7:30 AM – 5:15 PM
Registration Open
8:00 AM – 9:45 AM
General Session: The Innovation Mindset
Part 1: How Cyber and AI Partnerships with Communities and Academia Give DOD an Edge
DOD is leading global efforts to build strong norms that will promote the responsible military use of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems and is seen as a global leader in responsible military use of AI and autonomy. For decades, DOD has been championing ethical AI principles and policies on autonomy in weapon systems for over a decade. While DOD relies on contracts with private companies to help develop, manufacture and supply advanced technologies, it is academia and universities that lead the way in expertise, research capacity and practical applications of new and emerging technologies to support the warfighter. This session will explore and expand on how academia and universities partner with DOD in cultivating responsible and ethical AI practices and principles.
Speakers:
- Tom Ford, Vice President, Association of Defense Communities; County Administrator, Grand Forks County, ND
- Andrew Armacost, President, University of North Dakota
- Eric Toler, Executive Director, Georgia Cyber Innovation & Training Center
- Maj. Gen. Larry Broadwell, Deputy Commander, 16th Air Force
- Jim Perschbach, President & CEO, Port San Antonio, TX
Part 2: Innovating the Workforce: Shaping the Future of Defense Communities
Join us for an engaging panel discussion on the future of workforce innovation in defense communities. This session will explore cutting-edge strategies and technologies driving change, the evolving needs of defense sectors, and how communities can adapt and thrive in a rapidly shifting landscape. It will delve into the “Skills Forward” approach, emphasizing the importance of upskilling and reskilling the workforce to meet emerging challenges. Learn how targeted training programs and continuous learning initiatives can equip personnel with the necessary skills to stay ahead in a dynamic environment. Industry experts, military leaders and workforce development professionals will share insights on talent acquisition, training and retention, as well as collaborative efforts to build a resilient and future-ready workforce. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the latest trends and best practices shaping the defense workforce of tomorrow.
Speakers:
- Lisanne McNew, Chair, National Association of Workforce Boards; President & CEO, SAFE Engineering
- Colin Newman, Director, Workforce & Economic Development, Amazon
- Sean Murphy, Director, Grant Portfolios, Walmart Foundation
- Traci Marques, Executive Director & CEO, Pikes Peak Workforce Center
9:45 AM – 10:00 AM
Networking Break
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
Breakout Sessions
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Data-Driven Installation Management
This panel will explore how artificial intelligence and machine learning can improve military installations’ readiness and efficiencies by harnessing the power of data and cloud. Panelists will discuss cutting-edge AI/ML applications, such as predictive maintenance, supply chain optimization, public safety and threat analysis, to enhance operational efficiency and improve decision-making. The panel will also discuss how AI/ML may address quality of life issues from accessing quality child care to addressing housing needs. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the practical implementation of AI/ML technologies on military installations and their potential to transform base operations.
Speakers:
- Paul Schaefer, Senior Manager, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff G4, Facilities, Logistics, Environmental Management Headquarters, U.S. Army Material Command
- Andy Napoli, Assistant Commander for Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC), Public Private Ventures (PPV), and Real Estate Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) HQ
- Matthew Bruce, Google Public Sector, Google AI/ML Principal
How Sentinel Landscape Partnerships Help Protect Community Water Resources: The Southwest Regional Case Study
The Sentinel Landscapes Partnership is a coalition of federal agencies, state and local governments, and non-governmental organizations that work with volunteering landowners and local defense communities to strengthen military readiness, conserve natural resources, bolster agricultural economies and enhance resilience to climate change. During this session, leaders from the Camp Bullis Sentinel Landscape Partnership in Texas and the Eastern New Mexico Sentinel Landscape will discuss their work to protect groundwater resources. Joint Base San Antonio—Camp Bullis straddles the Edwards and Trinity Aquifers. These aquifers provide drinking water for the installation and neighboring communities, which are seeing dramatic population growth and increased demand for limited water resources. In New Mexico, Cannon Air Force Base relies on the High Plains (Ogallala) Aquifer, which is being depleted while experiencing little recharge, as its only source of potable water. Join this session to learn about the challenges and successes of these locally led initiatives and how the broader coalition of the Sentinel Landscape Program is supporting defense communities across the country.
Speakers:
- Daniel Oppenheimer, Camp Bullis Sentinel Landscape Coordinator, Joint Base Camp Bullis, TX
- Ladona Clayton, Executive Director, Ogallala Land & Water Conservancy, Clovis, NM
Supporting Military Teen Well-Being in Outdoor Spaces
Exposure to nature has a host of mental health benefits, including improved attention, lower stress, better mood and reduced risk of psychiatric disorders. No matter the size of your community’s green spaces, learn how your community leaders, planners and policy makers can use the healing powers of Mother Nature to support military families. Besa Pinchotti, CEO of the National Military Family Association, will bring together NMFA’s leading experts on outdoor recreation and military teen well-being in conversation with Leidos and a local military teen to discuss the power of the outdoors to strengthen and refuel a community.
Speakers:
- Besa Pinchotti, CEO, National Military Family Association
- Aspen Bergmann, Strategic Impact, National Military Family Association
- Christy Brown, Operation Purple Program Manager, National Military Family Association
Strengthening Military Resilience and the Role of Partnerships in Tabletop Exercises: Examples from the Field
Speakers:
- Celeste Werner, Chief of Strategic Development, Matrix Design Group
- Col. Collin Keenan, Commander, Army Pine Bluff Arsenal, AR
- Noel Foster, Mayor, White Hall, AR
- Brian Hoffman, Vice Director, 502nd Air Base Wing, Joint Base San Antonio, TX
- Will McKnight, Senior Director, Alamo Area Council of Governments, TX
Critical Connectivity on Base
Reliable communication solutions on military bases are no longer a luxury; they are critical to enhancing mission readiness and supporting the well-being of service members and their families, ultimately contributing to national security and operational success. This session will address the connectivity gaps on military bases and present significant opportunities that are currently in use. Hear from a former commander and telecom experts about how they are revolutionizing connectivity on military bases by providing faster, more reliable and higher-capacity networks to significantly enhance mission-critical communications, improve real-time data sharing and support advanced applications like Internet of Things for better operational efficiency.
Speakers:
- Lou Zeisman, Military Liaison, Boldyn Networks
- Stephen Goetz, Vice President, Fiber Strategy and Business Development, Boldyn Networks
- Christine Habeck, Director, Site Acquisition, Boldyn Networks
Innovation Arsenal: Forging Future-Ready Installation and Community Partnerships
This breakout session addresses key barriers to effective civilian and military partnerships in advancing innovative concepts. Participants will engage in collaborative strategies to build dynamic, innovative partnerships that drive forward-thinking solutions.
Speakers:
- Col. Rich Bendelewski, Garrison Commander, Fort Gregg-Adams, VA
- Mike Flanagan, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, VA
- Becky McDonough, CEO, Hopewell & Prince George Chamber of Commerce, VA
- Jeff Stoke, County Administrator, Prince George County, VA
- Eric Tatum, Manager, Federal Energy Solutions, Dominion Energy
10:45 AM – 11:00 AM
Networking Break
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Breakout Sessions
Empowering Installation-Community Partnerships Through Professional Development
The presentation highlights the potential for collective impact when diverse organizations share a common goal of education and training, leveraging each other’s unique strengths and expertise to drive innovation and progress. By collaborating with partners from various institutions, the organizations can transcend the limitations of their perspectives, fostering a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges they face and developing more effective solutions. The Intergovernmental Service Agreement for Military for the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence and the Doolittle Scholars Program serve as a compelling example of this synergy in action, demonstrating how collaborative efforts can lead to enhanced professional development and strategic readiness for military personnel.
Speakers:
- Matt Stazenski, CIV, Air Force Community Partnership Manager, Department of the Air Force
- Brook Dickison Assistant Professor, Angelo State University, TX
- Lanna Hubbard, Dean of Arts and Sciences, Howard College, TX
- Jenna Jones, Chair of the Goodfellow Honorary Commander Association
Military Utility Privatization: Past, Present and Future
The Navy has a reinvigorated directive with funding to identify, develop and award third-party financed recapitalization and utility service contracts for mission priority installations. Utility systems under consideration include water, wastewater and electrical distribution systems and plants as allowed by 10 USC 2688.
Speakers:
- Nicole DuPriest, Vice President, JLL
- Ray Smalling, Program Manager, Utility Privatization, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command
- Gerald Boetsch Jr., PE, Chief, Utilities Privatization Branch, Air Force Civil Engineer Center
- Dr. Ali Bakhshi, PE, Program Manager, Utilities Privatization, Office of Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, G-9 (Installations)
- Martha Gray, Director, Defense Logistics Agency, Energy Utility Services
Military Child Education: How Are We Doing?
The Defense-State Liaison Office and the Clearinghouse for Military Readiness at Penn State University will unveil their collaborative research evaluating implementation of four DOD policy priorities supporting military child education: Advanced Enrollment, Purple Star Schools, the Military Student Identifier, and the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. Joined by military branch and community partners, this panel discusses the why behind DSLO and Penn State’s research, what’s next and what it means for military child education.
Speakers:
- Jerrod Wheeler, Superintendent, Knob Noster Public Schools, MO
- Daniel Perkins, Director, Clearinghouse on Military Family Readiness, Penn State University
- Jeremy Hilton, South Central Regional Liaison, Defense-State Liaison Office
- Lori Phipps, Chief, Dept. of the Air Force School Liaison Program, HQ Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, Air Force Services Center
- Becky Porter, CEO, Military Child Education Coalition
- Michelle Norman, Governor Appointee and Military Spouse, Virginia Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission
Propelling Community Resilience Through the Geographic Information System (GIS)
Communities and military installations are interconnected by resources that must be managed and shared in order to operate well now and into the future. The connections occur physically and culturally, at many scales, and involve diverse technical fields. No matter the size or subject, a shared understanding of the resource can transform friction to function. Geospatial technology is a broad capability that provides location-based insights and helps create that understanding, when applied with the outcome in mind. Join this session to learn of existing and future innovations in building community-installation resilience with applied GIS.
Speakers:
- Jack Haefner, Operational Readiness & Warfighter Support Team Lead, Esri
- Kevin Lariscy, Installation Geospatial Information & Services Director, Army Installation Management Command (G-4)
- Jennifer Alley, Federal Sustainability & Climate Lead, HDR
- Jared Ware, Senior Engineer and Director, Railroad Commission of Texas
Getting to Yes on the Defense Community Infrastructure Program: Examples From the Field
Speakers:
- Dan Glasson, Deputy Director for Community Investment, Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation
- Col. Michael Maloney, Commander, 910th Airlift Wing, Youngstown Air Reserve Base, OH
- Jonathan Ramsdell, Chief Public Affairs Officer, Rock Island Arsenal, IL
- Tania Nikolic, Community Planning & Liaison Officer, Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg, PA
- Greg Lipscomb, Community Plans & Liaison Officer, Marine Corps Installations Command, G-7 Modernization and Development Directorate
Healthcare Innovation in Defense Communities: The COMBAT Research Institute
The session will focus on healthcare innovation at the University of Colorado School of Medicine through their Colorado Center for COMBAT (Combat Medicine and Battlefield) Research Institute. The panel will discuss in a fireside chat format how the COMBAT Research Institute was started, what types of innovative research is being conducted, how local military installations and their communities are involved in and benefiting from the research, innovation, and healthcare solutions and the integration with the UCHealth Military Training Affiliation Agreements.
Speakers:
- Ron Fitch, President, UCHealth Pikes Peak Regional Hospital, Grandview Hospital and Military Affairs
- Vik Bebarta; Colonel, Air Force Reserve; Director, Colorado University Center for COMBAT Research; Vice Chair for Strategy and Growth and Professor, Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine
11:45 AM – 1:15 PM
Lunch (on your own)
1:15 PM – 2:00 PM
Breakout Sessions
The Wide World of Community Grant Opportunities
Many opportunities exist for installation and community resilience investment partnership projects because of grants from multiple agencies, especially given the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. Grants from federal and state agencies help with everything from wildfire, drought and flood mitigation to rebuilding and strengthening roads, airport, communications, water, forests, ecosystems, emergency response and energy infrastructure and systems. This session will provide a practical overview of the grant opportunities, how to identify key project types, and practical tips for how to apply and successfully acquire such grant funding to increase both installation and community resilience.
Speakers:
- Beth Lachman, Senior Operations Researcher, RAND
- J. Scott Pippin, Fort Moore, GA, IGSA Partner, The University of Georgia
- Lorie Vega, Deputy, 28th Mission Support Group, Ellsworth AFB, SD
Getting Innovative with Energy Resilience: The Implementation of Installation Small Modular Reactors
This Navy panel will discuss small modular reactors (SMR) and their place in the Navy’s plan to increase its energy security posture. SMR is the latest ground-breaking nuclear technology that provides smaller GW of power with more efficient designs and improved safety features. Given their smaller footprint, SMRs can be sited on locations not suitable for larger nuclear power plants. The panel will discuss Navy policy, an overview of the technology, and how benefits can extend to Navy installations as well as non-military partners.
