General Session Biographies
41st Annual International Test & Evaluation Symposium
Introduction of our Symposium Co-Chairs:
Dr. Michael Barton
J. Michael Barton, Ph.D., Parsons Fellow and ITEA Vice Chairman, has worked on the Aberdeen Proving Ground since 2001, spending the first 10 years supporting the US Army Developmental Test Command and later the Army Test and Evaluation Command. He joined the Army Research Laboratory in April 2015, working in large-scale data analytics, high-performance computing, and outreach to test and evaluation and other ARL stakeholders. Dr. Barton’s entire career is in physics-based modeling and simulation. He spent 6 years as a consultant in the aerospace industry; 12 years as a contractor supporting the Air Force at the Arnold Engineering Developmental Center in Tennessee and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Glenn Research Center in Ohio; and the first 4 years of his career with The Boeing Company in Seattle. He has worked for Parsons Corporation for the past 9 years. He received Bachelor of Science and Ph.D. degrees in engineering science and mechanics from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and a Master of Engineering degree in aeronautics and Astronautics from the University of Washington.
Lewis Hundley
Mr. Lewis Hundley is Vice President of Community Development for Trideum Corporation and has 36 years of experience in DoD engineering support services including the last 26 in test and evaluation support for Redstone Test Center (RTC) and the Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC). After Graduating from Auburn University in Electrical Engineering in 1988, Mr. Hundley went to work for Teledyne Brown Engineering where he spend 10 years doing modeling and simulation work in nuclear survivability, system of systems modeling in the Extended Air Defense Test Bed (EADTB), and engineering support to the buildup of HERA target missiles. After Teledyne, Mr. Hundley worked 7 years for AMTEC Corporation where he was immersed in the world of test and evaluation. His focus at AMTEC and Trideum has been in the application of advanced technologies to test and evaluation to support requirements of emerging weapon systems. He has specialized in provided strategic support to the buildup of technologies and test capabilities. Mr. Hundley has been involved with ITEA since 1998 and has served as the Rocket City Chapter President for the last 8 years. Mr. Hundley also helped create and now serves on the board and as President of the Trideum Foundation (a 501c3 charitable organization). Mr. Hundley is active in his church and enjoys spending his free time with his wife and three daughters.
Tuesday, November 5
Representative Dale W. Strong, Fifth Congressional District (Huntsville) – By Video
Congressman Dale Strong has deep family roots in North Alabama. A graduate of Sparkman High School, Dale holds a bachelor’s degree from Athens State University and an EMT license from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
No stranger to hard work, Dale grew up working at his father’s country store. Dale’s father, Horace, launched a tour bus business taking North Alabama school and church groups on charter trips across the country. Working alongside his father, Dale’s efforts helped put him, his brother and sister through college.
A true public servant, Dale has spent his entire adult life as a committed first responder. The congressman, who has served for more than three decades as an EMT, volunteer firefighter and 911 dispatcher, holds a Medal of Valor in recognition of his unwavering dedication to saving lives.
In 1996, Dale became the youngest Republican elected official in the state of Alabama when he was elected to serve on the Madison County Commission, representing District 4. In this capacity, Dale led numerous public safety and infrastructure initiatives, improving the quality of life for county residents.
Dale married Laura Toney in 1999. The couple, who has been married for 24 years, have two children: Whitney and Harrison, who are both attending Auburn University. The family attends Mt. Zion Baptist Church, the same church family Dale shared as a child.
In 2012, Dale was elected as the Madison County Commission’s first-ever Republican chairman. Taking a business-minded approach to local government, Dale reduced the county workforce, brought about department efficiency, and implement sound financial management. Without raising taxes, Dale’s leadership resulted in the construction of new roads and schools across Madison County.
Throughout his tenure as chairman of the Madison County Commission, Dale collaborated with leaders across North Alabama to successfully recruit game-changing projects such as Toyota Mazda, Polaris, Facebook, Blue Origin, and GE Aviation to the region. He also played a vital role in working alongside Alabama’s federal delegation to support Redstone Arsenal and Research Park.
In November 2022, Dale was elected to serve as the next congressman for Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District. Upon assuming office, Dale immediately began to advocate for his constituency, receiving assignments to serve on the House Armed Services, Homeland Security, and Science, Space and Technology Committees for the 118th Congress.
The Honorable Thomas “Tommy” M. Battle Jr., Mayor of Huntsville
Elected in 2024 to serve a fifth term, Mayor Tommy Battle is dedicated to creating jobs, diversifying Huntsville’s economic base and enhancing the City’s quality of life. Through his leadership, the Mayor has assembled a coalition of regional leaders committed to recruiting industry, workforce development and high quality education. As a result, Huntsville leads the state in new jobs and economic investment.
The Mayor’s goal is to make the best possible use of Huntsville’s collective brainpower to ensure that the City becomes a global leader in innovation, research and development. GEO, Cyber, Energy and Biotech initiatives work to unite the City’s rich intellectual capital with new opportunities.
Mayor Battle believes Huntsville’s continued success is a result of its ability to think strategically for the long-term. He directed the City’s planning department to enjoin the community in a comprehensive master plan that will shape the city’s future for decades to come. The BIG Picture is tackling planning and quality of life decisions regarding neighborhood revitalization, urban redevelopment, recreation, transportation, design standards, and code and zoning changes.
The Mayor works for smart, measured growth with an infrastructure that allows citizens to maintain a high quality of life. When state and federal transportation budgets were cut, Battle negotiated an unprecedented $250 million, five-year, cost-sharing road package with the State to ensure Huntsville would build the critical roads it needs to move traffic.
A champion of teamwork, Battle strives to work collaboratively with leadership and citizens. Through the Mayor’s fiscally conservative leadership, the City has maintained a balanced budget and earned triple-A credit ratings from two leading rating agencies every year since 2009. Triple A credit is a distinction held by a small percentage of municipalities in the U.S. As a result, Huntsville is in an enviable position of stability and growth that has earned it global attention.
Born in Birmingham in 1955, Mayor Battle moved to Huntsville in 1980 after receiving a business degree from The University of Alabama. Four years later, he was elected to the Huntsville City Council, where he served as Finance Chair. His successful career as an entrepreneur and businessman, along with nearly 30 years of community service, effectively prepared him for the demanding role as the City’s chief executive officer, recruiter, and champion of Huntsville’s future.
The Mayor was married to the late Eula Sammons Battle, a retired kindergarten teacher and co-founder of Free 2 Teach. They have one son, Drew, daughter-in-law, Lauren, and two grandsons, George and Benjamin.
John V. Bolino
John Bolino is a highly respected leader in the field of test and evaluation, best known for being the only individual to serve two terms as President of the International Test and Evaluation Association (ITEA). His dedication to the profession is further demonstrated by his participation in every one of ITEA’s first thirty national symposia.
John’s distinguished career includes serving as a Senior Executive in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, where he managed thirty Major Ranges and Test Facilities. After his government service, he transitioned to the private sector as Vice President for International Business at a prominent test and evaluation corporation.
