms
- Eliminating workflow friction and administrative bottlenecks to empower existing engineering and shop-floor talent
- Leveraging digital tools, shop-floor automation, and real-time data to boost individual and team productivity
- Maintaining rigorous quality, safety, and compliance standards while accelerating execution cadences
- Fostering a continuous improvement culture centered on decision clarity, ownership, and leadership discipline
QUALITY
Chris Kmetz
VP, Quality
Pratt & Whitney | an RTX Business
Elevating Quality Assurance Through Advanced Supplier Quality Management Techniques
- Advancing supplier quality performance through rigorous, data-driven qualification processes
- Embedding continuous improvement and robust APQP practices to meet the highest standards of product integrity and operational discipline
- Strengthening collaboration with suppliers through transparent quality metrics, structured engagement, and rapid, closed-loop corrective action
- Reinforcing a strong safety and quality culture across the supplier network to ensure consistent product expectations
AI AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGY
Amir Blachman
President
Outpost
Robert DeMillo
CEO, Co-Founder
Sophia Space
Fireside Chat: Building the Orbital Backbone: Processing, Logistics, and the Future of In-Space Infrastructure
- How next-generation orbital computing and reusable logistics platforms are converging to enable a sustainable space economy.
- Overcoming ground-station latency and bandwidth bottlenecks by processing data directly at the orbital edge.
- Streamlining satellite deployment, payload recovery, and space-to-Earth delivery to support rapid-response mission needs.
- Designing modular, survivable orbital hardware capable of withstanding harsh space environments while providing continuous operational capabilities.
- Leveraging dual-use commercial space infrastructure to enhance national security and defense responsiveness.
12:05 pm – 12:35 pm MST
Workshops
Room 1
Speaker TBA
Launchpad Build
Accelerating Aerospace Prototyping and Production with Innovative Build and Testing Solutions
- Designing rapid prototypes to validate form, fit, and function efficiently
- Implementing modular production methods to reduce assembly time and improve flexibility
- Testing components rigorously to ensure compliance with aerospace safety and quality standards
- Optimizing build workflows to scale prototypes into production-ready aerospace solutions
Room 2
Declan Byrne
Federal Aerospace and Defense Lead
Velotic
How AI Will Help you Turn Defense Manufacturing Backlog into Cash
- Accelerating production velocity across record defense backlogs without relying solely on capital-intensive facility expansions
- Leveraging AI-informed industrial automation software to optimize machine utilization, cycle times, and shop-floor workflows
- Driving higher first-pass yields and eliminating costly rework to maintain strict defense quality standards while scaling
- Converting contract awards into realized cash flow by shortening the timeline from raw material intake to final system delivery
- Examining real-world deployment models: how defense OEMs partner with Velotic to unlock latent capacity and meet surge production rates
Room 3
Phil Hombledal
Principal Solution Advisor
SAP America
Build Things That Matter! Learn How to Create AI-Powered Systems That Turn Intent into Execution
- Empower Leadership: Aerospace and defense executives can leverage AI to convert strategic vision into automated execution, relieving unprecedented industry pressures.
- Transform Execution: Shift the paradigm where people set the overarching direction and intelligent AI systems seamlessly handle the execution.
- Unlock Momentum: Capitalize on today's unique technological landscape to build resilient, AI-powered systems that truly matter.
Room 4
Andres Morales
Solution Engineer
iBase-t
The Underfunded Shop Floor: How You Win or Lose Programs
- Why a program can look on track in your ERP and still be slipping
- What breaks when PLM, ERP, and MES don’t talk, and how to catch it before an audit does
- Why AI stalls without the right execution data, and what that data needs to carry
- How to make shop floor risk matter to your board so shop floor execution gets the investment it deserves.
- Where to start closing the gap between the plan and the floor
12:40 pm – 1:40 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:
Monica Franco
Chief Business Development Officer, Americas
Schnellecke Logistics
How Can Aerospace & Defense Operations Improve Inventory Accuracy, Quality Control, and Audit Readiness on the Shop Floor?
Clint Norlie
Founder and CEO
Northern Aerospace
Big Backlogs, Thin Benches: Building Engineering Capacity Without Overhiring
Keith McCollaum
Director, A&D Solutions
IBM
From Contract Complexity to Contract Intelligence: AI-Powered CLM for Aerospace & Defense
Speaker TBA
Arcwide
Modernizing Operations through Secure Integrated Cloud Enterprise Platforms
Greg Pilon
VP, Customer Experience and Growth
TTM Technologies
Advancing High Performance Electronics for Next Generation Aerospace & Defense
Speaker TBA
SQA
Ensuring Software Quality and Compliance for Safe and Reliable Aerospace and Defense Systems
Speaker TBA
1factory
Streamlining Aerospace Manufacturing with Real Time Digital Factory Solutions and Production Analytics
Jeff Hendricks
VP, Business Development
GXO
Transforming Aerospace Supply Chains Through Advanced Logistics, Fulfillment, and Operational Excellence
Jack Caccioppo
Managing Director
Seraph
The Orders Are There. The Parts Are Not
Speaker TBA
GDCA
Improving Quality and Cost Management Through Integrated Inspection and Production Solutions
Johan Cruz
President and CEO
3D Infotech
Scaling Aerospace & Defense Production Without Compromising Quality A Practical Path to Automated Inspection
Josef Windbacher
Global Business Development Manager, Aerospace and Defense
AT&S
Delivering Advanced High Reliability Printed Circuit Boards for Aerospace and Defense Innovation
Speaker TBA
Tata Consultancy Services
Future-Ready Skies: What Will It Take to Industrialize AI in Aerospace?
