Mr. Steven J. Balthazor serves as the Chief of the Force Projection (FP) / Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Contracting Division, Army Contracting Command-Detroit Arsenal (ACC-DTA).  In this capacity, he is the Division’s senior Contracting Officer and advisor on the total acquisition process, including acquisition/contracting strategy, contract pricing, contract management and associated support.

Mr. Balthazor began serving as Division Chief in November 2022, and has oversight over 58 civilian personnel that fall within 8 teams across 3 branches.  His division supports requirements that originate from the Program Executive Office Combat Support and Combat Services Support (PEO CS&CSS), FP and Joint Program Office (JPO) JLTV Project Management Offices.  Mr. Balthazor’s division administers numerous active contracts that have a total value of approximately $2B annually and are a mix of both Source Selections (competitive) and sole sourced contracts.

Prior to Mr. Balthazor’s current role, he served as the Chief of ACC-DTA’s Sustainment Acquisition Branch, where he oversaw contracting activities in support of Integrated Logistics Support Center (ILSC) sustainment requirements.  During his tenure over the Sustainment Acquisition Branch, Mr. Balthazor was responsible for contract execution and administration of over 5,000 unique ILSC-managed line items.  Prior to this, he oversaw various branches responsible for contract activities supporting the Allied Tactical Vehicles and non-standard vehicles Foreign Military Sales, and contract support to Anniston Army Depot, Red River Army Depot, Sierra Army Depot, and Watervliet Arsenal.  Prior to these assignments, Mr. Balthazor served as Contracting Officer for JLTV Low Rate Initial Production and Stryker Full Rate Production efforts.  Prior to his career with ACC-DTA, Mr. Balthazor worked in private industry for Chrysler, where he held a plethora of positions ranging from first line supervisor in various manufacturing plants to buyer for vehicle transportation lanes and car and minivan instrument panels.

Mr. Balthazor earned his Master’s of Business Administration from Lawrence Technological University (2014), and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems from Michigan Technological University (2002).  In 2012, he also completed a certification in supply chain management from the Michigan State University Eli Broad Graduate School of Management.  He is Level III certified in Contracting, Level I certified in Program Management, and a member of the Army Acquisition Corps.

He resides in Macomb, Michigan with is wife Nicole and their four children.

Ms. Elizabeth Barich serves as the Program Manager for RRAD and SIAD Depots under the TACOM ILSC Organic Industrial Base (OIB) Directorate. In her previous role, she was the Section Leader for the PLS and M915 Family of Vehicles that supported multi-functional areas in Supply (Major/Secondary), Maintenance, Provisioning, and Technical Publications. Additionally, Elizabeth has twenty years of experience in Supply, overseeing both Secondary and Major Item support for weapon systems that included HEMTT, PLS, M915, and Heavy Trailers.

Rick Barnes serves as the Organic Industry Base (OIB) Program Manage for the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC) located at Rock Island Arsenal. In this capacity he supports advanced manufacturing capabilities at JMTC which include Casting and Forging, Additive Manufacturing, and Foundry operations. JMTC is a state of the art, vertically integrated metal manufacturing facility which is a readiness provider for the Department of Defense, designed to meet the needs of America’s Warfighter. In his previous assignment he served as the TACOM G4 Facilities Chief with oversite of the Military Construction-Army (MCA), Restoration and Modernization (R&M), and Capital Investment Programs (CIP) for TACOM installations. Rick is a retired Army Engineer Officer who retired from the Army in 2012 after 20 years of service.

Ms. Behnke started serving as temporary Division Chief 17 January 2022, and competitively selected for the Division Chief position in October 2022. Dyring this time Ms. Behnke was integral in ensuring the timely award of various production contracts in support Abrams and CRS in support of the war-fighter and our foreign allies. Ms. Behnke also stood up a team to support actions that can span across all the PEO GCS programs.

Prior to that Ms. Behnke was Chief of Abrams and FMS Branch within the Combat Systems Division, since her promotion to Branch Chief in November 2017. During this time she served as the PM Abrams Acquisition Advisor, providing guidance on programs across all phases of the Acquisition process, including the contract for the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center tank plant. Most notably during this time Ms. Behnke negotiated the five year Abrams requirement contract for M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks, with an estimated value of $4.6B.

Prior to the Combat Systems Division, Ms. Behnke served as the Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO) for the FY13 – 15 Stryker requirements contract, estimated at $5.1B, she was the lead PCO, responsible awarding one contract for development/STS, production, Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) and retrofit kits.

Some of Ms. Behnke’s most noteworthy awards include: Army Material Command commanding officer, General Edward Daly, recognized Ms. Behnke with a coin for her FY21 efforts overseeing the award of $11.26B across 219 actions. Army Contracting Command commanding officer, Brigadier General Christine Beeler, recognized Ms. Behnke with the Gold Eagle Award for Contracting Excellence in March 2022, for consistently demonstrating the absolute highest levels of professionalism, leadership, and contracting acumen. Project Director, Main Battle Tank Systems, Mr. David Marck, recognize Ms. Behnke with the Civilian Service Commendation Medal for her ability to prioritize and manage complex problem sets that resulted in an innovative five year Abrams Requirements Contract II supporting production of the Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 Tank. Recipient of 2012 Secretary of the Army Award for Excellence in Contracting awarded to team for Fiscal Year 2013-2015 Stryker Life Cycle Requirements Contract.

She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Management degree from Walsh College (2004).

She resides in Mount Clements, Michigan with her husband Vincent Behnke, and their two children, Vincent and Vanessa.

Colonel Freeman T. Bonnette is a native of Saint Matthews, SC. He received his commission as a Field Artillery Officer from the University of South Carolina in 1998. He is a graduate of the United States Army Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, The Combined Armed Services Staff School, The Army Acquisition Basic and Acquisition Intermediate Contracting Courses, Intermediate Level Education, Intermediate Qualification Course, and Senior Service College.

Prior to his arrival at Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, he was a student at the United States Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA. He has served in several positions from Fire Direction Officer; Platoon Leader; Battalion Adjutant/S-1; Officer-in-Charge of the Operations Center and Crisis Action Cell, G-3/5/7, United States Army South; Battalion Logistics Officer/S-4; and Battery Commander.

As an Acquisition Officer, he has served as a Contingency Contracting Officer; Contingency Contracting Team Chief; Chief of Contracting, Regional Contracting Center-Regional Command East, Forward Operating Base (FOB) Salerno Afghanistan; Battalion S-3 Operations & Plans Officer; Deputy Director, Army Contracting Command- Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar; Deputy Commander for Operations-Iraq, U.S. Central Command Combined-Joint Theater Support Contracting Command; Assistant Project Manager for Medical Simulations; Assistant Product Manager for Special Operations Forces Training Systems; Equipping Program Analyst-Integrator, Headquarters, Department of the Army, Deputy Chief of Staff G-3/5/7, Pentagon; Training With Industry (TWI) Corporate Fellow-Microsoft; and Product Manager for two Army modernization priorities developed through the Product Management Office for Maneuver Collective Training Systems: Squad Immersive Virtual Trainer – Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) and the Strategic Integrator for the Synthetic Training Environment (STE), Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI).

His command assignments include: 12 months as Commander, D Battery, 2d Battalion, 80th Field Artillery Battalion, 21 months as Commander, F Battery 1st Battalion, 19th Field Artillery Battalion, Fort Sill, OK; and 37 months as a Command Select List (CSL) Product Manager for the Maneuver Collective Training Systems (MCTS) Orlando, FL. Colonel Bonnette earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina and holds two master’s degrees, one from the University of Oklahoma and the United States Army War College.

He is a Strategic Studies Executive Fellow from the University of North Carolina Institute for Defense and Business and is Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Level III certified in Program Management, Contracting, and Information Technology. He is a Strategist, trained Lean Six Sigma-Black Belt, Certified Agile SCRUM Master, and a member of the United States Army Acquisition Corps.

His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, and the Combat Action and Army Staff Identification Badges. He deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn.

Mr. Bruner previously served as Program Officer, U.S. Army, PEO Combat Support and Combat Service Support (CS&CSS), with program management responsibilities within the Allied Tactical Vehicles (ATV) Product Office (May 2016 – July 2018). Mr. Bruner was responsible for several Foreign Military Sales projects supporting Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan (CSTC-A). This included delivering vehicle platforms such as the Mobile Strike Force Vehicle (MSFV), Medium Tactical Vehicle (MTV), Light Tactical Vehicle (LTV), and rebuilt High Mobility Multi-Purpose Vehicle (HMMWV) with armor as well as a separate contract for maintenance support and training. From February 2014 to April 2016, Mr. Bruner completed the Army Acquisition Fellowship (AAF) Competitive Development Group (CDG) Program rotating through PEO CS&CSS’s Heavy Tactical Vehicles Product Office, Assistant PEO Business Management, and the office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Programs, Plans, and Resources (DASA PPR). Between September 2009 and January 2014, Mr. Bruner served as the Systems Acquisition Manager within Joint Program Office (JPO) Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicles and as an Assistant Product Manager (APM) within Assured Mobility Systems responsible for both new vehicle production and block upgrades for the RG-31A2 Route Clearance Vehicle. He also led Engineering and Manufacturing Development activities as APM for the Explosive Hazard Protection (EHP) Program.

Prior to his service as a government civilian, Kyle worked from 1999 to 2009 as a project manager on various projects at Chrysler to include Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Assembly, Powertrain, and Stamping Training supporting new vehicle launches. He also served as an instructor at the Chrysler Quality Institute supporting Chrysler Development System training to Chrysler employees and suppliers.

From 1992-1999, Kyle served as an Active Duty Army Aviation Officer holding positions including Flight Detachment/Airfield Executive Officer and Commander, G-3 Air, Brigade and Battalion Staff Officer, and Platoon Leader. Mr. Bruner continues to serve today as an Air Force Officer and member of the Michigan Air National Guard’s 110th Attack Wing in Battle Creek, MI. He has had multiple active duty activations and deployments supporting Personnel Recovery and Command and Control for CENTCOM, USAFE, and AFAFRICA missions.