Today, John continues to share his expertise through consulting while residing in Norman, Oklahoma. He remains actively engaged in learning by attending seminars at the University of Oklahoma, all while enjoying time with his family.
Andrew Caldwell, UK Ministry of Defense
Andy Caldwell took up the appointment of Head Research and Development, Test and Evaluation in MOD’s Strategic Programmes Directorate in September 2021. This post includes being the senior responsible owner for Test and Evaluation (T&E), including the Test, Trials, Training and Evaluation (T3E) run by QinetiQ on behalf of MOD and the T&E Transformation Programme run by MOD. On the R&D side of the role responsibilities include the deployment of MOD’s R&D database (project ORCHARD). In conjunction with Defence Science & Technology and Defence Innovation Directorate Andy co-leads the Department’s request for future R&D uplift funding to bolster existing MOD Head Office and Command budgets.
Prior to this role Andy was the Head of MOD’s Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA). In 2020 Andy completed the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) and associated King’s College London MA in International Security and Strategy. Prior to RCDS Andy worked for the Government Chief Scientific Advisor as Deputy Director Science Policy and during the Covid-19 emergency Andy worked in Cabinet Office’s Civil Contingencies Secretariat. Before these roles Andy spent three years as Head Scientific Advice, in MOD’s Defence Science and Technology directorate.
Andy has a background in materials engineering and operational analysis having started his career at British Steel. Andy moved to the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) in 1997. Andy’s career has included secondments to the Pentagon 2007-2010 and a tour as Deputy Scientific Adviser to Task Force Helmand Afghanistan in 2011. Andy was Scientific Adviser to MOD’s Security, Policy and Operations directorate 2011-2013. In his early career Andy led Force Structure and Stability Operations analysis at Dstl, co-leading Dstl’s input into Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010.
Andy is a Fellow of the Operations Research Society and has an MSc in Peace Operations from George Mason University’s School of Public Policy. He was awarded the Office of the Secretary of Defense medal for exceptional public service in 2010.
Andy is married to Claire and they have two grown up children. Andy’s hobbies include playing board games, running and listening to the radio on Saturdays, hoping that the various football clubs that he and his family support stave off relegation for another year.
Panel 1 Senior T&E Leaders, Challenges of Emerging Technology
Moderator: Mark Phillips, CTEP, Engineering Fellow & Chief Engineer, Raytheon Missiles and Defense
Mark Phillips joined Raytheon Technologies in June of 2019 and is presently the Chief Engineer for Domain Awareness & Precision Strike (AGM-176 Griffin, AGM-88 HARM & AGM-65 Maverick Missiles) and a Systems Engineering Fellow in the Systems Integration and Test (SI&T) Organization. Mark has worked across all business units within Raytheon developing growth in the areas of artificial intelligence, data links and alternate weapon architectures. Prior to his current role he was the Lead engineer for the USAF Golden Horde and the Rapid Dragon programs developing the ADM-160C Miniature Air Launched Munition (MALD) with advanced capabilities. Mark previously worked at Lockheed Martin Rotary & Mission Systems (RMS) as a Principal Architect on the National Cyber Range (NCR) and as the Principal Investigator for the DoD Test Resource Management Center (TRMC) on Live, Virtual and Constructive (LVC) integration for Operational Test focusing on fast jet (principally F-16 and F-35) working in Europe, Asia, and Australia supporting the Skunkworks. From 2016 to 2019 Mark was selected to support Plan Jericho – restructure of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) to a 5th Generation Force.
Prior to Lockheed Martin he had extensive experience in Artificial Intelligence and Distributed Simulation internationally with Applied Mathematics France (MASA), Presagis (Canada) as a Principal Technical Director for General Dynamics (reporting to the Joint Staff J7) and as a Battle Laboratory Director for the Virginia Modeling Analysis and Simulation Center (VMASC) Old Dominion University and as the Co-Chair for the Joint Commission on Technology and Science for the State of Virginia. Mark has an extensive history in the application of Modeling and Simulation to Training, Experimentation and Test going back to 1996 – 1999 when he was the Chief Engineer for Combat Simulation for the Australian Army.
Mark is a graduate of the Royal Military College of Australia; he holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (Honors) from the University of New South Wales, a Master of Engineering (Modelling and Simulation) and is a Ph.D. candidate in Systems Engineering (majoring in Mission Engineering) at Old Dominion University. Mark retired from the Australian Army as a Major in February of 2000 and served on in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) reserves until 2008 liaising between the US and Australia. Mark volunteers and serves as the Chairman on the Executive Board and the Board of Examiners of the International Test and Evaluation Association (ITEA), Vice President for the Southern Arizona Chapter of INCOSE and previously served on the Executive Board of the Linux Professional Institute.
George J. Rumford, SES, Director, Test Resource Management Center (TRMC)
George Rumford is the Director of the Department of Defense (DoD) Test Resource Management Center (TRMC), a field activity that reports directly to the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering within the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
The TRMC mission is the readiness of DoD test and evaluation (T&E) capabilities, infrastructure, and workforce to support DoD modernization. The TRMC provides governance over DoD test resources (open-air test ranges, ground test facilities, hardware-in-the-loop laboratories, measurement facilities, software testbeds, and modeling and simulation used for testing), including the Major Range and Test Facility Base (MRTFB). In this capacity, the Director is statutorily required to review and certify the T&E resource budgets for each Service and Defense Agency for adequacy for their mission. In addition, as the Executive Agent for Cyber Test Ranges, Mr. Rumford is responsible for the Department’s cyber test capabilities, including the National Cyber Range Complex.
The TRMC forecasts future T&E needs, defining strategic investment portfolios to test hypersonics, directed energy, autonomy and artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, cyber, nuclear effects, space systems, and multi-domain operations. Addressing the highest priority test gaps, the TRMC invests in the development of new and upgraded test resources, executed in partnership with the Services and Defense Agencies, to improve Joint and multi-Service DoD test capabilities that support acquiring advanced warfighting capabilities.
Previously, Mr. Rumford was responsible for Major Initiatives and Technical Analyses in the TRMC, serving as the Program Manager for the Test and Evaluation / Science and Technology (T&E/S&T) Program. Sponsoring advanced technology research and development in industry, academia, and government laboratories, the T&E/S&T Program develops test technologies to upgrade the capabilities at test and training ranges, with a specific focus on supporting modernization priorities aligned with national strategic guidance.
Prior to joining the TRMC, Mr. Rumford worked at the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and for the Army at White Sands Missile Range, supporting the testing of missile defense systems, space systems, and several multi-range, multi-Service exercises.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Mr. Rumford has received degrees with honors in Electrical Engineering and in Computer Engineering from the University of Missouri.
The Honorable Dr. Douglas C. Schmidt, Director, Operational Test & Evaluation
Dr. Douglas C. Schmidt was sworn in as Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) on April 8, 2024. 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. DOT&E provides direct and independent reporting to Congress to give them unbiased, unvarnished assessments of system performance.
