Government Acquisition Leaders
Briefings & Panel Discussions
New this year: concurrent sessions to choose from based on your area of interest!
The interactive Panel Discussions feature experts in key fields of interest. This is a unique and valuable opportunity to interact with officials responsible for acquisition of vital goods and services. From military platforms and warfare systems to intelligence processes, they ensure that our military personnel have the resources they need. The network of providers includes not only military entities but industry and academia as well.
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Pre-registration required
Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center
Thursday, May 30, 2024
Luncheon 11:30 am
Luncheon Keynote:
Speaker TBA
Sponsored by Concurrent Technologies Corporation
NCMA Johnstown
Panel Discussions: 12:30 pm – 3:45 pm
Sponsored by Kongsberg
Bramer Group
2024 Luncheon Keynote
Major General Borys Kremenetskyi
Defence and Air Attaché
Embassy of Ukraine to the United Kingdom
Between 1983 and 2000, Maj Gen Kremenetskyi held various Air Force command, staff, and administration positions, including time as Military Observer, UN Mission to Tajikistan.
Between 2002 and 2006, he was staff officer at the Cooperation and Regional Security Division, NATO International Military Staff, after which he became Head, Euro-Atlantic Integration Department, General Staff, Armed Forces of Ukraine.
From 2009 till 2014 he was Defence Adviser, Mission of Ukraine to the EU following the position of the First Deputy Chief, Military Cooperation and Peacekeeping Operations General Directorate, General Staff, Armed Forces of Ukraine.
He followed as Head of the UKR side of the Joint Ceasefire Coordination and Control Centre (Eastern Ukraine) until taking up his current appointment as Defence and Air Attaché, Embassy of Ukraine to the UK. Maj Gen B. Kremenetskyi is a graduate of the Air Force Engineer Academy (1983) (MA Avionics), US Air War College (1998) and National Security Course, JFK School of Government, Harvard University (2000)
2024 Panel Discussions
Concurrent Sessions: 12:30 pm – 1:20 pm
Panel 1: What’s Next in Manufacturing? Panelists Dr. Yadunath Zambre | Panel 2: Current Trends Toward Carbon-Free Energy Solutions Panelists Wendy Gumb (invited) Panel Moderator There is a lot of interest to produce carbon-free energy supported by tax incentives. There are several technologies currently available, such as solar, energy storage, wind, geothermal, hydro, hydrogen, and even nuclear. Combine these solutions with new tax incentives and/or grants and they become economical in many cases. Additionally, there are companies that will provide free feasibility assessments to address your needs and other companies that will develop a sustainability package to support you for decades. |
Concurrent Sessions: 1:30 pm – 2:20 pm
Panel 3: Space Force Panelists Stacie Williams, PhD (invited) As the newest branch of the military, Space Force is quickly building out the infrastructure it needs to be an effective fighting force, which means rich opportunities for government contractors. Given space is now a major warfare domain, Space Force needs robust command and control systems, resiliency, cybersecurity, unique manufacturing capabilities and interoperability capabilities. Learn how your business may be able to pivot and expand your offerings by customizing your current products and services to meet new challenges. | Panel 4: Cyber Readiness/CMMC Panelists Michael Zambotti Panel Moderator Cybersecurity has never been more of a hot button issue than it is today. In the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) there is the CMMC framework that is about to finalized into law. In the wider industry, there are various cyber frameworks required of businesses (e.g. HIPAA for healthcare, CJIS for criminal justice data, etc.) Across the world there are also various cyber and privacy frameworks being implemented on a country-by-country basis. After seeing the constant barrage of cyber attacks over the past decades and the increase in intensity and sophistication of state-sponsored attacks, requiring a minimum baseline for cyber security is a small step in the right direction. This panel will discuss recent events in cyber security with a focus on CMMC within the DIB, giving insights into what companies must do to stay protected. |
Concurrent Sessions: 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Panel 5: Autonomous Vehicles Panelists Kathleen Hicks (invited) Panel Moderator Larry J. Nulton, PhD (tentative) | Panel 6: Future Innovations in Workforce Development Panelists Dr. Kristin Holzworth James R. Martin II, PhD, M.ASCE Ms. Petra Mitchell Panel Moderator There are many initiatives related to workforce development, including government and private investment. They also span high school and pre-high school Science, Technology Engineering & Math (STEM) initiatives, trade schools, community colleges, university level programs and numerous consortia programs. This panel will explore emerging workforce development challenges and ideas for how to continue innovating across these initiatives. |
Panelist Bios
Dr. Catherine F. Cahill serves as the Director of the Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration (ACUASI) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) and the CEO of the Pan-Pacific UAS Test Range Complex. For more than 30 years, Cathy has conducted research on atmospheric aerosols and their impacts on visibility, global climate and human health. Since 2006, Cathy has collaborated with the UAF UAS program and worked on developing unmanned aircraft-based sensors for determining the concentration, composition and spatial distribution of atmospheric aerosols.
