WHO WILL BE THERE
Keynote speakers
Dave Coulter
Oakland County Executive
- 8:30 - 8:45 AM
David Coulter is Oakland County’s third executive to lead Michigan’s second largest county and has served in that role since August 2019. He won a second four-year term in 2024. As Executive, he has created innovative programs and projects to make life and business better and stronger for county residents and companies. Prior to serving as County Executive, Coulter represented Southeast Oakland County on the Board of Commissioners from 2002-2010 before becoming the Mayor of Ferndale, where he served until 2019 when he was appointed Oakland County Executive.
John Gutierrez
Executive Director, Michigan Office of Defense & Aerospace Innovation
- 8:30 - 8:45 AM
Col. John Gutierrez, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret), has more than thirty years of experience in acquisition, operational, and joint assignments. He began his military service in 1990, enlisting in the U.S. Naval Reserve as a Hospital Corpsman and served until 1995. In 1996, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and served until 2024. He most recently served as the portfolio manager for Logistics Combat Element Systems, U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command. Col. Gutierrez holds a B.S. in biology from Arizona State University, an M.S. in management from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, an M.A. in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College, and a masters of military studies from the U.S. Marine Corps University.
Brian Skibba
Chief Airbase Technologies Branch (CXAE), U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer Center
- 8:45 - 9:15 AM
Mr. Brian Skibba is the Airbase Technologies Branch Chief at the Air Force Civil Engineer Center, Requirements, R&D, and Acquisition Division. In this role since 2013, he leads a team of over 100 civilians and contractors at Tyndall AFB, FL responsible for all Research, Development, Testing, Evaluation and System Acquisition for the Air Force Civil Engineers. He and his team provide solutions for the full spectrum of aviation engineering and airbase technologies including: Airfield Damage Repair, Airbase Protection, Force Protection, Civil Engineer Materials, ChemBio Defense, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Firefighting, Deployed Base Systems, 3D Printing and Additive Construction, Energy & Utilities Systems, and Robotics.
Marvin D. Yates
U.S. Department of Defense Program Director, DIUx (Defense Innovation Unit), DOD
- 9:15 - 9:45 AM
NSIN, the National Security Innovation Network, is an unrivaled problem-solving network in the U.S. Department of Defense that adapts to the emerging needs of those who serve in the defense of our national security. We are dedicated to the work of bringing together defense, academic and entrepreneurial innovators to solve national security problems in new ways.
Bryan Smith
Execution Advisor, Microelectronics Commons
- 10:15 - 11:30 AM
The Microelectronics Commons is creating a direct pathway to reduce the country’s reliance on foreign microelectronics and safeguard the nation from supply chain risks. Bryan Smith is a Microelectronics Commons Execution Advisor with extensive experience in semiconductor technology and collaborative innovation. He specializes in fostering partnerships among industry leaders and research institutions to advance microelectronics development. With a passion for driving impactful projects, Bryan is dedicated to enhancing the U.S. microelectronics ecosystem.
Shaun Davis
Program Manager, Strategic & Spectrum Missions Advanced Resilient Trusted Systems (S2MARTS), Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division
- 10:15 - 11:30 AM
Shaun Davis is the Program Manager for Strategic & Spectrum Missions Advanced Resilient Trusted Systems (S2MARTS), where he leads initiatives aimed at enhancing national security through advanced technology solutions. With a strong background in systems engineering and program management, Shaun is committed to developing resilient systems that meet the evolving demands of spectrum missions. His expertise in fostering collaboration among stakeholders ensures the successful execution of complex projects in dynamic environments.
Meagan Crawford
Founder, Managing Partner, SpaceFund Venture Capital
- 11:30 - 12:00 PM
SpaceFund is an early-stage venture capital investment fund, dedicated to supporting the most
promising entrepreneurs in the most exciting high-growth industry of this century. SpaceFund
invests in visionary yet practical high-growth startups addressing the multi-billion dollar space
markets that will both enable and benefit from the space revolution. We value integrity, humility,
and pragmatism – even as we seek out the nimble, bold, and innovative. We nurture, cultivate,
and support our portfolio companies through every stage of their development.
Janice Karcher
Deputy Director (U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)), ERDCWERX
- 1:15 - 2:15 PM
ERDCWERX is an innovation hub that collaborates with the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) to accelerate the discovery, development, and commercialization of new technologies for the Department of Defense. It connects government, industry, and academia to solve challenges in areas such as civil works, military engineering, and environmental science. By fostering partnerships and driving innovation, ERDCWERX helps enhance mission effectiveness and support national defense objectives.
David Akers
Sr. Program Manager, (United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)), SOFWERX
- 1:15 - 2:15 PM
SOFWERX is an innovation hub that collaborates with U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to accelerate the development of advanced technologies and solutions for special operations forces. It connects industry, academia, and government to address complex challenges in areas such as tactical equipment, intelligence, and operational readiness. By fostering innovation and partnerships, SOFWERX enhances the capabilities and effectiveness of special operations missions globally.
Rick Wyrembelski
Executive Vice President, Strategic Programs & Partnerships, Ricardo Defense Inc.
- 2:30 - 3:30 PM
Rick Wyrembelski is the Executive Vice President of Strategic Programs & Partnerships at Ricardo Defense Inc., where he leads initiatives to deliver innovative defense solutions and strengthen industry partnerships. With decades of experience in military systems integration and defense program management, he has been instrumental in advancing capabilities that support the U.S. Armed Forces.
Daniel Bral
Manager, eCAT Center at Wayne State University
- 2:30 - 3:30 PM
The eCAT IUCRC center intends to develop and deploy next-generation electrification, resilient sensing/perception, real-time edge computing, and smart infrastructure techniques to achieve higher safety and efficiency, aiming to initiate and accelerate the transformation of mobility methods from conventional vehicles to electric, connected, and autonomous vehicles by creating essential and innovative technologies.
Elaine Taylor
Aerospace, Defense, and Automotive Industry Development and Marketing Leader, Marketing Department Inc.
- 2:30 - 3:30 PM
Elaine Taylor is the Aerospace, Defense, and Automotive Industry Development and Marketing Leader at Marketing Department Inc., where she spearheads strategic initiatives to drive growth and innovation across these critical sectors. With a deep expertise in industry marketing and development, she focuses on enhancing market presence and fostering strategic partnerships within the aerospace and defense industries.
Phil Wills
Director of Business Development, VES LLC
- 2:30 - 3:30 PM
Phil Wills is the Director of Business Development at VES LLC, where he drives growth and strategic partnerships to advance the company’s defense and aerospace capabilities. With a strong background in business development and market strategy, he plays a key role in expanding VES LLC’s market reach and enhancing client relationships.
Jonathan Dorny
Director of Business Development, Ricardo Defense
- 2:30 - 3:30 PM
Mr. Dorny has over 30 years of lifecycle engineering integration experience for federated systems of systems using model-based systems and software engineering techniques aligned with accomplishing mission threads. He has been instrumental in embedded integration within ground systems, software integration for Disconnected, Intermittent, and Limited Bandwidth network environments, and end-to-end logistics systems integration across warfighter and business systems throughout the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force.