Prior to DOT&E, Dr. Schmidt served as the Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Engineering in Computer Science, the Associate Chair of Computer Science, and a Senior Researcher at the Institute for Software Integrated Systems at Vanderbilt University. He was also a Visiting Scientist at the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University, where he served as the Chief Technology Officer from 2010 to 2012.
From 2010 to 2014, Dr. Schmidt was a member of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, where he served as vice chair of studies on cyber situational awareness for Air Force mission operations and on sustaining hardware and software for U.S. aircraft. He also served on the advisory board for the joint Army/Navy Future Airborne Capability Environment initiative. From 2000 to 2003, Dr. Schmidt served as a program manager in the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Information Exploitation Office (IXO) and Information Technology Office (ITO).
Dr. Schmidt is an internationally renowned and widely cited researcher whose work focuses on patterns, optimization techniques, and empirical analyses of object-oriented and component-based frameworks and model-driven engineering tools that facilitate the development of distributed real-time and embedded (DRE) middleware frameworks and mobile cloud computing applications on parallel platforms running over wireless/wired networks and embedded system interconnects. His recent research focused on prompt engineering techniques and patterns that enhance the accuracy and expressiveness of large language models and generative augmented intelligence platforms.
He has published 10+ books and over 700 papers in top technical journals, conferences, and books covering a range of topics, including high-performance communication software systems, parallel processing for high-speed networking protocols, and DRE middleware with Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA), Real-time Java, object-oriented patterns for concurrent and distributed systems, concurrent and networked software for mobile devices, and model-driven engineering tools.
Dr. Schmidt served as the co-chair for the Software Design and Productivity (SDP) Coordinating Group of the Federal Government’s multi-agency Information Technology (IT) Research and Development Program, the collaborative IT research effort of the major Federal science and technology agencies. The SDP Coordinating Group formulates the multi-agency research agenda in fundamental software design. Dr. Schmidt also served as the Deputy Director of the DARPA ITO, where he helped to set the national IT research and development agenda and manage the autonomous systems, network-centric command and control systems, distributed real-time and embedded systems, and augmented cognition.
In addition to his academic research, teaching, and government service, Dr. Schmidt has three decades of experience developing DRE middleware, model-driven engineering tools, and mobile cloud computing apps. He has led the development of the ADAPTIVE Communication Environment (ACE), which is a set of widely used, freely available object-oriented frameworks that contain a rich set of components that implement patterns for mission-critical DRE systems.
Dr. Schmidt received Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in Sociology from the College of William and Mary and Master of Science and Doctorate degrees in Computer Science from the University of California, Irvine.
James S. Wells, SES, Director Test and Evaluation, Department of Homeland Security
James S. Wells is a member of the Senior Executive Service and assumed duties as the Director of Test and Evaluation for the Department of Homeland Security in July 2021 after serving as the Acting Director since mid-2020. In this role, he is the principal advisor on T&E to the Office of the Secretary, Component Heads, and the Chief Acquisition Officer and acts as the primary liaison with outside parties regarding T&E. His office is responsible for establishing T&E policies, providing independent T&E oversight of major DHS acquisition programs, training the DHS T&E workforce, and advancing the T&E state-of-the-art within DHS.
In July 2014, Mr. Wells joined the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Test and Evaluation as the first Deputy Director for Cyberspace and Homeland Security Enterprise Programs. In addition to managing the T&E oversight of a wide range of major acquisition programs across DHS, he led the development and coordination of the Department’s first policies on cyber resilience operational T&E and threat assessment in support of T&E.
Mr. Wells served as the Deputy Director for Cyber and Information Systems for the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Developmental Test and Evaluation from September 2011 to June 2014. While there he managed a team responsible for the developmental test and evaluation of major Defense acquisition programs including communications systems, radars, command and control systems, intelligence systems, and business systems.
Mr. Wells served in the Army Test and Evaluation Command from 2003 to 2011, initially as an Army Officer and then as a civil servant. He was an evaluator and team leader for a variety of small unit battle command systems and spent time as the Assistant Technical Director for ATEC. He completed his time there as a Division Chief managing a team responsible for the evaluation of battle command, combat identification, and networked training systems.
Mr. Wells left the US Army in 2005 after ten years of service. While in uniform, he served in a variety of assignments in armor and cavalry units including deployments to Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1996 as a Scout Platoon Leader and to Iraq in 2003 as a Tank Company Commander. He was commissioned as an Armor officer in 1994.
Mr. Wells has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Military Academy and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School at the National Defense University. He is a graduate of the Leadership for a Democratic Society at the Federal Executive Institute and holds various government certifications in Test & Evaluation, Systems Engineering, and Program Management. He is an active member of the International Test and Evaluation Association serving as the DHS Advisor to the Board of Directors from 2015 to 2021.
Christopher C. Collins, SES, Executive Director, Developmental Test, Evaluation and Assessments (DTE&A)
Christopher C. Collins is the Executive Director, Developmental Test, Evaluation, and Assessments (ED,DTE&A) within the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense (Research and Engineering). DTE&A provides support to DoD acquisition programs in the use of innovative and efficient DT&E strategies to ensure production readiness and fielded systems meet Warfighter/User needs; improve the Defense Acquisition T&E workforce “practice of the profession;” and advance T&E policy and guidance. DTE&A also conducts Independent Technical Review Assessments (ITRA) and Milestone Assessments for major acquisition programs.
Mr. Collins was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in April 2020. Prior to his appointment, he was the COMNAVSEASYSCOM Deputy for Test and Evaluation. He has also served within various engineering and test leadership positions in the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Program within the Missile Defense Agency, and also completed a one-year experiential assignment with the U.S. Air Force on the Headquarters Staff.
Mr. Collins career began in 1984 with a commission from the U.S. Naval Academy. Mr. Collins completed an combined Active Component and Reserve Component career and retired after 30 years at the rank of Navy Captain. Mr. Collins completed several deployments as a Navy helicopter pilot while on active duty, and supported Navy technology transition initiatives and assessments at the Office of Naval Research while on reserve duty. During his reserve tenure, Mr. Collins held command of two Reserve Component Commands.
Mr. Collins has a Bachelor’s of Science in Electrical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and a Master’s of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. Mr. Collins also graduated with distinction from both the Navy Command and Staff College (distance education) and the Air War College (in-resident). Mr. Collins is a graduate of the 2016 cohort of the Defense Senior Leader Development Program. Mr. Collins is a member of the Defense Acquisition Corps, and has achieved Level III Certification in Program Management, Engineering, and Test and Evaluation.
Martin Suech, Traffic Services Test and Evaluation Division, FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center
Marty Suech is the Manager of the Enterprise Services Test and Evaluation Division at the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center. He leads a team of technical professionals and test engineers who provide quality (ISO 9001:2015 certified) test and evaluation products and services for the National Airspace System (NAS). The division performs activities associated with testing, analyzing, and evaluating systems, services and new operational improvements to ensure they meet specifications, satisfy requirements, and are operationally suitable and effective for deployment to the field. In addition, Marty services as a champion for the Info-Centric NAS emerging operational concepts and technologies. He provides leadership to the Technical Center’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) Team on multiple projects such as the FAA led Innovate 28, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Urban Air Mobility (UAM) Airspace Operational Integration Assessment (OIA) through governmental and industry partnerships.
