Event Archive

Dr. Ashton B. Carter was sworn in as Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics on April 27, 2009.

Before assuming this position, Dr. Carter was chair of the International and Global Affairs faculty at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and Co-Director (with former Secretary of Defense William J. Perry) of the Preventive Defense Project, a research collaboration of Harvard and Stanford Universities. Dr. Carter was also Senior Partner at Global Technology Partners and a member of the Board of Trustees of the MITRE Corporation and the Advisory Boards of MIT’s Lincoln Laboratories and the Draper Laboratory. He was a consultant to Goldman, Sachs on international affairs and technology matters. He was a member of the Aspen Strategy Group, the Council on Foreign Relations, the American Physical Society, the International Institute of Strategic Studies, the Advisory Board of the Yale Journal of International Law, and the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. Dr. Carter was also Co-Chair of the Review Panel on Future Directions for DTRA (Defense Threat Reduction Agency) Missions and Capabilities to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction, Chair of the National Security Strategy and Policies Expert Working Group of the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States, a member of the National Missile Defense White Team, and a member of the National Academy of Sciences Committee on International Security and Arms Control. Read More

Vice Admiral Architzel currently serves as commander, Naval Air Systems Command, headquartered in Patuxent River, Md. He assumed his duties in May 2010, after serving as the principal military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Navy (Research, Development, and Acquisition).

Previous flag assignments included program executive officer for Aircraft Carriers; commander of Operational Test and Evaluation Force, Norfolk; commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic; commander, Naval Safety Center, Norfolk; commander, Iceland Defense Force; and commander, Fleet Air Keflavik.

At sea, Architzel served as the executive officer, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and Pre-Commissioning Unit John C. Stennis (CVN 74). He served as the commanding officer, USS Guam (LPH 9); flagship for commander Amphibious Squadron (CPR) 2; and the sixth commanding officer of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).

A career naval aviator, Architzel has accumulated more than 5,000 flight hours, 4,300 of those hours in the S-3, and the remainder in some 30 other aircraft types in his role as a test pilot at NAS Patuxent River. He served in Sea Control Squadron (VS) 30, deploying aboard USS Forrestal (CV 59), and as maintenance officer in VS-28, deploying aboard USS Independence (CV 62). He later returned to VS-30 as the executive officer and subsequently as commanding officer.

Architzel was born in Ogdensburg, N.Y., and raised in Merrick, Long Island. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics at the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1973 and also holds a Master of Science degree in aeronautical systems from the University of West Florida. He enjoys major league baseball, model trains and is a really average golfer.

His decorations include two Navy Distinguished Service Medals, the Defense Superior Service Medal, four Legions of Merit, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Navy Achievement Medal and various service related awards and campaign ribbons. He was also awarded the Spanish Naval Cross of Merit from His Majesty, King Juan Carlos of Spain, the Navy League's John Paul Jones Leadership Award for 1998, and the Commander's Cross with Star of the Icelandic Order of the Falcon presented by the president of Iceland.

Julian (JB) H. Burns, has served in BAE Systems (USA)  since January 05 as VP Business Development, and presently as VP Defense Affairs, after some 3 decades of Army Service -- last serving as Operations Chief in IFOR and SFOR, DCG of V Corps in Kosovo operations, Commanding General of a Joint Task Force in Israel in OPERATION DESERT FOX; and as Chief of Staff/Deputy Commanding General of FORSCOM. Since joining BAE Systems he has delivered wheel, combat and armaments solutions for Army, Marine and Navy security markets in Africa, Iraq, Afghanistan, NATO and in home markets in the USA, UK, Sweden and South Africa.

JB holds a BS degree from West Point as a Cavalry Officer, with Airborne-Ranger qualifications; a Master’s Degree in ORSA/Systems Management from the University of Southern California; and, the Army War College.  

JB is an avid athlete and sportsman, and absentee South Carolina tree farmer.  He is a member of the Carabao, the Cincinatti, and numerous professional organizations, and serves in the TRURO parish and on the boards of two faith-based Relief organizations.   He is a published author.   JB and his wife, Ruth Ann, have three daughters: Joan, with the world’s best granddaughter, Lindsay; Captain Julia Burns Furman, 3rd SF Group in Afghanistan; and Jacqueline, in Federal service in Bagdad.

