STRATEGIC MARKETING INNOVATIONS - Key Persons
Aarzu Maknojia, Director, is dedicated to conducting high quality research and analysis on the issues most important to our clients. Aarzu's expertise is in security policy, and she is actively engaged in issues related to the defense industrial base and defense acquisition policy.
Job Titles:
- Asst. CoS for Operations, Kosovo Forces, Director of Army Digitization, Boeing Executive
Bill Berl, Vice President, brings over 20 years of experience working in industry, on Capitol Hill, and in the U.S. military, to help clients secure programmatic funding by leveraging the congressional appropriations process, marketing to federal agencies, and identifying strategic business-to-business partnerships.
Prior to joining SMI in 2020, Bill worked for two major defense corporations, Orbital ATK (which was acquired by Northrop Grumman) and Israel Aerospace Industries, securing federal policy and funding in support of aerospace, munition, and advanced IT programs. Bill began his professional career in the U.S. Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer before serving two senior members of Congress as their National Security Advisor.
Bill earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Illinois and an M.A. in National Security Policy from the George Washington University. He also holds a post-graduate degree in Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- President
- President & CEO / President & CEO
Bill McCann, President & CEO, has worked with companies, universities and trade associations to shape public policy, appropriations funding, and federal business development goals since 2005. Teaming with SMI's technical experts and lobbyists, Bill designs and leads effective government relations strategies tailored to the unique goals of each client.
Prior to joining SMI, Bill worked on Capitol Hill for ten years for a senior Member of the House Armed Services Committee in a number of senior management and policy roles including Chief of Staff, Legislative Director and Military Legislative Assistant. In addition to managing a congressional office, Bill also served as campaign manager and supported Washington DC area fundraising efforts. In 2004 while pursuing his MBA, Bill joined the Raytheon Technologies corporate strategy team focusing on best practices in program capture efforts.
Bill holds a B.A. in American Government from Georgetown University and an MBA with an emphasis on strategy and finance from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Government Relations Association (GRA).
Bryan Bender, Vice President for Communications Strategy, is an experienced journalist and communicator with an extensive network in the national security and foreign policy communities, think tanks, trade associations and the private sector.
Bryan brings more than two decades of experience covering the defense budget, government acquisition, climate security, nuclear arms control, and the aerospace, shipbuilding and tech industries. As Washington Bureau Chief for Jane's Defense Weekly and an award-winning Pentagon correspondent for the Boston Globe, Bryan reported on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and military operations around the world. Most recently, he was senior national correspondent for POLITICO and defense editor of POLITICO Pro, where his beat included NASA, the Space Force, and the commercial space industry -- and he anchored the must-read newsletter Morning Defense.
Bryan has also taught journalism and public relations at The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University and is author of You Are Not Forgotten.
A native of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Bryan earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in English Writing and Political Science from University of Pittsburgh and studied Middle East politics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Bryan Maxwell, Vice President, has more than a decade of Capitol Hill experience, shaping public policy and securing federal funding. Bryan's expertise is in defense industrial base issues and the congressional authorization and appropriations process.
Prior to working for SMI, he served as the Senior Defense Policy Advisor and Military Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a member of the Senate Committees on Armed Services and Defense Appropriations Subcommittee for six years. Previously, Bryan served as the Military Legislative Assistant to former Congressman Dan Maffei (D-NY), a member of the House Armed Services Committee. He also worked for former Congressman John Hall (D-NY) from 2007 to 2009.
Bryan holds a B.A. in History from the University of Virginia and an MPP from the George Washington University. Bryan currently serves as a Major in the U.S. Army Reserve and previously served in Afghanistan.
Camryn Anderson, Analyst, has worked with policy and advocacy organizations to promote important causes and policies in Congress since 2018. Camryn supports SMI's clients through her research and analysis of defense industrial base issues.
