Featured Speakers

SHAUN WHITE

Olympic Gold Medalist & Creator of The Snow League

  • Shaun White is an American athlete who is regarded as one of the greatest action sports athletes of all time. A five-time Olympian, Shaun won gold medals in the half-pipe event in 2006, 2010, and 2018. He is one of the most decorated athletes in X Games history, becoming the first athlete to compete in both the Winter and Summer games and has won 15 gold medals, an all-time X Games record. Shaun announced his retirement from the sport of snowboarding prior to competing in the 2022 Beijing Winter games, his fifth and final Olympics. Born in San Diego, Shaun turned professional at 13 and signed his first deal with Burton at 7. His endorsements have included Oakley, Target, Red Bull, and Ralph Lauren. Named among Bloomberg Businessweek’s 100 Most Powerful Athletes and Forbes’ 30 Under 30, he has won 11 ESPY Awards and has helmed the Air + Style festival since 2014. In January 2022, Shaun launched his active lifestyle brand, WHITESPACE, followed by the 2023 debut of his docuseries “The Last Run” on MAX and his curated autobiography, “Airborne.” He partnered to acquire We Are Camp, the parent company of Windells and High Cascade, aiming to grow youth participation in action sports. In June 2024, Shaun announced the launch of The Snow League, the first professional league for global snowboarding and freeskiing, which launched in 2024. Born with a congenital heart defect for which he required two open-heart operations before age one, Shaun is an advocate for children battling illness and an active supporter of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Center, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Benjamin Nadolski

Mayor, Ogden city

  • Mayor Ben Nadolski took office on January 2, 2024, bringing a proven record of leadership, public service, and results-driven governance. Since taking office, he has focused on strengthening public safety, improving city performance and accountability, and implementing The Ogden Way—a framework centered on service, transparency, and measurable outcomes for the community.

    Under his leadership, Ogden City has advanced key priorities including organizational performance reforms, streamlined processes to make working with the City more efficient and cost-effective, and strategic investments in neighborhoods, infrastructure, parks, recreation, and open space. Nadolski has emphasized fiscal discipline and high-performance operations to keep costs down for taxpayers while ensuring essential services like police, fire, and infrastructure remain strong.

    He has also taken an active leadership role in statewide boards, committees, and initiatives to position Ogden for greater partnership opportunities, grants, and long-term investment—ensuring the City remains competitive and “open for business” while reducing barriers to responsible growth and development. A central focus of his administration’s economic development strategy is historic preservation, including the generational restoration of Union Station as a transportation hub for Northern Utah. This effort is also a key part of Ogden’s role as a host community for the 2034 Winter Olympics, helping position the city to welcome visitors from around the world while honoring its history and cultural assets.

    Prior to serving as Mayor, Nadolski served two terms on the Ogden City Council and spent 23 years with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, where he led operations across Northern Utah and was recognized for transforming organizational culture and performance.

    A strong advocate for youth and community, Nadolski has supported initiatives including competitive youth sports opportunities, the Marshall White Center project, and expanded recreation facilities across the city.

    Ben met his wife Jaynee at Weber State University, where he played football and she was a two-sport athlete. He holds a Master of Science degree from Utah State University. They have two daughters, Hazel (16) and Millie (15).

aron mcguire

chief executive officer, usa bobsled/skeleton

  • Aron McGuire is an accomplished sports executive with extensive experience as a leader, coach, and elite athlete. He currently serves as CEO of USA Bobsled/Skeleton, the National Governing Body for bobsled and skeleton in the United States. In this role, McGuire provides strategic leadership across high-performance programs, athlete development, organizational operations, commercial partnerships, and initiatives to grow and promote the sports nationwide.

    Prior to joining USA Bobsled/Skeleton, McGuire served as Senior Director of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Centers in Colorado Springs and Lake Placid, overseeing facilities and services that supported athletes and National Governing Bodies across numerous Olympic and Paralympic sports. Earlier in his career, he held several positions with USA Track & Field, where he supported U.S. national teams competing at Olympic Games, World Championships, and other major international events around the world.

    McGuire also brings firsthand experience as an elite athlete. He was a member of the USA National Bobsled Team and competed internationally in World Cup and World Championship competition. Before bobsled, he competed in the decathlon as a member of the University of Akron track and field team.

    McGuire earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Akron and an MBA from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.

nate lodder

president, nammo composite solutions

  • Nate Lodder leads Nammo’s Salt Lake City facility, the company’s designated center of excellence for advanced composite structures. Bringing a seasoned background of deep specialization in composite manufacturing within the aerospace and defense sectors, he holds full ownership of site performance and strategic growth, driving operational efficiency while leading high-performing teams.

    Throughout his career, Nate has successfully transitioned numerous projects from initial concept to full-scale production. His expertise spans an array of cutting-edge projects, including satellite structures, military and commercial aircraft, multiple rocket and missile platforms, and diverse industrial applications. Known for a thoughtful engineering approach, he focuses on delivering practical solutions that create meaningful strategic value for customers.

    Nate holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, alongside a minor in Mathematics, from Utah State University. He lives in Kaysville, Utah, with his wife and five daughters, and enjoys downhill skiing, racket sports, and family time.

hiro rodriguez

executive director, advocacy center, global markets, international trade administration

  • Mr. Hiro Rodriguez serves as the Executive Director of the Advocacy Center at the United States Department of Commerce.

    In this capacity, he leads a government-wide initiative to support American companies competing for foreign government procurement opportunities. Mr. Rodriguez works closely with U.S. embassies, interagency partners, and international counterparts to strengthen commercial diplomacy, enhance bilateral and multilateral trade relationships, and promote high-impact economic growth through strategic U.S. exports.

    He brings significant private sector experience, having helped build some of Silicon Valley’s most well-known technology companies over the course of his career. Most notably, he served as Chief of Staff to the Chairman and CEO of DocuSign, where he played a key leadership role in the company’s transformation from an early-stage startup to a global, publicly traded category leader. During his tenure, he helped drive DocuSign’s international expansion, forge strategic partnerships, and support its successful IPO—contributing to its growth into a $40 billion publicly traded company used by hundreds of millions of users worldwide.

    He also held roles at Salesforce and later became Chief Revenue Officer at Prefect Technologies, where he built and scaled the go-to-market organization from the ground up and helped grow the company from pre-revenue to a multi-million-dollar enterprise.

    In addition to his work in the private sector, Mr. Rodriguez served as the Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment at the U.S. Department of State.

    Before his current appointment, he was Chief Business Officer at the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue University, where he led global engagement efforts to advance trusted technology partnerships and critical technologies.

    Mr. Rodriguez holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of San Diego. He resides in the Washington, D.C. area with his wife and three children.

alexi stershic

Director, advanced expeditionary defense, lockheed martin corporation

  • Alexi Stershic is the Program Management Director of the Advanced Expeditionary Defense portfolio within the Mission Integrated Command & Control line of business for Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS). Alexi is responsible for leading the development and delivery of various missile defense and Army programs, including Next Generation Missile Defense, Aegis Guam System, Glide Phase Intercept, Next Generation Command & Control, and various additional efforts across the portfolio. She also serves as the Golden Dome for America lead across the RMS Business Area.

