Ms. RuthAnne Darling

Director for Operational Energy-Innovation in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering

Captain Charles "Newt" McKissick

US Navy, Military Deputy, Navy Service Lead, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)

Dr. Matt Willis

Director, U.S. Army FUZE Flagship Innovation Engine (Includes SBIR/STTR, xTech, ManTech, TMI programs)

Dr. Matt Willis serves as the Director of Army FUZE, leading the Army’s portfolio of private sector engagements through prize competitions (xTech), the Army Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, the Technology Maturation Initiative (TMI) program, and the Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) program, comprising over $750 million in annual research and development investments. Previously, Dr. Willis served as the Army Director for Laboratory Management at the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (ASA(ALT)) and held various positions across the Army and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Dr. Willis earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University and both a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Mr. Brian Smith

Director Nuclear Reactor Development, Idaho National Laboratory (INL)

COLONEL SCOTT A. HUMR

Ph.D. Division Chief of Science and Technology, Joint Interagency Task Force 401

In his current role, COL Humr provides strategic oversight and direction for the organization’s R&D portfolio aimed at countering emerging unmanned aircraft system threats. He is responsible for identifying and maturing technologies from across industry, academia, and national laboratories to ensure next-gen capabilities are ready for transition to the warfighter.

His operational background includes deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and service with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. He served as senior logistics and command roles across the Marine Corps and joint task forces.

He holds a Ph.D in Information Sciences and is a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval War College, and Marine Corps Command and Staff College. He completed a DARPA Service Chief’s Fellowship and previously served as Director of the Marine Corps’ Intelligent Robotics and Autonomous Systems Office, helping shape the future of autonomous and robotic capabilities for the force.

Ellen Chang

Managing Director, CapZone Impact Investments

Ellen is a mission focused deep tech investor with a particular focus on the maritime and space domains. She is Managing Director, CapZone Impact Investments, a specialty investment fund where Opportunity Zones meets the National Interest. In this capacity she works on shaping investment areas and is responsible for business development/deal origination. CapZone Investments is the first Opportunity Zone fund that has invested in industrial infrastructure, in the maritime domain to be specific.

Ellen started her career as an officer in the U.S. Navy where she served as an intelligence officer. She later joined JP Morgan where, as a banker, she worked with the aerospace team, and, for a short period, in a pilot group that facilitated investing in start-ups. Amidst the dot-com era, Ellen founded a start-up in the aviation industry where the team focused on building a B2B aviation part sourcing and brokerage focused on business jets. On the heels of the dot-com-bust, Ellen was recalled into the Navy to support Desert Storm II. Following this recall, she jointed Northrop Grumman. During her 12 years at Northrop Grumman, she held positions as a systems engineer, then program manager then director of an advanced systems division. Her work included design and development of autonomous systems ranging from the Global Hawk to the Unmanned Carrier-based unmanned aerial system to concepts integrating space and air platforms.

Ellen holds a BA in history from the University of Pennsylvania, an MS in systems engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, and an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School. Ellen loves to run, taste wine, and travel. She is also co-founder of Wharton Aerospace and runs the innovation-ventures focused Wharton Aerospace Ventures.

Dr. Dan Flowers

Energy Security Program Leader, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Dan Flowers leads Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s (LLNL’s) applied energy program, which focuses on utilizing science and technology to accelerate the transition to low-carbon energy, including energy materials, hydrogen, carbon conversion, advanced transportation fuels, and subsurface energy. Flowers’ program supports sponsors in the Department of Energy’s applied energy offices, including the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the Office of Fossil Energy, the Office of Nuclear Energy, and the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy. Throughout his career, he has conducted research in technologies for advanced transportation, renewables, nuclear power, and national security. He holds a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Davis.

Mr. John Peterson

Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) G4 (Ret.), President, JPCE, Under contract with U.S. Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD)

Colonel John Peterson, USMC (Ret.) retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in June 2024 after a distinguished 30-year career spanning operational logistics, expeditionary warfare, and contested sustainment across multiple theaters. He now consults for the Department of Defense as an energy technology and acquisition subject matter expert and is the principal of an energy-focused technology firm supporting defense and national security missions.
Most recently, Colonel Peterson served with I Marine Expeditionary Force (IMEF) as the G-4, focusing on contested logistics and sustainment in the INDOPACOM theater. He previously served as the G-3 for 4th Marine Logistics Group (MLG) and held senior command roles including Deputy Commander and Regimental Commander of Combat Logistics Regiment-45, as well as Commanding Officer of Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS)-472 following deployment as Chief of Current Operations for U.S. Forces–Afghanistan.
Commissioned after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, Colonel Peterson began his career as a Combat Engineer Officer, deploying multiple times with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit to CENTCOM and INDOPACOM. Across his career, he held key logistics, operations, and technology roles—including service with 1st Force Service Support Group during Operation Iraqi Freedom and representation to MEF G-9—building a reputation for bridging operations, technology, and acquisition in complex environments.

LTC Matthew Dick

U.S. Army, Military Deputy, Operational Energy-Innovation (OE-I), Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy Resilience and Optimization, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment OUSD (A&S)

Rob Petrosino

Chief Innovation Officer, PeakActivity
Strategic Engagement Advisor for Artificial Intelligence, FBI

Rob Petrosino is a distinguished digital innovation expert and keynote speaker with over 10 years of experience guiding Fortune 100 companies and defense organizations through technological advancements. As the Chief Innovation Officer at PeakActivity, he leads initiatives in spatial computing, digital twins, generative AI, and machine learning, driving innovation across sectors like retail, manufacturing, B2B, and education. In addition to his corporate endeavors, Rob serves as a Strategic Engagement Advisor for Artificial Intelligence at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), focusing on AI's impact on national security. His insights have been featured in Forbes, and he has appeared on the Today Show, discussing the latest advancements in technology. His dynamic presentations transform complex tech trends into actionable business strategies, making him a sought-after speaker at conferences and workshops worldwide. Rob's passion for demystifying emerging technologies continues to inspire organizations globally, positioning him as a leading voice in digital innovation.

Barry Tishgart

Director of Corporate Ventures, Army Application Labs

Igor V. Dubinsky, PhD

DIRECTOR OF DEFENSE NUCLEAR PROGRAMS BWXT ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, LLC

Igor Dubinsky, JD, PhD. is the Director of Defense Nuclear Programs at BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC, focused on demonstrating and deploying new nuclear technology for national security applications.
Over more than two decades of military and civilian service, Dr. Dubinsky has served in key assignments within the US Special Operations and IndoPacific Commands and in senior roles across the national innovation enterprise. He also served at the US Senate as the National Security Advisor to the Vice-Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Senator Saxby Chambliss.
Dr. Dubinsky previously practiced Patent and Corporate Law for several international law firms. He also serves as a Colonel in the US Army Reserve as the Reserve Chief of Staff at Special Operations Command Pacific.
Dr. Dubinsky earned his PhD in Nuclear, Plasma & Radiological Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He also holds a JD from DePaul University, a Masters in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University, and a B.A. from Northwestern University.