Prior to joining SMI, Camryn was an intern at the American Fisheries Society, where she organized member engagement and advocacy efforts promoting conservation and climate policies at the state and federal levels. She was also an intern at the International Conservation Caucus Foundation and the German Marshall Fund of the United States, where she assisted with senior staff research on a variety of programs. Prior to that, Camryn served as an intern for Senator Bill Cassidy (LA) where she conducted policy research and supported constituent needs.
Camryn holds a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Communications, Legal Studies, Economics, and Government, and a minor in Sustainability Management from American University.
Christopher Michelbacher, Director, is an electrification and battery expert with industry and government experience. He has held various leadership and technical roles in this space and is well-positioned to offer SMI's clients unique insight on technical matters, proposal development for federal funding opportunities, and industry's perspective.
Chris was most recently the Charging & Energy Lead for Audi of America in Herndon, VA. In this role, he handled future strategic initiatives as well as all technical and business aspects of the business' charging and energy ecosystem. Prior to his time at Audi, Chris was first a research engineer at Idaho National Laboratory and a technical advisor for the Department of Energy in Washington, DC. While at DOE headquarters, he provided technical oversight and program management for the Vehicle Technologies Office's Battery Grid & infrastructure portfolios. He was also the lead for the DOE Extreme Fast Charging Technical Gap Assessment, the DOE technical lead for multiple United States Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC) Li-ion battery development projects, and served as a technical evaluator for several DOE funding opportunity announcement cycles in advanced lithium-ion battery cells, battery materials, and materials processing. His focus at Idaho National Laboratory was leading the organization's battery testing center to capture life and performance metrics of current and future state-of-the-art electrochemical systems and on-road electrified vehicle evaluation programs.
Chris earned a Bachelor's in mechanical engineering from Montana State University and a Master's from George Washington University.
Job Titles:
- 25 Years of Experience in Air and Space Systems
Job Titles:
- Manager of Research and Develop Efforts for Special Operations and Programs Community
Previously, Col. Stautz served in the direct operational units of the Army's Special Forces. He also has more than 15 years of experience managing research, development, and acquisition programs as well as the Director of various organizations supporting the Special Operations or Special Programs community.
Col. Stautz holds an MBA in Acquisition Contracts Management from the Florida Institute of Technology and an M.A. in Strategic Studies from Deakin University.
Damian Kunko, Senior Vice President, is a government relations expert who has been assisting companies, trade associations, and universities develop federal funding and policy strategies since 1996. Damian's specific expertise is assisting clients develop new technologies and creating policies that incentivize their deployment in the Energy and Defense sectors.
During his career, Damian has secured over $1 billion in federal funding for clients and has led the formation of several national trade organizations and advocacy coalitions. He has extensive experience advancing public policy and federal financing initiatives for a variety of industries including: offshore/undersea energy, propulsion, security systems, water power, wildfire resiliency, advanced materials (composites and specialty alloys) for ground, ship and aerospace systems, advanced/additive manufacturing, medical research, and environmental technologies. Prior to joining SMI, Damian lobbied for a variety of rural telecommunications, mobile medical, and information systems clients. He also served on the staff of a Member of Congress from Washington State.
Damian holds a B.A. in Political Science from Washington State University and served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Job Titles:
- Vice Chairman, National Materials and Manufacturing Board at NAS
Ms. Denise Swink has over 35 years of experience in the federal government including at the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Previously, Ms. Swink served as the Vice Chair of the National Materials and Manufacturing Board at the National Academy of Sciences and participated in the Defense Materials, Manufacturing, and Infrastructure Standing Committee. Ms. Swink has worked at the highest levels of government, both nationally and internationally, on topics including fossil energy technology advancement for extraction, transportation and utilization of resources; manufacturing productivity and efficiency with emphasis on technology advancement and adoption; electricity infrastructure development; and safety and reliability of the entire energy infrastructure.
Ms. Swink holds a B.S. in Mathematics from American University and an M.S. in Environmental Sciences from Johns Hopkins University.
Job Titles:
- Contracting Specialist & Federal Business Advisor
- Senior Contracting Specialist
Dennis Padilla, Senior Contracting Specialist & Federal Business Advisor, has over 45 years of experience in federal procurement and assistance.