Steven J. Cortese is Senior Vice President, Washington Operations for Alliant Techsystems (ATK), a premier aerospace and defense company with more than 18,000 employees and revenue in excess of $4.7 billion. He serves as ATK's chief representative to the Department of Defense, the U.S. Congress, and other branches of the Federal Government, and is responsible for coordinating all company activities in Washington, D.C.

Steve joined ATK in 2006 with more than 20 years of experience in legislative affairs in both the public and private sectors. He previously served as Vice President, Programs and Budgets, in the Washington Operations office of Lockheed Martin.

From 1986 to 2003, Steve worked for the Senate Appropriations Committee. He served in a number of key staff leadership positions including Minority and Majority Staff Director for both the full Appropriations Committee and the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.

Steve holds a Bachelor of Science degree in International Relations from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.

General Dunford was promoted to General and assumed the duties of Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps on 23 October 2010. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, General Dunford graduated from St. Michael's College and was commissioned in 1977.

General Dunford's assignments in the operating forces include Platoon and Company Commander, Co K, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines; Company Commander, Co A, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines; and Company Commander, Co L, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines. He served as the Operations, Plans, and Training Officer in 2d ANGLICO and the Regimental Executive Officer, 6th Marines. He commanded the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines and the 5th Marine Regiment. He served as the Chief of Staff, 1st Marine Division.

Other assignments include Aide to the Commanding General, III MEF and a tour in the Officer Assignment Branch, HQMC. He has also served as the Marine Officer Instructor, College of the Holy Cross; as a member of the Commandant's Staff Group; and as the Senior Aide to the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Joint assignments include service as the Executive Assistant to the Vice Chairman, JCS; Chief, Global and Multilateral Affairs Division (J5); and Vice Director for Operations (J3).

As a general officer, he has served as the Assistant Division Commander, 1st Marine Division; the Director, Operations Division, Plans, Policies and Operations, HQMC; and the Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations; and most recently as Commanding General, I MEF and Commander, Marine Forces Central Command.

General Dunford is a graduate of the U. S. Army Ranger School, Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School, and the U. S. Army War College. He holds an M.A. in Government from Georgetown University and an M.A. in International Relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

Captain Gebele has served in various assignments afloat, aloft and staff.  Upon graduating from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1987 and receiving his commission as an Ensign, he proceeded to his first afloat assignment on the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter JARVIS, home ported in Honolulu, HI, were he served as a Deck Watch Officer and Law Enforcement Boarding Officer.  His second tour was on the U.S Coast Guard Cutter NANTUCKET, a patrol boat stationed in Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico where he served as Executive Officer while actively participating in Counter Drug operations in the Caribbean.  Next, Captain Gebele attended Flight Training and was winged as Coast Guard Aviator number 3103 in 1992.  His first aviation assignment was at Air Station Clearwater, FL supporting search and rescue and counter drug operations in the Bahamas and Caribbean.  Captain Gebele was the final Coast Guard pilot to receive training in the HH-3F and had the pleasure of flying the Pelican until its final Coast Guard days of service before transitioning to the HH-60J Jayhawk.  In 1997 he traveled north to Air Station Sitka, AK where he served as Assistant Operations officer.  During his tour in Alaska he conducted search and rescue operations in the harshest weather environment imaginable.  After Sitka he moved to the Coast Guard Personnel Command in Washington, DC to work as an assignment officer.  After completing his three year staff assignment, he returned to the fleet as the Operations Officer at Air Station Cape Cod, MA, and again flew the HH-60J helicopter on search and rescue and Homeland Security missions.  Captain Gebele was then assigned as the initial Officer in Charge of the Maritime Security Response Team Air Wing based out of Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, NC.  In 2004 the Coast Guard formed this tactical air support element to provide high-end law enforcement support to Coast Guard tactical boarding teams.  From 2006-2008 Captain Gebele proudly served the public’s in the Eastern Great Lakes while serving as Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Air Station Detroit co-located with the Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Mount Clemens, MI.  After departing the Great Lakes, Captain Gebele transferred to Coast Guard HQ in Washington, DC and served as the Executive Assistant to the Assistant Commandant for Human Resources.  Captain Gebele most recently arrived at his current assignment at the National Maritime Intelligence Center in August 2010 and serves as the Deputy Director.