Marty managed and led the Test Fielded Systems Team in the En Route and Oceanic Second Level Engineering Group in the Program Management Organization (PMO). His test teams supported the successful operational integration of the En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) system at all twenty Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs) across the National Airspace System (NAS).
Marty began his 36 year career in the United Stated Air Force (USAF) as a RADAR Technician and then later as an Air Traffic Control Specialist. He served with honor and was awarded the prestigious Lt General Gordon A. Blake Aircraft Save Award for his extraordinary dedication to duty and application of knowledge in the field of Air Traffic Control.
Over his career, Marty has held numerous aviation related leadership positions with different organizations that includes the FAA, Industry, and the USAF.
Lisa Bates, Director, Engineering, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Marshall Space Flight Center
Lisa Bates is the Engineering Directorate at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. In her role, Bates is responsible for the center’s largest organization, comprised of more than 2,500 civil service and contractor personnel, who design, test, evaluate, and operate flight hardware and software associated with Marshall-developed space transportation and spacecraft systems, science instruments, and payloads.
Since November 2023, Bates has served as deputy director of the Engineering Directorate. She was also previously director of Marshall’s Test Laboratory. Appointed to the position in 2021, Bates provided executive leadership for all aspects of the Laboratory, including workforce, budget, infrastructure, and operations for testing.
She joined Marshall in 2008 as the Ares I Upper Stage Thrust Vector Control lead in the Propulsion Department. Since then, she has served in positions of increasing responsibility and authority. From 2009 to 2017, she served as the first chief of the new TVC Branch, which was responsible for defining operational requirements, performing analysis, and evaluating Launch Vehicle TVC systems and TVC components.
As the Space Launch System (SLS) Program Executive from 2017 to 2018, Bates supported the NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration Systems Development as the liaison and advocate of the SLS. Upon returning to MSFC in 2018, she was selected as deputy manager of the SLS Booster Element Office. Bates also served as deputy manager of the SLS Stages Office from 2018 to 2021 where she shared the responsibilities, accountability, and authorities for all activities associated with the requirements definition, design, development, manufacturing, assembly, green run test, and delivery of the SLS Program’s Stages Element.
Prior to her NASA career, Bates worked 18 years in private industry for numerous aerospace and defense contractors, including Jacobs Engineering, Marotta Scientific Controls, United Technologies (USBI), United Defense, and Sverdrup Technologies.
Bates holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. She was awarded a NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal in 2013 and 2022 and has received numerous group and individual achievement awards. Bates and her husband, Don, reside in Madison and have four children.
Wednesday, November 6
Dr. John Schmisseur, Director, University of Tennessee Space Institute
Dr. John D. Schmisseur became the Executive Director of the University of Tennessee Space Institute in August 2022. Prior to his appointment, he served as the H.H. Arnold Chair and B.H. Goethert Professor in the University of Tennessee Knoxville Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering since 2014, during which time he taught and led research at the University of Tennessee Space Institute.
Prior to joining the faculty, John was the Chief of the Energy, Power & Propulsion Sciences Division and Program Manager for Aerothermodynamics within the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR). During his tenure at AFOSR, John initiated and led a national strategic research plan which has guided the research efforts of multiple federal agencies and championed the transition of basic research capabilities that have advanced flagship national hypersonics technology programs and transformed test and evaluation capabilities. Dr. Schmisseur earned his B.S. (90) and M.S. (92) in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and his Ph.D. (97) in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Purdue University. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (2012) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (2013) and is the 2008 recipient of the Air Force Science and Engineering Award in Research Management.
Christopher M. Wilcox, SES, Deputy Director of Test and Evaluation, Headquarters U.S. Air Force
Mr. Christopher M. Wilcox, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is Director of Test and Evaluation, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. He is responsible for policy, resources and oversight of developmental and operational testing. He oversees the Air Force’s test infrastructure worth $4 billion, and the programming and execution of the Air Force test portfolio with an annual budget of $1.9 billion.
Mr. Wilcox started his civil service as a test project manager with the U.S. Air Force at Arnold Engineering Development Complex, Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee, in 1994. He attended the University of Tennessee and graduated with a master’s degree in aerospace in 1997. He then served as a flight test engineer at Edwards AFB, California, supporting weapons testing on the B-1, B-2, B-52 and F-22, and as a test and evaluation program integrator in the Missile Defense Agency supporting the Theater High Altitude Area Defense and Israeli Arrow air defense programs. Prior to his current assignment, Mr. Wilcox served as Deputy/Technical Director with the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, directing the test and evaluation of all U.S. Army aviation, artillery and air defense systems.
EDUCATION
1992 Bachelor of Science, Aerospace Engineering, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
1997 Master of Science, Aerospace Engineering, University of Tennessee, Tullahoma
2012 Aberdeen Proving Ground Cohort Leadership Development Program, Graduate, Aberdeen, Md.
2017 Senior Manager Course, National Security Leadership, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. June 1994–June 1997, Test Program Manager, Arnold Engineering Development Complex, Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn.
2. June 1997–October 2000, Armament Engineer, 412th Test Wing, Edwards AFB, Calif.
3. October 2000–April 2002, Test and Evaluation Program Integrator, Missile Defense Agency, Arlington, Va.
4. April 2002–October 2009, Program Evaluator, U.S. Army Evaluation Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.
5. October 2009–July 2021, Deputy/Technical Director, U.S. Army Evaluation Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.
6. July 2021–present, Deputy Director of Test and Evaluation, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
AWARDS AND HONORS
2008 Department of Army Commendation Medal
2009 Superior Civilian Service Award
2016 The Honorable Order of Saint Barbara
2016 Achievement Medal for Civilian Service
2021 Meritorious Civilian Service Medal
Kenneth Chenoweth, Technical Director and Deputy Commander, Redstone Test Center
Chenoweth brings almost 27 years of experience in lifecycle test and evaluation to the senior civilian position at the center.
Chenoweth began his career at RTC in 1997 as a government contractor engineering technician while still pursuing his engineering degree at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
In 2002, he converted to an Army civilian where he continued his career as a mechanical engineer. Since March 2021, Chenoweth has served as the director of RTC’s Missile and Sensors Test Directorate.
Throughout his career, Chenoweth held many key roles with RTC. He served as a team lead with the Environmental and Component Test Directorate, senior test manager with the Missiles and Sensors Test Directorate, and logistics and sustainment account manager for the Test Program Integration Directorate.
In 2015, he was selected as chief for the MSTD Instrumentation Development Division and played a key role in the directorate’s reorganization that same year.
In 2018, Chenoweth transferred to ECTD where he assumed the duties and responsibilities of chief for the Climatic Test Division.
He received a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2002 and a master’s in management from the Florida Institute of Technology in 2011. He is an Acquisition Corps member and has a level III certification in the test and evaluation career field. Chenoweth is also a graduate of both the Intermediate and Advanced Civilian Education Systems.