    Previously, Ms. Stershic served as the Senior Program Manager of the Homeland Defense Radar (HDR) portfolio for Lockheed Martin RMS. In this capacity, she was responsible for leading all aspects of program execution for HDR-Guam, HDR-Hawaii and the Long Range Discrimination Radar, including program performance, strategic planning, and team leadership to ensure the successful delivery of the radar systems. She also oversaw the successful execution of a critical flight test event in Guam in December 2024.

    Ms. Stershic has also held other key roles within Lockheed Martin, including Chief of Staff to the IWSS Vice President & General Manager, where she provided support and guidance to the leadership team by managing the day-to-day operations of the vice president’s office including strategic planning and business operations. She also served as the Combat System Sustainment Program Manager for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program, where she was responsible for program execution and oversight of critical fleet upgrades.

    Ms. Stershic holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Villanova University and a master's degree in systems engineering from Cornell University.

melinda pfundstein

executive director, southern utah university

  • Melinda Pfundstein is the Executive Director of Community and Workforce Development at Southern Utah University. She drives workforce innovation and regional economic alignment through key initiatives, including leading the Utah NASA Hub, SUU Leadership Institute for business executives and state elected and appointed officials, and formerly the FutureReady UT program, which served business leaders across the 11-county region. With a rich creative background spanning 25 years at the Utah Shakespeare Festival, university faculty tenure, and co-founding and scaling the global non-profit StateraArts into 36 countries, Melinda bridges executive strategy, creative leadership, and strengths-based leadership coaching. She holds an MA in Arts Administration from Southern Utah University, serves on the Southwest Technical College Board of Trustees, and is Board President of Canyon Creek Services.

nicole porreca

senior director, government operations, the boeing company

  • Nicole Porreca is Senior Director of International Operations and Policy at The Boeing Company, one of the world’s largest aerospace companies and one of the largest U.S. exporters with customers in over 150 countries.

    Porreca leads Boeing’s efforts with the U.S. Government and diplomatic community on international commercial sales and represents the company with Congress, international businesses, non-governmental organizations, and trade groups in support of the company’s global policy objectives.

    Since joining the company in 2022, Porreca has served as the commercial lead in Government Operations for China, the Middle East, Europe and Indo-Pacific regions to include leading Boeing’s work on the U.S.-India CEO Forum and Chair of the Infrastructure, Manufacturing and Supply Chain Working Group.

    Prior to joining Boeing, Porreca was Senator Tim Kaine's (D-VA) Senior Foreign Policy Advisor supporting his work on the Armed Services and Senate Foreign Relations Committees, where she served as the staff director for the Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism.

    Prior to the Senate, Porreca served under two National Security Advisors as the Director for Afghanistan and Pakistan at the White House National Security Council. She has also held various positions at the U.S. Department of State including as Deputy Director for the Pakistan Desk and as a Foreign Affairs Officer focused on defense, foreign military assistance and security issues. She began her career in the U.S. government as a Presidential Management Fellow working as a business manager and then legislative analyst for the Department of Defense.

    Porreca holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Michigan. She is the recipient of the National Security Council’s Outstanding Service Award, the Department of State’s Officer of the Year Award for Political-Military Affairs and the Secretary of Defense’s Medal for Meritorious Civilian Service.

kerry buckley

vp, center for integrated transportation, mitre

  • Dr. Kerry Buckley is Vice President of The MITRE Corporation’s Center for Integrated Transportation and Director of the Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD), the federally funded research and development center MITRE operates for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
    In this role, she leads MITRE’s domestic and international aviation, aerospace, and transportation portfolios, advancing the safety, security, effectiveness, resilience, and efficiency of transportation systems in the United States and around the world. She serves as a trusted advisor to FAA leadership and aviation stakeholders on National Airspace System (NAS) modernization, aviation safety, air traffic management, emerging technologies, and the integration of future transportation capabilities. Her work builds upon MITRE’s decades-long partnership with the FAA and collaboration with federal, industry, academic, and international stakeholders to address the nation’s most complex aviation challenges.
    Dr. Buckley brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience across transportation, aviation, national security, defense, and intelligence organizations. Throughout her career, she has built consensus among government, industry, operational, and technical communities to develop innovative solutions to complex mission and policy challenges. She is recognized for providing strategic vision, fostering collaboration, and leading large, multidisciplinary organizations focused on advancing national priorities.
    Prior to her current position, Dr. Buckley served as MITRE’s Vice President for Air & Space Forces, where she led a portfolio supporting the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, and coalition partners. She also served as Vice President for Intelligence Programs, leading MITRE’s work across nine Intelligence Community organizations. Earlier, she directed MITRE’s Data & Human-Centered Solutions Innovation Center and established the corporation’s first Social, Behavioral, and Linguistic Sciences Department, helping pioneer the application of organizational science, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and human-centered approaches to complex government challenges.
    Dr. Buckley serves on the RTCA Board of Directors and has extensive experience working across government and industry to advance aviation modernization and standards development. She is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), and a member of the Defense Science Board and the TraCR Board of Advisors. Her contributions to aviation and aerospace innovation have been recognized through the Aviation Week Laureate Award and the Federal 100 Award.

aaron starks

ceo & President, 47g

  • Aaron Starks is a nationally recognized ecosystem architect and coalition builder at the forefront of aerospace, defense, advanced air mobility, and space innovation. As CEO and President of 47G – Utah Aerospace & Defense, he leads a statewide effort to build one of America's premier aerospace and national security ecosystems, uniting industry executives, defense primes, startups, policymakers, research universities, and capital partners around a shared strategic vision.

    Under Starks' leadership, Utah established the nation's first coordinated Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) ecosystem, aligning state agencies, airport authorities, federal regulators, and global OEMs to operationalize next-generation electric aviation. With a focus on deployment ahead of the 2034 Winter Olympics, he has driven infrastructure planning, regulatory acceleration, and public-private alignment to position Utah as a national proving ground for airspace integration, cargo delivery, and future passenger operations.

    Starks was also the visionary behind advancing a spaceport initiative in Utah, recognizing the strategic importance of integrating the state into the commercial space economy and strengthening America's national security posture. Through disciplined coalition-building and federal engagement, he helped lay the groundwork for launch capabilities, aerospace manufacturing expansion, and long-term space sector competitiveness.

    In recognition of his commitment to national defense and community leadership, Starks was selected to serve as an Honorary Commander at Hill Air Force Base, where he is assigned to the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) program. The role reflects his ongoing engagement with military leadership and his support for the men and women safeguarding America's strategic deterrence mission.

    His leadership is defined by urgency, execution, and partnership. He has built durable alliances across state and federal agencies, industry OEMs, and academic institutions, ensuring innovators have access to capital, regulatory clarity, infrastructure, and strategic connectivity necessary to scale. In recognition of his impact on Utah's economic and innovation landscape, he was honored as Utah Business magazine's Leader of the Year in 2023.

    Prior to leading 47G, Starks played a pivotal role in FranklinCovey's global expansion across 23 countries in Asia, establishing the company's education division headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. He later joined World Trade Center Utah, where he worked with nearly 100 companies to expand global market access, diversify supply chains, and strengthen international distribution networks.

    A first-generation college graduate and native of Huntsville, Utah, Starks earned degrees in Political Science from the University of Utah and an MBA from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business.

    Beyond his professional work, he serves on the Board of Trustees of the Utah Symphony | Utah Opera and on the United States Global Leadership Coalition's Utah Advisory Committee.

