Opening Reception

Pre-registration and ticket required
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Light refreshments provided

2023 Keynote Speaker:

Justin K. McFarlin
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Development & International Engagement

Mr. Justin K. McFarlin currently serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Development & International Engagement at the U.S. Department of Defense. In this role, Mr. McFarlin is responsible for Defense Industrial Base engagement strategy development and coordination, as well as the coordination and integration of all international agreements in the fields of research, development, acquisition and logistics, and foreign military sales. Specifically, he acts for the ASD(IBP) on matters concerning international programs while directing and monitoring the implementation of defense policies on international armaments cooperation within the Department. Mr. McFarlin oversees the Office of International Cooperation and the Office of Industry Engagement.

Prior to re-joining the U.S. Department of Defense, Mr. McFarlin spent almost two decades working in Aerospace & Defense. He was most recently a Director in the Corporate Strategy & Development group at L3Harris, where he shaped a corporate portfolio of businesses valued at over $40B. His work included managing special projects, leading internal deal teams, and serving as external coordinator for select M&A activities. Previously, Mr. McFarlin was a strategy and operations consultant at Monitor Deloitte and Censeo Consulting Group, working with Fortune 500 companies and U.S. federal agency clients. Mr. McFarlin began his career as an Army Officer, holding leadership and staff positions domestically and abroad, including Platoon Leader in a Patriot missile battery and Aide de Camp to a Deputy Commanding General of Multi-National Corps-Iraq. Mr. McFarlin earned the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, multiple Army Commendation Medals, and both the Chilean and U.S. Parachutist badges.

Mr. McFarlin received his B.S. in Computer Science from West Point, his MBA from Dartmouth College, and his MPA from Harvard University. He is a Term Member at the Council on Foreign Relations, a Security Fellow with the Truman National Security Project, and a Life Member of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA).