Governor Spencer Cox

Governor of Utah

Spencer Cox is the current 18th Governor of Utah, having assumed office in 2021. He is a member of the Republican Party and previously served as the state's Lieutenant Governor from 2013 to 2021. Before his statewide roles, Cox was involved in local politics in Fairview, Utah, serving on the city council and as mayor, as well as a Sanpete County Commissioner. He was born on July 11, 1975.

Nikki Haley

Walter P. Stern Chair at the Hudson Institute; U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (2017-2019); Governor of South Carolina (2011-2017)

In 2010, at age 38, Nikki R. Haley was elected the 116th governor of South Carolina. She was the youngest governor in the country and first minority female governor in America. She is the only female governor in South Carolina history.
During Governor Haley’s tenure, South Carolina was a national leader in economic development. Known as the “Beast of the Southeast,” the state’s unemployment rate hit a 15-year low, it saw over $20 billion in new capital investment, and her administration announced new jobs in every county in the state.
In 2013, her husband Michael, a combat veteran, deployed to Afghanistan making her the first governor in U.S. history to have their spouse deployed.
The people of South Carolina decisively reelected Haley in 2014. Two years later, Time Magazine named her one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.
In 2016, at age 45, President Donald Trump nominated Haley as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. In that role, she served as a member of the President’s Cabinet and on the National Security Council.
As ambassador, she ensured the American people saw value for their investment, defended U.S. interests, kept our country safe, and championed human rights. For her work at the UN, Forbes named her one of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women.
After serving in the Trump administration, she founded Stand For America and Stand For America PAC.
At age 51, Haley ran as a Republican candidate for president while her husband was deployed to Africa.
In 2024, she outlasted thirteen other candidates and became the first Republican woman to win a presidential primary. She continues to fight for limited government, fiscal responsibility, and a strong foreign policy that keeps America safe, has the backs of our allies, and holds our enemies to account.
She currently serves as the Walter P. Stern Chair of the Hudson Institute and as the Vice Chair of Edelman Public and Government Affairs where she advises CEOs and boards on successful business strategies.
Haley is married to Major Michael Haley and has two children.
She is a two-time New York Times bestselling author for With All Due Respect and If You Want Something Done.

Delian Asparouhov

Co-founder & President, Varda Space

Delian Asparouhov is a partner at Founders Fund and co-founder and President of Varda Space Industries, which is building the world's first space factories. Before joining Founders Fund, he was a principal at Khosla Ventures, head of growth at Teespring, and founder of a healthcare company called Nightingale. Delian is Bulgarian, attended MIT, and likes to kite surf and play soccer.
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Andy Yakulis

CEO & Co-Founder, Vector

Andy Yakulis serves as the CEO and co-founder of Vector, the nation’s next-generation Managed Defense Service Provider. A seasoned leader with 18 years of service as an Army Officer and Special Operations Commander, Andy 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, Andy 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 FAA’s highest commercial aviation rating, the Helicopter Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certification, with extensive experience piloting both military and civilian aircraft.
Andy earned a Master of Science in Management as a Sloan Fellow at 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, Andy was a Division I lacrosse athlete and a four-year varsity letterman.

Peyton Manning

Two-time super bowl champion, five-time NFL MVP & Member of the pro football Hall of Fame