Mr. Bruner holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and a Master of Science in Global Leadership from Lawrence Technological University. He became a member of the Army Acquisition Corps in January 2012 and holds an Advanced Certification in Program Management. His military training includes Initial Entry Rotary Wing, Airborne, Aviation Officer Basic and Combined Logistics Officer Advanced Courses and the Air Force Air Command and Staff College. He and his wife, Jennifer, have been married 29 years and live in Lake Orion, MI. They have two daughters: Kayla (23) and Liza (16).

Mr. Michael Cadieux – Director Mr. Cadieux serves as the Director for the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Ground Vehicle Systems Center, a position he has held since April 11, 2021. He leads a workforce of over 1,800 engineers, scientists, researches and support staff in delivering advanced technologies as required by the Army’s strategic priorities and support to its Cross Functional Teams. Mr. Cadieux also provides life cycle engineering solutions to the Army’s Ground Combat Systems and Combat Support & Combat Service Support PEOs, the Tank Automotive Life Cycle Management Command, and the broader Department of Defense. In his capacity as the Director, Mr. Cadieux ensures the Ground Vehicle Systems Center is Forging the Future by developing world-class engineering talent in the areas of survivability and protection, autonomy and robotics, propulsion and mobility, electronics and power management, 6501 East Eleven Mile Road | Warren, MI 48397-5000 The Ground Vehicle Systems Center is the Army’s primary organic engineering talent to develop the Next Generation Family of Combat Vehicles and thus deliver land dominance in the future fight.
CAREER CHRONOLOGY:
2021 – Present: Director, U.S. Army GVSC
2020 – 2021: Executive Director, SIE, DEVCOM GVSC
2019 – 2020: Associate Director, Software Engineering Center, CCDC GVSC
2018 – 2019: Deputy Project Manager (Acting), Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, PEO CS&CSS
2017 – 2018: Assistant PEO Operations, PEO CS&CSS
2014 – 2016: Deputy Program Executive Officer (Acting), PEO CS&CSS
2012 – 2014: Assistant PEO Systems Engineering, PEO CS&CSS
2007 – 2012: Chief Information Officer, PEO CS&CSS
1996 – 2007: Various Positions, Tank Automotive Research, Development & Engineering Center
COLLEGE:
Master of Global Leadership and Management – Lawrence Technological University, 2019 Master of Science – Computer Information Systems, University of Detroit Mercy, 2006 Bachelor of Science – Computer Science, Kettering University, 2000
SIGNIFICANT TRAINING:
S. Army Senior Service College Fellowship, Defense Acquisition University, 2018
CERTIFICATIONS:
S. Army Acquisition Corps, 2005 AWARDS AND HONORS: Superior Civilian Service Award, 2018 Meritorious Civilian Service Award, 2017 Commander’s Award for Civilian Service, 2014

MAJ Nick Caito commissioned in the Army in May 2010. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master of Business Administration. He transitioned from his basic branch of Logistics to an Army Acquisitions Officer in Program Management in 2019.

MAJ Caito has held a multitude of positions in the operational army ranging from platoon leader, executive officer, and commander at the company level, battalion executive officer, Observer Coach/Trainer at the battalion level, brigade staff as the S4 and the Regional Support Command – West’s J4. Within Army acquisitions he’s served as the Assistant Program Manager for the Bulk Fuel Distribution System in the Program Executive Office, Combat Support & Combat Service Support, and as a Program Integrator at the Tank-automotive and Armaments Command’s Integrated Logistics Support Center.

Michael joined Cypress International in May 2019 principally supporting client interests across the ground vehicle, Air Force, and National Guard communities of interest.  He brings more than 20 years of national security enterprise experience, both as a civil servant and in uniform serving at tactical, operational, and strategic levels.  His career includes tactical military operations; strategic policy development; operational & strategic intelligence analysis; corporate and media communications; organizational strategy; Congressional affairs and budget analysis; and major ground system acquisition. 

EXPERIENCE

Prior to joining the defense industry, Michael served as the Assistant Program Executive Officer (Communication) for the U.S. Army Program Executive Office, Combat Support & Combat Service Support at the Detroit Arsenal, Mich.  In this capacity he managed all media, legislative, industry, other external, and internal communications for the PEO’s portfolio of more than 100 active programs with an annual budget exceeding $3 billion.  He previously served at United States Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. as Deputy Director of the Commander’s Action Group, Chief of Senior Leader Engagement, and Senior Legislative Policy Analyst.

Michael also continues an active military career, serving at the rank of Colonel in the Michigan Air National Guard (reserve of the U.S. Air Force).  He is currently assigned as the Commander, 217th Air Intelligence Squadron, where he leads a team of officer and enlisted intelligence professionals in multiple disciplines to enable operation of the Air Operations Center AN/USQ-163 Falconer weapon system during steady-state, exercise, and contingency activities—primarily in support of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa.  His career includes significant time in both active duty and reserve capacities; numerous service and joint assignments at tactical, operational, and strategic levels; and three contingency deployments to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

Michael earned a B.A. magna cum laude from Albion College in Albion, Mich.  He is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa academic honorary and earned certificates from the Gerald R. Ford Institute for Public Policy and Service at Albion College and the Focus on the Family Institute in Colorado Springs, CO.  His military education includes U.S. Air Force Squadron Officers School, Air Command & Staff College, and Air War College.

Mr. Brian M. Corrigan is the Chief of the Stryker/LAV Contracting Division within the Army Contracting Command-Warren. The Stryker Contracting Office is co-located within the Project Manager’s Office, Stryker Brigade Combat Team (PM SBCT), which is a part of the Program Executive Office, Ground Combat Systems. The LAV Contracting Office is co-located within the Program Management Office, Light Armored Vehicles (LAV). In this capacity he serves as the Division’s senior Contracting Officer and advises PM SBCT/PM LAV on the total acquisition process and is responsible for the execution and administration of the portfolio of contracts for Stryker and LAV, valued at over $11B for production, sustainment, product improvement and program support.
The Stryker/LAV Contracting Division assists in ensuring war-fighting readiness for the soldier by providing contracting and acquisition support for the entire life cycle management for all variants of the Stryker Family of Vehicles and Light Armored Vehicles. Mr. Corrigan transitioned to the position of Division Chief, Stryker/LAV Contracting, in May 2021.

His previous appointment was to the Infantry and Artillery Contracting Division and prior to that Mr. Corrigan served as the Director of Acquisition, Program Manager for Armored Fighting Vehicles. He has over 32 years of federal contracting and acquisition experience. He began his contracting career in 1990, as active-duty military with the United States Air Force and held multiple Contracting Officer and Specialist positions throughout the U.S. and Asia. In 2002, he was released from active duty and began his civilian career with Army Contracting Command-Detroit Arsenal. He has since held many contracting and acquisition assignments.

Mr. Corrigan holds a master’s degree in Global Leadership from Lawrence Technological Institute in Southfield, MI (2013) and a Bachelor of Occupational Education Degree, with a specialty in Contract Administration, from Wayland Baptist University in Honolulu, HI (1999). He is also a graduate of the Senior Service College Fellowship (SSCF) program which he attended in 2012-2013. He is Level III certified in Contracting, Level I certified in Program Management and is a member of the Army Acquisition Corps.

He resides in Beaverton, Michigan with his wife Cheryl. They have two adult children, Nicole and Colleen.

As of March 2023

BG Glenn A. Dean was commissioned as a US Army Armor officer in 1993 as a Distinguished Military Graduate of the ROTC program at the Florida Institute of Technology. His first assignment was to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor at Fort Benning, Georgia where he served as a Tank Platoon Leader, Scout Platoon Leader, and company Executive Officer.

His subsequent operational assignments include: Commander, US Army Recruiting Company, Frederick Maryland; Assistant Operations Officer, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division; Commander, Company B, 1st Battalion 8th Cavalry; and Commander, Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion 8th Cavalry.

In 2002, he transitioned to the Army Acquisition Corps, serving as Chief, Small Arms Division, US Army Infantry Center; Assistant Product Manager, Medium Cannon Caliber Ammunition, Picatinny Arsenal; Science & Technology Advisor, Combined/Joint Task Force-82, Afghanistan; and Armament Systems Technology Manager, Armaments Research, Development, and Engineering Center, Picatinny Arsenal; and Product Manager, Bradley Fighting Vehicle & Armored Knight, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan. Following completion of the Army War College, he subsequently served as the Military Deputy for the TankAutomotive Research, Development, and Engineering Center and as Project Manager, Stryker Brigade Combat Team, both at Detroit Arsenal. He then served as the Deputy for Acquisition and Systems Management (DASM) under the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology. He assumed duties as Program Executive Officer, Ground Combat Systems on 3 December 2020.

BG Dean’s military and civilian education includes: BS, Aerospace Engineering, Florida Institute of Technology; MS, Industrial Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology; MA, Strategic Studies, US Army War College; the Armor Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Scout Platoon Leader’s Course, the Combined Arms & Services Staff School, the Acquisition Officer Basic Course, the Command and General Staff Officer’s Intermediate Level Education Course, the Program Manager’s Course, the US Army War College, and Airborne School.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Parachutist’s Badge, the Army Staff Badge, and the Recruiter Badge.

BG Dean is married to Kirstie Dean. They have 3 Shetland Sheepdogs

Mr. Keith DePoorter is the chief of the Consumable Items and Sustainment (CIS) Division, Army Contracting Command–Detroit (ACC-DTA). The CIS division supports the TACOM Integrated Logistics Support Center (ILSC) consumable items and repair of reparables contracting mission for the to the soldier and ground systems enterprise. The CIS Division also supports requirements from PEO Soldier and PM Targetry. In this capacity he is the Division’s senior Contracting Officer and business advisor on the total acquisition process, including acquisition planning, contract solicitation, proposal evaluation, contract negotiation, contract execution, contract management, contract administration, and process management.

