General Basla is vice commander, Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. He assists the commander in organizing, equipping, training, and maintaining mission-ready space, cyberspace and missile forces and capabilities for North American Aerospace Defense Command, United States Strategic Command and other combatant commands around the world. Previously, he was vice director for C4 Systems, Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.; served on the staffs of the Joint Staff, U.S. Transportation Command, Headquarters United States Air Force, Air Mobility Command and Air Force Communications Command; and served in five operational communications units including commands at detachment, squadron and group levels. He has extensive joint experience including a tour as director for C4 Systems, Joint Task Force Southwest Asia in Saudi Arabia. Basla earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from the University of New York, Albany, and a Master of Science degree in teleprocessing science, Air Force Institute of Technology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg.
General Bowlds is commander, Electronic Systems Center, (ESC), Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. The men and women of the ESC manage more than $3 billion in programs annually in support of the Air Force, and joint and coalition forces. Previously, he was assigned as commander, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. Bowlds earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Mississippi State University; a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB; and a Master of Science degree in engineering management, University of Dayton, Ohio.
Dr. Bucci is associate partner and IBM’s Lead for Cyber, a strategic emphasis for the Global Leadership Initiative, the company “think tank” for IBM Public Sector Services, Global Business Services. After 28 years in the U.S. Army, he was the military assistant to the Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, served as staff director of the Immediate Office of the Secretary, received a Presidential appointment to the Senior Executive Service, and was appointed the deputy assistant Secretary of Defense, Homeland Defense and Defense Support for Civil Authorities. Bucci earned a Master of Arts degree and Doctorate in international relations from the University of South Carolina.
Mr. Butler is deputy assistant secretary of defense for Cyber and Space Policy. He is responsible for providing insightful policy advice and support to the secretary of defense and other senior Department of Defense (DOD) leaders. Previously, Butler served as an account executive with Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), managing Defense Intelligence business with Combatant Commands and Military Services. He is a retired U. S. Air Force officer. Butler earned a Bachelor of Science degree in computer information systems from Manhattan College, Riverdale, N.Y., and a master’s degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, Md.
Mr. Daehnick is a member of Toffler Associates with expertise in strategic planning, innovation, development and implementation of plans to execute new strategies, and methods of driving change in large, complex organizations. He has advised both government and industry clients on a variety of space and cyber-related issues. His background includes a 25-year Air Force career encompassing space, missile and information operations, operational testing, and intelligence assignments. Daehnick earned a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has advanced degrees in international relations, astronautical engineering, airpower arts and sciences, and business administration.
General Fast is vice president of Cyber and Information Solutions for Intelligence and Security Systems (I&SS), a division of Network and Space Systems. In this role, she leads Boeing's efforts in support of the U.S. government's Cyber Initiative to foster collaboration and information sharing across agencies securing cyber networks. Fast joined Boeing after serving more than 30 years with the U.S. Army, retiring at the rank of major general. Fast earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo., and a Master of Science degree in business administration from Boston University.
Mr. Gallagher is senior vice president and chief technology officer for McAfee Global Threat Intelligence. His organization is responsible for delivering all threat intelligence, across all threat vectors, to all McAfee products. He has more than 15 years experience in the networking, cryptography, and Internet industries. Prior to joining McAfee, Gallagher was senior vice president of product development and support for Secure Computing, which was acquired by McAfee. Gallagher earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science and mathematics from the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse.
Mr. Harris is a principal at Toffler Associates with expertise in strategic planning, organizational optimization, and innovation. He advises government and commercial industry clients across a variety of organizational, technology, and cyber-related issues. His recent focus has been on advising clients in commercial industry on accelerating growth in core and adjacent markets, while assisting government clients with implementing organizational change. Previously, he served as a senior analyst for Jane’s Information Group, and worked for a Washington, D.C., based think-tank, where he examined IT systems acquisition processes and effectiveness. Harris earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Tennessee, and an advanced degree in international affairs from The American University.
Mr. Hawkins is vice president of Information Security Solutions, a business unit of Raytheon Company’s Intelligence and Information Systems. Hawkins has been with Raytheon and its predecessor companies since 1979. Previous positions include vice president for National Systems; vice president of Multi-Source Information Systems; an engineering fellow and director of Advanced Imagery Systems; and director of both Signal and Communication Systems, and Communications and Information Handling Systems Development. Hawkins earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from West Virginia University (formerly West Virginia Tech); a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Dallas; and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Southern Methodist University.
General Haywood is director of requirements, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., responsible for ensuring future space and missile systems meet the operational needs of joint forces into the 21st century. Haywood earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering, Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pa. He earned three Master of Science degrees: one in systems engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; one in airpower art and science, School of Advanced Airpower Studies, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.; and one in national resource strategy, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
General Jaeger is director, Cyber Defense & Forensics at General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, where he manages the cyber systems business, including the General Dynamics Digital Forensics Lab. He is the director for directs a wide range of offensive and defensive cyber programs, and supports the DoD Cyber Crime Center. A former Brigadier General in the United States U.S. Air Force, he was director of intelligence, U.S. Atlantic Command; assistant deputy director of operations, National Security Agency, and commander, Air Force Technical Applications Center. Jaeger earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy and a master’s degree in management and supervision from Central Michigan University.
General James commands the 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic), Air Force Space Command, and the Joint Functional Component Command for Space, USSTRATCOM. He leads more than 20,500 personnel responsible for providing missile warning, space superiority, space situational awareness, satellite operations, space launch, and range operations. He directs all USSTRATCOM space forces, providing tailored, responsive, local and global space effects in support of national, USSTRATCOM, and combatant commander objectives. James earned a Bachelor of Science degree in astronautical engineering from the United States Air Force Academy and a Master of Science degree in astronautical engineering from MIT.