His military awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal, and the Coast Guard Sea Service Medal.

Captain Gebele is married and has an 18 year old daughter and a 13 year old son.

Dr. J. Michael Gilmore was sworn in as Director of Operational Test and Evaluation on September 23, 2009. A Presidential appointee confirmed by the United States Senate, he serves as the senior advisor to the Secretary of Defense on operational and live fire test and evaluation of Department of Defense weapon systems.

Prior to his current appointment, Dr. Gilmore was the Assistant Director for National Security at the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). In this position, he was responsible for CBO's National Security Division, which performs analyses of major policy and program issues in national defense, international affairs, and veterans' affairs. Specific areas of investigation included the long-term implications of current defense policies and programs, the implications of
transformation for equipping and operating U.S. military forces, the effectiveness and costs of alternative approaches to modernizing U.S. military forces, and the resource demands associated with operating and supporting U.S. military forces.

Dr. Gilmore is a former Deputy Director of General Purpose Programs within the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Program Analysis and Evaluation (OSD(PA&E)). As the Deputy Director, he was responsible for developing, formulating, and implementing Secretary of Defense policies on all aspects of Department of Defense general purpose programs, including analyzing the operational effectiveness and costs of U.S. conventional military forces and supporting programs. Before serving as a Deputy Director, Dr. Gilmore served as the Division Director of Operations Analysis and Procurement Planning, within the Office of the Deputy Director, Resource Analysis and prior to that as an Analyst for Strategic Defensive and Space Programs Division, Office of the Deputy Director, Strategic and Space Programs. Dr. Gilmore's service with Program Analysis and Evaluation covered 11 years.

Early in his career, Dr. Gilmore worked at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California performing research in their magnetic fusion energy program. He has also worked as an Analyst with the Falcon Associates, McLean, VA, and the McDonnell Douglas Washington Studies and Analysis Group, where he became Manager, Electronic Systems Company Analysis.

A native of Ohio and resident of Virginia, Dr. Gilmore is a graduate of The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he earned a B.S. in Physics. He subsequently earned a M.S. and Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.

As Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), Robert F. Hale is the principal advisor to Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates on all budgetary and fiscal matters, including the development and execution of the Defense Department’s annual budget of more than $600 billion. As Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Hale also oversees the Department’s financial policy, financial management systems, and business modernization efforts.

At the time of his nomination by President Barack Obama in January 2009, Robert Hale was Executive Director of the American Society of Military Comptrollers (ASMC), the professional association of Defense financial managers. For three-and-a-half years, he led the society's certification program (the Certified Defense Financial Manager program), as well as training programs, a professional journal, and other activities, including ASMC's National Professional Development Institute, an annual conference which attracts more than 3,500 participants.

From 1994 to 2001, Mr. Hale served in the Pentagon as the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Financial Management and Comptroller), where he was responsible for annual budgets of more than $70 billion, efforts to streamline Air Force financial management, and compliance with the Chief Financial Officers Act.

For the 12 years prior to his Air Force service, Mr. Hale headed the National Security Division at the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), developing quantitative analyses of major defense budget issues and testifying frequently before Congressional committees.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Hale was a senior fellow and head of the acquisition and grants management group at LMI, a consulting firm specializing in service to the Federal government. He also spent three years as an active duty officer in the U.S. Navy and served as a staff analyst and study director at the Center for Naval Analyses.

Mr. Hale graduated with honors from Stanford University with a B.S. in mathematics and statistics. He also holds a Master’s degree in operations research from Stanford and an MBA from the George Washington University. He is a Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM), a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, and a past member of the Defense Business Board.