    Starks resides in South Jordan, Utah, with his wife and three children.

joe block

charge network development lead, beta technologies

  • Joseph Block is a Charge Network Development Lead at BETA Technologies focused on expanding BETA's aircraft charging network across the Western United States. Prior to BETA, Joseph was the Advanced Air Mobility Program Manager for the Minnesota Department of Transportation leading the state's strategy for new and emerging aviation technologies. Joseph also worked in consulting roles with Deloitte Consulting and Crown Consulting support various federal, state, and industry clients on drone integration and advanced air mobility. He received his undergraduate in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Kansas and is a certified Private Pilot.

Lisa shimkat

associate administrator, u.s. small business administration

  • Lisa Shimkat serves as the Associate Administrator of Field Operations for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), where she oversees 68 District Offices and 10 Regional Offices across the country. In this role, she leads the SBA’s nationwide field network, ensuring that small businesses have access to vital capital, contracting assistance, and business development programs. She works in collaboration with SBA resource partners, lenders, and local economic development organizations to expand entrepreneurial support and economic growth in communities across the United States.

    Previously, Lisa was the State Director of America’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Iowa, where she led a network of fifteen centers dedicated to providing business counseling and support to entrepreneurs across the state. Under her leadership, the Iowa SBDC played a pivotal role in fostering small business growth, disaster recovery efforts, and rural business development. She has extensive experience in economic development, having managed a multimillion-dollar revolving loan fund to assist rural entrepreneurs and manufacturers in expanding their businesses, as well as serving as a plant manager for an agricultural rebuilder.

    Lisa earned her Associate of Arts degree from Iowa Central Community College, followed by a Bachelor’s and Master of Business Administration from Iowa State University. She has a long-standing commitment to small business advocacy, previously serving on the Securities and Exchange Commission Advisory Committee on Small and Emerging Companies and held a seat on the Iowa Economic Development Authority Board from 2019 – 2024. Additionally, she served three terms on America’s Small Business Development Center, National Association Board and chair. She was an elected member of the Fort Dodge Community School Board of Education for over ten years showing a commitment to community and service.

    Her contributions to economic development and entrepreneurship have earned her numerous accolades, including being recognized as a Distinguished Iowa Central Alum and Hall of Fame Inductee in 2022. In 2023, she was honored as a Woman of Influence in Iowa by the Des Moines Business Record.

    Lisa is passionate about fostering small business success, ensuring equitable access to SBA programs, and strengthening the national support system for entrepreneurs to thrive and grow.

ty burrell

actor, local business owner

  • Ty Burrell is best known for his role as Phil Dunphy on ABC’s beloved Modern Family. His performance earned him two Emmy Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Critic’s Choice Award, and numerous other honors, though he’s still unconvinced he isn’t being pranked. Burrell’s career spans television, film, and theater, with another Emmy nomination for his role in the show Boondoggle, which he also produced, and films like Finding Dory, Storks, The Incredible Hulk, Fur, and Black Hawk Down. On stage, he has appeared in productions such as Drunk Enough to Say I Love You at the Royal Court Theatre in London, Macbeth on Broadway, and Burn This off-Broadway.  

    Outside of acting, Burrell co-owns several restaurants in Salt Lake City, including the historic Bar X, The Cotton Bottom Inn, The Eating Establishment, and, more recently, Beer Bar. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he and his wife, Holly, created the “Tip Your Server” initiative, donating $100,000 to support local restaurant workers. He also supports KIDS IN THE SPOTLIGHT, a nonprofit in Los Angeles helping underserved youth create and star in their own films.

    In 2020, Burrell launched Desert Whale Productions, developing a range of projects across different media. While he divides his time between Los Angeles and Utah, Burrell remains focused on giving back to the communities he calls home and continuing to do silly endeavors that hopefully entertain.

john curtis

senator, united states senate

  • Senator John R. Curtis proudly represents Utah in the United States Senate. A former mayor and congressman, he is known for advancing consensus-driven policies and promoting commonsense, conservative leadership.


    Since being sworn in as senator in 2025, Curtis has focused his efforts on the preeminent issues of our time for Utah and the country. Solving longstanding water and drought problems, bringing down the cost of living for hardworking families, and ensuring quality of life remains strong amid rapid growth are his top priorities for the state.


    On the national front, the senator is working to tackle the burgeoning $40 trillion national debt; ensure an affordable, reliable, and clean energy future; hold China accountable; and protect the young and vulnerable online.


    Prior to the Senate, Curtis served for seven years in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Utah’s Third Congressional District, where he secured 28 pieces of legislation into law and founded the Conservative Climate Caucus.


    Before entering public service, Curtis was a small business owner. He and his wife, Sue, have been married for 44 years and reside in Provo, Utah. They have six children and 19 grandchildren.

The Honorable Celeste Maloy

congresswoman, u.s. house of representatives

  • Born in Cedar City, Utah and raised in Hiko, Nevada, Celeste Maloy grew up in the small-town West before attending Southern Utah University, where she earned a degree in agriculture.

    Celeste began her career as a soil conservationist, spending a decade working directly with Utah families and farmers. She went on to earn her law degree from Brigham Young University and built a distinguished legal career focused on public lands and water issues. She served as a deputy Washington County attorney, public lands attorney for the Utah Association of Counties, and staff attorney for the Washington County Water Conservancy District. Most recently, she served as Chief Legal Counsel to Representative Chris Stewart before being elected to Congress in 2023.

    In Congress, Representative Maloy serves on the House Appropriations Committee, where she fights for a balanced federal budget and delivers on Utah priorities. She also serves on the House Natural Resources Committee, defending Utah's rights to use and access its natural resources and public lands.

    As Chair of the Congressional Western Caucus—one of the largest caucuses in Congress—Congresswoman Maloy leads efforts to amplify rural voices and Western priorities on the national stage. She is passionate about cutting red tape, restoring accountability to government, and protecting local communities from federal overreach.

    Congresswoman Maloy is honored to represent Utah's Second Congressional District and remains committed to the principles that define the rural West: freedom, self-reliance, and the right of communities to chart their own future.

Blake moore

congressman, U.s. house of representatives

  • A native of Ogden, Utah, Blake Moore joined the U.S. House of Representatives in 2021 and was elected as Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference in 2023, making him the first Utahn elected to House or Senate leadership.
    Blake currently serves as the first-ever Utah Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, where he sits on the Health, Social Security, and Trade subcommittees. He also serves on the House Budget Committee, pushing for policies to reverse our national debt crisis. Blake continues to represent Utah’s Hill Air Force Base as Co-Chair of the Armed Forces and Depot caucuses.
    Before being elected to Congress, Blake worked for small businesses and in the foreign service. He worked primarily in the social impact, marketing research, and strategy practice areas.


    Blake obtained a master’s in public policy and administration from Northwestern University. He graduated from the University of Utah after serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Seoul, South Korea, and signing a scholarship to play quarterback at Utah State University.


    Blake is married to Jane Boyer, his amazing, humorous, and very candid wife. Blake and Jane have four awesome and active boys who keep them on their toes—Max, George, Winston, and Franklin.

mike kennedy

congressman, u.s. house of representatives

  • Congressman Mike Kennedy, M.D., was raised by a single mother alongside his six siblings in Michigan.

    Dr. Kennedy served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and upon his return, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University. He then pursued his medical degree at Michigan State University, becoming a dedicated family physician. His passion for helping others led him back to Brigham Young University to pursue a law degree, driven by a desire to better advocate for his patients and ensure they received the best care possible.