General Kehler is commander, Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. He is responsible for organizing, equipping, training, and maintaining mission-ready space and cyberspace forces and capabilities for North American Aerospace Defense Command, U.S. Strategic Command, and other combatant commands around the world. Kehler oversees Air Force network operations; manages a global network of satellite command and control, communications, missile warning and space launch facilities; and is responsible for space system development and acquisition. Previously, he served as deputy commander, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, Neb.; and was director, national security space integration, Office of the Under Secretary of the Air Force, Washington, D.C. Kehler earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Pennsylvania State University, State College; a Master of Science degree in public administration, University of Oklahoma, Norman; and a Master of Arts degree in national security and strategic studies, Naval War College, Newport, R.I.
General Lassen is the Air National Guard assistant to the commander, Air Force Space Command, and also serves as the director of Air National Guard Forces, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base. He serves as the principal advisor on matters affecting Air National Guard forces and assigned personnel. Lassen keeps the director, Air National Guard, abreast of critical Air Force Space Command issues. Previously, he served as director of staff, Joint Force Headquarters - Colorado, National Guard, Buckley Air Force Base. Lassen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.
Admiral McConnell is executive vice president and leader of the National Security Business for the leading consulting firm, Booz Allen Hamilton. Previously, he was U.S. Director of National Intelligence (DNI), a position of Cabinet rank under Presidents Bush and Obama. As DNI, he served as the principal intelligence advisor to the President and as a member of the U.S. National Security Council. Over the past years, McConnell’s area of focus has been counter-terrorism, cyber security, counter-proliferation, and foreign intelligence. While managing the U.S. Intelligence Community, an organization of 100,000 people, he had responsibility for a global enterprise and budget of over $47 billion. McConnell earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Furman University, Greenville, S.C., and a Master of Public Administration degree from The George Washington University. He has also been awarded three honorary doctorate degrees, the most recent from The George Washington University in 2008.
General Meyerrose is vice president and general manager for Integrated Cyber Solutions for Harris Corporation. He is responsible for leading all aspects of strategy, business development, and program execution for Harris cyber growth initiatives across the corporation. Meyerrose retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2005 with the rank of major general, and has more than three decades of military and government experience in cyber, communications, information technology, intelligence, command and control operations, and space support. Meyerrose earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the U.S. Air Force Academy and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Utah.
Mr. Pulham is the chief executive officer of the Space Foundation. Prior to joining the Space Foundation, he was senior manager of public relations, employee communication and advertising for all space programs of The Boeing Company, where he served as spokesperson at the Kennedy Space Center for a half-dozen space shuttle flights. Pulham’s non-profit experience includes serving as executive director of the Kona-Kohala, Hawaii, Chamber of Commerce, and as director of corporate communication for the Boeing Employees Good Neighbor Fund. He is a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools and an alumnus of the University of Hawaii.
Mr. Sanford is the founder and president of SpaceGroundAmalgam, LLC. He works with global leaders from the public and private sector to develop strategies and long-term vision for advanced technology and business solutions focused on meeting the needs of next-generation government missions and commercial space capabilities. He previously served in the following positions with Cisco Systems, Inc.: chief evangelist and strategist in the Global Government Solutions Group; chief operating officer, Cisco IRIS; director of space and intelligence; intelligence alliance manager; intelligence business development manager; and regional director of intelligence community sales and account manager.
Ms. Sears is president of Intelsat General. She is responsible for implementing the company’s strategic and operational plans and for supporting the overall mission of providing a range of sustainable, cost-effective, and secure communications solutions to government and civilian customers. Sears has more than 20 years of experience in the satellite communications industry including extensive experience in rapid response solutions for the U.S. Government, both military and civilian agencies. She is an industry spokesperson and speaks about how commercial satellites can be utilized by the military to solve mission-critical needs. She has worked over the past several years to advance the commercial / DoD partnership. Previously, she helped launch government services business units at both G2 Satellite Solutions and Verestar, and held sales and product development positions with Intelsat and Comsat World Systems. Sears has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Richmond, and a master's degree in business administration from George Washington University.
Colonel Shwedo is the commander, 67th Network Warfare Wing (NWW), Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The 67 NWW is the U.S. Air Force’s cyberspace force and newest combat wing. The 67 NWW's mission is to operate, manage, and defend global Air Force networks. The Wing also trains and readies airmen to execute computer network exploitation and attack. Prior to assuming command of the 67 NWW, Shwedo was the commander of the 67th Network Warfare Group. Shwedo earned a Bachelor of Science degree in military history from the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Colonel Skinner is commander, 688th Information Operations Wing, Lackland AFB, Texas. He leads 1,200 professionals in developing, training, exercising and testing information operations tactics, techniques and procedures; analyzing and mitigating U.S. cyberspace vulnerabilities; integrating emerging information dominance capabilities in support of Air Force, Joint, and DOD warfighters; engineering, deploying and delivering survivable and resilient cyber infrastructure and integrates communications and computer systems designed to increase the combat effectiveness of Air Force and DoD elements. Skinner earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Park College, Parkville, Mo., and a master’s degree in computer science from Oklahoma City University, Okla.
General Wright is vice president, C4ISR, Lockheed Martin Washington Operations. His responsibilities are focused on the integration of C4ISR applications and solutions in support of effective command and control capabilities for military, inter-agency, and intelligence operations. Previously, Wright completed 34 years of service in the U.S. Air Force including serving as commander of 5th Air Force and U.S. Forces Japan; director for Information Operations on the Joint Staff in the Pentagon; and vice commander of Air Combat Command. Wright earned a bachelor's degree in aerospace physiology from the U.S. Air Force Academy, and a master's degree in public affairs from Golden Gate University.