Prior to his current role, Mr. DePoorter held various leadership positions with ACC-WRN including chief of the Maneuver Armored Vehicles Branch, chief of the Multi-Site Support and Systems Division (acting), Chief of the Force Projection Contracting Branch, and Chief of the Non-Standard Vehicle Contracting Branch.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from The University of Michigan (2001) and a Masters in Business Administration from Walsh College (2007). Mr. DePoorter is DAIWA Level III certified in Contracting, Level I in Logistics, and Level I in Program Management. He is a member of the Acquisition Corps.

Mr. DePoorter has received the Civilian Service Commendation Medal (2018, 2021), the Achievement Medal for Civilian Service (2012), the Secretary of the Army Award for Excellence in Contracting for Systems, Research and Development, Logistics Support (Sustainment) (2017), and the ACC Innovation Award (Major Weapon Systems) (2012).

He resides in Warren, MI with his dog and guitar collection.

Mr. Gregory M. Dixon is the Chief of the Transportation Systems Contracting Division in the Army Contracting Command-Detroit Arsenal (ACC-DTA). In this capacity, he serves as the Division’s senior Contracting Officer and advisor on the total acquisition process, including acquisition/contracting strategy, contract pricing, contract management and associated support.

The Transportation Systems Contracting Division provides contracting and acquisition support for the procurement of hardware and services requirements developed by the Program Executive Office (PEO) Combat Support and Combat Services Support. Hardware and services acquired by the Transportation Systems Contracting Division include: Heavy and Medium Tactical Vehicles; Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicles; Assured Mobility System (AMS) Vehicles and Watercraft Vessels; Including Engineering Services and Foreign Military Sales.

Mr. Dixon directs civilian personnel located at the ACC-Detroit Arsenal, and has contracting and career management responsibility for the contract specialists located within his division. Mr. Dixon administers over $1 billion in active contracts and provides senior leadership on numerous complex Source Selection Evaluation Boards.

Mr. Dixon was appointed to his current position in October 2016. Prior to his appointment to the Transportation Systems Contracting Division, Mr. Dixon served in a number of leadership positions within the Army Contracting Command-Detroit Arsenal, to include: Chief of Acquisition Services Contracting, Chief of Stryker Logistics and Development Contracting, Chief of Construction Equipment Contracting, Chief of Tactical Systems Contracting, and Chief of Focused Sustainment/DSA Omnibus Contracting.

Mr. Dixon has several years of contracting and systems acquisition experience working with Tactical and Combat systems.

He holds a Master of Science degree in Administration from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Detroit. He is Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Level III certified in Contracting and is a member of the Acquisition Corps.

Mr. Dixon received numerous awards to include several Department of the Army Achievement Medals for Civilian Service and has received the Department of the Army Commander’s Award for Civilian Service.

Mr. David J. Dopp Jr. is the Project Lead for Future Battle Platforms in PEO Ground Combat Systems. Future Battle Platforms includes the Mobile Protected Firepower Product Office and the Robotic Combat Vehicle Product Office. As the Project Lead, he directs diverse teams of experienced acquisition and engineering professionals in developing the United States Army’s next generation Fighting Vehicles. David Dopp joined federal service in 1984.

His previous assignments include: OSD Pentagon, Project Manager Stryker Brigade Combat Team; Product Manager-Medium Tactical Vehicles; Project Engineer[1]Future Combat Systems; Engineering Division Chief-US/UK Future Scout and Cavalry System and Project Engineer-Tank Automotive Research Development & Engineering Center.

His major military education includes: the US Army War College, Army Management Staff College and Program Management at the Defense Acquisition University. Mr. Dopp holds a Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering, a Master’s in Business Administration, and a Master’s in Strategic Studies. He is Acquisition Level III certified in Program management, Test and Evaluation, and Systems Engineering.

ACC-DTA ensures warfighting readiness for the Soldier by providing contracting and acquisition support for combat and tactical vehicle systems, deployment and Soldier support equipment, and armaments. Mr. Gallagher directs more than 600 civilian and military personnel located at seven geographic sites. Annually, ACC-DTA executes over 20,300 contracting actions totaling $9.9 billion in obligations. Mr. Gallagher is responsible for contracting offices located at: Anniston Army Depot, AL; Red River Army Depot, TX; Sierra Army Depot, CA; Watervliet Arsenal, NY; Intelligence and Security Command, Fort Belvoir, VA; National Ground Intelligence Center, Charlottesville, VA; and ACC-DTA, Detroit Arsenal, MI.
Prior to becoming the ACC-DTA Executive Director, Mr. Gallagher served as the Deputy Director, Contracting Operations, United States Army Contracting Command (ACC). In this capacity Mr. Gallagher provided oversight and guidance on contracting support requirements to ACC subordinate units and the ACC workforce.

Mr. Gallagher is a retired Army Colonel who began his military career when he was commissioned in 1982, following graduation from California University of Pennsylvania as an ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate. His military education includes the Ordnance Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Combined Arms Service Staff School, Training with Industry at General Dynamics in Pomona, CA, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College.

Mr. Gallagher has served in numerous Army command and staff positions during his career. His previous assignments include Deputy to the Commanding General, Expeditionary Contracting Command (ECC), the ECC Contracting Operations Director, the ECC Chief of Staff at Fort Belvoir, VA., the Commander of Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) Huntsville, AL and deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, working in the Pentagon as the DCMA Liaison Officer to the Joint Staff and Executive Officer for the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Systems Management Office, Commander of DCMA Central Pennsylvania, Executive Officer for the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Procurement), Warranted Contracting Officer and Centralized Contracting Division Chief for the U.S. Army Contracting Command Europe, Wiesbaden, Germany, the Joint Contracting Center Chief for Croatia during Operation Joint Endeavor, New Equipment Fielding Officer for Program Manager Heavy Combat Wheeled Vehicles at the Tank Automotive Command, Detroit Arsenal, MI, and deployments to Somalia for Operation Restore Hope and to Southwest Asia for Operation Desert Storm. From 1982 to 1989, Mr. Gallagher served in a wide variety of operational command, leadership, and staff assignments in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC and the 1st Armored Division in Germany.

His civilian decorations include the Superior Civilian Service Award and Commanders Award for Civilian Service. His military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Department of the Army Staff Badge.

Marie Gapinski was born in Detroit Michigan, holds a BA from Wayne State University in Business Management with emphasis in production manufacturing. Ms. Gapinski has been a Warranted Contracting Officer and Supervisor most of her career at the US Army Tank Automotive Command, TACOM, in Warren, MI. She is Level III certified in Contracting. In January of 2011, she became the Associate Director of Small Business Programs for TACOM at the Detroit Arsenal.

With 39 years of Government Contracting experience, she has a wealth of knowledge to share and has been recognized by the Army Material Command as the Small Business Individual of the year from 1999 – 2010 Ms. Gapinski is a recipient of the Department of Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service for her work with the modernization and integration of business processes for the Contracting Command as well as the Commander’s award for Civilian Service for her efforts in organizational change and fielding of an enterprise resource planning tool to TACOM employees. During 2018-2021, she was responsible for developing training sessions for Acquisition and Logistic Associates in our Continuous Process Improvement Project to not only familiarize participants with the mission of the Office of Small Business Programs but to streamline the process and reduce administrative lead times by data modeling the acquisition process. Her efforts were recognized by the Commanding General and the Director of the Integrated Logistics Supply Center.

Serving in various contracting positions within the Command, her work experience includes the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank, Counter-Mine and Bridge Launchers, Tactical Vehicles including the High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), Medium Trucks, Boats, Trailers, Construction and Services.

Prior to her current position, she served as the Acquisition Lead in the Project Manager Office for the Logistics Modernization Program.
During the Pandemic, she worked with DAU on Small Business Podcasts, and provided a virtual presence for the office to meet and work with Small Businesses.

Marie enjoys hunting, traveling, and crafting Traditional Native American artwork.

Mr. Gerwolds became a federal employee in 2004 when he joined the Michigan National Guard dual status technician program as a Contract Specialist. He continued to take on greater responsibility within the organization, which culminated in advancement to Supervisory Contract Specialist overseeing four geographically separated contracting offices and thirty-four contracting professionals conducting a mission of contracting for services, construction, and commodities in support of the Warfighter.

Mr. Gerwolds completed his pre and post graduate education while working full time and attending night school. He earned a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Business Management from Davenport University, Kalamazoo, MI, in 2002. He completed a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Touro University International, Cypress, CA, in 2009.

Mr. Gerwolds joined the active-duty Army in 1989 and continues to serve today in the U.S. Army Reserve. He is the Michigan Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer with the rank of Colonel. His service includes deployments in Europe and the Middle East.

Kevin Heard is a legacy Detroiter, a graduate of Clark Atlanta University, and received his MBA from Walsh College. Heard works for Gannett as the Manager of Inclusion & Engagement Programs overseeing their twelve Employee Resource Groups and ID&E social campaigns. Heard founded the Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce which hosts the largest LGBTQ+ Business Summit and Pride Awards Gala in Michigan. He has received recognition from Crain’s Detroit Business, Corp Magazine, Business Equality Magazine, Detroit Tigers, and Michigan Secretary of State, and is considered one of the Most Notable LGBTQ+ professionals in Michigan. Heard also serves on the board of the Citizen Research Council of Michigan, National Black MBA Association Detroit Chapter, Wayne State University President Advisory Council, and Member of The Gathering Spot and Midwest hub leader for Schusterman Family Philanthropies Reality Alumni Network. Heard lives by the quote, “Keep moving because success isn’t standing still.”

Mr. Henderson began his role as Chief of Acquisition Services Contracting on 1 November 2019. Prior to the aforementioned, he served as the Chief of the Installation Army Watercraft Support Contracting Division. He has over twenty years of contracting experience, primarily in Service and Combat systems acquisition.