He has received the Meritorious Civilian Service Award, two Commander’s Awards for Civilian Service, and multiple performance and special act awards.
Chenoweth has been married to his high school sweetheart, Whitney, since 2000. Outside of work, he spends much of his free time working in his shop on anything mechanical, with an emphasis on automotive work. He also enjoys traveling with his wife and close friends.
David Boyd, VP & Chief Technology Officer, Security and Mission Solutions, Parsons
Mr. Boyd has 45 years’ experience developing data intensive systems for the federal market. Subject matter expert on Big Data systems and architecture. Author and editor for National (NIST) and International (ISO/IEC) standards on Big Data Reference Architectures. Active involvement in the development of international standards on AI. Editor and Author for ISO/IEC 20547-1 Big data reference architecture Part 1: Framework and application process and ISO/IEC 20547-5 Big data reference architecture – Part 5: Standards Roadmap, and editor for ISO/IEC 20546 Big data – Overview and vocabulary. Currently serving as convenor for ISO/IEC JTC1 SC 42 Artificial Intelligence (AI) WG 2 Data developing data related standards for AI and ML. Development lead for the Parsons Digital Threat, Tracking, and Training Environment (DT3E) IR&D, major contributor to the ParsonsGPT large language model (LLM) IR&D. Developed interactive topic modeling tool in R/Shiny enabling analysts to visualize the topics and relationships within a corpus of documents. Led development and integration for US Army TRADOC G2 Big Data/AI/ML development effort. Stood up Operational Environment Data Lake (OEDL) for TRADOC integrating internal and external data sources in support of TRADOC Analysts. Developed initial Accumulo persistor plugin for Coalesce open source data fabric. Provides solutioning support, engineering, and proposal development for a wide range of Artificial Intelligence, Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) and Biometrics systems.43 years’ experience in developing, integrating, and deploying complex data intensive systems for the DOD and the ICLeading expert in Big Data systems and architectures support national (NIST) and international (ISO/IEC) standards on Big Data as author and editor.
Panel 2 Attracting the Next Generation T&E Workforce
Moderator: Terry A. Murphy, Test and Evaluation, Department of Homeland Security
For over 40 years, Mr. Murphy has positively impacted our nation’s security. Mr. Murphy serves as Deputy Director, Office of Test and Evaluation, Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Murphy joined DHS July 2015 Office of Test & Evaluation, provides key support to the Director in engagement with DHS major acquisition programs, T&E Workforce Development, development and staffing of T&E policy & guidance, Chairing the DHS T&E WIPT, interactions with GAO & Congressional Staffers, and overseeing resources in support of the Office of T&E.
Mr. Murphy previously served as Senior Analyst within the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Developmental Test and Evaluation from 2011 to July 2015. During this time Mr. Murphy led the update of DoD T&E policy; and development of the T&E Management Guide, Cybersecurity T&E Guide, and Incorporating T&E into Acquisitions Guide.
From 2007 to 2010 Mr. Murphy served as T&E Manager for Combat Support Equipment, Marine Corps Systems Command. Mr. Murphy supported system portfolios including Medical systems, First Responder systems, and Expeditionary Shelters in support of real- world operations.
From 2002 to 2007 Mr. Murphy served as T&E Lead in support of Joint Project Manager – Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear, Individual Protection (IP) programs. Which included full ensemble chemical protective systems for the warfighter. These programs provide the chemical and biological individual protection equipment used by our military and first responders.
Mr. Murphy served 26 years in the U.S. Marine Corp as Commander, Operations Officer, Staff Officer, Liaison Officer within such units as; Infantry, Reconnaissance, Special Operations, Artillery, & Aviation. He earned a BS in Science from Chapman University in 2001, MA in Management (2002) and a MS in Engineering (2010), both from National University. Mr. Murphy holds DHS & DoD Level III certifications in Test and Evaluation and Program Management. Mr. Murphy has attained the certification in CTEP and PMP.
Dr. Robin Poston, Associate Provost and Dean of the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, Southern Methodist University
Dr. Robin Poston, Associate Provost and Dean of the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, Southern Methodist University, Professor of Information Technology and Operations Research, Cox School of Business, and Research Fellow with the Systems Testing Excellence Program
Dr. Poston is a Research Fellow with the System Testing Excellence Program for the FedEx Institute of Technology, and she is a Professor and Dean of the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, at SMU. SMU is home to over 5,000 graduate students studying in over 120 graduate programs. Dr. Poston is a recipient of the Memphis Alumni Association Distinguished Teaching Award and she led the International Research Workshop on Advances and Innovations in Software Testing. Dr. Poston’s current research focuses on understanding the alignment within the IT unit among developers and testers, client managers’ responsibilities and governance especially in mitigating vendor silence and managing vendors in outsourcing of software testing projects, and testing and evaluation in support of agile development. Dr. Poston has over 20 years of experience in the information systems field working for KPMG Consulting, Educational Computer Corporation, Meta Group Research, and Convergys, as well as consulting with several Fortune 500 companies and government agencies.
Today, she works with organizations, such as the Department of Homeland Security, Defense Information Systems Agency of the Department of Defense, FedEx Corporation, First Tennessee Bank, St. Jude/ALSAC, and others to conduct projects and educational programs. Dr. Poston received her bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from The University of Pennsylvania (1987), master’s degree in Accounting from The University of Central Florida (1992), and Ph.D. in Management Information Systems from Michigan State University ().11/19/23, 8:31 PM
Dr. Mark Gillenson, Research Professor Department of Management Information Systems in the Fogelman College of Business and Economics, University of Memphis, Director of the Systems Testing Excellence Program of the university’s FedEx Institute of Technology
Dr. Mark L. Gillenson is a University Research Professor in the Department of Management Information Systems in the Fogelman College of Business and Economics of the University of Memphis. He is also the Director of the Systems Testing Excellence Program (STEP) of the university’s FedEx Institute of Technology. He received his B.S. degree in Mathematics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Computer and Information Science from The Ohio State University’s College of Engineering. As a graduate student, Dr. Gillenson invented the world’s first computerized facial compositor and co-developed an early computer graphics system that, among other things, was used to produce some of the special effects in the first Star Wars movie.
Dr. Gillenson worked for the IBM Corp. for 15 years in a variety of positions, including seven years as a faculty member of the prestigious IBM Systems Research Institute where he wrote his first two books and conducted the world’s first large-scale survey of data and database administration. He then joined the University of Miami faculty, followed by the University of Memphis.
Dr. Gillenson is a Senior and Life Member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). In 2019 and 2020 he was awarded the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Undersecretary’s Award for Science and Engineering. His current areas of interest are systems testing and advances in database management. He is a Senior Editor of ACM’s The Data Base for Advances in Information Systems and is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Database Management. Dr. Gillenson’s research has appeared in MIS Quarterly, Communications of the ACM, Information & Management, Methods of Information in Medicine, and other leading journals. His latest book is Fundamentals of Database Management Systems, 3rd edition, John Wiley & Sons, 2023.