    He and his wife, Katrina have raised eight children and now have 12 grandchildren.

    Congressman Kennedy has served in both the Utah House and Senate. He was sworn into the United States House of Representatives in January 2025.

maj. gen. william “Buck” Rogers

Air Force Portfolio Acquisition executive and director, icbm systems directorate

  • Maj. Gen. William S. Rogers is the Air Force Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) and Director of the ICBM Systems Directorate, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Hill Air Force Base, Utah. He is responsible for inception-to-retirement, integrated weapons system management of the Minuteman III (LGM-30) and Sentinel (LGM-35) ICBMs.

    Maj. Gen. Rogers graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Management) degree and received his commission in 1997 from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He is an acquisition program manager who has served in the Global Positioning System Upgraded Early Warning Radar, Air and Space Operations Center Weapon System, F-35 Lightning II, and Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System Recapitalization Program. In addition, he was stationed at the Pentagon, where he served as the KC-X/KC-46 Program Element Monitor and as Chief, Acquisition Policy in the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Executive Action Group. He also served as the Senior Materiel Leader of the Survivable Airborne Operations Division, Digital Directorate, at Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts. He has served in a variety of line and staff positions in operational test, planning and program management across a spectrum of weapons systems in aircraft, command and control, and space at the Directorate, Detachment, Center, Intelligence Community and Air Staff levels.

    Prior to this assignment, Maj. Gen. Rogers served as the PEO for Bombers, Bombers Directorate, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He was responsible for the modernization and sustainment of the bombers portfolio, which includes the B-1, B-2 and B-52. He was also responsible for organizing, training and equipping the B-21 System Program Office.

brig. gen. kenneth mcghee

operations advisor, icbm, united states air force

  • Brig. Gen. Kenneth McGhee is the Operations Advisor, Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles for the Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager-Critical Major Weapon Systems, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. In this role, he provides counsel and assistance to the DRPM-CMWS on all military matters and interfaces directly on the DRPM-CMWS’s behalf with senior civilian and military members of the Department of the Air Force staffs, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Major Commands, the Joint Staff, the Office of the Secretary of War, other governmental agencies and major industry partners.

    Brig. Gen. McGhee earned his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1998 from the University of Memphis, Tennessee. A career nuclear officer, Brig. Gen. McGhee has served in a variety of assignments within the nuclear enterprise with duties related to ICBM operations, training and maintenance. His staff assignments include positions within Twentieth Air Force, United States Strategic Command, Air Force Global Strike Command, the Joint Staff and the Department of the Air Force. Brig. Gen. McGhee is a graduate of the National Laboratories Technical Fellowship Program at Sandia National Laboratory and National War College. Prior to his current position, Brig. Gen. McGhee was the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force.

tami tran

ceo, mayor, rylex, Kaysville city

  • Tamara Tran is the CEO of the tech company, Rylex, which she founded over 20 years ago and the Mayor of Kaysville, Utah. Elected in 2021, she previously served on the Kaysville City Council and Planning Commission. Originally from Seoul, Korea, she was adopted into a family in the United States and has since built a career in public service with a focus on unity and community progress. She brings this dedication and her extensive corporate experience working within the Department of Defense to her new role on the National Advisory Council.

Todd Brightwell

Ceo, Southern Utah Economic Alliance

  • Todd Brightwell serves as President and CEO of the Southern Utah Economic Alliance, where he is leading the organization’s expanded mission to strengthen regional competitiveness and economic vitality across Southern Utah

    In addition to his role at SUEA, Todd is co-founder and President of Advisors Consulting Services, where he continues to provide clients nationwide with strategic location advisory, site selection, and economic development consulting.

    Earlier, as Chief Operating Officer of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah, he directed statewide corporate recruitment and expansion efforts. Under his leadership, Utah attracted major investments from companies such as Adobe, Goldman Sachs, Oracle, Boeing, and Procter & Gamble, resulting in more than 15,000 new jobs and the relocation of 11 corporate headquarters.

isaac chambers

ceo, silkline

  • Isaac Chambers is co-founder and CEO of Silkline, the AI-native supply chain platform for aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing. Previously, he worked on supply planning for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 and missile programs.

Mckay christensen

ceo, thanksgiving point

  • McKay Christensen is a business leader, professor, and podcast host. Christensen’s career began at Procter & Gamble after graduating with an MBA and a Masters in Accounting from BYU. He has held various other leadership positions in business across consumer products, hospitality, and higher education. McKay earned a Ph.D. in Education and has taught business strategy at BYU’s Marriott School of Business. He is currently the CEO of Thanksgiving Point, a community-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to hands-on STEM programs and experiences for children. Thanksgiving Point provides immersive learning experiences, community outreach, and more than 170 Daily STEM Discovery Programs that invite children to explore, experiment, and strengthen problem-solving skills. The organization is deeply committed to serving underserved communities by expanding access to transformative educational experiences for children from all backgrounds.

jon gruen

ceo, fortem technologies

  • Jon Gruen leverages more than twenty-five highly successful years in the defense and aerospace industry to lead business growth and operations at Fortem Technologies. As the Chief Executive Officer of Fortem Technologies, he is directly responsible for all aspects of the business which produces Air Space Awareness and Counter Drone systems for U.S. and International Partners.

    Previously, Jon was a corporate business development and strategy lead for Lockheed Martin where he won over $10B in program value. He is also the co-founder and Chief Operations Officer of an emergency management and consultancy firm, specializing in providing new technologies for disaster, security, and relief operations.

    Prior to joining Lockheed Martin, Mr. Gruen was a Navy SEAL Officer where he served in increasing leadership positions in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). In the Navy Reserve, he was a Captain and has commanded Unmanned Air Systems and Technology Innovation Units.

    Jon received his Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Naval Academy and received his Master of Business Administration from the Haas School of Business, University of California – Berkeley.

SARAH HIRSHLAND

CEO, United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee

  • Sarah Hirshland is a transformative leader in global sports administration, serving as Chief Executive Officer of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) since 2018. Throughout her tenure, she has reshaped the organization’s identity and direction—placing athletes at the heart of every decision while championing transparency, inclusivity, and long-term sustainability.

    Under her leadership, the USOPC has undergone sweeping reforms focused on athlete well-being, including expanded mental health support, strengthened athlete safety protocols, and enhanced insurance benefits—particularly for female athletes. She has prioritized inclusive representation, institutionalizing athlete voices within the USOPC’s governance model, and signaling the equal importance of the Paralympic movement through the landmark integration of “Paralympic” into the organization’s name. 

    Hirshland’s strategic vision has delivered powerful results on the world stage. Team USA’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games was historic: the U.S. led the Olympic medal table with 126 medals—the most ever won in a non-U.S.-hosted Games—and finished third in the Paralympic medal count with 105 medals. She is also leading one of the most consequential philanthropic efforts in the USOPC’s history: a $500 million campaign through the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Foundation to support athlete development and financial security. Central to that campaign was a historic $100 million donation from philanthropist Ross Stevens, designed to support Olympians and Paralympians well beyond their competitive years.  

    Hirshland played a pivotal role in securing Salt Lake City’s successful bid to host the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, continuing the legacy of U.S. leadership in the global sports movement. Her influence extends internationally through her role as Vice President of PanAm Sports and as a member of the International Olympic Committee’s Program Commission. 