Mr. Henderson’s education includes a Master’s in Business Administration from Florida Institute of Technology (2006), a Masters in Administration from Central Michigan University (2001) and a Bachelor of Applied Science from Wayland Baptist University (1998). He is a graduate of the Darden School of Business Commercial Business Environment program, the Leadership Development Program at Eckerd College, the Army Management Staff College Advance CES and Continuing Education for Senior Leaders courses. Mr. Henderson is a member of the Army Acquisition Corps and is Level III certified in Contracting and Level I certified in Program Management.

Mr. Henderson received the Secretary of the Army Excellence in Contracting Award (Unit/ Team for Systems Contracting) in 2004, the Louis Dellamonica Award in 2011 and the Department of the Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service in 2013.

Ms. Mary Hernandez is the Chief of the Mounted Armored Vehicles & Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicles (MAV&OMFV) Contracting Division. In this capacity, she serves as the Division’s senior Contracting Officer and advises Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems (PEO GCS) Project Offices for Mounted Armored Vehicles (MAV) and Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicles (OMFV) on the total acquisition process.

 Prior to her current role, Ms. Hernandez served as the Chief of the Strategic Mission Support Division providing contracting and acquisition support for: consumable items and repair parts for the DoD; services and support for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) of all non-standard vehicles. Prior to that assignment she was the Chief of the Multi-Site Support and Systems Contracting Division where she provided contracting and acquisition support for all Allied Tactical Vehicle systems, services, and support for FMS of all non-standard vehicles, and FMS spare and repair parts for the DoD. The Division also included total contracting support for the operations at Anniston Army Depot, Red River Army Depot, Sierra Army Depot, and Watervliet Arsenal.   

Prior to her promotion to Division Chief in November 2017, Ms. Hernandez served as the Stryker Engineering and Production Branch Chief, providing acquisition support for the award of Stryker vehicles, vehicle upgrades and system technical support services to include incorporation of the Double-V Hull (DVH) survivability enhancement into four Stryker Brigades.  Ms. Hernandez was instrumental in the development and execution of the acquisition strategy for the successful integration of 30mm cannons into a brigade of Stryker Infantry Carrier vehicles to be deployed in Germany. Prior to this assignment, she served as the Stryker Development and Systems Technical Support Team Chief, overseeing the negotiation and award of various engineering services and development contracts to include the development and incorporation of the ECP 1 technologies to restore space, weight, and power in the DVH vehicles. 

 Ms. Hernandez obtained a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University (2007), and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Eastern Michigan University (2003). Ms. Hernandez is Level III certified in Contracting, Level 1 certified in Program Management and a member of the Army Acquisition Corps. 

Some of Ms. Hernandez’s most noteworthy awards include the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service (2017); Secretary of the Army Contracting Professional of the Year (2016); Achievement Medal for Civilian Service (2012); U.S. Army Material Command Frank S. Besson Jr. Award for Contracting Excellence – Civilian Intern (2006).

She resides in Macomb, Michigan with her husband, Rudy, and their children Sebastian and Natalia.

 As of March 2023

He began his Army career in 1983 as a personnel administrative specialist and entered civil service in 1986 as a supply management intern. His initial assignment at TACOM was as a secondary item manager in the National Inventory Control Point, Abrams and Recovery Branch where he managed repair and spare parts.

Mr. Horton received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mississippi University in 1986.

His awards include the Department of the Army Superior Civilian Service Medal. Horton is a member of the Army Acquisition Corps and has a Level III certification in life cycle logistics and a Level II certification in program management.

Education: Commissioned as an Armor Officer upon graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1997. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Studies from UNC and a Masters of Military Studies from Marine Corps Command and Staff College. Additionally, he was the 2019 U.S. Army War College Fellow at the University of Denver, Josef Korbel School of International Studies. Current candidate for Master of Arts in Emergency Management and Homeland Security from Arizona State University.

Assignments: Served in all major Armor and Cavalry leadership positions from Platoon Leader to Cavalry Squadron Commander of 4th Squadron, 3d Cavalry Regiment with duty at Fort Hood, TX, Egypt and Afghanistan. Served in US Northern Command’s Domestic Operations Division where he helped integrate Federal resources in support of disaster relief missions across the U.S.; including Hurricanes Irma (Florida), Maria (Puerto Rico), and Florence (North Carolina). Most recently served as the Garrison Commander, White Sands Missile Range, NM.

Non-command highlights include working as an Armor and Cavalry Instructor at the Armor School, Fort Knox, KY, on the Maneuver Center of Excellence Commanding General’s Initiatives Group at Fort Benning, GA and as the Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Eustis, VA. Colonel Howell also served as a Corps-level Military Advisor Team Chief for the Afghan National Army.

He has three combat deployments to Iraq and two to Afghanistan. Colonel Howell served in Sinai, Egypt as the Commander of South Camp and the U.S. Battalion as part of the Multinational Force and Observers. Additionally, he served in the 2nd Infantry Division in the Republic of Korea.
In addition to his normal military duties, Colonel Howell has extensive experience working with foreign militaries from Europe, the Middle East, and Afghanistan; with Intergovernmental Organizations in the U.S. Government, and with State/Territory Civil Government officials across the United States.
Awards: His decorations include the Legion of Merit (2 awards), Bronze Star Medal for Valor, Bronze Star Medal (5 awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4 awards), Army Commendation Medal (4 awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medals (3 awards), Humanitarian Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Combat Action Badge, and Parachutist Badge.

Family: Colonel Howell and his wife Melony are the proud parents of their daughter Hannah.

From February 2022 to August 2022, he served as Lead Systems Engineer, Assistant Program Executive Officer – Systems Engineering, Program Executive Office Combat Support & Combat Service Support (PEO CS&CSS). In this role, he provided engineering and technical support for the PEO CS&CSS family of products.

From July 2019 to February 2022, he served as Product Manager, Allied Tactical Vehicles (PdM ATV). A Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan (CSTC-A) dedicated program office established to execute Afghan National Defense Security Forces (ANDSF) ground vehicle requirements. In this role, he served as the total lifecycle manager for multiple vehicle programs and execution of PdM ATV National Maintenance Strategy Ground Vehicle Support (NMS GVS) contract.

From May 2018 to July 2019, he served as Deputy Product Director, Light Tactical Vehicles. A program office with life cycle management responsibility of 250,000 light tactical vehicles and trailers, as well as continued production, technology insertion, system integration, recapitalization, and fielding efforts.
Mr. Hufstedler is a 2018 Senior Service College Fellow graduate from the Detroit Arsenal Community Seminar. Prior to Senior Service College, he served as Program Officer for Tactical Network Integration from April 2014 to July 2017 where he was the lead advisor to PEO CS&CSS for the integration of current and future Army communications and network technologies.

Mr. Hufstedler began his Army civilian career in 2009 as a Systems Engineer with PEO CS&CSS. He later transitioned to Product Lead – Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Integration (C4I), Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Project Management Office from June 2010 to April 2014.
Prior to entering Army civilian service, Mr. Hufstedler held several positions with Chrysler Corporation to include Engineering Supervisor for the Thermal Systems Core Group. Mr. Hufstedler entered military service in 1988 with the U.S. Army.

Mr. Hufstedler holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan, a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Oakland University and a Master of Global Leadership and Management from Lawrence Technological University. Mr. Hufstedler is an Acquisition Corps member and holds Advanced Certification in Program Management and Practitioner Certification in Engineering & Technical Management.

Ms. Hughley currently serves as the Program Manager for ANAD and JSMC, for TACOM ILSC Organic Industrial Base (OIB) Directorate. In her previous role, she served as the Industrial Base Lead for the Program Executive Office for Combat Support & Combat Service Support (PEO CS&CSS). Supporting four Program Managers with more than 255 programs, including JLTV, bridging systems, watercraft systems, and HTV in the Make or Buy process and execution, commercial and organic industrial base assessments, Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM), and Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) and Obsolescence management.

MAJ Casey Jemelka commissioned in the Army in May 2011. He holds a Bachelors of Arts in History, Master of Science in Geological Engineering, and a Master of Business Administration. He transitioned from his basic branch of Engineer to an Army Acquisitions Officer in Program Management in 2019. MAJ Jemelka has served in numerous diverse assignments during his 17 year career: initially serving as a Medic in the United States Army Reserves from 2006-2011 with deployment to Iraq in 2008, as an Engineer Officer from 2011-2019 deploying in Afghanistan in 2013, and as an Acquisition Officer starting in 2020. Positions include Assistant S3 (2011), Platoon Leader (2012-2013), Company Executive Officer (2014), Basic Officer Leader Course Instructor (2014-2016), Brigade Operations Officer (2017), Company Commander, 87th Sapper Company (2018-2019), and as a Program Integrator at the Tank-automotive and Armaments Command’s Integrated Logistics Support Center (2021-present).

Ms. Shannon Jewell is the Chief of the Mobile Firepower Contracting (MFC) Division as of October 2022. In this capacity she serves as the Division’s senior Contracting Officer and acquisition manager, advising Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems (PEO GCS): Project Office for Self-Propelled Howitzer Systems (SPHS); Project Lead Future Battle Platforms (PL FBP); and PL Capability Transition & Production Integration; and for enterprise support for the entire PEO. Ms. Jewell advises on the total acquisition process, including policy development, compliance and review, contract pricing, contract negotiations, contract management and associated support. She previously led the Infantry & Artillery Vehicle (IAV) Contracting division supporting PM Mounted Armored Vehicles, in addition to PM SPHS, from April 2021 – September 2022.

Ms. Jewell was promoted to Division Chief on 05 October 2015, starting in the Stryker/LAV Contracting Division, assisting in ensuring war-fighting readiness for the soldier by providing contracting and acquisition support for the entire life cycle management for all variants of the Stryker Family of Vehicles and Light Armored Vehicles. Ms. Jewell was responsible for the execution and administration of the portfolio of contracts for Stryker and LAV, valued at over $11B for production, sustainment, product improvement and program support. She was integral in the development and execution of the acquisition strategy for the two phased competitive acquisition of the Stryker Medium Caliber Weapon System in a historically sole source program.