The Honorable Zachary J. Lemnios was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 19, 2009, and sworn in as Director, Defense Research and Engineering (DDR&E) on July 2, 2009. The DDR&E is the principal staff advisor for research and engineering matters to the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (USD(AT&L)) and the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense. In this capacity, Mr. Lemnios serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for the Department of Defense charged with the development and oversight of DoD technology strategy in concert with the Department’s current and future requirements. The goal of DDR&E is to extend the capabilities of current war fighting systems, develop breakthrough capabilities, hedge against an uncertain future through a set of scientific and engineering options and counter strategic surprise. In cooperation with the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology (DUSD(A&T)), DDR&E also provides advice and assistance in developing policies for rapid technology transition.

Mr. Lemnios is a Principal member, Committee on Technology of the National Science and Technology Council; Advisor, Defense Acquisition Board; Chairman, Radiation Hardened Oversight Council (RHOC); Chairman, Defense Science and Technology Advisory Group (DSTAG); Chairman, Armed Services Biomedical Research Evaluation and Management Committee; Chairman, DoD Combat Feeding Research and Engineering Board (CFREB); and Chairman, DoD Biometrics Executive Committee.

Before assuming this position, Mr. Lemnios was the Chief Technology Officer of MIT Lincoln Laboratory, responsible for coordinating technology strategy across the organization and for establishing and growing external strategic relationships to support current and future Laboratory missions. He also served as Assistant Division Head of the MIT Lincoln Laboratory Solid State Division, as a member of the Laboratory's Senior Management Council and as the Co-Chair of the Laboratory's New Technology Initiative (NTI) Board.

Between 2002 and 2005, while at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Mr. Lemnios was Director of the Microsystems Technology Office (MTO), and previous to that, the Deputy Director of the Information Processing Technology Office (IPTO). In these positions, he oversaw the development of future research thrusts, analyzed and evaluated program proposals and engagements with commercial, academic organizations and represented DARPA on various national committees.

Mr. Lemnios held various positions within industry at Hughes Aircraft Company, Westinghouse Electric Corporation and Ford Microelectronics, Inc. that led to the development and demonstration of advanced microelectronic components. He has served on numerous DoD, industry and academic committees.

Mr. Lemnios received his BSEE from the University of Michigan and his MSEE from Washington University in St. Louis. He has authored over 40 papers, holds 4 patents in advanced GaAs device and MMIC technology and is a Senior Member of the IEEE.

Richard W. McKinney, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for Space Programs, Washington, D.C. He provides guidance, direction and oversight for the formulation, review and execution of military space programs. This includes oversight of all space and space-related acquisition plans, strategies and assessments for research, development, test, evaluation and space-related industrial base issues.

Mr. McKinney is a 1973 distinguished graduate of the Air Force ROTC program. He served 28 years on active duty, retiring as a colonel in May 2001. Mr. McKinney is certified level three in the acquisition areas of program management, acquisition logistics, and systems planning, research, development and engineering. He was the first Program Director of the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Program. Mr. McKinney was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in 2002.

Mr. McKinney previously served as the Director for Space Acquisition in the Office of the Under Secretary of the Air Force, and was the Air Force liaison to Europe to facilitate and expand Air Force international cooperation on space with Europe. Prior to his current assignment, he was Special Assistant to the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force where he was responsible for the review of the headquarters management of space responsibilities.

Lt. Gen. Christopher D. Miller is Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. In support of the Chief of Staff and Secretary of the Air Force, General Miller leads the development and integration of the Air Force's long-range plans and the more than $780 billion U.S. Air Force Future Years Defense Program to ensure Air Force ability to underwrite current and future national security objectives and military strategy.

General Miller entered Air Force service as a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1980, subsequently earning a master's degree from Oxford University. His staff assignments include three tours at Headquarters U.S. Air Force in international affairs, plans and policy positions; and service as policy adviser to the U.S. Ambassador to NATO. He has also been a Military Fellow at (and member of) the Council on Foreign Relations; the Director of Assignments at the Air Force Personnel Center; and Director of Plans, Policy and Strategy for North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command.