Previously, he was Director of Contracts and Grants with the Office of Naval Research (ONR) where he focused on business processes for basic and applied research, manufacturing technology, and weapon systems prototypes. His work centered around the transition of innovative technologies from business and academia into fielded fleet-ready systems supporting the Navy and Marine Corps. Prior to his work at ONR he served as the Deputy Director of Contracts at the Navy's Strategic Systems Program Office and as a negotiator with NASA's Ames Research Center.
Dennis holds a B.S. in Business Administration from San Jose State University and an M.S. in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
Job Titles:
- DOE EERE Fuel Cell and Energy Expert
Kathi Epping Martin brings over 25 years of Federal government experience in fuel cell technology, diesel emissions reduction, appliance efficiency, aircraft survivability, reliability, and maintainability.
Throughout her career, Ms. Martin served in leadership positions including president of Naval Air Systems Command's Engineering and Scientist Development Program, chair of the Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Quality Management Board, co-chair of the Fuel Cell Tech Team (government-auto industry partnership) and running Federal Advisory Committees. She managed cooperative agreements between DOE, industry, national laboratories, and universities. In addition to serving on numerous review boards, she has managed the Funding Opportunity Announcement process from end to end. After retiring from DOE, Ms. Martin worked as a consultant for Alliance Technical Services and the Rose Institute for Strategic Energy.
Ms. Martin holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering from the University of Notre Dame, holds a Master of Science Degree in Information Management from Marymount University, and has completed coursework at the Defense Acquisition University and the Federal Acquisition Institute.
Job Titles:
- Directed the Public Health and Security Action Team Program at FDA
Dr. Alan Liss has over 30 years of experience in vaccine, biologic, and pharmaceutical product development and manufacturing.
Dr. Liss recently retired from the Food and Drug Administration where he directed the Public Health and Security Action Team Program which enhanced the FDA approval process for medical countermeasure candidates. Prior to joining the FDA, Dr. Liss helped stand up the Regulatory and Quality Affairs Division of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). Prior to joining the government, Dr. Liss designed and executed effective U.S. global quality and regulatory strategies to support both pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical development programs.
Dr. Liss received his B.S. in Genetics from the University of California, Berkeley and his Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Rochester.
Dr. Bret Strogen has two decades of experience working across the energy-environment-economics nexus, his expertise spans energy innovation, sustainability analysis, and federal program management.
Previously, Dr. Strogen worked at SMI where he consulted with technology organizations to inform federal policies and participate in programs that support national energy, infrastructure, and environmental objectives. Before that he spent more than seven years working at the Pentagon-as an AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow and contractor in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and as the Army's Special Assistant for Energy and Sustainability-followed by a year as the research director for a start-up that evaluates the life-cycle sustainability of emerging technologies. Bret's defense-related portfolio entailed advising interagency and defense-specific energy policies and strategies; overseeing and supporting utilities privatization, energy performance contracts, and alternative fuel development programs; and preparing briefings and reports to Congress on the department's energy management and energy technology RDT&E initiatives.
Earlier in his career, Bret worked as an environmental project engineer at construction, demolition, remediation, and active industrial sites, and he maintains his Professional Engineer license in Pennsylvania. Bret holds a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Delaware and a M.S. and Ph.D in Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.
Job Titles:
- Previous Director of Advanced Research for the Missile Defense Agency
Dr. Doug Deason has 40 years of experience in advanced technology for defense and aerospace platforms.
Previously, Dr. Deason served as the Director of Advanced Research for the Missile Defense Agency, with responsibility for the SBIR/STTR program, university research, international research, and the Rapid Innovation Program. Here, he was responsible for an average annual budget of $120-$150 million. In 2018, he was recognized with the Agency's Distinguished Professional Award. Dr. Deason's technical specialty is in advanced materials for highly challenging environments including rocket and missile aerostructures, propulsion systems, and hypersonics. He previously held technical and management positions with U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, United Technologies Corporation, Battelle, and others. He is a former small business owner and SBIR awardee. Dr. Deason has been a frequently requested speaker on missile materials, proposal writing, and Phase III opportunities and commercialization.