Prior to that Ms. Jewell served as the Branch Chief of Strategic Services, providing acquisition support for the award and administration of the $3.5 billion TACOM Strategic Service Solutions Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contracts supporting PEO CS&CSS, PEO GCS, TARDEC, SoSE&I, and the TACOM LCMC. Ms. Jewell became a Branch Chief in April 2012 for MRAP/AMS. After arriving at the TACOM Acquisition Center in March 2005, Ms. Jewell served in a variety of capacities to include Contracting Officer for Light Tactical Vehicles and Joint Light Tactical Vehicles.

She holds a Master of Science Administration from Central Michigan University (2008) and Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from the University of Detroit Mercy (2002). She is certified level III in Contracting, level II in Program Management and is a member of the Army Acquisition Corps.

ACC-HQ competitively recognized Ms. Jewell with the FY20 Personal Development Achievement Award for her role in developing a mentorship program. AMC recognized Ms. Jewell as employee of the quarter in 2019 for improved business practices saving $240M. In 2016, Ms. Jewell was the contracting lead for a team awarded the ACC Acquisition Change Advocate for increasing competition. Ms. Jewell received the following Army Civilian Service Medals: Meritorious (2021); Commendation (2021 and 2022); Commander’s (2012 and 2015); and Achievement (2015). In 2011, Ms. Jewell competitively received the Secretary of the Army Award for Outstanding Contracting Officer, Systems, R&D, Logistics Support (Sustainment) Contracting.

She resides in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan with her husband Matt Jewell. They have two children,
James (b. 2008) and Madison (b.2010) and two dogs (Kristoff and Cooper).

COL Jeffery W. Jurand graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1998 and commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Armor. He initially served as both a Tank and Scout Platoon Leader in 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, TX.

In November 2001 he deployed as an Assistant Operations Officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division to Kuwait as Operation Enduring Freedom began. Following the Armor Captains Career Course, he then served as a Rear Detachment Commander and Assistant Operations Officer for 1st Battalion, 34th Armor, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, KS.

In June 2005, he assumed command of C/1-34 AR. In May 2006, C/1-34 AR tripled in size, converted to a motorized company and COL Jurand commanded the company during its subsequent deployment in support of OIF 06-07. Upon re-deployment, he transitioned into the Army Acquisition Corps.

In 2008, COL Jurand was assigned to the Army Research Laboratory at Adelphi, MD and served as a counter-IED Project Team Lead. There he led project teams conducting limited development and experimentation with both developmental and off-the-shelf technology and led initial fielding efforts in Afghanistan in support of Joint IED Defeat Organization’s (JIEDDO) efforts. In 2010 he was reassigned to Warren, MI where he served as an Assistant Product Manager for Mobility and Power Generation Systems in the Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) Program.

In 2013 he was nominated and selected for an assignment with the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) at Fort Bragg, NC. There he served as both a Product Director for Sensitive Activities and Chief of Requirements. COL Jurand assumed responsibilities as Product Manager, Heavy Tactical Vehicles in June 2016.

In June 2020, COL Jurand was reassigned to the Pentagon and served as the Executive Officer to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (ASAALT).

COL Jurand has a B.S. in Engineering Science from Vanderbilt University and an MS.Eng in Project Management from University of Maryland, College Park. He attended the U.S. Army War College Fellowship at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburg, PA in 2019-2020 where he studied cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

COL Jurand is married to the former Erin Kay Smith, Ph.D of Austin, TX. They have 4 children.

Michael Luciow, Director, Supply Chain Direct Purchasing, Combat Mission Systems (CMS), leads the P & S Supply Chain Organization from York, Pennsylvania, with the responsibility for the purchasing of all direct materials for CMS programs. The Procurement Organization works with various departments, organizations and programs to ensure the timely receipt of quality material at the best possible value in support of numerous manufacturing sites.

Michael brings more than 39 years of purchasing experience within BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman and Teledyne. Michael has been instrumental in managing all aspects of the supply chain to meet CMS both high and low mix, high- and low-volume vehicle operations of both the current force and new vehicle operations. He was instrumental in several key supply chain initiatives including the Quality Material on Time initiatives and the OBEYA Supply Chain initiative.

Michael joined the company in 1991 and has held a series of positions with increasing levels of responsibility within the Procurement Organization. Michael has been a key member of the BAE Systems Procurement Commodity Councils. Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics with a Minor in Mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh and resides in York, Pa. with his wife, Kathy. His hobbies include golf, sports and enjoying his 2 grandchildren.

Misty then transferred to the Acquisition Corps in 2005 and was assigned to Future Combat Systems. She was then selected for the Army’s Training with Industry Program where she worked with General Dynamics Land System as the Stryker Mobile Gun System APM. She went on to serve as the C4ISR APM for PM Stryker and then deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where she ran the reset/retrofit of the Stryker Program for the deployed Stryker Brigades in ‘09-‘10. Misty then received a nominative assignment to serve with Special Operations Command in support of Army Special Mission Units. Her last assignment in the Army before retirement was a CSL position as PM for JLTV Test where she successfully took the program through the entire EMD phase.

Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d) Martin holds bachelor’s degrees in both psychology and sociology, a Master’s degree in Defense Management, and has her black belt in Lean Six Sigma. Her awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, the Military Order of Saint Christopher and she has been commissioned a Kentucky Colonel, the highest title of honor bestowed by the Governor of Kentucky.

• 2x Awardee of ASA(ALT) Program of the Year (Stryker) (JLTV)
• 2x Awardee of the David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award (JLTV)
• Army Environmental Excellence in Weapon System Acquisition Award (JLTV)
• Recognized for leading 8 Value Engineering Programs which saved DoD over $31 Million in 2 years
• Published in both Army AL&T Magazine and Military Intelligence Professional Bulletin

After completing 21 years of service and three combat tours, Misty started M3 Defense Consulting (M3DC). M3DC focuses on helping those companies that truly care about the men and women serving our nation, to work with the government and defense industry.
Misty is married to Christina Ponce and has two boys, Tyler and Isaiah.

Mr. Robert McNeill’s 34-year Department of Defense career spans assignments from Satellite Operations to Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Systems Acquisitions in support of the Warfighter in OEF/OIF. He started his career in 1987 working for the United States Air Force, 50th Space Wing, and 21st Space Operations Squadron in Sunnyvale, CA. As Lead Satellite Operator he supported more than 350 satellite contacts daily while scheduling nine tracking stations around the world servicing more than 30 customers to include NSA/NRO, NOAA, DISA, DSA, and GPS.

He transitioned from operations in 1997 to system integrations working for the 50th Space Wing, 22nd Space Operation Squadron Colorado Springs, CO as the Lead System Integrator in charge of integration/ development of a multi-million dollar state of the art automated satellite information scheduling system with military contractors.

In 2000 Mr. McNeill was reassigned back to the 50th Space Wing, 21st Space Operations Squadron as the Deputy Mission Support Officer in charge of Contracting, Civilian Personnel, Security Police, Civil Engineering, Logistic, System Integrations, FOIA, Transportation and Information Assurance.

In 2009 Mr. McNeill was selected as the Deputy Director of Program Executive Office Ground Combat System (PEO GCS) Program Manager Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) C4ISR Integrations at the Detroit Arsenal, Warren Michigan. In this position he managed C4ISR systems/sub-systems integration/information assurance for current, future and operational needs in support of Stryker vehicle platforms.

In 2005 Mr. McNeill was selected to PEO GCS Director of Network Integration, managing C4ISR platform integration across the PEO GCS portfolio.

In 2019 Mr. McNeill took on the role Assistant PEO for System Engineering and Integration. He served in that position for the two years prior to assuming responsibility as Project Lead Capability Transition and Product Integration.

His awards include a letter of accommodation from the President of the United States and a Superior Civilian Award. Mr. McNeill has a Bachelors in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and is also Level III certified in Program Management and Information Systems.

Mr. Brian McVeigh was born in Harvard, Illinois, on 8 October 1962. Upon graduation from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater in 1984, he was commissioned in the Regular Army as a Second Lieutenant of Armor. He retired after 26 years of service with the U.S. Army as a Colonel in 2010.

He was awarded a Master’s Degree in Systems Acquisition Management from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1994.

He is a member of the Army Acquisition Corps, is Level III certified in Program Management and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) by the Program Management Institute. Prior to assuming responsibilities of the Project Manager Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle in 2019, Mr. McVeigh served as the Project Manager – Force Projection, Program Executive Office Combat Service & Service Support and the Assistant Program Executive Officer – Operations, Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems.

While serving in the U.S. Army, Mr. McVeigh’s acquisition assignments included Project Manager Ground Combat Vehicle; Project Manager Manned Ground Vehicles; the Military Deputy Director, Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center; Deputy Director of Operations, Program Manager Future Combat System; Product Manager Stryker Brigade Combat Team – Combat Support; Department of the Army System Coordinator – Bradley Fighting Vehicle System; Lead Evaluator – Stryker, U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command; Assistant Project Manager Family of Medium Tactical Wheeled Vehicles; Assistant Product Manager, Extended Service Program; and Fielding Officer, Program Executive Office Tactical Wheeled Vehicles.

Prior to his accession into the Army Acquisition Corps, he commanded HHC/3-32 Armor during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. He and his wife, Julie, have two children; Samantha and Patrick.

Cemone joined General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, MI in 2017. She currently serves as the Talent Development Lead for U.S. Operations Human Resources. In her previous role, she led the Training & Development Program for Engineering and Technology Development. She also briefly served as the Abrams Tank Training Development Coordinator for the Customer Support Organization. Prior to joining the Defense industry, Cemone worked in the Relocation and Language Training industry for five years expanding her responsibilities to Department Manager.

Cemone is very active in the Defense Community and the Detroit area community. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Women in Defense-Michigan Chapter (WID) as the Director of Events. She is also an active member of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) and the Association of the United States Army (AUSA).