Legendary quarterback Peyton Manning, the NFL's only five-time Most Valuable Player and a 14-time Pro Bowl selection, has earned his place among the greatest quarterbacks in league history as one of the leaders in nearly every statistical passing category. A first-ballot Hall of Fame selection, Manning was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2021. During the 2015/2016 season, Manning led the Denver Broncos to a 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50, making him the first starting quarterback in NFL history to win a Super Bowl with two different teams.
Manning entered the NFL in 1998 with the Indianapolis Colts as the first overall draft pick. When he retired in 2016, Manning held numerous records, including the most career touchdown passes in league history, in addition to ranking first all-time in completions and passing yards. Named a first-team All-Pro selection by the Associated Press on seven occasions, no quarterback in NFL history had more playoff appearances or 300-yard passing games than Manning when he retired. In 2013, Manning was named Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated. In his first year with the Broncos in 2012—and after missing the entire 2011 campaign with a neck injury—Manning finished as the Associated Press NFL Comeback Player of the Year and runner-up for the league's MVP.
During his first 14 NFL seasons with the Colts, Manning set club records in nearly every career passing category. He led the franchise to its first World Championship in 36 years during the 2006 season, earning MVP honors in the Colts' 29-17 win over the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI. In 2017, the Colts honored Manning by retiring his number 18 at Lucas Oil Stadium. In early 2020, Manning was named to the NFL's 100 All-Time Team, one of only 10 quarterbacks to earn a spot on this iconic list.
During his time at the University of Tennessee, Manning epitomized the term "student-athlete." He claimed 43 records at the school, conference, and national levels while graduating with Phi Beta Kappa honors. He led Tennessee to an SEC Championship as a senior in 1997 and earned consensus All-America honors. Following his senior season, Manning was honored with the Sullivan Award for the nation’s top amateur athlete based on character, leadership, athletic ability, and the ideals of amateurism. In 2005, the Volunteers retired his number 16, and in 2017, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Manning was named to ESPN's College Football 150: College Football's 150 Greatest Players list announced in January 2020. Manning endows the Peyton Manning Scholarship at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville, awarding four-year scholarships to four incoming freshmen each year. To date, there have been 45 scholarships.
Manning attended Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans, where he was named Gatorade Circle of Champions National Player of the Year and Columbus (Ohio) Touchdown Club National Offensive Player of the Year as a senior. A native of New Orleans, he was named the No. 1 greatest athlete to hail from the state of Louisiana by The Times-Picayune and was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. Manning was also inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame (2019) and the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame (2018). He has also received numerous awards for his philanthropic work off the field and was honored as the recipient of the Byron "Whizzer" White Humanitarian Award and the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2005, the Bart Starr Award in 2015, and the Lincoln Medal in 2017.
Manning is a longtime supporter of The Pat Summitt Foundation, a non-profit with a mission to find a cure for Alzheimer's. In 2012, Manning joined The Pat Summitt Foundation Advisory Board and co-chairs several fundraising events throughout the year. He also sits on the American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet—lending a hand during disaster relief. He and his wife, Ashley, established the PeyBack Foundation in 1999 to promote the future success of disadvantaged youth by assisting programs that provide leadership and growth opportunities for children at risk. Since its inception, the PeyBack Foundation has provided millions of dollars through its grants and programs. In 2020, through the PeyBack Foundation, Manning endowed a total of nine scholarships at three HBCU schools in Tennessee and five in Louisiana. Manning is a champion for the Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at St. Vincent (Indiana), serving as an ambassador, advocate, and fundraiser. Peyton and Ashley co-chair the signature fundraising event for the hospital each spring, which raises money to expand and enhance departments and services offered.
At the end of 2020, Manning founded Omaha Productions, an entertainment company that produces unscripted and scripted programming as well as documentaries, digital programming, branded content, and podcasts. Omaha focuses on developing content that will unify and uplift. In partnership with ESPN, Omaha launched Monday Night Football with Peyton & Eli. The Monday Night Football simulcast airing on ESPN2 and ESPN Plus produced a Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Live Series. Manning also won the 2023 Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Personality/Event Analyst for his work on the broadcast. Omaha has since produced alternative telecasts for college football, golf, and the UFC. In 2019, Manning debuted as the host and executive producer of Peyton’s Places on ESPN Plus. Omaha's first project was the expansion of the Places franchise, with Manning serving as executive producer of the series as it spread into other verticals including college football, fight sports, baseball, basketball, tennis, hockey, and soccer. Additionally, the company has series at A+E Networks, NBCUniversal, HISTORY, and Netflix, including Netflix's upcoming Quarterback, a high-level access documentary series tracking NFL quarterbacks throughout a season. Manning balances these projects while continuing his iconic commercial partnerships, many of which are produced by Omaha, and pursuing various other business relationships.
Manning's father, Archie, was an All-American at the University of Mississippi in 1969 and 1970 and had a 14-year playing career in the NFL with New Orleans (1971-82), Houston (1982-83), and Minnesota (1983-84). His brother, Eli, also attended Ole Miss and was named the MVP of Super Bowls XLII and XLVI with the New York Giants. Manning and his family reside in Colorado.