He holds an M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Florida as well as a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.
Dr. Drew Ronneberg, Vice President, has worked with companies and universities on federal marketing, strategic teaming and appropriations lobbying since 2011. Drew's specific areas of expertise are energy and material technologies including batteries, engines, metals, and composites.
Prior to joining SMI, Drew worked at the Department of Energy. As the Supervisor of the Engines, Fuels and Deployment Division in the Vehicle Technologies Program, Drew´s responsibilities included overseeing over $100 million in annual Research, Development and Deployment activities, standing up the $105 million SuperTruck and $104 million National Laboratory Facilities Recovery Act programs. In the role as the Acting Wind and Water Program Manager, Drew led the release of the 20% Wind Energy by 2030 report that detailed the feasibility of deriving a significant fraction of the nation´s electricity from wind energy. It was the first government report that demonstrated such a capability.
Drew holds a Bachelor´s degree in Chemistry from Occidental College and a Master´s degree and Ph.D. in Chemistry from Princeton University.
Job Titles:
- Prior Senior Director of Technology Transfer at UMass - Lowell
Dr. George Kachen has over 45 years of technical, business development, and marketing expertise.
Previously, Dr. Kachen served as the Senior Director of the Technology Transfer Office at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. His technical expertise in lasers, non-linear optics, and nanotechnology has enabled him to be a valuable member of Proposal Red Team Reviews and of review panels for non-profits such as the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and MassVentures.
Dr. Kachen holds a B.S. Engineering Physics from the University of California, Berkeley, an M.S. in Nuclear Engineering (Fusion Option) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Ph.D. in Applied Science from University of California, Davis.
Job Titles:
- Senior Executive in the FDA and the DOD Medical School
Dr. Gerald Quinnan, Jr. brings over 30 years of experience in biomedical science and public health in the U.S. government, including service as a senior executive in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Defense's medical school, the Uniformed Services University (USU).
Previously, Dr. Quinnan served as the Acting Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research at the FDA. As a recognized expert in vaccine development, he served on the Scientific Advisory Board of Aviron, and had a substantial supportive role in development of the FluMist influenza vaccine. Additionally, Dr. Quinnan served as a commissioned officer in the United States Public Health Service, rising to the rank of Rear Admiral, and serving as Assistant Surgeon General.
Dr. Quinnan holds a B.S. in Chemistry from the College of the Holy Cross and an M.D. from Saint Louis University.
Job Titles:
- Technical Writer, Academic Researcher, and Member of 25 Biomedical Grant Review Panels
Dr. Gina Schatteman has over 25 years of experience in the biomedical sciences.
Dr. Schatteman has experience working with academia, industry, and non-profit organization to develop submissions for federal, state, and foundation grants. While working as an academic researcher, Dr. Schatteman's translational research laboratory was funded continuously by the National Institute of Health for 15 years. She has served as chair or member of more than 25 national and international biomedical sciences grant review and Request for Applications development panels and is a review officer for State of Idaho STEM grant programs. Dr. Schatteman is also the Co-Founder and Co-Director of iExploreSTEM, a science education non-profit based at the University of Iowa.
Dr. Schatteman holds a B.A. in Natural Sciences from the New College of Florida and a Ph.D. in Theoretical Chemistry from the Johns Hopkins University. She received post-doctoral training at Princeton University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at Johns Hopkins.
Evan Dorner, Director, has a decade of Washington healthcare policy and funding experience from Congress and industry associations.
Prior to joining SMI, Evan served as Director of Federal Government Relations at California Life Sciences (CLS), where he was the face of California's life sciences industry including biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device and diagnostics companies, venture capital firms, research universities and institutes, as well as the sector's nearly 350,000 California employees. Evan's portfolio at CLS included research and public health funding, the federal response to COVID-19 and pandemic preparedness, FDA reauthorization, and federal coverage for drugs, medical devices and procedures. Previously, Evan was a Senior Legislative Assistant for Congressman Pete Aguilar (CA-31), the Vice Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus and a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. Evan was the lead staffer for Congressman Aguilar on healthcare, education, labor, agriculture, legislative branch, financial services appropriations issues as well as the Committee on House Administration.