Cemone’s community educational service includes serving as the current Vice President of the School Board of Directors for Four Corners Montessori Academy (FCMA) chartered by Oakland University, and sits on the Exceptional Staff Committee and the Community Engagement Committee. She served a two-year term as president of the FCMA Parent Association from 2019 to 2021. Cemone is also a member of the Cranbrook Middle School Mothers’ Council Executive Board and serves as the Diversity Committee Representative

Cemone served as the Chairwoman of the Human Relations and Equity Commission (HREC) for the City of Madison Heights from 2021-2022, and was the co-lead of the Cultural events subcommittee that successfully chaired the first Madison Heights Juneteenth celebration in 2021.

Cemone Moy holds a Bachelor of Science in Community Development and a Master of Science in International Administration from Central Michigan University. Her awards include the 2019 WID-MI horizon –Innovation Award and the 2023 BEYA STEM Science Spectrum Trailblazer Award.

Grady brings more than 30 years of purchasing experience within BAE Systems, GDLS, L-3 and Exelis.  He has been instrumental in managing all aspects of the supply chain to meet CMS both high and low mix vehicle operations of S&I partners.

Grady joined the company in 2014 and has held a series of positions with increasing levels of responsibility within the Procurement Organization. He has been a key member of the BAE Systems Procurement team and sourcing development. Grady holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Distributive Science and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, both from Gustavus Adolphus College, and a Masters of Business Administration degree in Government Contracting from the University of St. Thomas.   He resides in Muskegon, MI. with his wife, Sharon. His hobbies include golf, cooking and enjoying his 2 grandchildren.

Carol Naas has recently joined Rheinmetall as the Director of Operations for American Rheinmetall Vehicles (ARV), located in Sterling Heights, Michigan.  Carol has responsibility over the Production, Supply Chain and Material Estimating organizations and is responsible for product execution and operational activities.

Carol has spent 22 years in the defense industry working primarily in project and program management roles.  She has 15 years of experience in positions with increasing responsibilities within Production and Program Management organizations for both wheeled and tracked combat vehicle platforms. Here, she was responsible for managing manufacturing cost, quality and schedule across a full spectrum of a products and their lifecycle to include development, production and aftermarket support.

Carol has earned a Masters in Business Administration and a Bachelors degree in Industrial Engineering Technology.

Mr. Muskeyvalley graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. He also has a Master of System Analysis Degree from the Naval Post Graduate School.

In 1985, Mr. Muskeyvalley began working on the Sergeant York Air Defense in the Acquisition Logistics area. He has worked extensively in Logistics Support Analysis. In 1988, he became the Maintenance Engineering System Manager for the Product Improved Vulcan Air Defenses System (PIVADS). He ran the Modification Work Order Program that converted the VADS to the PIVADS. In 1991, Mr. Muskeyvalley worked as the Maintenance Engineering Supervisor in TACOM-=ACALA over the Aircraft/Armament/Air Defense Tank Maintenance Engineering Section. He led a team of Engineers performing integrated logistics and maintenance engineering work on Aircraft/Armament/Air Defense Systems and Tank Systems. From 1992-1995, Mr. Muskeyvalley served as the Maintenance System Manager for PM Armored Gun System and managed a multi-discipline team. In 1995, he became the Team Leader for the Smoke Decon Team in Support of PM Smoke and Obscurantists. From 1997-2003, he worked in the Soldier Biological Chemical Command as a part of the Integrated Material Management Center. He also served as Chief of the Logistics Management Group, where he ran the Business Operation Group.

Currently, Mr. Muskeyvalley serves as Director of the Soldier & Chemical Biological Readiness & Sustainment Directorate for TACOM ILSC.

Mr. Sean O’Reilly is the Director, Combat Support Contracting, U.S. Army Contracting Command – Detroit Arsenal (ACC-DTA). In this capacity he leads four contracting divisions within ACC-DTA, consisting of approximately 300 contracting personnel executing over an anticipated $5 billion in contract actions for the center this fiscal year. He also provides direct support to the Executive Director on all matters pertaining to the operation of the Contracting Center.

Mr. O’Reilly served as the Chief of the Multi-Site Support and Systems Contracting Division prior to his current assignment. In this capacity he served as the Division’s senior Contracting Officer and business advisor on the total acquisition process. The Multi-Site Support and Systems Division provided contracting and acquisition support for all Allied Tactical Vehicle systems, services and support for all Foreign Military Sales (FMS), supply of all non-standard FMS spare and repair parts for the DoD, and the refurbishment of combat and tactical vehicles. The division also included total support of the contracting mission at Anniston Army Depot, Red River Army Depot, Sierra Army Depot, and Watervliet Arsenal.

Prior to that Mr. O’Reilly served as the Heavy/Light Combat Contracting Division Chief upon his transfer to the Detroit Arsenal from Rock Island, IL in October 2011. Prior to this appointment, he was the Executive for Contracting at the ACC-DTA (RI) location since 2010 and led nearly 200 civilian and military personnel during the final year of the contract transition effort and closure of contracting operations at the ACC-DTA (RI) location in September 2011 as a result of the BRAC decision to consolidate operations to Warren, MI. Prior to that he served as the Division Chief for the Contract Execution Division at the TACOM Contracting Center- Rock Island since 2009 and was the Group Chief for the PM SKOT Tools Contracting Group from 2005-2009.

Mr. O’Reilly has over 25 years of contracting and systems acquisition experience as a Contract Cost/Price Analyst, Contract Specialist, and Procuring Contracting Officer and nearly 5 years of logistics experience as an Ammunition Manager and Logistics Management Specialist at the Joint Munitions Command.

Mr. O’Reilly holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Finance from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL (1993), and a Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Information Management Systems from St. Ambrose University, Davenport, IA (2001). He is also a graduate of the Army Senior Leadership Development Program (SLDP) through the Federal Executive Institute (2008). Mr. O’Reilly earned a Certificate in Management from the Darden School of Business Executive Leadership Program, University of Virginia (2010). He is a member of the Army Acquisition Corps and is Level III certified in contracting.

Mr. O’Reilly received the Department of the Army Superior Civilian Service Award in 2016 and the Department of Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service in 2001 and 2009.

He resides in Shelby Township, Michigan with his wife Kristin and their three children, Sean, Natalie, and Kyle.

Wolfgang Petermann hails from the greater Detroit, Michigan, area. He entered civil service in 2010 following his retirement from the U.S. Army, where he served on active duty for 22 years. As Project Manager, Transportation Systems, his portfolio includes Product Manager Heavy Tactical Vehicles, Product Manager Multi-Mission Protected Vehicle Systems, Product Manager Allied Tactical Vehicles, and Product Director Army Watercraft Systems.

Prior to assuming his position as Project Manager, Transportation Systems, Wolfgang held a broad range of troop leadership and staff positions at the battalion, brigade, product- and project manager levels. His primary acquisition assignments have included: Product Manager, Sets, Kits, Outfits and Tools; Product Manager, Heavy Tactical Vehicles; Director of Logistics, United States Marine Corps Light Armored Vehicle Program; Program Manager, International Programs, Tank Automotive Research & Development Engineering Center; Product Manager, Joint Light Tactical Vehicles; Director of Army Programs, Office of Defense Cooperation, Greece; Assistant Program Manager for Operations, Future Combat Systems; Assistant Project Manager for Procurement, Stryker Brigade Combat Team; Contingency Contracting Officer, U.S. Army Japan.

He attended Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science. Later, he attended Boston University, where he earned a master’s degree in international relations. He has also completed the Command and General Staff College, as well as executive program management and contracting courses through the Defense Acquisition University. Wolfgang is a member of the Army Acquisition Corps and is Level III certified in Program Management, Contracting, and Purchasing. He is also level II certified in Logistics.

His previous civilian and military awards include the Superior Civilian Service Award, the Meritorious Civilian Service Award, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Joint Forces Commendation Medal. He has also has earned the U.S. Parachutist Badge, the Greek Parachutist Badge, and the German Armed Forces Efficiency Badge in bronze.

BG Luke Peterson became Program Executive Officer for Combat Support & Combat Service Support (PEO CS&CSS) on 30 June 2022. In this role, he provides professional and executive management for the development, systems integration, acquisition, testing, fielding, sustainment, and modernization of approximately 250 diverse equipment systems across the Army’s Transportation, Quartermaster, Ordnance, and Engineer portfolios.

Prior to this assignment, he served as the Deputy Director-Transition supporting the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office from August 2020 through June 2022. He was responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing all program transition requirements for RCCTO signature capabilities transitioning to respective Program Executive Offices and Program Managers. Previously, BG Peterson served as the Deputy Director supporting the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology) Deputy for Acquisition & Systems Management (DASM).

BG Peterson enlisted in the Army in 1987 and was later awarded an ROTC Green-to-Gold scholarship. He graduated from the University of Tampa as a Distinguished Military Graduate in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and was commissioned as an Armor officer.

His operational assignments include Tank Platoon Leader, “Deathrider” Company, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fulda, Germany; Headquarters Company Executive Officer, 2nd Battalion, 68th Armor, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany; Commander, “Killer” Troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Polk, LA; and he deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina in support of OPERATION JOINT GUARD.

BG Peterson began his Army Acquisition career in 1998 as a combat developer in the Directorate of Force Development, Fort Knox, KY. Other acquisition assignments include assistant project manager, Non-Line of Sight-Launch System; assistant product manager, High Mobility Artillery Rocket System; deputy product manager, Precision Guided Missiles/Rockets; all within PEO Missiles and Space, Redstone Arsenal, AL. He then went on to serve as the product manager, Network Systems, PEO Integration and PEO Command, Control, Computers, Tactical; and subsequently deployed to Regional Command–South as the Acquisition Advisor in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, Afghanistan. He was then selected as Program Executive Officer, Special Operation Forces Support Activity, Bluegrass Station, Lexington, KY. Upon completing this colonel-level command, he served as the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) Acquisition Advisor to the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command as part of the Senior Acquisition Leader Development Program and Chief of Staff for both U.S. Army Contracting Command and PEO Missiles and Space, Redstone Arsenal, AL.

His advanced degrees include a master’s in Systems Acquisitions Management from the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA; and a master’s in National Resource Strategy from the Senior Service College at the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, Washington, D.C.