Speaker TBA
Nanoprecise Sci Corp.
Applying predictive maintenance and AI-driven analytics to eliminate downtime and improve equipment reliability
Speaker TBA
Sigmetrix
Optimizing product design and manufacturing through tolerance analysis and mechanical variation management solutions
Matt Delaney
Head, Enterprise Solutions
Covalent
Systematically Building Subject Matter Expertise at Scale
Speaker TBA
Jamaica Bearings Company
Strengthening aerospace supply chains through global distribution, quality assurance, and certified defense logistics solutions
Darren Zimmer
VP, Aerospace & Defense
SAP
Dave Blatner
Industry Advisory, Aerospace & Defense
SAP
AI Executes, People lead: Share How You Redefine Speed, Innovation, and Resilience
Crispin Panyard
VP, Engineering
Eyelit Technologies
AI Agents on the Shop Floor: Making A&D Factories Faster Without Breaking Compliance
Alex Plitsas
VP, Global Industry Principal, Aerospace and Defense
Infor
From Backlog to Breakthrough - Scaling Aerospace & Defense for the Dual Ramp
Julian Biberger
Director, Aerospace & Defense Industry
Siemens
Enterprise Automation and High-Fidelity Simulation: Future-Proofing Aerospace & Defense Production
Andrew Jebasingh
Founder and CEO
Sitevue.AI
Automating with AI to Uncover Hidden Plant Capacity
1:45 pm – 2:15 pm MST
Sessions
SUPPLY CHAIN AND LOGISTICS
Sarah Cooney
VP, Defense Department of War
Honeywell Aerospace
Driving Speed to Fleet Through Integrated Defense Program Excellence
- Streamlining the transition from engineering design to full scale production to compress platform delivery timelines
- Implementing advanced program management frameworks to navigate the complexity of multi service defense requirements
- Utilizing digital thread integration to reduce lead times for critical maritime and land vehicle components
- Strengthening the industrial base through strategic partnerships with OEMs to ensure continuous fleet availability
- Enhancing operational tempo by optimizing supply chain logistics for mission critical defense assets
MANUFACTURING AND OPERATIONS
Brant Dayley
VP, Integrated Energy and Propulsion Solutions
GM Defense
From Assembly Line to Production Line: Leveraging Commercial Scale for Advanced Defense Manufacturing
- Integrating high volume automotive production techniques to accelerate the deployment of tactical vehicle platforms
- Utilizing additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping to reduce lead times for mission critical components in contested environments
- Implementing a robust digital thread to bridge the gap between commercial R&D and defense specific engineering requirements
- Applying advanced battery technology and electric propulsion systems to enhance the stealth and endurance of next generation combat vehicles
- Strengthening defense supply chain resilience by tapping into a global network of commercial automotive suppliers and manufacturing hubs
QUALITY
Sabrina Richmond
VP, Mission Assurance
Mercury Systems
Optimizing Quality Performance By Balancing Cost, Compliance, and Continuous Improvement Across Operations
- Balancing cost of poor quality with performance targets to drive measurable financial and operational improvements
- Reducing defects and rework through standardized processes, root cause analysis, and corrective action systems
- Aligning quality objectives with business priorities to improve delivery performance and customer satisfaction outcomes
- Enhancing cross-functional collaboration between quality, operations, and engineering to accelerate issue resolution
- Scaling continuous improvement initiatives across sites to sustain gains in efficiency, compliance, and performance
- Transforming quality organizations into strategic partners that drive operational excellence and long-term value
AI AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGY
Trip Carter
VP, Capture Operations
Lockheed Martin Space
Revolutionizing Aerospace Manufacturing: Scaling from Custom to Mass Production
- Transitioning from small-scale, mission-specific production to high-volume manufacturing
- Addressing the complexities of designing and building spacecraft at mass production rates
- Implementing common parts across production lines to reduce costs and enhance efficiency
- Overcoming the challenges of maintaining quality in rapid production environments
- Addressing increasing demand from a broadening set of international and commercial customers
- Harnessing proven technologies to drive rapid innovation and enable seamless global scalability and exportability
2:20 pm – 2:50 pm MST
Workshops
Room 1
Doug Erwin
CEO and Founder
ChainLink SRM
Your ERP Says On Time. Your Supplier Moved the Date: Transforming Open Order Management in Aerospace and Defense
- When does adding buyer headcount stop solving the open-order problem