Robert Cherry, CEO Of Partner4Work, is committed to a thriving workforce. He is an active champion for businesses and job seekers, implementing programs, policy initiatives and community engagement. Robert previously served as the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) in Wisconsin, managing six bureaus that include the Division of Administration, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Unemployment Insurance, Division of Employment and Training, Division of Equal Rights and Division of Workers Compensation. Before DWD, Mr. Cherry spent five years at Employ Milwaukee, the workforce development board serving Milwaukee County, in roles including Vice President of Planning and Development, Chief Development and Partnership Officer and Director of Career Exploration. He is most proud of developing and implementing the Career Plus program that consisted of year-round combined workforce training, subsidized improvement and social-emotional development delivered to Milwaukee citizens aged 15-24. Mr. Cherry spent his early career at the Community Advocates Public Policy Institute and the Center for Urban Population Health.
Mr. James Chew is the Senior Global Group Director, Aerospace and Defense, Cadence Design Systems, as well as the chair of the NDIA Science and engineering technology division. Based in Washington, DC, Chew regularly interacts with senior level executives in the global defense industrial base. He developed and is leading the execution of a business development campaign, that, in seven years, has grown Cadence’s Aerospace and Development annual business revenue by 300%. Mr. Chew earned a lifetime California State Community College teaching credential in engineering. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and a Master of Science degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California. Mr. Chew is a graduate of the Stanford Executive Engineering Program and the Defense Systems Management College Advanced Program Management Program. He earned DoD Level 3 certification in Acquisition, Program Management, and in System, Planning, Development, Research and Engineering and certified by the United States Air Force as a Level 3 Acquisition Professional.
Dr. Kristin Holzworth serves as ICAM’s Deputy Director for the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program. In this capacity, she assists the IBAS Program Director in utilizing broad IBAS authorities to enable a modernized Defense Industrial Base that integrates traditional technology capabilities and emerging industrial sectors to respond at-will to national security requirements. Prior to this position, Dr. Holzworth served in various roles within the Department of the Navy from her parent command Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific (NIWC PAC) to include her most recent assignment as chief scientist for the Advanced Manufacturing Systems Team of Marine Corps Systems Command. With over fifteen years of experience spanning government and academia, Dr. Holzworth has successfully managed multiple research and development efforts, developing strategies and programs aimed at maturation of advanced technologies and manufacturing processes to reduce risk and cost, while improving system producibility, readiness, and resiliency. She is an active participant in numerous DoD and industry-based advanced manufacturing forums.
Chad LeMaire is the chief security officer for Echelon Risk + Cyber. He is a seasoned leader with more than 25 years of experience across all facets of cybersecurity operations and planning. He is a veteran who served as CIO and director of cybersecurity for the Air Force Special Operations Command and Pacific Air Forces, as well as deputy CIO and deputy director of cybersecurity for the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. In these roles, he identified cybersecurity gaps, authored strategies, and implemented cybersecurity capabilities. He was a qualified cyber warfare officer in the U.S. Air Force, commanded the Air Force Blue Team, and led cyber incident responses and vulnerability assessments on critical networks and systems within the Department of Defense. He pioneered the development of cyber protection teams and the concept of the Director of Cyber Forces within the Air Force. He also built and led small teams and large organizations which conducted offensive, defensive and cybersecurity operations.
James R. Martin II is vice chancellor for STEM Research and Innovation at the University of Pittsburgh, where he drives transformative intiatives ranging from the University’s core STEM landscape to regional campuses. Focused on enhancing Pitt’s $1.3 billion research portfolio and expanding STEM access, he leads collaboration to spawn new research growth, builds innovation ecosystems and connects rural areas to city centers via urban-rural research bridges. As a senior advisor and thought leader, he influences national action from the White House to major funding agencies to think tanks. Locally, he is a board member for Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority and was a foundational advisor for Neighborhood 91 at Pittsburgh International Airport. Dr. Martin received a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from The Citadel, and earned his master of science and PhD in civil engineering from Virginia Tech. He has received numerous national, state and unviersity awards for research, teaching, scholarship and service, including the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Norman Medal, the highest honor for published work in his field. He was inducted into Virginia Tech’s Civil Engineering Department’s Academy of Distinguished Alumni in 2015. His dedication to broadening participation, fostering innovative collaborations and regional engagement continues to shape STEM education, research and innovation.