    In recognition of her leadership, Hirshland was named Sports Business Journal’s 2025 Executive of the Year and selected for CNBC’s prestigious 2025 Changemakers list. These accolades reflect her ability to guide the USOPC through a time of generational change—balancing tradition with innovation, and stability with ambition. She was also named to Forbes’ first-ever Accessibility 100 list, which highlights the biggest innovators and impact-makers advancing accessibility for people with disabilities.

    Prior to joining the USOPC, Hirshland served as Chief Commercial Officer for the United States Golf Association (USGA) and previously was a Senior Vice President at Wasserman. Her career has consistently reflected a deep understanding of the intersection between sport, business, and impact.

    Sarah is a graduate of Duke University and resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with her husband, Keith.

Florentina Viscotchi

President, JETZERO Canada

  • Florentina brings 30 years of international aerospace experience, having held engineering leadership roles at Rolls-Royce, Bombardier, and Airbus. Most recently, as Head of the A220 Corporate Jet Program, she led end-to-end product development, testing, supply chain, manufacturing, and MRO operations. She worked on multiple aircraft programs from Advanced Design through Entry into Service, including the CSeries. At Bombardier, she advanced new aircraft concepts and engineering processes. Earlier in her career, she contributed to propulsion and systems integration at Rolls-Royce.

Gregg Robison

Ceo, Ram aerospace

  • Gregg Robison is the CEO for RAM Aerospace headquartered in St. George Utah with locations in Valencia, CA and Guaymas, Mexico. He previously held roles as the GM of ITT Aerospace, VP of Operations for Crane Aerospace, and Director of Operations at Parker Aerospace.

    Gregg is a native of southern Utah, receiving his Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Utah and his MBA from Marquette University in Wisconsin.

    Gregg has always been inspired by aviation and space and is focused on scaling RAM Aerospace's technology roadmap to meet growing demand and developing the leadership and culture to achieve it.

ANDY YAKULIS

CEO & Co-Founder, Vector

  • Andy Yakulis is CEO and co-founder of Vector, the nation’s Modern Warfare as a Service provider. A seasoned leader with 18 years of service as an Army officer and special operations commander, Yakulis has built a career at the intersection of defense technology, innovation and private investment, bridging advanced solutions with U.S. national security needs.

    Throughout his military career, Yakulis led tactical combat operations and worked to integrate cutting-edge technology into the Department of Defense. He also collaborated with private capital to drive investments in defense technology. As a pilot-in-command and air mission commander, he holds the Federal Aviation Administration’s highest commercial aviation rating, the Helicopter Airline Transport Pilot certification, with extensive experience piloting both military and civilian aircraft.

    Yakulis earned a Master of Science in management as a Sloan Fellow at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, focusing on technology innovation and venture capital. He also co-founded the health tech startup Medeloop.ai, scaling operations to secure initial customers and raise millions in venture funding. Additionally, he holds a Master of Arts in defense and strategic studies from the Naval War College, where he represented the U.S. Army in an elite international officer program.

    A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science in geospatial information science, Yakulis was a Division I lacrosse athlete and four-year varsity letterman.

steve starks

cheif executive officer, the larry h miller company

  • Steve Starks is the Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors at the Larry H. Miller Company. In this capacity, Steve leads a multi-generational family business with a diverse portfolio of platforms that include real estate, senior health, sports and entertainment, and investments. Steve also serves as Alternate Governor for the Utah Royals FC.

    Previously, Steve was the president of the NBA’s Utah Jazz, where he led the franchise through an organizational transformation that resulted in a dramatic increase of revenue, fan experience, and the team’s return to the NBA Playoffs, including achieving the top seed in the Western Conference. He also oversaw the award-winning renovation of the Delta Center in 2017 and the successful bid to host the 2023 NBA All-Star Game.

    Steve is active in the community. He currently serves as vice chair of the Organizing Committee for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Steve serves as an alternate governor to the NWSL’s Utah Royals professional soccer franchise. He also leads Big League Utah, the coalition aimed at bringing an MLB expansion team to Salt Lake City. Steve is the past chair of the Salt Lake Chamber Board of Directors, the Economic Development Corporation of Utah, and served on the Weber State University Board of Trustees. Steve has two honorary doctorate degrees: one from his alma mater, Weber State University, and one from Snow College.

    Steve’s background is in strategy, team building, branding, mergers and acquisitions, and helping organizations through strategic transformations. He was named CEO of the Year in 2021 by Utah Business and 40 under 40 by Sports Business Journal in 2017. He received the South Valley Chamber’s Titan Award and was named a CEO to Watch by Family Business Magazine.

Delian Asparouhov

Co-Founder and President, Varda Space

  • Delian is a Partner at Founders Fund and President and Co-Founder of Varda Space Industries. Varda is pushing the bounds of innovation in the orbital economy by manufacturing pharmaceuticals and advanced materials that can’t be made as effectively on Earth, revolutionizing biopharma production and enabling cutting-edge microgravity research. He also co-created the Hill & Valley Forum, which brings together leaders from Washington and Silicon Valley to strengthen collaboration on technology and national security.

chris stewart

president, skyline capitol

  • Chris Stewart served Utah in Congress for over a decade and became a senior member on both the exclusive House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and Appropriations Committees, serving on the Defense, State and Foreign Operations, and Interior subcommittees. He also served on both the Budget and Weaponization Committees as well as the Select China Task Force.

    Before his congressional career, Chris graduated from Utah State University with a degree in economics, then joined the United States Air Force, where he served for fourteen years as a pilot — flying both rescue helicopters and the B-1B Lancer strategic bomber. He was the Distinguished Graduate — top of his class — in both Officer Training School and Undergraduate Pilot Training.

    He holds three world speed records, including the world record for the fastest non-stop flight around the world. He is a multiple New York Times bestselling and national award-winning author, and the former owner and CEO of a nationally recognized consulting firm in the energy and environment sector.

    Chris has appeared hundreds of times on national television, published editorials widely, and is considered a nationally recognized expert on matters of intelligence and national security.

    He sits on multiple boards and is co-chair of Public-First, a bipartisan SuperPAC focused on AI policy.

Bonny WARNER SIMI

President of Operations, Joby Aviation

  • Bonny Simi is Joby Aviation’s President of Operations. Prior to joining the team at Joby, Bonny held several operational and strategic roles at JetBlue within Flight Operations, System Operations, People, Airports, and Customer Support. Most notably, she founded and led JetBlue Technology Ventures. As a pilot, Bonny has commanded Boeing, Airbus and Embraer aircraft at both United Airlines and JetBlue Airways. She is an Emmy-nominated sports reporter and a 3-time Olympian in the sport of Luge.

angela smith

Coo, nucleus institute

  • Angela Smith is the COO of the Nucleus Institute, Utah's hub for innovation. She is Managing Director of the Nucleus Fund, a $40m early stage venture fund. She also oversees programming and design for Convergence Hall, a world class innovation hub that facilitates interdisciplinary industry, academic, and government partnerships to generate and commercialize new ideas.

    She has deep experience in both education and investing. She has invested throughout Utah and across the country for Origin Ventures, Pelion Venture Partners, Cougar Capital, and the Sorenson Impact Fund.