Evan holds a B.A. in Political Science from Gonzaga University.
Colonel Gilbert Siegert (U.S. Air Force, ret.) brings over 41 years of experience working to support space operations and systems with the Department of Defense and various aerospace corporations.
Previously, Col. Siegert worked as a Senior Research Analyst at ANSER, Inc, where he was responsible for assisting the development and implementation of DoD policy issuances on space activities. He has worked in numerous consulting roles including as President of Space Ventures Consulting, and providing support to major aerospace firms such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon, Orbital Sciences, and others. During his 26-year career in the U.S. Air Force, Col. Siegert served in various space related roles including International Arms Control Negotiator, Chief of the Space Joint Congressional Matters Branch, Chief of the NORAD/USSPACECOM Liaison Office, and others.
Col. Siegert holds a B.A. in Zoology at the University of California at Santa Barbara and an MPA in International Finance from the University of Wyoming. Additionally, Col. Siegert is a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College and a Distinguished Graduate of the Squadron Officers School.
Job Titles:
- Chief of Staff for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
Job Titles:
- Principal Asst. Research and Technology at the Army Medical Research and Materiel Command
Job Titles:
- DOE EERE Fuel Cell and Energy Expert
Kathi Epping Martin brings over 25 years of Federal government experience in fuel cell technology, diesel emissions reduction, appliance efficiency, aircraft survivability, reliability, and maintainability.
Throughout her career, Ms. Martin served in leadership positions including president of Naval Air Systems Command's Engineering and Scientist Development Program, chair of the Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Quality Management Board, co-chair of the Fuel Cell Tech Team (government-auto industry partnership) and running Federal Advisory Committees. She managed cooperative agreements between DOE, industry, national laboratories, and universities. In addition to serving on numerous review boards, she has managed the Funding Opportunity Announcement process from end to end. After retiring from DOE, Ms. Martin worked as a consultant for Alliance Technical Services and the Rose Institute for Strategic Energy.
Ms. Martin holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering from the University of Notre Dame, holds a Master of Science Degree in Information Management from Marymount University, and has completed coursework at the Defense Acquisition University and the Federal Acquisition Institute.
Job Titles:
- Head of the Structures Division at Naval Air Systems Command
Job Titles:
- Assistant Secretary
- Experienced DoD Senior Executive
Mr. Alex Beehler served as the 8th Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment from 2019 through January 2021.
His previous leadership roles at the Department of Defense include serving as the Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Environment, Safety and Occupational Health; Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Installations & Environment; and the inaugural Chief Sustainability Officer of the Department. Outside of the Department of Defense, Mr. Beehler spent 25 years practicing law, both in a private environment, and across a number of federal agencies including the Department of Justice's Environmental Enforcement Section. He had also served concurrently as the Director of Environmental and Regulatory Affairs at Koch Industries and as the Vice President for Environmental Projects at the Charles G. Koch Foundation.
Mr. Beehler gained a Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University, before gaining a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law. He remains a member of the District of Columbia Bar, Maryland State Bar Association, and Virginia State Bar.
Mr. Alex Fleming has demonstrated over 25 years of innovation and technical leadership managing diverse teams in extreme-environment system designs.
Mr. Fleming has made key contributions to unmanned undersea vehicles, vertical flight aircraft, military jet engines, propulsion, and alternative energy systems. Previously, he oversaw a $6 million research and development investment to develop an Underwater Data Center system architecture, advanced cooling, and renewable power schemes. Companies under his leadership have been the recipients of multiple Department of Energy Awards totaling over $22 million. In 2003, Mr. Fleming led a $8.5 million effort for the Advanced Development Unmanned Underwater Vehicle project. This work included novel manufacturing, engineering processes, computer-aided engineering (CAE) tool development, ballast design, thermal management, acoustic treatments, configuration management, propulsive design, energy sources, and modular instrumentation packages.