Speakers:
- Commander Ben Kalish, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy
- Capt. Daniel Patrick, Commanding Officer, Naval Weapon Station Yorktown, VA
- Capt. Benjamin Goehring, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy
Advancing Indoor Environmental Conditions for Increased Readiness and Resilience
Indoor environments have a direct impact on the well-being, readiness and resiliency of service members and their families. With over 90% of time spent indoors, we begin by meeting service members right where they are with innovative solutions that can be implemented immediately in the home, creating a better tomorrow for our military. During this session, presenters will share science-backed, third party-verified solutions that are proven to promote wellness and will ultimately contribute to an increased quality of life, offer valuable insights into policies, scientific advancements and successful implementations, and provide guidance on building resilient communities.
Speakers:
- Rob Bellmar, President, Vitacorps
- Pete Sims, Managing Director, DOD, Corvias
- Mark Colón, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Housing
- Elizabeth Miles, Vice President, Residential, IWBI
Securing the Future: Building Cyber Resilience Through Community Engagement
In today’s digital age, the cybersecurity workforce is essential for safeguarding national security and supporting government missions. This panel will explore the intersection of community, education and military partnerships in cultivating a robust cyber workforce. Attendees will learn how to effectively leverage grants, academic partnerships and research initiatives to integrate cyber programs in their communities, enhancing mission readiness and resilience. The discussion will also focus on building local cyber talent, addressing workforce needs and understanding the community impacts.
Speakers:
- Elaine Bryant, Executive Vice President for Aerospace & Defense, Dayton Development Coalition; Managing Director, Military & Federal Sector, JobsOhio; ADC Board of Directors
- Dan Rhoades, Chief Operations Officer, 21st Century Partnership for Warner Robins Air Force Base, GA
- Brittany Smart, Senior Advisor for Defense, Community and Research, University of Alaska Fairbanks
- Col. Darren Hamilton, Commander, 179th Cyberspace Wing, Mansfield Lahm Air National Guard Base, OH
Forging Ahead with the Intergovernmental Support Program: Lessons From the Field
Speakers:
- Jill McClune, Board of Directors, Aberdeen Proving Ground Alliance; Co-Chair, ADC Federal Outreach & Advisory Council
- Dianne Smith, Management & Program Analyst, Plans, Analysis and Integration, Fort Walker, VA
- Gef Fisher, Chief, Environmental and Natural Resources Division, Directorate of Public Works, Fort Walker, VA
- John Anderson, Executive Director, Community & Mission Integration, Joint Base San Antonio & 502 Air Base Wing, TX
- Jessica Ward, IGSA Coordinator, Navy Region Southwest (N55) Business Office, Naval Base San Diego, CA
Black Start Exercise: Lessons Learned from the Field
During a full-scale exercise, a simulated tornado on the installation also takes out the power grid. This session will dive into the results and explore the lessons learned on how the installation staff worked to keep the base operational in the face a natural disaster.
Speakers:
- Damian Haye, Energy Manager, Fort Moore, GA
- Brandon Landis, Supervisor, Plans and Operations, Army Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security
- Lindsey Warner, DPW Utility Specialist, Fort Moore, GA
2:00 PM – 2:15 PM
Networking Break
2:15 PM – 3:00 PM
General Session
Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation Town Hall
Speakers:
- Patrick O’Brien, Director, Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation
3:00 PM – 4:15 PM
General Session: Innovating for Tomorrow
Part 1: Great American Defense Communities Presentation
- Scott Landguth, Executive Director, South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority
- Carl Geffken, City Administrator, City of Fort Smith, AR
Part 2: Technology-Driven Innovation: Responsible AI at the Installation
The relationship between innovation and socio-technical responsibility continues to hold immense significance as we integrate AI into all aspects of our defense communities. This panel brings together a distinguished lineup of speakers to explore the ethical considerations surrounding the development and deployment of innovative AI to support installations, protect our warfighters and provide decision advantage. It will examine strategies to engage stakeholders across the defense community, industry and government with senior representatives from the Chief Digital and AI Office and service component/installation representatives discussing use case examples.