Alan Estevez

Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security

From 1981 to 2002, Estevez served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the United States Department of the Army, and the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command.
During the Obama administration, Estevez served in the United States Department of Defense as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Logistics and Materiel Readiness and principal deputy under secretary of defense (acquisition, technology & logistics). He subsequently joined Deloitte as a national security and logistics consultant.
In July 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Estevez to serve as Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on March 31 and sworn in on April 19, 2022.

Sha-Chelle Manning

Chief of Commercial Strategy, DARPA

Manning currently serves as the Chief of Commercial Strategy for DARPA, DOD’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. DARPA has a +$4.3B annual budget for technology investments driven by leading researchers for national and economic security. Prior to DARPA, Manning was an executive for two leading public US Independent energy companies, Pioneer Natural Resources (acquired by Exxon); and Cimarex (now NYSE: CTRA), and led technology, innovation, and LP/venture investments that contributed to the US as a “global energy powerhouse”.
Manning was co-founder of investment firm Malibu IQ, resulting in an IPO for GAN microelectronics (NASDAQ: NVTS); Managing Director of a small “nanotech clean-tech” venture fund backed by Schlumberger and Chesapeake Energy; and a two term Texas Governor Rick Perry’ appointee to Texas’ $483M Emerging Tech Fund.
Manning has served on several boards and non-profits such as Astrotech Corporation (NASDAQ: ASTC), a satellite space processing and International Space Station services company (division acquired by Lockheed Corporation NYSE: LMT); the US Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary’s Advisory Board for Innovation (SEAB); DOE’s + $240M Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation; the University of Oklahoma System Strategic Research Board; the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) Board and Tech Titans Executive Board for science, art, and STEM education.
Manning started her career as an entrepreneur in several successful nanotechnology and advanced tech startups, including Zyvex and Authentix (acquired by the Carlyle Group). She was the co-founder of Element 3, and an investor/advisor to Worlds, an AI startup, as well as Winstar Communications, which brought DOD wireless broadband technology to the commercial market. Manning was voted as one of the “Top 25 Women in Technology” in Texas.

Brad Wilson

Board Chair of 47g and CEO of Salt Lake City-Utah 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games

A highly respected business leader and elected official, Utah native Brad Wilson served in the state legislature beginning in 2011 and was elected speaker in 2019. He left his legislative role in 2023 and was named CEO of Salt Lake City-Utah 2034 in February 2025. With a degree in business from Utah’s Weber State University, he started his career in finance but moved into a successful real estate development and home building career. In the legislature, he focused on the business strength of Utah, as well as championing efforts to protect Utah’s natural infrastructure by preserving the Great Salt Lake. He and wife Jeni have raised three children, spending family time exploring Utah’s mountains.

Michael Huerta

Former FAA Administrator; President, MPH Consulting

Where others might see thorny, intractable problems, I see opportunity: to dig into the details, bring stakeholders together, and find common ground. Whether I was overseeing the modernization of the U.S. air traffic control system, figuring out how to manage the transportation demands of the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, or building consensus around the future of the Port of San Francisco, I’ve found innovative ways to assess and manage risk, balance competing interests, and create tangible solutions that improve people’s lives.

The highlight of my career came in 2013 when President Barack Obama asked me to lead the Federal Aviation Administration. I was responsible for maintaining the safety and efficiency of the largest aerospace system in the world while managing a $16.3 billion budget and more than 47,000 public servants nationwide. During my tenure, the FAA redefined its regulatory relationship with the aviation industry to reach new safety heights, laid the groundwork for integrating new entrants like unmanned aircraft and commercial space operators, and completed key NextGen air traffic modernization milestones.

In my current role as a transportation, technology, and aerospace consultant, I use my decades of experience in the public and private sectors to help my clients see the big picture—not only about where industry is today, but where it will be in the future. I’m also a proud board member at Delta Air Lines and Verra Mobility.

A first-generation college graduate whose parents always prioritized school, I’m passionate about education and always looking for opportunities to give back to today’s students.

A.C. Charania

Senior Vice president of space business development

Bio coming soon.