BG Peterson’s military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Staff Badge, Ranger Tab, and Parachute Badge. He is a graduate of the Armor Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Airborne School, Ranger School, Scout Platoon Leader’s Course, and Command and General Staff College. He is Level III certified in Program Management.

Prior to her role at Arbor, Nidhi worked at Ernst & Young in business development, helping the Financial Services Tax division grow and manage their new business to achieve over $12BN in revenues.

Nidhi is passionate about encouraging diversity within the industry and is committed to mentoring more young women into this exciting and growing field! She created the first “Women in Construction & Business” internship program at Arbor, and is a founding member of the Northern USA-India Business Council of the Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WICCI). Nidhi also serves on the Advisory Board of Women in Defense (Michigan Chapter), and is a member of Women in Public Policy (WIPP), and board member of Moms Demand Action (Western Wayne MI Chapter).

Nidhi holds a Masters in Public Administration and Bachelors in Business and Communications. Nidhi and her husband Ranjeev live in Michigan with their three sons (youngest of whom was born recently!) and enjoy being outdoors and traveling.

Lisa began her career with Oshkosh Defense in 2008 as a Tactical Buyer and has held positions of increasing responsibility within the Tactical Procurement, Category Management, and New Product Development functions. Lisa holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Lisa and her husband reside in Oshkosh, WI with their three daughters.

Ms. Slater started her career as an Inventory Manager intern at the US Army Tank-automotive & Armaments Command’s Integrated Logistics Support Center (TACOM ILSC) in 2004. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Logistics from Wayne State University. For the past 19 years Ms. Slater has held several logistics positions within the TACOM ILSC.

Ms. Slater currently serves as the Division Chief of the Sourcing Division within the Supply Chain Integration Directorate (SCID). The Sourcing Division oversees all Class IX procurement, repair, and funding actions for the TACOM ILSC.

Ms. Slater started her career as an Inventory Manager intern at the US Army Tank-automotive & Armaments Command’s Integrated Logistics Support Center (TACOM ILSC) in 2004. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Logistics from Wayne State University. For the past 19 years Ms. Slater has held several logistics positions within the TACOM ILSC.

Ms. Slater currently serves as the Division Chief of the Sourcing Division within the Supply Chain Integration Directorate (SCID). The Sourcing Division oversees all Class IX procurement, repair, and funding actions for the TACOM ILSC

Brian Sangster serves as the Business Development and Partnering liaison for the TACOM Organic Industry Base (OIB) Modernization and Business Development Branch. He also serves as the Team Leader in support of the Program Manager for the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC) located at Rock Island Arsenal.  Brian previously served as the Business Development Officer and Project Manager at Watervliet Arsenal. Prior to that, Brian served as a Contract Manager with the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). In industry, Brian was a Business Process Reengineering Consultant with Accenture and Sales Representative in both the industrial and medical sales industries. Brian is a former Army Ordnance and Acquisition Corps Officer and a graduate of Northeastern University in Boston, MA.

Vicki has been managing budgets, developing programs and strategies and working to grow Michigan companies for over 20 years.

Prior to assuming the CEO position for Oakland Thrive, Vicki was the Executive Director of the Michigan Defense Center (MDC), the state of Michigan’s defense and aerospace office legislated into law in 2006 to support the state’s federally funded programs and contractors. Serving in various roles at the MDC since 2013, Vicki has been a proven leader in reshaping the State’s efforts to protect and grow missions and industry in government contracting sectors of the economy:
• A Founder, Architect and Manager of the State of Michigan’s Protect & Grow Initiative; a strategy for Michigan’s defense industry, Selva coalesced over 51 partner organizations to support the plan.
• Co-created, developed and implemented a successful program for small and medium sized (S/M) Michigan companies to begin federal contracting, driving a $438:1 annual ROI.
• Created and implemented the Michigan Defense CyberSmart Program, an innovative approach to assisting S/M companies in cybersecurity compliancy and succeeded in capturing a $2.4M DoD grant to support the program. In less than 1 year, CyberSmart led over 60 Michigan companies to federal compliancy, protecting and winning contracts, jobs and incomes.
• Developed messaging, marketing strategies and materials to support and grow the $35B defense economy in Michigan.
• Oversaw and managed industry and government relationships contributing to a 45% growth in every major economic indicator in the sector since 2016.

Prior to taking a leadership role at the state level, Vicki built her reputation working with global, national and local companies and has developed many important relationships with key members of industry, government and academia through her decade of work with former U.S. Senator Carl Levin.

Specialized portfolios for the Senator included alternative energies, defense/aerospace. Selva was Cultural Director for the Senator, developing and maintaining relationships and supporting the many different ethnic and cultural communities in Michigan.

Vicki is a Director on the National Defense Industry Association-Michigan Board of Directors as well has served as NDIA’s Federal Policy Coordinator. Selva also chairs the premier buyer/supplier event, the Annual Michigan Defense Expo (MDEX) with partners at the U.S. Army, Air Force and industry. She is a Mentor with the Women in Defense (WID) Association and is a member of the Association of U.S. Army.

Selva has been awarded the Macomb County Partnership Award, the NDIA Volunteer of the Year Award and is recipient of the 2017 Women in Defense/Crain’s Horizon Innovation Award. Nominations include the NDIA National Red Ball Express Award given to members of the defense community with expertise and a history of supporting tactical wheeled vehicles and the National Association of Defense Communities Annual Accomplishment Award.

In January 2023, Mr. Andre Shina became the Business Manager for the Business Acquisition Management Office for Project Manager Force Project, PEO Combat Support and Combat Service Support, U.S. Army.

As chief of the Business Management Division, Andre Shina directs five dedicated offices spanning budget, acquisition, financial execution, cost, and business operations with personnel across core, direct and general matrix, and contractor workforce. Andre manages a six-billion-dollar diverse portfolio covering six major areas, Bridging; Engineer, Maintenance and Support Equipment (EMSE); Petroleum and Water Systems (PAWS); Test, Measurement, & Diagnostic Equipment (TMDE); Robotic and Autonomous Systems (RAS); and the Robotics Logistics Support Center (RLSC). Andre has oversight for a portfolio that effectively covers items from battlefield logistics to tactical maneuver, touching almost every aspect of support.

Prior to his current role, Andre served as the Business Manager for Army Watercraft Systems From 2017 until 2023. Andre Shina has multiple DAWIA certifications; he has advanced certification in Business Financial Management, advanced Certification in Program Management, and professional certification in Contracting. He is also Level III certified in the DoD Financial Management Certification Program (DFMCP). Andre is a graduate of the Advanced Acquisition Program at Naval Postgraduate School, Graduate School of Business and Public Policy, Monterey, CA. Andre also holds a master’s degree in business administration and finance from Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.

Mr. Jeffrey Simonis serves as the Director, Ground Combat Systems, U.S. Army Contracting Command-Detroit Arsenal (ACC-DTA). In this capacity, he leads five Contracting Divisions. He also provides direct support to the Executive Director on all matters pertaining to the operation of the Contracting Center. Mr. Simonis has career management responsibility for the contracting specialists, team leaders, and managers assigned to his organization.

Mr. Simonis served as the Division Chief of the Installation and Army Watercraft Support Division, ACC-DTA prior to his current role. In this capacity, he managed, supervised, and led a Contracting Division responsible for obtaining local supplies, local services, watercraft maintenance support, and Army Watercraft investment type items. Items procured by his Division included: construction projects, information technology hardware and support, local supplies and services, watercraft sustainment and investment items, and National Capital Region support.

Prior to that, Mr. Simonis served as the Group Chief for ACC-DTA with the Force Projection Contracting Group where he managed five teams responsible for procuring hardware and services required by the following Product Managers: Construction and Material Handling Equipment, Petroleum and Water Systems, Bridging, and Army Watercraft Systems. Mr. Simonis was heavily involved in the development of competitive acquisition solicitations, on behalf of his program executive partners. Prior to this assignment, he served as a Group Chief for the Stryker Contracting Division, where he was responsible for managing the Stryker production, engineering, and development contracts.

Mr. Simonis obtained a Masters of Program Management from the Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey, CA (2014), and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI (2000). Mr. Simonis has been a member of the Army Acquisition Corps since 2009, and is Level III certified in Contracting and Program Management.

Some of Mr. Simonis’ most noteworthy awards include: Department of the Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service (2015); Secretary of the Army Award for Excellence in Contracting Unit/Team Award – Systems, R&D, Logistics Support (2012); Department of the Army Acquisition Excellence Award for Exemplary Leadership (2008); Department of the Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service (2009).

He resides in Oakland County, Michigan with his wife, Lindsey, and their two children, Colin and Emersyn.

Ms. Slater started her career as an Inventory Manager intern at the US Army Tank-automotive & Armaments Command’s Integrated Logistics Support Center (TACOM ILSC) in 2004. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Logistics from Wayne State University. For the past 19 years Ms. Slater has held several logistics positions within the TACOM ILSC.

Ms. Slater currently serves as the Division Chief of the Sourcing Division within the Supply Chain Integration Directorate (SCID). The Sourcing Division oversees all Class IX procurement, repair, and funding actions for the TACOM ILSC.

Retiring as a Brigadier General in 2019, Doug “Odie” Slocum has 35 years’ experience with the Air Force and the Air National Guard. His last assignment was as the Commanding General of the 127th Wing and Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Under his leadership, the men and women of the base earned numerous accolades including awards for being the top Air National Guard Wing in the country, the top fighter aircraft organization, the most efficient aerial tanker Wing in the Air Force, and only the third Air National Guard Wing in history to receive the Meritorious Unit Award for “outstanding devotion and exceptional performance.” He is well known for his leadership style which has been branded as “violent positivity”. Prior to coming to Michigan in 2014, he was the Air National Guard Inspector General in Washington DC.