Matt Massey, President of the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering
Matt Massey has served as the President of The Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering (ASCTE) since its creation in 2019. ASCTE is a residential school serving Grades 9-12. As president, Mr. Massey guided the development of the unique curriculum, programs, and internships ASCTE offers students across Alabama. In addition, he brings together academia, industry, government, and nonprofits to support the successful integration of cyber technology into the engineering life cycle – securing ASCTE as a state and national model.
Mr. Massey has served 25 as an educator, including five years as the Superintendent of Madison County Schools. Mr. Massey is a National Board Certified Teacher and believes all students can learn at high levels, and educators must ensure this happens. His dedication to redefining the metrics of achievement has led him to present at various national conferences about ASCTE’s innovative approach to student learning.
Rachel Gentry, WorkBased Learning Coordinator, Calhoun Community College, Alabama
A Pennsylvania native, Rachel Gentry has served Calhoun Community College in a variety of roles related to career services, recruitment, and workforce development since 2015, and currently serves as the Work-Based Learning Coordinator. Ms. Gentry has assisted in the rebranding and success of Calhoun’s Cooperative Learning Program supporting 100+ employer partners in North Alabama, and most recently the program received the 2024 Governor’s Seal of Excellence in Work-Based Learning. She has helped facilitate the placement of over 340 Associate of Applied Science and Associate of Science degree co-op students since 2016.
Ms. Gentry received her Master of Education in Career and Technical Education with a concentration in Leadership from Athens State University in 2023 and a Bachelor of Science in Business Communication in 2011 from Stevenson University. Ms. Gentry is a certified Global Career Development Facilitator and serves on the Board for the Alabama Association of Colleges & Employers, as Past-President. She has a true passion for helping students find their passions to secure gainful employment through work-based learning.
Thursday, November 7
Dr. Keith Krapels, SES, Director, U.S. Army SMDC Technical Center
Dr. Keith Alan Krapels Director, Technical Center U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command Dr. Keith A. Krapels, who was appointed to the senior executive service in June 2018, became the director of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command’s Technical Center in June 2023. He is responsible for leading and managing research, development, and test programs for space, missile defense, cyber, directed energy and related technologies. He is also responsible for the management of the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site in the Marshall Islands.
Dr. Krapels served in the Navy as an EA-6B Prowler Electronics Countermeasures officer flying 52 combat missions before moving to the Navy Reserve. He retired in 2017 as a captain, having deployed overseas 10 times, five of which were for combat operations. During his career, he acquired both tactical and technical research and development expertise in design, modeling, analysis, simulation, build, test, rapid fielding, and the employment of military sensors and countermeasures to sensors.
Dr. Krapels’ previous senior executive experience was as the director for Applied Technology (Hypersonic, Directed Energy, and Integrated Sensing) and the director for Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare at the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. Prior to those positions, he was the director for the Sensors and Electronics Directorate at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory.
He is a graduate of the University of Memphis. He holds a doctorate in electrical engineering, a master’s degree in electrical engineering, a Bachelor of Arts in history, and a Bachelor of Science in applied mathematics.
Dr. Krapels’ awards and recognitions include the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology) Research and Development Achievement Award; Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development, and Acquisition) Acquisition Excellence Award for Technology Transition; Meritorious Service Medal (three awards); Air Medal (two awards); Navy Commendation Medal (four awards, one with combat distinguishing “V” device); Navy Achievement Medals (two awards). He is a fellow of the Military Sensing Symposia and the International Society of Optics and Photonics. He has published 105 papers and has one patent.
John Frederick, Manager, Verification and Validation Strategies and Practices Branch, FAA’s William J. Hughes Technical Center Tech Center
John Frederick is the Manager of the Verification & Validation Strategies and Concept Visualization Branch at the FAA’s William J. Hughes Technical Center for Advanced Aerospace, where he is responsible for establishing quality verification and validation methods and standards in the FAA. He has more than 39 years of Test and Evaluation (T&E) experience with FAA systems. Since starting the annual Verification and Validation (V&V) Summit in 2006, Mr. Frederick has gathered speakers and participants from across the FAA, other government organizations, industry, and academia to address innovative methods for complex problems and promote a quality V&V culture.
Early in his career, as both a support contractor and FAA employee, Mr. Frederick worked as a National Airspace System (NAS) programmer, test engineer, simulations developer, and Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) lead on Air Traffic Control automation systems. He has supported and led T&E efforts on more than 12 major FAA automation programs. A large portion of his career in the FAA was dedicated to working as an FAA Test Director and Test Program Manager on major FAA acquisitions of En Route Air Traffic Control (ATC) automation systems. As Chief Test Engineer and Subject Matter Expert (SME), Mr. Frederick has consulted with the DOD, DOT, NASA, and international agencies on T&E and provided guidance to the FAA on investment programs. He initiated the FAA Test Standards Board and served as the chairman to establish ISO-certified test standards in the FAA and provide quality T&E oversight for the agency. He is also the International Test and Evaluation Association (ITEA) South Jersey Chapter President and serves as the T&E representative for the FAA on the Acquisition System Advisory Group and Joint Resources Council.
Mr. Frederick is a graduate of Drexel University (Philadelphia) with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Systems Management. He is also a graduate of the Federal Executives Institute with a Certificate of Mastery in Leadership for a Democratic Society.
Thomas A. Tomaiko, Executive Director, Test and Evaluation, Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration
Tom Tomaiko is the Executive Director, Test and Evaluation (T&E) for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Transportation Security Administration (TSA) where he directs test and evaluation activities. He is responsible for developing and maintaining a robust test and evaluation capability to support all testing for TSA to include acquisition support, concept of operation or process development/refinement, and threat mitigation. He serves as the Independent Test Agent on behalf of TSA. In this role, he solely determines the effectiveness and suitability of technologies under consideration for procurement by the Agency.
Prior to joining TSA in July 2022, Mr. Tomaiko served in the DHS Office of Test and Evaluation where he provided T&E oversight and independent assessment of TSA acquisition program technologies and capabilities. He also served in the DHS Office of National Laboratories where he directed operations of Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) laboratories that equipped DHS to anticipate and respond effectively to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats. Mr. Tomaiko served in the Capability Development Support Group and Office of Acquisition as Principal Advisor to Component Acquisition Executives for DHS Science and Technology and Customs and Border Protection. In these roles, he directed operations that provided acquisition oversight, policy guidance, and support to acquisition programs and projects related to trade facilitation, protection of U.S. borders, and bio- and Ag-defense laboratory facility construction and modernization. He also served in the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency where he led a new DHS maritime security research and development investment portfolio. He directed RDT&E that equipped DHS maritime operating components to protect U.S. ports and coastline.
Prior to entering civilian service, Mr. Tomaiko served in the United States Navy where he held numerous leadership positions that included serving as a senior technical authority. He supervised and led senior leaders and headquarters staff and directed field activities that provided design, integration, and engineering support to major ship and submarine programs.