Nate Walkingshaw

CEO & Founder, Torus

Nate Walkingshaw is an accomplished entrepreneur and leader in the local passenger transportation and energy sectors, currently serving as the CEO and Founder of Torus. With a robust background in agile methodologies, business development, and product management, he has successfully led multiple organizations to growth and innovation. Nate's career includes notable positions such as Chief Experience Officer at Pluralsight and Board Member roles at various organizations, showcasing his commitment to mentorship and strategic leadership. He is recognized for his contributions to technology and product design, having invented significant medical devices that have transformed emergency medical services. Nate's passion for social impact and innovation drives his professional endeavors and community involvement. He has received numerous accolades, including being named one of Utah's '40 Under 40' and a 'Top 100 Product Leader'. His diverse expertise spans from engineering to marketing, making him a versatile leader in his field.

Greg Levesque

CEO & Co-Founder, Strider

Greg Levesque is the CEO and Co-Founder of Strider, charting and executing the company’s strategic vision. As a leading expert on economic statecraft, Greg has testified before the U.S. – China Security and Economic Review Commission and has worked actively with U.S. and European Governments and Fortune 500 companies to identify, assess, and respond to the risks of nation-state sponsored commercial activity. Greg has worked with the National Security Council, Department of Defense, and U.S. Trade Representative’s Office on issues of economic statecraft grand strategy and countering of foreign interference in commercial activity.
Prior to founding Strider, Greg co-founded Pointe Bello, a strategic intelligence firm. He also previously led the China Services team at Crumpton Group and served as Business Advisory Manager at the U.S.-China Business Council.
Greg holds a M.A. in Security Studies from Georgetown University and a B.S. in Economics from Utah State University. He is fluent in Mandarin Chinese.

Lauren Barnes

President, Broadband Communications System, L3Harris Technologies

Innovative professional and motivated leader with an array of leadership roles managing complex business including design, production and sustainment at Fortune 50 global aerospace company. Managed schedule and execution for a $9B US Air Force airplane program, as well as $1B profit and loss of Department of Defense supply chain business. Expert in managing/building relationships with various internal and external stakeholders.

Enjoys collaborating to solve problems and identify opportunities for improvement in service to clients and organizational success. Strong foundation in baseline management, change management, process design and improvement. Experienced government relations professional serving as a strategic advisor to C-suite members, overseeing legislative and regulatory campaigns and projects. Proven strategy professional across multiple technology portfolios, performing competitive analysis to inform investment and market positioning.

Dave Cavossa

President, Commercial Space Federation

Seasoned satellite/telecom industry executive focused on where commercial space/satellite meets government. 20+ years leading trade associations and businesses in government affairs, government sales and business development, and P+L oversight of $250M+ Government Services business unit. Worked the last 8 years consulting in satellite industry while building, growing, and selling my startup in the tech/sports world. Experience raising money, navigating multiple Mergers and Acquisitions (as both the acquirer and an acquired entity), building a small business from scratch and leading a large government services business through very turbulent times.

Detailed Summary: 15 years as a Government Affairs and Government Business Unit leader in the Space and Satellite/Telecom industry. Started in NASA HQ Legislative Affairs before moving to lead the Satellite Industry Association (SIA). Hired by member company Arrowhead Global Solutions and then led Government Relations, Program Management/Operations, Sales and Business Development, and finally VP, General Manager (P+L) for Government Business Unit. Led US Government business for 8+ years amidst massive industry change and 4 different mergers and acquisitions during my time at Harris/ CapRock/ Arrowhead.

Aaron Starks

Chief executive officer & President, 47G

Aaron Starks, CEO and President of 47G – Utah Aerospace & Defense, leads efforts to foster collaboration among industry stakeholders, academic institutions, and community organizations. Committed to realizing 47G's vision of creating Utah's premier aerospace and defense ecosystem, Starks focuses on developing the next generation of industry leaders and facilitating access to capital for innovators.
A native of Huntsville, Utah, Starks is a first-generation college graduate, holding a degree in Economics and Political Science from the University of Utah. He furthered his education at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, earning an MBA in international business and strategy.
Previously, Starks played a pivotal role in FranklinCovey's global expansion, contributing to the company's growth across 23 countries in Asia. During his tenure, he established the Asia Headquarters for the education division in Tokyo, Japan, where he resided with his family for three years. Passionate about education, Starks co-founded the "I am a Leader Foundation" in Japan and the U.S., dedicated to supporting schools, teachers, and students in leadership and character development. Committed to civic engagement, he serves on the United States Global Leadership Coalition's Utah Advisory Committee.
In 2020, Starks brought his extensive experience to World Trade Center Utah, where he and his team engaged with nearly 100 companies, providing strategic guidance for global market opportunities, diversified distribution channels, and supplier identification.
Today, he resides in South Jordan, Utah, with his lovely wife and three children.