BEN HART

EXECUTIvE DIRECTOR, UTAH INLAND PORT AUTHORITY

  • Benjamin Hart serves as the executive director of the Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) after being appointed by the UIPA board in September, 2022. During his tenure at UIPA Hart has prioritized economic optimization with port facility development, along with strong internal controls and transparency for the organization. Under his leadership the Port is focused on statewide, along with regional projects and ensuring world-class global access for Utah businesses.

    Prior to his position at UIPA, Hart served as the deputy director of the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (Go Utah). During his time at Go Utah, Hart oversaw The Unified Economic Opportunity Commission, corporate recruitment efforts, international and diplomatic responsibilities, small business programs and statewide workforce partnerships.

    Prior to his time at Go Utah, Hart served as the director of employer initiatives for the Department of Workforce Services, the CDBG and Economic Development administrator at Layton City, and in underwriting at Zions Bank.

    Hart has served on numerous statewide and national government and trade association boards during his career. He completed both his undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Utah, where he currently serves as an adjunct instructor. Hart lives in Layton, Utah with his wife and three kids.

whitney mason

Director, Multi X Office, DARPA

  • Whitney Mason, Ph.D., is director of the Multi X Office (MXO).
    Previously, she held the deputy director role in the agency’s Strategic Technology Office (STO) from 2022 - 2023. Prior to joining STO, Mason served as a program manager in the Microsystems Technology Office from 2017 - 2022.


    Her research interests include imaging sensors that provide multifunction capability. In particular, she is interested in novel device structures, optics, and electronics that enable new capabilities compared to current state-of-the-art imaging systems.


    Mason joined DARPA from the Army C5ISR Center, formerly the Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center, where she was the director of the Science and Technology Division within the Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate at Fort Belvoir, Va. In that role, she led a team of scientists and engineers in the pursuit of new and improved focal plane array materials and devices; advanced read-out circuits; and enhanced optical materials and designs, lasers, and image processing.


    Education
    • Ph.D., Physics, University of Oklahoma
    • B.S., Physics, Georgetown University

craig miller

director, public sector strategy and operation, ionq

  • Craig recently joined IonQ on the public sector team.  His work focuses on getting quantum technologies deployed rapidly in the public sector.  Craig recently retired from the USAF working in the Intelligence and Cybersecurity area. He spent much of his career providing intelligence support to Special Operations Forces in places like Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, and Europe. He spent two years working at the State Department as the JSOC Liaison Officer to the Department of State. His last four years in the USAF were spent commanding within the National Security Agency leading the site in Alaska for the NSA along with working from Ft Meade Maryland leading USAF members across the global NSA enterprise.  After retiring Craig worked for 47G on ecosystem development for the aerospace and defense industry in Utah before joining IonQ.

Sarah pearson

director of strategic initiatives, DIU (Defense Innovation Unit)

  • Sarah Pearson is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at Defense Innovation Unit. In this capacity, Sarah is leading our newest business unit focused on breaking down systemic barriers to commercial technology adoption for the War
    Department. Previously, Sarah was the Director of Commercial Engagement within DIU where she led the strategic direction for DIU’s engagement with commercial companies and investors. Additionally, she oversaw a team dedicated to maintaining awareness of commercial technologies and streamlining the process of integrating commercial technologies into military applications. She is passionate about accelerating the adoption of groundbreaking solutions that can save lives, improve operational efficiency, and maintain the United States' technological edge in defense.


    With a background in both military service and private sector technology development, Sarah brings a unique perspective to her position at DIU. She began her career as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy. After her military service, Sarah transitioned to the private sector where she worked in various roles across program management, product management, supply chain management, inside sales and consumer support at General Electric and Google.

tyler griffin

c-uas program director,
lockheed martin

  • Tyler Griffin is Lockheed Martin’s C-UAS Program Director, responsible for the cross-enterprise development of a scalable, layered, and integrated solution to address the proliferated and growing threat posed by unmanned systems. Previously, Tyler was the Strategy and Business Development Director for the Mission Systems & Weapons market segment. In this role, Tyler was responsible for ensuring LM’s products and mission capabilities remain ahead of ready in the areas of avionics, aircraft modernization, launching systems, and high energy laser weapon systems. Prior leadership positions include the Site General Manager for Lockheed Martin’s Bothell facility, the Program Director for Lockheed Martin’s Laser & Sensor Systems portfolio, and the Managing Director for Lockheed Martin’s Military Solutions segment of its United Kingdom Integrated Systems portfolio, a role inclusive of manned and unmanned aviation, as well as maritime mission capabilities.


    Tyler’s career with Lockheed Martin began in 2001 within the Missiles & Fire Control Business Area, and he has held leadership roles of increasing responsibility in program management, international business development, and advanced technology development and delivery. His early career experiences spanned multiple operational and program assignments, including supplier sourcing, quality engineering, and program management support for the Army’s Apache Modernized Target Acquisition & Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor, the Air Force’s SNIPER targeting pod, and the Navy’s Aegis Weapon System.


    Tyler has a track record of transitioning early research and development outcomes to the warfighter. Examples span both hardware and software domains, and products include electronic warfare countermeasures, command and control algorithms, and laser weapon systems.
    Tyler graduated from Kenyon College with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and has a master’s degree in Business Administration from Villanova University.

garfield jones

svp global strategy and research, qusecure

  • Dr. Garfield Jones is currently the Senior Vice President, Research & Technology Strategy at QuSecure.  He is renowned technical advisor and test and systems engineering manager with extensive knowledge of IT and DoD systems.

    Prior to joining QuSecure, Dr. Jones served as Associate Chief of Strategic Technology for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). In this role, he developed the strategy and guidance on using innovative, leading-edge technology across CISA, including articulating and documenting the future technology vision to achieve mission objectives and goals. Dr. Jones led the post-quantum cryptography initiative at CISA, consulting with executive branch level staff on crafting and disseminating guidance for federal agencies and national policy on research development and adoption of PQC technology.
    Specifically, Dr. Jones worked with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of National Cyber Director (ONCD), and various federal agencies to execute tasks outlined in executive orders 14306 (Sustaining Select Efforts to Strengthen the Nation’s Cybersecurity) and 14144 (Strengthening and Promoting Innovation in the Nation’s Cybersecurity) and memos such as OMB 23-02 (Migrating to Post-Quantum Cryptography) issued by the Executive Branch.

Imad Atallah

VP of Product Management and Commercial Growth, Hexcel

  • Imad Atallah is Vice President, Product Management and Commercial Growth at Hexcel Corporation, where he leads product management for Hexcel's carbon fibers, reinforcements, and matrix portfolio while helping shape the company's commercial aerospace growth strategy.

    Since joining Hexcel in 2011, Atallah has held leadership roles spanning product management, strategic marketing, and business growth. Prior to Hexcel, he held engineering, program management, and commercial leadership positions at Honeywell, Avidyne Corporation, and CAE Electronics. He holds a degree in mechanical engineering from McGill University

jason burns

vp of defense & space, hexcel corporation

  • Jason H. Burns is the Vice President of Defense and Space for the Americas & Global Fibers business. He joined Hexcel in 2025 and is responsible for strategy, financial performance, and growth across the Defense and Space segment.

    Prior to this role, Burns spent 20 years at Northrop Grumman, Orbital ATK, and Alliant Techsystems in a variety of leadership positions, including Director of Engineering for the Air Dominance Division and Director of Advanced Programs. In his Air Dominance role, he oversaw the technical performance of all programs within the portfolio. As Director of Advanced Programs, he was responsible for profit and loss, strategic growth initiatives, and restricted programs.