He is well known in Southeast Michigan for expanding partnerships to new levels and initiating several pioneering projects bringing together coalitions from across the community, state, and nation. He is the recipient of DTE’s 2019 Environmental Steward of the Year Award, Macomb County’s 2018 Economic Partner of the Year, and was inducted into the Macomb County Hall of Fame in 2017. Odie is a world-renowned educator and acclaimed motivational speaker having delivered more than 750 presentations or keynote addresses to over 150,000 attendees.

Odie is a career fighter pilot with more than 4,100 hours flying F-4, F-16, and A-10 aircraft – the top 1% of experienced fighter pilots in the Air Force. As an instructor pilot, he has personally authored more than 250 lessons, textbooks, and professional publications. He also served as the Air National Guard Director of Safety, where he is credited with leading the four safest years in the organization’s history. He personally created and championed several proposals including an innovative program that addressed human error in aircraft maintenance. Through this initiative the U.S. Air Force realized a 76 percent decrease in preventable mishaps, saving lives as well as more than $78 million. He also championed nation-wide programs for suicide prevention, fatigue management, driving safety, midair collision avoidance, and flight safety. He is also a trained and experienced aircraft mishap investigator. As a result of his safety innovations and results, Odie was inducted into the Air Force Safety Hall of Fame in 2013.

Odie is active in the community and as a veteran advocate, serving on the boards of the Fisher House of Michigan and the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), The Selfridge Air Museum, and is a member of Women in Defense (WID), the Selfridge Base Community Council, and the Macomb County Chamber. He also ran for federal Congress in Michigan in the 2020 election cycle. He lives in Macomb Township in Southeast Michigan and is married and has a 15-year-old daughter.

Michael D. Sprang entered civil service in 1993 as an engineering co-op while attending GMI Engineering & Management Institute. Mr. Sprang assumed the role of Project Manager for Joint Program Office – Joint Light Tactical Vehicles in June 2019. During the period of November 2014 through June 2019, Mr. Sprang served as the Deputy Project Manager – Joint Light Tactical Vehicles. During the period of January through June 2018, Mr. Sprang served as the acting Deputy Program Executive Officer, Combat Support and Combat Service Support. Prior to assuming duties with Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, Mr. Sprang served as the Product Director for Engineering and Manufacturing Development – Alpha, within the Joint Project Office, Joint Light Tactical Vehicles. As the Product Director for Engineering and Manufacturing Development – Alpha, he had overall program management responsibility for one of the three Engineering and Manufacturing Development Joint Light Tactical Vehicles’ Contractors.

From 2009 to 2012, Mr. Sprang served in Product Manager, Light Tactical Vehicles as the Assistant Program Manager for High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle Production and Sustainment and Assistant Program Manager for High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle Modernization. During this time, he had overall responsibility for the continued production and sustainment of the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle and modernization program.

From 2004 to 2009, Mr. Sprang served as Assistant Program Manager for Crew Protection with Project Manager, Tactical Vehicles. He served as the technical manager responsible for all aspects of the Add-on Armor program for the U.S. Army with an operating budget of approximately $1.2B. The Add-on Armor program provided significant and rapid solutions on all tactical vehicles operating in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. His previous positions include System Acquisition Manager for Heavy Tactical Vehicle Armor, Heavy Equipment Transporter System, and Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck, after serving as the system engineer on the Heavy Equipment Transporter System and Heavy Trailers.

Mr. Sprang has been an Acquisition Corps member since 2005 and holds Level III certification in Program Management, Level III certification in System Planning, Research, and Development – Systems Engineering, and Level II certification in Systems Planning, Research, and Development – Program Systems Engineer.

His awards and honors include the Achievement Medal for Civilian Service (2006 & 2011), Commander’s Award for Civilian Service (2009 & 2015), Superior Civilian Service Award (2012 & 2018), National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Red Ball Express (2013), and was inducted into the Honorable Order of St. Christopher.

Mr. Sprang holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from GMI Engineering & Management Institute and Master of Business Administration degree from Lawrence Technological University.

Kathy received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Maryland. She also holds a Master’s Certificate in Contract Management from George Washington University and is a Certified Procurement Professional.

She has worked for the Macomb Regional APEX Accelerator (formerly PTAC) for over eleven years and currently holds the position of Grants Administrator. Prior to working for the APEX Accelerator Center, she worked at North Dakota State University, Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering as the Communications Manager. There she assisted the VP for Interdisciplinary Research in the establishment of two Centers of Excellence, (the Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering and the Center for Advanced Technology Transfer and Traineeships).  

Kathy has had the unique opportunity of living and working overseas for the U.S Federal Government for over 10 years while her husband served in the U.S. Army. She has been married to her husband Steve for over 34 years, and together they have one son, Stevie. Kathy enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.

Sue Schweim Tellier is the president and owner of JetCo Federal, a prime contractor in supply chain management and logistics serving the defense industrial base. Since opening in 2007, JetCo Federal has gained a reputation for agile solution design and earned positive CPARS from federal agency clients. JetCo is an SBA- and WBENC-certified woman-owned small business and is ISO 9001:2015 compliant.

Prior to moving to the private sector in 2007, Sue worked in procurement marketing for the Michigan Department of Management and Budget (DMB). As DMB’s head of Supplier Diversity and Business Outreach, Sue trained more than 4,300 companies, teaching them how to bid on and win state government contracts.

Sue volunteers time to support the defense industrial base and is an advocate for small and woman-owned small businesses. She is the Chair of the Women in Defense National Council and the President of Women in Defense – Michigan Chapter. She is a long-time member of the National Defense Industrial Association and participates in the Logistics Division. Sue serves on the Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) Board of Directors and is the Vice Chair for their Leadership Advisory Council (LAC).

Sue also gives time in her home state. She is on the board and the executive committee for the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM), the largest statewide small business advocacy organization in the country. She is also a gubernatorial appointee; Governor Whitmer selected Sue to serve on the Michigan Strategic Fund, which has broad authority to promote economic development and create jobs.
Sue holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Affairs Management from Michigan State University and a Graduate Certificate in Economic Development from Wayne State University.

Sue and her husband Jon have an adult son. They are empty nesters except for three very spoiled (and naughty) dogs. (JetCo is a pet-friendly workplace. The dogs run the office.)

Thomas Vargo is the Lead Business Opportunity Specialist for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Michigan District Office, where he has served since 1998. He is responsible for the administration of the 8(a) Business Development Program, WOSB/EDWOSB Program and the HUBZone Program in the Michigan District Office. He also assists small businesses in all areas of federal procurement and federal procurement activities in achieving their small business goals. Thomas serves as the HUBZone liaison for the state of Michigan. Thomas is Federal Acquisition Certification-Contracting (FAC-C) Professional.

Ms. Glenda Williams currently serves as the Director of Diversity and Inclusion for AM General located in South Bend, Indiana. In this capacity, she oversees and leads the development and implementation of programs that promote diversity and inclusion through the organization. Along with the D&I Council and the three ERGs created under Glenda’s leadership, their goal is to help create a work environment that strives for diversity, inclusion, respect, and trust for all employees. Prior to her current role, Glenda was the Corporate Human Resource Director with oversight for the recruitment, of salary employees, benefits administration, performance management and organizational development and learning. Glenda has over 30 plus years’ experience in Human Resources.

Glenda earned her Master of Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Bethel College. She is also a Certified Diversity Professional (CDP) having obtained her certification from the Society for Diversity. She also holds a certification from Cornell University in Diversity and Inclusion for HR.

Glenda currently serves on the Diversity & Inclusion Committee for the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership and recently joined the Board of Directors for the South Bend Education Foundation.

She resides in South Bend, Indiana and is the mother of 2 adult daughters, Kesha, and Chelsea and 4 grandchildren: Jaylen, Jamir, JJ (Jayson), and Saniya.

In her spare time Glenda enjoying cycling and kickboxing at the local YMCA and spending time with her two youngest grandchildren JJ and Saniya, who is her birthday twin.

Phil Wills is the local Director of Business Development, based out of Troy, Michigan, for Vidovich Engineering Services (VES) LLC.  VES is a small business headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.  Established in 2014, VES’ core competencies are the development of custom Government off the Shelf (GOTS) infrastructure software, integrating tactical Command and Control (C2) systems, and rapidly building prototypes demonstrating emerging technologies solving Army tactical architecture challenges.  VES has specialized expertise in building Government Off the Shelf (GOTS) Linux and secure Android that are customized for Army Ground Vehicle requirements and performing as a Lead Systems Integrator (LSI) for complex Army Tactical mounted and command post systems. 

Phil has over 25 years of Air Force, Army acquisition, program management, and executive leadership experience, including four years of active duty as a systems acquisition officer in the United States Air Force and over 20 years at Booz Allen Hamilton supporting major Air Force and Army acquisition programs.  Phil and his former Booz Allen Hamilton Troy Office team were recognized by Playworks Michigan as a Game Changer and received the Booz Allen Excellence Award (the firm’s highest honor) in the Connections Category for Driving Diversity Across the Army Account.

Phil has a Master and Bachelor of Science in Industrial & Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Frank hails from Phoenix, Arizona, where he enlisted in the Army in 1987 and was later appointed to the Warrant Officer Corps in 1997. He served in a variety of assignments, including two combat tours: Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. His previous assignments include: TRADOC Capabilities Manager, Future Combat System, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Fort Wainwright, AK, 2nd Brigade, 78th Infantry Division, Fort Drum, NY, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry (M), Fort Riley, KS, 1qst Battalion, 4th Air Defgense Artillery, Fort Riley, KS, as well as a variety of positions supporting 1st Armored Division, 1st, 3rd, and 24th Infantry Divisions throughout Germany and the United States. Frank culminated his military service as the Senior Maintenance Advisor to the Commanding General, TACOM, from July 2008 – July 2010.

In his civilian role, Frank has served as Chief, Medium Towed Artillery Group; Chief, Infantry Support Group; Deputy Director, TACOM Field Operations; and currently serves as Director, Ground Combat Systems Readiness & Sustainment.

Frank holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Upper Iowa University, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Lawrence Technological University, and is Level III certified in Life Cycle Logistics. Frank has received numerous awards and decorations throughout his military and civilian careers.