Dr. John (Tony) Jamison

Chief Technology Officer, VIRNETX

Dr. John (Tony) Jamison is the Chief Technology Officer at VirnetX, INC., a cybersecurity zero-trust software company headquartered in Zephyr Cove, Nevada. Prior to joining VirnetX, Tony was the CTO at an AI/ML start-up company, OmniTeq, LLC, which focused on providing predictive analytics for commercial and government verticals, including bioinformatics, power and energy optimization, and smart cities. Before OmniTeq, Tony was a Technical Director at BAE Systems, INC. in the FastLabs R&D directorate, where he was responsible for managing and integrating AI/ML into tactical space programs of record for DARPA and AFRL.
Tony is also a former Naval Intelligence officer having retired from the DIA in 2017 assigned to the DIA and the CJCS J26 Defense Collection Management directorate at the Pentagon as a Branch Chief for Collections, Analysis, and Special Projects. Prior to DIA, Tony was the senior intelligence officer and Director of Flight Operations Group at the NRO in AS&T where he was the mission manager for four non-operational R&D national security space assets, the program manager for the first small satellite constellation Wolf Pack, and key integrator for automated, AI/ML problem centric orchestrated collection efforts across the IC and DOD on the highly visible program called SENTIENT. Dr. Jamison also served as the Deputy Intelligence Officer N2A at Expeditionary Strike Group Five in Manama, Bahrain; at the Chief of Naval Operations – Intelligence Plot at the Pentagon; at USSTRATCOM’s Center for Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction, as the lead intelligence officer for the Middle East and Levant; and at several other tactical and operational Navy and joint commands both as an officer and enlisted.
Throughout his career, Tony has had extensive all-domain technical and operational experience working with the ODNI, USDI, CIA Directorate of Science and Technology, NGA, ONI, NSA, NASIC, MSIC, NGIC, UFAC, and several defense research labs. Tony is the recipient of multiple ODNI awards and intelligence community awards, including the CIA John A. McCone Award for achievements in operations and science and technology, two Defense Meritorious Service Medals, one Joint Service Commendation Medal, four Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, seven Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and numerous other campaign medals and decorations. Tony holds a doctorate from American Military University in Strategic Intelligence, a Master’s degree in National Security Studies, and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Tony’s dissertation topic was Agent-Based Modeling Methodology: A Predictive Analytical Strategy for Augmenting Strategic Intelligence Forecasts. Tony is married to his wife Elena and resides in the Texas Hill Country outside of Austin.

Israel Bachar

Consul General of Israel to the Pacific Southwest

Israel Bachar was appointed Consul General of Israel to the Pacific Southwest in May 2023, and assumed the post in September. Having developed his career in the private sector, Mr. Bachar is one of the most respected and sought-after marketing and political strategists in the country. He has decades of experience in Israel’s ever-shifting political landscape, and his background serves him well in his role as Israel’s senior representative to the Pacific Southwest region.
Founder and CEO of Bachar Strategy, Consul General Bachar has been a close confidant and advisor to the most influential politicians of Israel’s modern era, including current and former prime ministers, ministers of defense and foreign affairs, and heads of parties. Almost every major political party has sought Mr. Bachar’s advice.

Jennifer Santos

Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer, Draper

Jen Santos is Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at Draper. She was appointed to her current role in 2023. She also served as a commissioner on the Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution Commission and an adjunct professor at Defense Acquisition University.
With more than 28 years of national leadership experience, Jen has served as a tri-sector leader across the executive branch, legislative branch and industry. In those areas she demonstrated a keen understanding of the policy, finance, regulatory, technology and business aspects of military department acquisition, research and engineering organizations.
She was promoted to her current role, with responsibilities that include developing market and technology strategies in support of Draper’s Corporate Strategy; leading the corporate investment strategies for internal research and development, company campuses, and capital expenditure; and leading all high-level customer outreach across the national security ecosystem.
Jen joined Draper in 2021 as Principal Director for Strategic Initiatives in the National Security and Space Program Office. Before that, she served as a Naval Research and Development Investment Executive for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, and as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for industrial policy.
Previously, Jen was Vice President for the Air Force and Department of Defense innovation at Cypress International, a consulting firm. She also was a professional staff member on the Senate Appropriations Committee for Defense and held finance and acquisitions roles in the Department of the Air Force.
Jen holds an MBA from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a B.S. in mathematics from Wheeling Jesuit University. She also was appointed to serve on the Commission on Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution Commission established under a provision in the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act.