Speakers:
- Gerald O’Brien, Chief, Requirements Development Branch, Air Force Civil Engineer Center
- Troy Gonzales, Booz Allen AI Digital Transformation Executive
4:15 PM – 4:30 PM
Networking Break
4:30 PM – 5:15 PM
Breakout Sessions
How Your Installation and Community Can Support Recruitment, Retention and Mental Health Through Esports and Gaming
Engage with a distinguished panel of representatives from various branches of the military, along with service member-based organizations, to explore how the integration of esports and gaming on military bases can enhance recruitment and retention, build strong communities and provide essential mental health support for active duty personnel. This session will highlight successful initiatives and examine the transformative impact of gaming on military life, fostering a more engaged and resilient force.
Speakers:
- Josh Otero, Founder & Chairman, Warrior Gaming Foundation
- Chris “Wiley7” Wiley, Chief, Air Force Esports
- TSgt Justyn Guthier, NCOIC, Space Force Esports & Sports
- SSG Joseph Edwards, NCOIC, Army Esports, Marketing & Engagement Brigade
- Hugo “Juice” Flores, Esports Program Manager, National Guard Bureau
- PO1 Claudio Giugliano, Atlantic Strike Team & Coast Guard Gaming
How Utilities Privatization Supports Mission and the Community
Maximize the value of utilities privatization contracts by providing reliability, resilience, efficiency and sustainability improvements to the installation and surrounding communities. Utilities privatization’s goal is to be more than just the company operating and maintaining electric power. We want to partner with installations and be a part of the community.
Speakers:
- Brian Dosa, Director, Directorate of Public Works, Fort Cavazos, TX
- Vonzell Mattocks, Director, Community and Military Partnerships, Northern Virginia Regional Commission
- Maj. Gen. Michelle Donahue, Commanding General, Army Combined Arms Support Command and Sustainment Center of Excellence and Fort Gregg-Adams, VA
- Jeffrey Stoke, CEcD, ICMA-CM, County Administrator, Prince George County, VA
- Paul Matthews, Director, Federal Energy Solutions, Dominion Energy
Forging Ahead with the Intergovernmental Support Program, Part 2: Lessons from the Field
Speakers:
- George Schlossberg, Partner, Kutak Rock; ADC General Counsel
- Elizabeth Guzman, Intergovernmental Support Agreement Manager, PAIO, Fort Moore, GA
- Kelley Paskow, Analysis & Integration Office Lead, Fort Riley, KS
- Jennifer Burcham, Business Program Lead, Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA
- Steven Sadlowski, Community Planning & Liaison Officer, Subbase New London, CT
- Amy Probsdorfer Kelley, Community Initiatives Director, 10th Air Base Wing, Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO
Beyond the Fenceline: Leveraging Enhanced Use Leases for Community and Innovation Synergy
Speakers:
- Erik Mitchell, Deputy Garrison Commander, West Point, NY
- Julia Cantrell, Chief, Real Estate Development EUL Execution Branch, Air Force Civil Engineer Center
Artificial Intelligence Blueprint: Implementing Impactful AI Solutions in Defense Communities
Integrating AI at the installation goes beyond the creation of a complex model. Join us for an interactive exploration into the AI Blueprint: the path to integrate AI. Discover the diverse components of AI, then engage in a hands-on workshop where you will experiment with the key data, model and integration considerations for implementing AI solutions to infrastructure, cybersecurity and installation challenges.
Speakers:
- Nicole Lach, Lead Associate, Booz Allen Hamilton
- Josh Braden, Energy Data Specialist and AI Engineer, Booz Allen Hamilton
- Juhi Choudhury, Senior Consultant and AI & ML Analyst, Booz Allen Hamilton
Getting Organized at the Local Level: Best Practices from the Field
The Mississippi Governor’s Office of Military Affairs and the University of Southern Mississippi recently completed a study of defense communities looking for best practices. Panelists will discuss the study and provide examples of how their communities are organized to support defense installations.
Speakers:
- Jace Ponder, Director, Mississippi Governor’s Office of Military Affairs
- Dianne Smith, Plans, Analysis & Integration Office, Fort Walker, GA
- Tom Clark, Executive Director, Alliance for Fort Eisenhower, GA
- Sam Anderson, Executive Vice President SOFtact Solutions
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Night Out at the Alamo with America’s Great Defense Communities