Mr. Fleming holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology as well as an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University.
Job Titles:
- 30 Years of Experience in Satellites and Space Systems
Mr. Bill Purdy has over 30 years of experience in space, satellites, spacecraft systems engineering, and the principals of NewSpace.
Previously, Mr. Purdy worked as a Mechanical Engineer at the Naval Research Lab where he worked on a diverse set of projects. His career has included satellites ranging from a hundred pounds to ten thousand pounds, being involved in all phases of projects, from design to retirement. He has also held positions as lead systems engineer, program manager, mechanisms lead, and senior mechanisms advisor. Mr. Purdy has had a hands-on role in 33 flown satellites and over 50 flight mechanisms.
Mr. Purdy holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland.
Job Titles:
- 30 Years of Experience in the Power and Energy Market
- President and CEO of AER Energy Resources
Mr. David Dorheim has more than 30 years of experience working with companies to develop technologies related to fuel cells, batteries, electric drive vehicles, biofuels, electric vehicle grid infrastructure, carbon capture, and wind power.
Over the last 15 years, Mr. Dorheim has served as the President and CEO of AER Energy Resources, a battery development company, as well as Neah Power, a Seattle-based fuel cell company, and has served on the Board of Directors for many other energy oriented, early-stage companies. Earlier in his career, Mr. Dorheim gained experience in the energy industry at Black & Decker and General Electric, where he held positions in engineering, marketing, sales, and manufacturing management.
Mr. Dorheim holds a B.S. in Mathematics and Physics from Luther College.
Job Titles:
- Business Development Manager for Dow - UT and Founder of Advanced Composite Products
Mr. David Maass has over 30 years of experience in business development in the aerospace, defense, and energy market.
Previously, Mr. Maass served as Business Development Manager for Dow-UT, a joint venture of United Technologies and the Dow Chemical. In addition, he founded Advanced Composite Products (ACP), a company specializing in the application of tubular composite structures for aerospace applications on the B2 and spacecraft flight hardware. Mr. Maass also held several engineering positions at Sikorsky Aircraft including Engineering Manager of the Army's UH-60 Composite Rear Fuselage Manufacturing Technology program.
Mr. Maass holds a B.S. and S.M. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Job Titles:
- 20 Years of Experience With Federal Business Development and Market Research
Mr. Douglas Freitag brings over 20 years of expertise in working with the federal government in various capacities including federal business development, government affairs, market research, and new product development.
Additionally, Mr. Freitag has experience in advanced materials and manufacturing, including electronics, optics, photonics, composite materials, sensors, coatings, advanced ceramics, power generation and storage, water purification, and biotechnology. Previously, he served as the Manager for Advanced Materials while at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control where he was responsible for providing leading edge materials and manufacturing technologies for use in a range aerospace and defense products.
Mr. Freitag holds both a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University.
Mr. Gerry Lamb has over 30 years of experience helping clients secure federal funds.
He previously served as the Director of Government Relations for General Dynamics Corporation where he was the lead congressional relations advocate for two of three shipbuilding yards and two of ten business units (Bath Iron Works ME and NASSCO CA). He had lead responsibility for improving tax treatment of Navy shipbuilding contracts, congressional approval of multiyear procurement in Navy shipbuilding, and congressionally accelerated funding for NASSCO Expeditionary Sea Base ships, among others. Between 2018 and 2019, Mr. Lamb helped account for over $6 billion in new Navy shipbuilding contracts. Prior to this, Mr. Lamb did Washington operations for Bath Iron Works and Todd Shipyards Corporation and worked for former U.S. Congressman Brian Donnelly (MA-11).
Mr. Lamb holds a B.A. in English from Suffolk University and an MBA from George Mason University.