    Burns holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management from the University of Cincinnati, a Master of Business Administration from Xavier University, and a Master of Science in Materials Engineering from the University of Dayton.

Jeff daniel

vice president, Commercial Segment, Albany Engineered Composites

  • Jeff Daniel serves as Vice President, Commercial Segment, at Albany Engineered Composites (AEC) and is a member of the company’s leadership team. He is responsible for the strategic direction, operational performance, and growth of AEC’s global commercial business. Albany Engineered Composites is a leader in the development and innovation of advanced composite structures, advancing next-generation solutions across the full spectrum of composite and multi-material design. Through a focus on innovation, rapid industrialization, and cost-effective manufacturing, AEC delivers high-performance solutions to meet the evolving needs of the commercial aerospace, defense, and space markets.

    With more than 25 years of leadership experience across the aerospace, defense, and advanced technology sectors, Mr. Daniel is an accomplished business and operations executive with a proven track record of driving strategic growth, operational excellence, and sustained financial performance. Throughout his career, he has successfully led complex organizations through significant growth, transformation, and expansion, delivering innovative solutions to commercial and defense customers. His leadership philosophy centers on disciplined execution, accountability, strong customer partnerships, talent development, and continuous improvement to strengthen operational performance and achieve sustainable business results.

    Since joining Albany Engineered Composites in 2014, Mr. Daniel has held positions of increasing responsibility, including Manager of Operations, Director of Operations, General Manager, and Vice President of Program Management, before assuming his current role. Throughout his tenure, he has played a key role in strengthening operational performance, advancing business objectives, and supporting the company’s continued growth.

    Prior to joining AEC, Mr. Daniel held several leadership positions at EaglePicher Technologies, LLC, a leading supplier of advanced battery systems for military and aviation applications. His roles included Contracts Manager, Operations Manager, Plant Manager, and Senior Program Manager. During his tenure, he implemented manufacturing processes and systems to achieve world-class manufacturing standards, led the start-up and development of a state-of-the-art automated manufacturing facility, and drove lean manufacturing initiatives that reduced lead times and improved operational efficiency.

    Mr. Daniel holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Missouri Southern State University and a Lean Certification from the University of Kentucky.

jacob hochhalter

associate vp of research, university of utah

  • Dr. Hochhalter joined the University of Utah (UU) in 2018, where he is now the Associate VP of Research for Science and Engineering and faculty in Mechanical Engineering.  His research focus includes accelerating the certification of aerospace materials and structures. Prior to joining the UU, he served as a Group Lead at NASA Langley Research Center, where he received the NASA Early Career Achievement Medal, and actively consults for the NASA Engineering and Safety Center.

matthew steinhelfer

aukus senior advisor,
u.s. department of state

  • Matthew Steinhelfer serves as the Department of State's AUKUS Senior Advisor.  A member of the Senior Executive Service, Matthew has had an array of assignments in the Department since 2006, including most recently serving as Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations.

    He has also served as Political Military Affairs Unit Chief at U.S. Embassy Kabul, Afghanistan; Chief of Staff to the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan; and Regional Policy and Programs Chief for the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.

ben reeves

city manager, eagle mountain city

  • Mr. Reeves is in his 23rd year of service in city management and local government and has served as the City Manager of Eagle Mountain City for nearly two years. Previously, he served as city manager for the Cities of Indianola, Iowa; Santaquin, Utah; and LaVerkin, Utah. He also worked as a management analyst for the Bureau of Land Management and spent 10 years in the private sector as a project manager and systems engineer.

    Ben holds a master’s degree in Organizational Behavior and Strategic Leadership from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, New York, and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah. He also earned a postgraduate certificate in Conflict Resolution and Mediation from the University of Utah.

    Ben holds credentialed status with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and has earned a Utility Management Certification in Water/Wastewater Management from the Rural Water Association. He is a past president and board member of the Utah City/County Management Association and currently serves on the boards of several other professional associations.

bryan erwin

managing partner, bluewave merchant partners, llc

  • Bryan is the Founder and Managing Partner of BlueWave Merchant Partners. He synthesizes and coordinates US Government trade assets to facilitate accelerated growth for US exporters.

    He was selected by President Obama in 2010 to run the Trade Advocacy Center, the nexus of senior official, US Government advocacy on behalf of US exporters. While Director, Bryan advanced US commercial interests by leading 177 successful campaigns resulting in $199.7B in new business for US companies supporting 1 million US jobs. These were the best four years the Advocacy Center had in its 22 year existence. This was accomplished, in part, by executing a comprehensive new business strategy resulting in an increased case-load of 165%. This was the largest client roster in Advocacy Center history. Prior to that, Bryan worked for 8 years as a Vice President in the Investment Management Division at The Goldman Sachs Group. For the better part of the 1990's Bryan was an aide to Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD.) Bryan hails from the North Fork of Long Island and is the current Chairman of the Long Island State Park Commission. He and his wife, Danielle, are raising two daughters and a stuffed lemur, Coco.

dan Sennott

chair, national security Practice, Greenberg Traurig

  • Dan Sennott draws on nearly three decades of national security and defense experience to provide his clients with pragmatic, actionable advice on working with the Department of War and Congress. Before entering private practice, Dan served as the minority staff director for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Armed Services, where he was responsible for the development, negotiation, and passage of the annual National Defense Authorization Act. Prior to his time on the Hill, Dan served in the U.S. Army for more than twenty years as an armor officer and JAG.

ike blanton

partner, holland & knight

  • Ike Blanton is an attorney in Holland & Knight's Washington, D.C., office, where he is a member of the National Security & Defense Industry Group and Federal Government Affairs Practice. Mr. Blanton advises defense industrial base companies and their supply chains, dual-use technology providers, and entities focused on hybrid warfare capabilities and economic security.

    Previously, Mr. Blanton was deputy director for global investment and economic security within the U.S. Department of War’s Office of Global Investment and Economic Security - now the office of Industrial and Investment Security. While there he oversaw the Department’s economic competition efforts, including the development of the 1260H List of Chinese Military Companies, and built partner capacity with allies and partners. He led various department reviews, foreign investment review, security agreements, mitigation strategies and compliance monitoring efforts, including for Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) mergers and acquisitions (M&A), Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), Information and Communications Technology and Services (ICTS) and Team Telecom.

    Additionally, Mr. Blanton had held various high-level roles in the U.S. Department of State, including as a foreign service officer in Brazil and China before a tour at the White House.

    Earlier in his career, he was in-house counsel at a bank and focused on finance, acquisitions, corporate strategy and secured transactions.

marissa serafinio

attorney, holland & knight llp

  • Marissa Serafino is an attorney and policy professional in Holland & Knight's Washington, D.C., office and member of the Regulatory Practice. Ms. Serafino helps clients navigate increasingly complex regulatory landscapes and engage with the U.S. Congress, executive branch and independent agencies on technology issues across industries. Clients rely on Ms. Serafino for strategic counsel on legal and policy matters and investigations impacting their organizations.

ashley spear

professor of mechanical engineering, university of utah

  • Dr. Ashley Spear is a Professor and Associate Chair for Faculty in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Utah. She directs the Multiscale Mechanics & Materials Laboratory and leads efforts in advanced manufacturing across the University of Utah campus. Spear received her B.S. from the University of Wyoming and Ph.D. from Cornell University. She is the recipient of the Constance Tipper Medal from the International Congress on Fracture, the Young Investigator Award from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the TMS Early Career Faculty Fellow Award, and the National Science Foundation CAREER award. Spear is a strong proponent for elevating Utah's role in the national aerospace and defense manufacturing supply chain through strategic collaborations between universities and industry.