General Miller's operational assignments include B-1B initial cadre; command at squadron and group levels during maturation of B-1 global conventional strike capability; and command of America's only B-2 wing at Whiteman AFB, Mo. He has also served as the senior Air Force commander in Afghanistan, responsible for aircraft and airmen conducting joint and coalition reconstruction and combat operations. The general is a command pilot with more than 2,700 flying hours in B-2, B-1 and T-38 aircraft.

Lt. Gen. Thomas J. Owen is Commander, Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. As ASC Commander and Program Executive Officer for aircraft procurement and modernization, he leads the Air Force's center of excellence for development and acquisition of aeronautical systems. The center is responsible for the management of more than 556 Air Force, joint and international programs, executes an annual budget of $23 billion, and employs a work force of approximately 10,000 people located at Wright-Patterson AFB and 38 other locations worldwide.

General Owen entered the Air Force in 1978 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Early in his career he worked on B-52 Stratofortress, KC-135 Stratotanker and F-15 Eagle aircraft. The general has commanded an aircraft generation squadron maintaining F-16 Fighting Falcon and OA-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft; a maintenance squadron performing intermediate level aircraft and munitions maintenance; and a combat logistics support squadron providing F-16 and F-4 Phantom aircraft battle damage repair, supply and transportation support. He's been assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force in the Pentagon two times.

General Owen was the first logistics group commander for the first and only wing operating E-8C Joint STARS aircraft. For more than three years, he was Director of the C-5 System Program Office at San Antonio and Warner Robins Air Logistics Centers. He has also served as Director for the C-17 and F-22A System Program Offices at the Aeronautical Systems Center, and Director of Logistics, Installations and Mission Support at Headquarters Air Education and Training Command. He was Commander of the Warner Robins ALC. Prior to assuming his current duties, he was Director of Logistics and Sustainment, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command. General Owen holds Department of Defense Acquisition Corps Level III certifications in Program Management and Life Cycle Logistics.

Maj. Gen. James O. Poss is the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. He is responsible to the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force for policy formulation, planning, evaluation, oversight, and leadership of Air Force ISR capabilities.

General Poss received his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Southern Mississippi. He served in Desert Storm with the U.S. VII Corps RC-12 Guardrail Battalion in Saudi Arabia, and was Director of Intelligence for Central Command Air Forces deployed to Southwest Asia at the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom. The general commanded the 488th Intelligence Squadron, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, flying RC-135s in combat during the Kosovo Air War. He has also commanded the 609th Air Intelligence Group at Shaw AFB, S.C., and 70th Intelligence Wing at Fort George G. Meade, Md.

The general has previously served as the Director of intelligence at both Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Combat Command. Prior to his current assignment, he was Director, ISR Strategy, Integration and Doctrine, Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance, Headquarters U.S. Air Force.

Maj. Gen. David J. Scott is Director, Operational Capability Requirements, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans and Requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. In this position he establishes policy for operational capabilities-based requirements. The directorate supports major commands in developing and evaluating requirements for Air Force-wide modernization programs including fighters, bombers, mobility aircraft, space systems, command and control, munitions, missile defense and Air Force irregular warfare requirements. He chairs the Air Force Requirements Oversight Council and is responsible for shaping and finalizing capabilities-based requirements documents for approval by the Joint Requirements Oversight Council. He directs and supervises the activities of more than 150 military and civilian employees in 10 divisions, including requirements officers, weapon systems experts, and professional, technical and clerical staffers.

General Scott entered the Air Force in 1978, receiving his commission and degree through the U.S. Air Force Academy. He has served in a variety of positions at the squadron, group, wing and joint levels in Europe, the Pacific and the United States. He has commanded a fighter squadron, operations group and fighter wing. He also commanded the 31st Air Expeditionary Group where he coordinated the operation of American, British, Canadian, Spanish and Turkish aircraft flying from Aviano Air Base, Italy. The general has served as Chief of the Air Force House Liaison Office, Washington, D.C.; the Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff of Operations, Combined Forces Command and U.S. Forces Korea; and Vice Director of Operations, North American Aerospace Defense Command, Peterson AFB, Colo. Before his current assignment, he was Deputy Commander, Combined Air Operations Center 7, Component Command-Air Izmir, Allied Command Operations (NATO), Larissa, Greece.