Kelley McGrath

ISC Deputy Director, BAE Systems, Inc.

Kelley McGrath has been with BAE Systems since November 2014, and currently serves as the Integrated Support Contract (ISC) Deputy Director. The ISC Contract is a multi-billion dollar, 1600-person contract providing the Air Force with program management, acquisition, engineering, scientific research, financial, and administrative support to execute integrated life cycle acquisitions and sustainment of the nation's current and next-generation Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) inventory.
In this role, Kelley leverages her extensive experience in business development, program management, and engineering to drive success in this critical contract.

Jon Gruen

Chief executive officer, Fortem

Jon Gruen is the CEO and Executive Chairman of Fortem Technologies, a deep tech company that provides Artificial Intelligence enabled airspace awareness and counter drone solutions to defense, law enforcement, and commercial customers.
Previously, Jon was a corporate business development and strategy lead for Lockheed Martin where he won over $10B in program value. After which, he co-founded a defense innovation management and operations firm which scaled start-up companies to over $1.5B in combined revenue in just three years.
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). He is currently a Navy Reserve 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.

Jonathan Freedman

President & CEO, World Trade CENter UTAH

Jonathan Freedman is the president and CEO of World Trade Center Utah, where he helps Utah companies grow through international trade and investment. He is a seasoned entrepreneur and international business leader with over 30 years of experience.
Prior to joining WTC Utah, Freedman co-founded and grew Downeast, a clothing and furniture retail chain, to 64 locations with 1,100 employees. He has also served as honorary consul of Ukraine in Utah since 2008, leading the effort to support the Ukrainian community in Utah and foster economic development between Ukraine and Utah. In September 2023, he was awarded the Order of Merit by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the highest honor given to a non-Ukrainian citizen.
Freedman also serves on public and private boards and commissions, including the state of Utah's Unified Economic Opportunity Commission, USTR Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee, the Economic Development Corporation of Utah, and the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce.
He is a passionate advocate for international trade and investment and believes that global engagement is essential for economic growth and prosperity. He is also committed to building bridges between cultures and promoting understanding and cooperation between people from all over the world.

More speakers coming soon…

We can’t wait to tell you more!

Kris Griffith

PREsident, American Pacific

Dr. Kris Griffith serves as the President of American Pacific Corporation (AMPAC), a leading supplier of specialty chemicals used in aerospace and defense applications. With over two decades of experience at American Pacific, he has played a pivotal role in the company’s growth and innovation.
Kris holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology and an MBA from the Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business at Southern Utah University. Since joining American Pacific in 2001, he has held a variety of leadership roles, including Senior Scientist, Director of Analytical Laboratories & Product Development, and Vice President of Contracts. His diverse background in research, product development, and business operations has positioned him as a strategic leader in the industry.
As President, Kris is deeply engaged with customers and stakeholders, driving the company forward during a period of significant expansion. His leadership is focused on advancing technological capabilities, fostering strategic partnerships, and ensuring American Pacific continues to meet the evolving needs of the aerospace and defense sectors.

Troy Thompson

Chief OPERATING officer, Big-d Construction

Troy S. Thompson began his construction career here in SLC in 1978. Since then, he has spent more than 35 years in the construction and development industry, earning the respect of his owners and colleagues. His many duties from those humble beginnings have included construction carpenter, superintendent, project manager, project director, commercial vice president, senior vice president of operations, executive vice president, and president of a major development company.
Thompson’s education in Construction Management started at Utah Technical College and finished at Arizona State University. Whether researching solutions to maximize value for a specific client, or lecturing to college students and industrial trade organizations, Troy believes in sharing his knowledge with those working in our industry, and those striving to have a successful career. He is persistent and methodical while prosecuting all facets pertaining to construction operations, design oversight and the preconstruction phase.
Thompson will continue to use his unique qualifications to provide executive oversight for day-to-day business operations and strive to help employees advance their careers, create “work-life balance” and to be an integral part of growing the business that he loves. His dedication to the industry, and personal resume of managing more than three billion dollars of commercial building projects, makes him a valuable member of our team.