A.C. charania

advisor, balerion space ventures

  • A.C. Charania is an aerospace executive and strategist with 25 years of leadership experience at the intersection of space innovation, advanced product development, business creation, and government engagement. He currently serves as an Advisor to Balerion Space Ventures, a venture capital firm investing in space, defense, and deep technology companies building the critical infrastructure of the space economy. He is also currently on the Board of Directors of Vast, the commercial space station company, and Strategic Advisor at Zeno Power, a developer of radioisotope power systems. From 2023 to 2025, he served as NASA Chief Technologist and principal advisor to the NASA Administrator on technology policy and programs. He led technology innovation across the agency, aligned NASA's technology investments with the needs of all six mission directorates, and oversaw technology collaboration with other federal agencies and the private sector. He also advised agency leadership on strategic R&D priorities in AI and autonomy, quantum systems, space nuclear technology, and imagery. His earlier roles span Reliable Robotics, Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, and SpaceWorks Enterprises. At Blue Origin, he helped define the company's lunar permanence strategy and advanced the Blue Moon lunar lander program. Across his career he has delivered disruptive innovations in commercial spaceflight, lunar exploration, planetary defense, aviation autonomy, nuclear power, and launch vehicle and hypersonic programs, and has helped win more than $1 billion in government and commercial contracts. He holds a B.A. in Economics/Mathematics from Emory University and a B.S. and M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech.

josh lefevre

site lead | insights & innovation, the mitre corporation

  • Josh LeFevre is a strategy and innovation leader at MITRE, where he helps government organizations navigate complex challenges through threat-informed operations, systems thinking, and human-centered design. Since joining MITRE in 2019, he has led strategic initiatives supporting organizations across the Department of Defense and federal civilian government, including the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Treasury, Small Business Administration, and Veterans Health Administration.

    Drawing on experience spanning national security, technology, and private industry, Josh specializes in translating emerging threats and complex systems into actionable strategies. Currently, he also serves as MITRE’s Falcon Hill site lead in Utah, where he has helped expand MITRE’s regional presence and develop partnerships across government, industry, and academia.

    Josh holds two master’s degrees from Carnegie Mellon University in Interaction Design and Transformational Design, with an emphasis on foresight and strategic innovation, as well as bachelor’s degrees from Utah State University. Prior to MITRE, he worked across adtech, fintech, and robotics.

gene Skiba

ceo, co-founder, intalus

  • Gene Skiba is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of INTALUS, a materials engineering and manufacturing technologies company serving aerospace, defense, energy, and critical industrial sectors. With more than 30 years of experience in systems engineering and executive leadership, he leads the company’s strategy, growth, and technology commercialization.

j stuart adams

senate president, utah senate

  • President J. Stuart Adams graduated from Layton High and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Utah in business finance. He currently resides in Layton, where he and his wife, Susan, raised their four children. Today they are the proud grandparents to 16 grandchildren. 

    President Adams is the owner of Terra Strata real estate. During his time in real estate, he has been named Builder of the Year by the Northern Wasatch Home Builders Association. 

    Before being elected to the Senate, President Adams served four and a half years in the Utah House of Representatives and nine years on the Layton City Council. He is the former Chairman of the Utah Transportation Commission and Chairs the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA). 

    During his time representing the 7th District, President Adams passed legislation to address religious freedoms, affordable energy, clean air and transportation. 

    In his words, he is “honored to represent the community where he grew up and raised a family” and enjoys working in his capacity as Senate President to benefit all of the great State of Utah.

michael salazar

principal director, security & ai, microsoft

  • Michael Salazar is a Principal Director within Microsoft Security & AI, where he leads initiatives spanning cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and strategic partnerships, with a focus on their implications for national security, defense, and critical infrastructure.

    At Microsoft, Michael has held leadership roles across security business development, strategic partnerships, and applied research. He currently leads Microsoft's Cyber + AI Lab, bringing together industry, government, academia, and startups to advance cybersecurity and secure AI innovation.

    Beyond Microsoft, Michael contributes to national and international security and foreign policy discussions through research, writing, and professional forums. His affiliations include the Aspen Strategy Group, Chatham House, the Serpens Center, and The Cipher Brief.

    He holds an MBA from Texas A&M University and a master's degree in Global Security & Affairs.

Ryan Roberts

space cyber leader, deloitte

  • Ryan Roberts is a space and cyber operations leader with more than 25 years of experience supporting defense and intelligence missions in uniform, as a government civilian, and as a defense contractor. At Deloitte, he works at the intersection of space and cyber operations, helping government clients strengthen the resilience of space mission systems and platforms. His experience includes overseeing the development, launch, and operations of Silent Shield™, Deloitte’s on-orbit cyber intrusion detection payload aboard Deloitte-1, the firm’s first satellite and a pathfinder for broader Deloitte satellite constellation efforts. Ryan has supported cyber defense across critical mission systems for the Intelligence Community, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, Missile Defense Agency, and the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. He brings a practical perspective on securing commercial and national security space systems to achieve mission outcomes in contested environments.

Jared gray

mayor, eagle mountain city

  • Jared Gray is serving his first term as Mayor of Eagle Mountain after two years on the City Council. He has been part of the Cedar Valley community for most of his life. As a teenager, he worked as a farmhand at Cedar Valley Farms, before Eagle Mountain was incorporated. He watched the city’s first homes take shape and has remained closely connected to the community ever since.

    Gray began his business career with Gray Trucking in 2000 and later established Gray Excavating. He has also worked in real estate.

    His community service includes roles on Eagle Mountain’s Cemetery, Parks and Recreation, Youth Council, and Planning Commission boards. Gray also serves as president of Pony Express Events, where he coordinates the PRCA rodeo, demolition derby, and Enduro Cross.

Andy Davis

vice president Engineering and Strategy, nammo munitions

  • Andy Davis is the Vice President of Engineering & Strategy of Nammo Defense Systems Inc. (NDS). He is based at the company’s U.S. headquarters site in Mesa, Arizona.

    Andy is a key interface with NDS customers and across Nammo business units to directly support the development and execution of NDS business and technology strategies. With an extensive engineering and chemical background – along with his in-depth knowledge of Nammo products – He works extensively with NDS Engineering, Programs and Business Development teams, ensuring NDS is positioned on the technological edge as we move to the future.

    Previously Andy served as NDS Technical Director and various other leadership and individual contributor roles at Nammo for the last 20 years. His primary responsibilities included leadership of a $23M capital investment program to expand Mesa’s production capacity to produce artillery range extension products. Before joining Nammo, he worked for ATK Launch Systems and Thiokol Propulsion in Utah where Andy worked on both the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Motor as well as the Space Shuttle orbiter.

    Andy attended Arizona State University earning a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Chemical Engineering and in May 2025 completed the Executive MBA program at Arizona State University. He is a member of the National Defense Industrial Association, the Association of the United States Army, and Chair of the Ordnance and Ballistics Technology Working Group Steering Committee. He volunteers a mentor for high school and college students focused on pursuing engineering degrees and careers and is an annual donor to scholarship funds for fallen warriors.