The general is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours in the F-4, F-5 and F-16.

Vice Admiral Skinner is currently serving as the principal military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Navy (Research, Development, and Acquisition). He assumed his duties Aug. 9, 2010.

Skinner was born in Houston, Texas and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in June 1977.

As a flag officer, he was the program executive officer for Tactical Aircraft Programs and commanded Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division and served as assistant commander, Test and Evaluation, Naval Air Systems Command.

Skinner held both operational and shore commands to include commanding officer Patrol Squadron 47, chief test pilot and commanding officer of Naval Force Aircraft Test Squadron, and program manager for a chief of naval operations special project.

Stanley R. Szemborski is the Vice President of Corporate Strategy for Northrop Grumman Corporation.

In this role, he is responsible for the corporation's strategy activities, working closely with the corporate leadership, the business development and government relations organizations, and the business segments.  He joined Northrop Grumman Corporation in 2007.

Szemborski retired as a Vice Admiral from the U.S. Navy after 36 years of commissioned service. He served for ten years in senior Pentagon positions, most recently as principal deputy director, Program Analysis and Evaluation in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, where he provided the Secretary of Defense independent analytic advice regarding alternative force structures, cost-effective weapons systems and operational readiness. He also served on the Joint Staff as deputy director, Force Structure, Resources, and Requirements and as Director of the Operations Division, Fiscal Management and Budget for the Department of the Navy.

Previously, Szemborski commanded Submarine Squadron Four in Charleston, S.C.; and the nuclear-powered submarines USS Chicago and USS Houston.  He also served as an engineer officer of a nuclear-powered submarine and as a congressional liaison officer for the Department of the Navy.

Szemborski earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the United States Naval Academy, graduating with distinction, and a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. He has earned numerous awards including the Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal and the U.S. Navy Distinguished Service Medal.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Lieutenant General Vane assumed duties as Deputy Commanding General, Futures and Director of the Army Capabilities Integration Center on 20 August 2007 after serving on the Joint Staff as the Vice Director for Force  Structure, Resources, and Assessment (J8). 

In this position he is responsible to the Commanding General, TRADOC, for the design, development, and integration, into a joint warfighting environment, from concept to capability, all aspects of the Future Force.

Lieutenant General Michael A. Vane graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1975 and was initially commissioned as a signal officer.  He transitioned to Air Defense Artillery where he has commanded at all levels, from platoon, battery, battalion, brigade, Air and Missile Defense Command (AAMDC), and as Commanding General, US Army Air Defense Artillery Center and Fort Bliss, Texas.

In over thirty years of active duty, he has also held various positions of responsibility in the force development community serving within the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), as part of the Army Staff, and most recently on the Joint Staff. 

His unique assignments include serving as: Aide-de-Camp to the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm; Commander of the 4th Battalion, 3d ADA (Bradley/Stinger Fighting Vehicle-BSFV), 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized), Germany; Commander of the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Third US Army, Fort Bliss, Texas; Commanding General, 32nd AAMDC at Fort Bliss, and as Director for Doctrine, Concepts and Strategy for TRADOC.

He is a graduate of the Signal Officer Basic and Air Defense Artillery Officer Advanced Courses, the US Army Command and General Staff College, and the US Army War College.  He earned a Masters of Science Degree from the Naval Post Graduate School in Joint Command, Control, and Communications.  LTG Vane’s awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal the Parachutists Badge, the Army and Joint Staff Identification Badges, the German Silver Cross of Honor, and the French Order of National Merit.

Dyke Weatherington is the Deputy Director, Unmanned Warfare, Portfolio Systems Acquisition in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (OUSD) for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (AT&L) and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition. He is responsible for acquisition oversight for Department of Defense Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and associated subsystems, including sensors and communications links within the OUSD/AT&L. He is responsible for numerous UAS programs, including the Navy Unmanned Combat Air System, Global Hawk, Broad Area Maritime Surveillance, Predator, Extended – Range Multi-Purpose (ERMP), Reaper, Shadow, Fire Scout and many small UAS programs. Weatherington is also the functional lead for the Deputy Secretary of Defense directed UAS Task Force

Lieutenant General Wissler is currently serving as Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington DC.