- What changes when technology manages routine supplier follow-up and buyers manage exceptions
- When a supplier commitment is at risk, do you know why or only that the date slipped
- How do you extend that visibility upstream to identify sub-tier risk before it reaches the delivery date
Room 2
Speaker TBA
1factory
Transforming Aerospace Manufacturing with Digital Factory Solutions and Real Time Analytics
- Implementing digital factory tools to monitor production processes and reduce bottlenecks
- Analyzing real-time manufacturing data to make informed operational decisions quickly
- Optimizing workflows to improve efficiency, quality, and throughput across production lines
- Collaborating across teams using digital dashboards to align goals and track progress
Room 3
Stephen Werst
Director, Customer Success, Product Strategy
Sigmetrix
Using 3D Tolerance Analysis as Your First Step to MBD
- Integrating 3D tolerance analysis early in the design cycle to establish a solid foundation for Model-Based Definition (MBD) workflows
- Correlating variation modeling activities with the precise selection of functional datum features and dimensioning schemes
- Automating the creation of required semantic GD&T annotations directly within CAD part and assembly files
- Optimizing assembly tolerances upfront in the engineering process to reduce costly physical prototype iterations
- Bridging the gap between 3D CAD design models and downstream manufacturing quality requirements
Room 4
Reid Coultas
Head of Client Relations
DassianBarbara McElnea
Chief Strategy and Intelligence Officer
DassianCollin Harrison
Solution Architect
Dassian
Fireside Chat: Cleared for Audit, Priced to Win: Proving Actual Cost When Government and Commercial Programs Share the Shop Floor
- Explore where commingled government and commercial programs create cost exposure, from pooled demand and shared parts to the scrap, excess and transfers that happen on the shelf
- Discuss what DCAA and DCMA expect to see: cost traced to the requirement that caused it, kept by element, fair across programs, and reproducible at any point in time
- Understand the cash, margin and win rate impact, including the 5% withheld from progress billings when a business system has a material weakness
- Share best practices for proving actual cost without disrupting production and operations
- Engage in an open, practitioner-led discussion on turning cost history into a pricing advantage for the next bid
2:55 pm – 4:15 pm MST
Happy Hour, Networking and Pre-Arranged 1-2-1 Meetings
4:20 pm – 4:50 pm MST
Plenary
Jennifer Walsmith
President, Intelligence and Cyber Group
Amentum
Advancing Cyber and Intelligence Capabilities Through Integrated Digital and Mission Systems Transformation
- Leveraging cyber and intelligence integration to strengthen mission readiness across contested environments
- Aligning digital transformation strategies with national security priorities and evolving threat landscapes
- Integrating AI, big data, and cloud technologies to enhance real-time operational decision-making
- Developing resilient architectures supporting offensive and defensive cyber operations at enterprise scale
- Strengthening cross-sector partnerships between government, industry, and academia to accelerate innovation
- Driving mission outcomes by connecting intelligence insights with autonomous and command systems capabilities
4:50 pm – 5:20 pm MST
Plenary
Greg Pilon
VP, Customer Experience and Growth
TTM Technologies
Delivering High Performance Electronics Solutions for Next Generation Aerospace & Defense
- A vertically integrated, diverse product portfolio
- Deep history of industry-first innovations
- Operational excellence with a dual-source, multi-location footprint
- Board-to-system design capability across hardware and software
5:20 pm – 6:05 pm MST
Panel Discussion
Robert Leni
VP, Engineering and Chief Technology Officer
Kratos Defense
Jaswinder Walia
Chief Information Officer and Executive Director, Engineering
GE Aerospace
Chantal Sice-Sweger
VP, Supply Chain and Operations
Northrop Grumman
Daryl Taylor
SVP, Commercial Aircraft Operations
Airbus Americas
Jeff Norrell
VP, Chief Engineer, Research and Development Engineering
Twenty-Six Defense
Kris Kelly
President & CEO
Velocity Electronics - A Jabil Company
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
6:05 pm – 6:15 pm MST
Chair's closing remarks
SUPPLY CHAIN AND LOGISTICS
Suzy Sterner
SVP, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer
BWXT
MANUFACTURING AND OPERATIONS
Sarah Walter
Chief Operations Officer
True Anomaly
QUALITY
Sabrina Richmond
VP, Mission Assurance
Mercury Systems
AI AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGY
Macresia Alibaruho
VP, Human Landing Systems, Lunar Permanence
Blue Origin
6:20 pm – 7:20 pm MST
Networking drinks reception
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