*** IN PERSON ATTENDANCE***
***2 Keynotes, 3 Panels, Lunch, Evening Reception***
***Speakers from Texas, Oklahoma, & Washington, DC***
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Register and Buy Tickets Here:
Summary:
The recent pandemic has indicated an unanticipated fragility in our nation’s manufacturing supply chain. An aggressive push towards reshoring American manufacturing requires efforts across a spectrum of policy, laws, universities, trades and infrastructure enabling expansion, leadership and speed for our nation’s defense industrial base of small and medium sized manufacturers.
In this first-of-its-kind event, we are bringing together key stakeholders across all levels of government. Join us as we view the entire manufacturing ecosystem from multiple perspectives and explore actionable ideas with the goal to remake America’s manufacturing base into a hyper-connected, secure, and resilient ecosystem of domestic suppliers who can more easily connect and interact.
NDIA champions, builds and convenes the forums that tackle the industry’s most challenging issues. The Lone Star Chapter has been right in the middle of having the most relevant speakers of our time.
Attendees include:
• State-level and federal leaders across the manufacturing spectrum
• Department of Defense supply chain & contracting professionals
• U.S. House & Senator Legislative Directors and MLAs – specifically members from
the Armed Services Committees and the Science & Technology Committees
• Supply Chain leaders from major defense OEMs
• Small and Medium Sized Manufacturers
• Raw material suppliers
• Nationally recognized research institutions
• Manufacturing and supply chain subject matter experts
Venue & Logistics
The Bluebonnet Ballroom is located on the First Level of the E.H. Hereford University Center on the campus of the University of Texas at Arlington located at 300 W First Street, Arlington, TX 76010.
Parking in Lot 38 on Oak Street, just east of the University Center
For overnight travelers,
Hotel: Sheraton Arlington, 1500 Convention Center Drive, Arlington, TX 76011
Agenda
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
11:00 AM: On-Site Registration Opens and Pre-Event networking hour
12:00 PM: Opening Session and Luncheon
Opening Session Speakers:
• Ms. Lynn Tomaszewski, President, NDIA Lonestar
• Dr. Teik C Lim, Interim President, University of Texas at Arlington
• Ms. Pravina Raghavan, NIST MEP Director (Featured Speaker)
• Mr. Rodney Reddic, Interim Executive Director for TMAC, the Texas MEP
Featured Speaker, Ms. Pravina Raghavan
2:00 PM: Panel Session 1: Perspectives from the Military: Land, Sea, Air, & Space
Panel 1 will view the state of the defense industrial base and the manufacturing sector’s ability to respond to supply chain shocks specifically from the perspective of our nation’s military branches. Military Leaders, both current and former, with decades of experience in DoD sustainment will share their thoughts. Paneled by Adm(ret) Patrick Walsh, former Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, we will seek to identify ways Industry 4.0 and emerging technology coupled with defense policy can create a more diverse, robust base to support out nation’s defense manufacturing needs.
• Moderator: Adm(ret) Patrick Walsh, Co-Founder, First Watch Group
• Mr. Robert Valdez, Deputy Director for the 948th Supply Chain Management Group, Tinker Air Force, Oklahoma
• Mr. Ross Guieb, Executive Director, Bush Combat Development Complex at Texas A&M
• Mr. Eric Sundby, Executive Director, Space Force Association
Moderator, Adm(ret) Patrick Walsh
Mr. Robert Valdez
Deputy Director for the 948th Supply Chain Management Group, Tinker Air Force, Oklahoma
3:00 PM: Panel Session 2: Perspectives from Operating in the Supply Chain
Panel 2 continues the discussion of our nation’s defense industrial base and views the current state of the manufacturing sector through the lens of individuals directly involved in daily manufacturing needs. The Manufacturing Division Chairperson for the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) will seek to paint a vivid picture of today’s conditions from those who see it closest. This includes individuals in charge of supplier diversity programs at large defense prime contractors as well as directly from small manufacturers seeking to remain relevant in today’s rapidly evolving demands while the nation’s commitment to reshoring American manufacturing is finally getting the attention it deserves.
• Moderator: Mr. Gary Fleegle, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining
• Ms. Brenda Davidson, Vice-President, Lockheed Martin, PAC-3 Programs
• Mr. Bret Boyd, CEO, Sustainment Technologies
• Mr. Eli Javanmardi, VP Supply Chain Management, Bell
Moderator: Mr. Gary Fleegle
Mr. Gary Fleegle
President and Chief Executive Officer, National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining
4:00 PM: Panel Session 3: Perspectives from Policymakers and Thought Leaders
The Panel Sessions conclude with a view from policy makers and thought leaders. Alex Gray, the former Chief of Staff for the National Security Council who directed the White House study of the defense industrial base in 2017 will quiz state and federal leaders about ways to take the thoughts presented on the previous panels and convert these ideas into actionable policy directives to enact real change.
• COL(ret) Joseph Kopser, The University of Texas Special Advisor for Military and Veterans
• Mr. Kiley Wren, Executive Director, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES)
• Mr. Dave Rowland, Executive Director, Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance (OMA) (OK’s MEP)
• Regan Edens, Founder & CTO, DTC Global
• Dr. Sharon Harrison, Principal, Harrison Consultants
Moderator: COL(ret) Joseph Kopser
5:00 PM: Closing Session speakers
• Mr. Rob Gorham, Program Director, Texas Defense Aerospace Manufacturing Community (TDAMC)
• Mr. Michael Morford, co-founder, Sustainment Technologies
• Ms. Lynn Tomaszewski, President, NDIA Lone Star
Mr. Rob Gorham
Mr. Michael Morford
5:30 PM: Event Reception & Networking Mixer
Dress:
- Business Casual, business. Event is open to the public.
Inquiries:
- Contact Symposium Committee Chair at michael.morford@vertiprime.com
- Or Chapter Events Committee Chair at lynn.ndialonestar@gmail.com