Lieutenant General Wissler was born at Camp Pendleton, California and raised across the country, settling in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. He graduated with honors from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on 7 June 1978.

Lieutenant General Wissler's command assignments began with service commanding landing support (shore party) and combat engineer platoons, completing two 31st Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU) deployments to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. He deployed with MAU Service Support Group (MSSG) 31 with the MSSG Landing Support Platoon supporting OPERATION EAGLE CLAW in the Persian Gulf, and next commanded the Battalion Landing Team 3/3 Combat Engineer platoon. Lieutenant General Wissler also served as the Executive Officer, Engineer Company, Brigade Service Support Group, 1st Marine Brigade. His next command assignments occurred in 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, where he served as Commanding Officer for Headquarters and Service Company, "B" Company, and Engineer Support Company; deploying to Honduras with "B" Company and 2d Battalion 5th Marines as part of the I MEF Air Contingency Battalion. Field Grade command assignments began with service as the Executive Officer, Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Wing Support Group (MWSG) -17, 1st MAW, Okinawa, Japan; and continued with his assignment as Commanding Officer, 2d Combat Engineer Battalion, 2d Marine Division. Lieutenant General Wissler commanded twice as a Colonel, commanding 2d Transportation Support Battalion, 2d Force Service Support Group (FSSG), which served as the nucleus of Task Force Pegasus, providing operational and tactical level battlefield distribution capabilities in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force during Operation Iraqi Freedom during the liberation of Iraq; and as Commander, 2d FSSG Forward, II MEF Forward (MNF-W) for Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) 04-06. General Officer command assignments have included Commanding General, 2d FSSG (Fwd) and 2d Marine Logistics Group, II MEF; Deputy Commanding General, MNF-W during OIF 09; Deputy Commanding General, II MEF; and Commanding General, 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade.

Lieutenant General Wissler's staff assignments include Facilities Maintenance Officer for Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), San Diego; Battalion Operations Officer, 1st Combat Engineer Bn; Commandant of the Marine Corps' Amphibious Plans Study Group in support of Operation Desert Storm; Marine Corps Aide to the President from July 1991 to August 1993 serving Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton; Operations Officer and Executive Officer for MWSG-17, 1st MAW; Division Engineer, 2d Marine Division, II MEF; Deputy Director and Director, Strategic Initiatives Group, Plans, Policies & Operations Department, Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps where he headed the War Room for General James L. Jones, 32d Commandant of the Marine Corps; Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, 2d FSSG; and Senior Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense (The Honorable Gordon England). While serving the Deputy Secretary of Defense, at the request of the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Lieutenant General Wissler deployed to Iraq for two months in support of the Joint Forces Command Enabling Force Study that preceded "The Surge."

Lieutenant General Wissler has completed the Amphibious Warfare School non-resident program while in the Special Education Program; graduated with honors and was identified as a Distinguished Graduate at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), receiving a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and being awarded the AFIT Commandant's award for exceptional thesis research; is a distinguished graduate from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College Resident Program; completed the Armed Forces Staff College (now Joint Forces Staff College) at Norfolk, Virginia; and served as a Commandant of the Marine Corps and Federal Executive Fellow at The Brookings Institution in the Foreign Policy Studies Branch.

Bob Work was confirmed as the Under Secretary of the Navy on May 19, 2009. In this capacity, he serves as the deputy and principal assistant to the secretary of the Navy and acts with full authority of the secretary in the day-to-day management of the Department of the Navy. Bob is a former Marine Colonel who served faithfully for 27 years.  During this time he held a wide range of command, leadership, and management positions. He commanded an artillery battery and artillery battalion, and was the base commander at Camp Fuji, Japan. His last assignment was as Military Assistant and Senior Aide to the Honorable Richard J. Danzig, 71st secretary of the Navy.

After retiring from the Marine Corps, Work joined the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA), first as the senior fellow for maritime affairs, and later as the vice president for strategic studies. In these positions, he focused on defense strategy and programs, revolutions in war, Department of Defense transformation, and maritime affairs.