Ms. Petra Mitchell is the president and CEO of Catalyst Connection, a nonprofit economic development organization dedicated to helping manufacturers with business growth and job creation. Catalyst Connection is the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Affiliate and the Industrial Resource Center (IRC) of Southwestern Pennsylvania. Ms. Mitchell’s experience in manufacturing operations, technology acceleration and business development stretches back to 1988. Before joining Catalyst Connection, she was employed by GE Aircraft Engines, now GE Aviation. She holds a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from the University of Dayton, and a master of science from the University of Cincinnati. She is on the board of directors of the Advanced Robotics in Manufacturing (ARM) Institute, the Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (IRC) Network, and the American Small Manufacturers Coalition (ASMC). Previously she served as a board member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland – Pittsburgh Branch. Ms. Mitchell is also the honorary Consul for the Republic of Slovenia.
Dr. Stacie Williams is the Space Science Architect for the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) where she leads the space basic research investment strategy ensuring that basic science investments effectively meet United States Space Force (USSF) mission needs. She has extensive experience managing S&T programs from basic research to advanced demonstrations. In prior assignments, she led AFOSR’s remote sensing basic research portfolio and the AFRL’s space imaging portfolio. She served as a program manager at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Tactical Technology Office, leading a portfolio focusing on remote sensing, small satellite technology, and high-energy laser detection. Dr. Williams is also a leader in STEM education and is nationally recognized for her innovative approach to engaging children in the Department of Defense’s science mission. She has over 50 peer-reviewed technical journal publications and conference proceedings. Dr. Williams holds a bachelor of science in chemistry from the University of Arkansas and a PhD in physical chemistry from the University of California.
Michael Zambotti is a cybersecurity educator and consultant with extensive experience in the finance and legal industries. Michael teaches courses on governance, risk and compliance (GRC), cybercrime, and foundational cybersecurity classes at Saint Francis University. His practical experience and academic background uniquely position him to provide valuable insights to organizations to provide strategic consulting and align cybersecurity with business goals. Michael holds a degree in finance from Penn State University and a master’s degree in cybersecurity and intelligence from Utica University.
Moderator Bios
Randy J. Monohan recently joined Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) as a senior director in CTC’s Energy, Resilience and Sustainability Division. Before joining CTC, Mr. Monohan worked with Ameresco as their director of Military Readiness Programs. For most of his career, he served our nation as a United States Marine, energy consultant for Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Federal Installations Energy Manager at MCAS Miramar and the Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) Energy Projects Officer in direct support of our nation’s freedom. In his role at HQMC, he directed the successful investment of over $1.5 billion in energy-related projects which provided an increased quality of life for the Marines, generated energy savings and enhanced the USMC’s energy security posture. Significant career awards include two Individual Presidential Energy Management Awards, Career Exceptional Service Award in 2022 from the Department of Energy, ten Contract, Project and or program awards and five Group Secretary of the Navy Awards. Mr. Monohan holds a master’s degree in business management with a specialization in finance and has multiple engineering certifications in Energy Managment.
Dr. Kevin Slonka is a principal IT security consultant with Concurrent Technologies Corporation and an associate professor of computer science and cybersecurity at Saint Francis University. Dr. Slonka has worked for various government contractors since 1999 and has taught at the collegiate level since 2007. Specializing in the cybersecurity sector of the computer science field, he holds various industry certifications, among which are the Certified CMMC Assessor (CCA), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) and the EC-Council Certified Chief Information Security Officer (C/CISO). Dr. Slonka’s passion is teaching the younger cyber workforce the deep computer science knowledge necessary in order to fully understand both the business and technical aspects of the field.
Larry J. Nulton, PhD has a distinguished background in clinical pyschology and a dynamic presence in the aviation industry. As the CEO of a prominent mental health practice, he has significantly contributed to the development of behavioral health programs, drawing on his extensive expertise in clinical pyschology to enhance mental healthcare services. His role in mental health is complemented by his active involvement in aviation, where he has effectively blended leadership with innovation. In aviation, Dr. Nulton has served in key positions, including CEO of an FAA Part 135 Operation and VP of Operations at a Fixed Base Operator (FBO) and the Johnstown Airport. His efforts have been instrumental in advancing aviation education and workforce development, notably through the establishment of Aerium, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering growth and innovation in the aviation sector. Dr. Nulton’s collaborative efforts with the University of Alaska, leading to a $1.9 million US DOT SMART Grant for drone airway development, highlight his commitment to innovation and technology in aviation. His leadership in establishing high school aviation programs, in partnership with AOPA, further underscores his dedication to nurturing the next generation of aviation professionals.