Mr. Tomaiko graduated with merit from the United States Naval Academy and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School and earned a Master of Science degree in Naval Engineering and received a Distinguished Thesis Award. He graduated from the Joint Executive Defense Systems Engineering Management program offered by the Naval Postgraduate School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology and earned a Master of Science in Systems Engineering. Mr. Tomaiko received a DHS Secretary Award and Under Secretary for Science and Technology Award. Awards he received during his Naval career include the Meritorious Service Medal, four Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, a Navy “E” Ribbon, an Expeditionary Medal, and two National Defense Service Medals.
Panel 3 An Acquisition View of T&E
Moderator: Favio Lopez, President, Trideum Corporation
Favio Lopez is the president of Trideum Corporation. Since joining Trideum in 2009, he has served in various capacities including program manager, director, and chief operating officer (COO). Throughout his time at Trideum, Lopez has been instrumental in guiding the company’s growth, realigning its focus to better serve customers, and driving strategic partnerships. His leadership has contributed to Trideum’s sustained growth.
Before joining Trideum, Lopez served in the United States Army. During his twenty-year career, he served in various command and staff roles with deployments to the Middle East and Haiti. His military experience culminated with his selection as an FA57 Simulation Operations officer, a field in which he excelled, contributing to numerous Army Modernization efforts. His post military career at Trideum has leveraged this expertise particularly in the areas of test and evaluation, training, and systems integration.
Lopez holds a Master of Science from the University of Central Florida and a Bachelor of Arts from Canisius College. He currently resides in Fairfax Station, Virginia, with his wife Maureen. Together, they enjoy outdoor activities and traveling with their two adult children and their spouses.
Major General Francisco J. Lozano (USA), Program Executive Officer, Program Executive Office Missiles and Space
Major General Frank J. Lozano is the Program Executive Officer (PEO) Missiles and Space, Redstone Arsenal, AL. He is responsible for the development, production, fielding, sustainment, and international program aspects for assigned missile and space systems. MG Lozano assumed his current position August 2022.
MG Lozano graduated from Texas A&M University in 1993 and commissioned as a second Lieutenant in the Armor Branch. He served as a Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, Cavalry Squadron Staff Officer and Calvary Troop Commander, before transitioning into the Army Acquisition Corps in 2001. He graduated with a MBA from the University of Texas at Arlington and served with Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Grand Prairie, TX in 2002 as part of the Training With Industry (TWI) program.
After completion of Command and General Staff College, MG Lozano was assigned as the Assistant Product Manager for Project Manager Soldier Weapons, PEO Soldier, followed by an assignment as an Ammunition and DemolitionSystem Acquisition Manager for the Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and the Army Research Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM).
In 2008, MG Lozano was assigned as a Department of the Army System Coordinator (DASC) for Tactical Missile Systems and Ballistic Missile Defense Systems. He was subsequently selected to be the Special Assistant for the Army’s Vice Chief of Staff. In his position as the Special Assistant, he provided insight, advice, and counsel on Army acquisition programs crossing many different functional capability areas.
MG Lozano commanded the Product Management Office for Soldier Protective Equipment, PEO Soldier from 2011 until 2014. From 2014 to 2016 he was assigned to the Joint Staff, J-8 Capabilities and Acquisition Division. Upon graduation from the U.S. Army War College, he assumed the position of Project Manager for the Lower Tier Project Office, PEO Missiles and Space from 2017 until 2020, followed by an assignment as the Integrated Fires and Rapid Capability Office PM. He was then assigned as the ASA(ALT) Chief of Staff from 2021 to 2022.
MG Lozano’s operational and combat experience include deployments to Bosnia, Kuwait and Iraq. His awards and decorations include the Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, the NATO Service Medal, the Army Staff Identification Badge, and the Joint Staff Identification Badge. He is certified in Program Management; Contracting; System Research; Planning and Engineering; and System Test career fields.
Wayne Dumais, Deputy Director, Office of Test and Evaluation, Immigration and Border Security Programs at U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Wayne is currently the Deputy Director of the Office of Test and Evaluation at DHS, where he provides T&E oversight for over half of DHS’s components. His team directly influences $34B of DHS’s technology investments. Mr. Dumais has also served as the DHS Science & Technology (S&T) LNO in Key West FL, with Joint Inter Agency Task Force – South (JIATF-S), where his work led to the integration of a friendly force tracking technology with 16 partner nations across the Caribbean and South America leading to a direct increase in the interdiction of contraband heading to the United States. Prior to DHS, Mr. Dumais was with General Dynamics Land Systems as a Senior T&E Engineer working various combat vehicle platforms. Wayne was GDLS’s Live Fire Lead responsible for the planning and conduct of live fire events for several programs and R&D efforts. Wayne served as an Abrams Platoon Sergeant and Master Gunner with various U.S. Army units on multiple deployments around the globe. Wayne holds an MA from the Naval Post Graduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security Studies Departments, as well as an MBA and BS. His recent studies include the completion of a cyber security certificate from Georgia Tech and a graduate certificate in national security policy from George Mason University.
Dr. Keith Krapels, SES, Director, U.S. Army SMDC Technical Center
See bio above.
Panel 5 Transforming System Development Through Digital Engineering: Lessons Learned, Value, and Implementation
Moderated by Will Harrell, TRMC JMETC Digital Engineering Lead
After earning his BS in Aerospace Engineering from Virginia Tech in 2007, Will began his career at ATEC as an Army Evaluation Center Systems Analyst/Evaluator at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. His assignment there focused on the effectiveness, suitability, and survivability evaluations of aviation systems. During his time with AEC, Will completed a developmental assignment with the Aviation Technical Test Center in Fort Rucker, AL and deployed for 7 months in the Afghanistan Area of Operations as the lead evaluator of Forward Operational Assessment Team XIV. His time with ATTC awoke his passion for flight testing and upon returning from Afghanistan, Will was reassigned to the flight test center which had been recently reconsolidated as the Redstone Test Center, Redstone Arsenal, AL. Since joining the team at RTC in 2011, Will has served in various roles throughout the Center including test engineer, test director, test lead, Assistant Division Chief, aviation capabilities integrator, and Chief Technologist. While serving the with US Army, Will has continued his education by graduating from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (Class 145) and the U.S. Navy Postgraduate School (MS in Systems Engineering). Will currently serves as the JMETC Digital Engineering Lead for Test Resource Management Center.
Michelle V. Gilbert, Technical Management Division Chief, Project Management Office Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (PM FLRAA), Program Executive Office Aviation (PEO AVN)
Ms. Michelle Gilbert has 14 years of service as an acquisition professional for the United States Army. She currently serves as the Technical Management Division Chief for the Project Management Office, Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA). Ms. Gilbert joined the PEO AVN Future Vertical Lift (FVL) efforts in 2015 and has since held multiple positions to include the Deputy for the FLRAA Development and Production Product Management Office (DAPPMO) and the FLRAA Systems Engineering Branch Chief providing subject matter expertise on multiple tasks required during the Materiel Solutions Analysis (MSA) phase and the competitive down select. Major initiatives included leading the establishment and application of Digital Engineering and Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) in the development of the FLRAA system requirements, helping shape the acquisition strategy and development of Program of Record (PoR) documentation, and overseeing execution of the Competitive Demonstration and Risk Reduction (CD&RR) efforts. Prior to FVL efforts she supported the Project Management Office, Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) in various lead roles to include interoperability initiatives and development and production of the Mobile Ground Control Station (MGCS) for the Gray Eagle Product Office.