Brett Wallace

Managing Director, Global Head of Cybersecurity Operations, JPMorganChase

JPMorgan Chase & Co. is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.4 trillion and operations in more than 60 countries. With a history dating back over 200 years, the firm serves millions of consumers, small businesses and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients. The firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers, small business and commercial banking, financial transaction processing, asset management, and private equity.

Neil Tiwari

Managing Director, Ventures, Magnetar

Dan Sennott is an attorney in Holland & Knight's Washington, D.C., office, where he co-leads the firm's National Security & Defense Industry Group. In addition, he is a co-leader of the Public Policy & Regulation Group's National Security and Defense Team. Mr. Sennott has substantial experience with defense issues, having held senior leadership positions in both the U.S. military and the federal government, including most recently serving as the minority staff director for the House Armed Services Committee.
Mr. Sennott focuses his practice on representing clients in an array of public policy, government oversight and regulatory issues, particularly those related to the defense industry. He handles a variety of matters related to acquisition policy, emerging technology, satellite and space technology, and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). In doing so, he regularly appears before the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), each of the U.S. armed forces (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard), as well as the congressional defense committees.
Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Mr. Sennott served as the minority staff director for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Armed Services (HASC), where he was responsible for the development, negotiation and passage of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that authorizes the annual defense budget and establishes policy for the DoD. Prior to that position, he served as the minority general counsel for the committee, providing legal advice on all aspects of national security and congressional process. He began his time with the committee as a counsel and staff lead for the Military Personnel subcommittee, where he was responsible for a wide range of issues, including the Military Health System (MHS), military housing, education, and military pay and benefits.
Previously, Mr. Sennott served in the U.S. Army for more than two decades as an armor officer and a judge advocate. During his military career, Mr. Sennott served as a prosecutor, law professor, legislative liaison and the chief of military personnel law for the U.S. Army. He provided counsel on federal claims, government contracts, fiscal law, complex investigations and administrative law. His combat deployments included 14 months in Baghdad, Iraq, with the 1st Armored Division and 12 months in southern Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne Division. His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Medal.

Brett Loubert

Principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP, Space Practice Leader

Brett Loubert is a Principal with Deloitte Consulting LLP and leads Deloitte’s U.S. Space practice. With over 20 years of experience spanning national security and commercial space, he has guided multiple US-based and global organizations on Space commercialization, Earth observation, and next-generation infrastructure. Brett also oversees Deloitte’s Space innovation portfolio, which includes Deloitte-1, the firm’s first satellite, and Silent Shield, an on-orbit cyber defense payload.

Jen Easterly

Former Director of the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency

Jen Easterly is a globally acclaimed cybersecurity and national security leader, with deep expertise on cyber threats, emerging technologies, and organizational resilience. She most recently served as the Senate-confirmed Director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)—America’s premiere cyber defense agency. As the Director of CISA, she led the nation’s efforts to protect critical infrastructure from cyber and physical threats, transforming the agency into a $3 billion operation with over 10,000 employees and contract personnel.
A combat veteran, cybersecurity pioneer, and former Wall Street technology executive, Jen brings decades of leadership experience at the intersection of technology, security, and risk. Before CISA, she served as Head of Firm Resilience at Morgan Stanley, where she built and led the company’s Cybersecurity Fusion Center, charged with protecting the Firm from cyber threats.
Her public service spans more than three decades, including multiple combat deployments in the U.S. Army, where she played a pivotal role in the creation of U.S. Cyber Command and commanded the Army’s first cyber battalion. She served twice at the White House, including as Special Assistant to President Obama and Senior Director for Counterterrorism and earlier as Senior Policy Advisor to National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice. She also served as the Deputy for Counterterrorism at the National Security Agency (NSA) and as a senior leader in Tailored Access Operations, NSA’s elite hacking team.
A distinguished graduate of West Point and Rhodes Scholar, Jen is a two-time recipient of the Bronze Star as well as numerous awards, including the 2024 George C. Marshall Award in Ethical Leadership, the 2023 Champion of Internet Freedom Award, the 2022 Admiral Grace Hopper Award, and the 2018 James W. Foley American Hostage Freedom Award. A member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Jen is the recipient of the Aspen Institute Finance Leaders Fellowship, the New America Foundation Senior International Security Fellowship, and the Director, National Security Agency Fellowship.
A sought-after keynote speaker, Jen has provided dozens of presentations at events around the world and made numerous appearances on television and radio on topics including technology and emerging threats, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, national security, and organizational leadership and design. Beyond her professional achievements, Jen is a proud mom, mental health advocate, Rubik’s Cube enthusiast, and aspiring electric guitarist.