Mr. Charles ‘Chip' Roth has over 20 years of experience with business development, sales and marketing, and federal decision makers in Congress and the Departments of State, Defense, Energy, and Agriculture.
Previously, Mr. Roth worked as a Senior Project Engineer at Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin. Additionally, he cofounded and served as a Principal to American Technology Specialists, a business development and government relations consulting firm. As Program Director at Fabiani and Company, Mr. Roth oversaw marketing efforts for the high-tech military and homeland security products and technologies. Previously, Mr. Roth gained experience in the advanced material composite field, where he worked on high temperature materials for military aircraft engine, missile body, rocket structures, and high temperature space parts.
Mr. Roth holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Louisiana State University.
Job Titles:
- Cyber Security Expert and Former Senate Defense Appropriations Staffer
Currently, she is the founder and sole proprietor of Gray Tarian, a consulting firm that specializes in federal budgeting and policy within the cybersecurity, defense, and aerospace industries. She provides her cybersecurity expertise to other government relations firms and defense companies who seek to work with and understand the Department of Defense's acquisition and federal appropriations processes. Previously, Ms. Farrell worked as a Professional Staff Member on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Defense where her portfolio focused on missile procurement for the Army, Navy, and Air Force; funding and policy for the Missile Defense Agency; and individual component work on strategic systems. She is proficient at researching program elements within the budget justification materials and analyzing federal code and law that directs space and national security policy. Ms. Farrell serves as a core organizational member and the current Acting Treasurer of the Association of U.S. Cyber Forces (AUSCF).
Ms. Farrell holds an M.A in International Relations, Cyber Diplomacy (Technical Track) from Norwich University and has taken courses at the Defense Acquisition University and through the Naval War College Fleet Seminar Program in National Security studies.
Ms. Cathy Day Handford brings over 35 years of experience in national security, cybersecurity, defense, and intelligence.
Before joining SMI, Ms. Handford was the Sector Director of Cyber Initiatives at Northrop Grumman Corporation Information Systems where she led the development of company's corporate domestic and international cybersecurity market strategies. She also led Strategy and Planning for Exelis Information Systems (now Harris). Ms. Handford is the founder and CEO of Cyber Business Development Associates and is currently a member of the Advisory Board for ATI21 (Accelerating Transportation Innovation). Ms. Handford is active in industry associations such as INSA, AFCEA, NDIA, and NVTC. She was a Brookings Institution Congressional Fellow and worked for Sen. Steve Cohen (ME) in 1993, followed by 3 years in TRW Corporate Government Relations.
Ms. Handford holds a B.S. in Mathematics from Randolph-Macon College, an M.S. in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford University.
Job Titles:
- Advisor for Countermeasures at the FDA 's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
Ms. Cynthia Kelley has 30 years of U.S. federal government service, including more than 20 years with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Ms. Kelley served as the Senior Advisor for Counterterrorism/Medical Countermeasures in the Office of the Director, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) at the FDA, where she was responsible for policy formulation and planning, coordinating, and implementing activities related to the development and availability of medical countermeasures for CBER's counterterrorism program. She also worked at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases on basic research in the development of vaccines against several viral infectious diseases, specifically Ebola and Tick-Borne Encephalitis.
Ms. Kelley holds a B.S. in Microbiology from the University of Iowa and an M.S. in Molecular Biology from Hood College.
Job Titles:
- 40 Years of Experience in Government Service and Major Acquisitions
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- Chief of the Power Division at the U.S. Army 's CERDEC
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- Global Director of New Business for Advanced Technologies at Dow Corning Corporation
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- 30 Years of Composites Expertise and Navy ( NAVSEA ) Advanced Materials Work
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- Previous Chief of ORTA for the U.S. Army AMRDEC
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- Engineer in the Navy Office of Mine and Undersea Warfare and Sen. Snowe Staff
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- Director of the U.S. Navy 's Electric Ships Office ( PMS - 320 )
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- Technology Transfer Expert and Technology Commercialization Manager at NIST MEP
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- Cyber Security Expert and Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Navy C41 and Space