Ms. Gilbert has a Bachelor’s of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Alabama Huntsville (UAH) and a Master’s of Science in Systems Engineering from the Naval Post Graduate School (NPS). Ms. Gilbert grew up in Madison, AL where she still resides with her husband. They have one daughter (22) who is currently attending Auburn University. When not traveling, Michelle enjoys spending time with her two dogs and planning the family’s next adventure.
Dr. Eric Demirjian, Director, T&E Threat Resource Activity (TETRA), Missile and Space Intelligence Center (MSIC)
Dr. Eric Demirjian is currently serving as Director of the Test and Evaluation Threat Resource Activity (TETRA) at the Missile and Space Intelligence Center (MSIC)/Defense Intelligence Agency, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. Dr. Demirjian leads a diverse team of talented all-source scientific and technical intelligence analysts, engineers, modelers, and scientists in support of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E). Dr. Demirjian and the TETRA team are a joint duty team responsible for addressing critical Intelligence requirements to meet OT&E Title 10 and Title 50 Congressional Oversight responsibilities. Dr. Demirjian and the TETRA team meet the needs of U.S. and collaborative Allied acquisition systems for realistic combat conditions to determine operational effectiveness, suitability, and survivability.
Since joining DIA in 2002, Dr. Demirjian has been a key DIA, MSIC, and DOT&E analyst, AI expert, engineer, and leader providing support to U.S. acquisition programs, operational test, Services, warfighters, and policymakers. His areas of expertise include electronic warfare, cognitive electronic warfare, modeling and simulation, surface-to-air missiles systems, State and Non-state missile tactics and training, missile event analysis, air warfare, integrated threat assessment, artificial intelligence, cognitive threats, and neural networks has been briefed at the highest national level, including the President and foreign heads of state. Dr. Demirjian has been a leader in FVEY and NATO collaboration, hardware and software modeling, cognitive and autonomous threats, agile development, country analysis, and Cyber/Air/Space Warfare technologies. In addition, from 2010-2013, Dr. Demirjian served as a Diplomat within the United Kingdom as a U.S. Exchange Officer. Away from DIA, Dr. Demirjian is a father to three exceptional children.
Dr. Demirjian earned a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master of Science in Management from the Florida Institute of Technology. Academically, Dr. Demirjian’s expertise includes artificial intelligence, electro-optical and infrared guidance technologies, infrared and radar countermeasures, signature suppression, and antenna and radar technologies. Dr. Demirjian earned his doctoral program at the Florida Institute of Technology, focusing on artificial intelligence, team augmentation, human-machine teaming, and AI Superteaming. Dr. Demirjian’s dissertation was an exploratory sequential mixed-methods analysis examining high-functioning virtual team members as proxies for A.I. and human teaming, the augmentation of low-, moderate-, and high-functioning virtual teams with A.I., defining an A.I. investment roadmap based on fundamental job tasks, and establishing a scholarly definition of A.I. Superteams.
Jeff Tolleson, Group Vice President, PeopleTec
Mr. Jeff Tolleson is responsible for a portfolio consisting of digital transformation, intelligence analysis, and test modernization in support of a variety of clients to include: Redstone Test Center (U.S. Army Test & Evaluation Command), Defense Intelligence Agency/Missile & Space Intelligence Center, DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center, U.S. Northern Command, and Test Resource Management Center (TRMC). Mr. Tolleson also serves in many corporate and business development strategic roles. Mr. Tolleson has served in key leadership roles at PeopleTec since 2019. Prior to PeopleTec, he served in numerous positions in both industry and civil service at the Missile Defense Agency, US Army Space and Missile Defense Command, Army Program Executive Offices, and the Intelligence Community. Mr. Tolleson is a US Army Veteran who served in two deployments to Iraq during the heart of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Jeff holds a BS degree in Business Management from Troy University and a MBA from Liberty University.
Dr. Raymond D. O’Toole, Jr., Principal Deputy Director, Operational Test & Evaluation
Dr. O’Toole joined DOT&E on March 3, 2019, when he was appointed Deputy Director of Naval Warfare. On February 16, 2020, he was promoted to Principal Deputy Director, Operational Test and Evaluation. During his time at DOT&E he has served two stints as Acting Deputy Director, from Jan 2021 to December 2021, and again from December 2023 until April 2024.
DOT&E provides direct and independent reporting to Congress to give them unbiased, unvarnished assessments of system performance. As the DOT&E Principal Deputy Director, Dr. O’Toole serves as the principal staff assistant to the Director for all functional areas assigned to the office. He participates in formulation, advocacy, and oversight of Defense Department test and evaluation policies, as well as development and implementation of test and test resource programs. He supports the Director in the planning, conduct, evaluation, and reporting of operational and live fire testing. He also serves as the Appropriations Director and Comptroller for the Operational Test and Evaluation, Defense appropriation, and the principal advisor to the Director on all Planning, Programming, and Budgeting System matters.
Prior to becoming Principal Deputy Director, Dr. O’Toole was DOT&E’s Deputy Director for Naval Warfare. In this capacity, he oversaw the operational and live-fire testing of ships and submarines and their associated sensors, combat and communications systems, and weapons. He also was responsible for overseeing the adequacy of test infrastructure and resources to support operational and live-fire testing for all acquisition programs across the Defense Department.
Before joining DOT&E, Dr. O’Toole was the Deputy Group Director of Aircraft Carrier Design and Systems Engineering at Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). Prior to that, he was the Director of Systems Engineering Division (Submarines and Undersea Systems), where he led a diverse team of engineers who supported all submarine program managers. His other NAVSEA assignments included ship design manager and Navy technical authority for USS VIRGINIA Class submarines during the design and new construction phases, and for amphibious ships, auxiliary ships, and command and control ships during in-service operations.
Dr. O’Toole’s other previous positions within the Defense Department include Deputy Program Executive Officer (Maritime and Rotary Wing) at U.S. Special Operations Acquisition Command, staff to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development & Acquisition (Ship Programs), and Deputy Director of Regional Maintenance for COMPACFLT (N43).
Dr. O’Toole has more than 30 years of experience as a naval officer (active and reserve), retiring at the rank of captain. His significant tours included five as commanding officer.
Dr. Raymond D. O’Toole, Jr. is a native of Long Island, NY, and a graduate of the State University of New York – Maritime College, where he earned a Bachelor of Engineering in marine engineering. He also holds a Master of Engineering in systems engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, a Master of Science in national resource strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and a Doctorate in Engineering in the field of engineering management from The George Washington University, where he is now a professional lecturer of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering. He has received the Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Award twice and the Department of the Navy Meritorious and Superior Civilian awards.