Chris Rocheleau

Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Chris Rocheleau was named Deputy Administrator in July 2025. He was previously named Acting FAA Administrator in January 2025.
Rocheleau previously served the FAA with distinction for over 20 years in multiple roles including Deputy Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety; Chief of Staff; Deputy Associate Administrator for Policy, International Affairs and Environment; Executive Director for International Affairs, and Director of National Security Programs, Emergency Operations and Investigations.
Before becoming Acting FAA Administrator, Rocheleau was Chief Operating Officer for the National Business Aviation Association, overseeing aircraft and flight department operations, as well as administrative, financial, and human resources functions.
Prior to NBAA and his tenure at the FAA, Rocheleau was one of the first leaders of the Transportation Security Administration. He also served as an officer and special agent with the U.S. Air Force, retiring from the USAF Reserve in 2010 as a lieutenant colonel.
Rocheleau holds a bachelor’s degree from Central Connecticut State University and a master’s degree from the City University of Seattle.

Dan Sennott

Partner and Co-Lead of National Security & Defense Industry Group, Holland & Knight

Dan Sennott is an attorney in Holland & Knight's Washington, D.C., office, where he co-leads the firm's National Security & Defense Industry Group. In addition, he is a co-leader of the Public Policy & Regulation Group's National Security and Defense Team. Mr. Sennott has substantial experience with defense issues, having held senior leadership positions in both the U.S. military and the federal government, including most recently serving as the minority staff director for the House Armed Services Committee.
Mr. Sennott focuses his practice on representing clients in an array of public policy, government oversight and regulatory issues, particularly those related to the defense industry. He handles a variety of matters related to acquisition policy, emerging technology, satellite and space technology, and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). In doing so, he regularly appears before the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), each of the U.S. armed forces (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard), as well as the congressional defense committees.
Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Mr. Sennott served as the minority staff director for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Armed Services (HASC), where he was responsible for the development, negotiation and passage of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that authorizes the annual defense budget and establishes policy for the DoD. Prior to that position, he served as the minority general counsel for the committee, providing legal advice on all aspects of national security and congressional process. He began his time with the committee as a counsel and staff lead for the Military Personnel subcommittee, where he was responsible for a wide range of issues, including the Military Health System (MHS), military housing, education, and military pay and benefits.
Previously, Mr. Sennott served in the U.S. Army for more than two decades as an armor officer and a judge advocate. During his military career, Mr. Sennott served as a prosecutor, law professor, legislative liaison and the chief of military personnel law for the U.S. Army. He provided counsel on federal claims, government contracts, fiscal law, complex investigations and administrative law. His combat deployments included 14 months in Baghdad, Iraq, with the 1st Armored Division and 12 months in southern Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne Division. His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Medal.

Taylor Stoker

Co-Founder & Head of Business Development, Ultion Technologies

Taylor Stoker is the cofounder and Head of Business Development at Ultion Technologies, a U.S. manufacturer of advanced Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery cells, packs, and systems. Raised in Las Vegas, Taylor grew up immersed in the battery industry, building on the legacy of his father, Johnnie Stoker—an early pioneer of LFP technology whose designs and processes remain foundational to the field. From his earliest experience on production lines to leading strategy, Taylor brings a lifelong perspective on the technical and strategic challenges of scaling secure, American-made energy storage.
At Ultion, he is helping build one of the only vertically integrated battery platforms in the United States, delivering solutions that range from high-performance cells to fully integrated energy systems. These innovations support mission critical applications in defense, aerospace, and next-gen energy storage systems, strengthening America’s leadership in energy independence. Prior to Ultion, Taylor led GTM strategy at Athelas, a Silicon Valley biotech startup that scaled into a multibillion-dollar enterprise. Today, he combines startup execution with deep domain expertise in batteries to advance U.S. energy resilience and security.

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