Test Instrumentation Workshop Program Chair

Dr. Jean Paul “JP” Santos is currently the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for the Airborne Instrumentation Systems Department (AISD) at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD). JP earned a B.S. (summa cum laude) with honors in Electrical Engineering from the University of Utah in 2013 and an M.S./Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from UCLA in 2015 and 2021 respectively. At UCLA, he was awarded with the Distinguished Master’s Thesis Award as well as the Distinguished PhD Dissertation Award in Physical and Wave Electronics. He has worked with NAWCWD since 2015, starting as an electrical engineer with the Offensive EW Systems Division, and as the Lead RF Design Engineer for the Airborne Instrumentation Division. He holds various patent filings and has numerous published conference and journal papers in RF system, wireless communications, and radar design. As the CTO for AISD, he is currently managing a multimillion dollar research portfolio and leads a team of engineers to solve requirements in domains from EW to instrumentation systems.

Our Esteemed Guest Speakers

Dan Osburn is the Senior Technical Director, 412th Test Wing, Edwards Air Force Base, California.  He executes technical oversight of the wing’s 7,200 personnel in the developmental test and evaluation of B-21, KC-46, F-35, F-22, F-16, B-1, B-2, B-52, C-17, C-130, KC-135, Global Hawk, joint remotely piloted aircraft and emerging technologies. Additionally, Mr. Osburn is responsible for establishing and maintaining policy for systems engineering, workforce management, and T&E processes.

Mr. Osburn has 11 years in industry aircraft design at Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works on B-2, F-18E/F, X-35 Concept Demonstration Aircraft, and other Special Projects before joining the Air Force Civilian work force in May 2000. He served in many engineering capacities as C-17 Chief Systems Engineer, Electronic Warfare Flight Chief, F35 Chief Engineer 461st Integrated Test Force (ITF), Deputy Director F35 461st ITF, and 773rd Test Squadron Director of the 412th Test Engineering Group.

Prior to his current assignment, Mr. Osburn served as the 412th Test Engineering Group Director responsible for an annual $140M budget with 980 combined military, civilian, and support contractor personnel for the research, development, test and evaluation of airframe, propulsion, and avionics systems.  Additionally, he was in charge of test aircraft instrumentation development, operations and maintenance and the Edwards AFB range.

George J. 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.

Thomas C. Dowd currently serves as the Director for Ranges/Target Operations, Instrumentation & Labs at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) within the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). Mr. Dowd assumed this role in January of 2020. In this capacity he oversees the ranges at Point Mugu and China Lake, Calif., along with the targets and threat systems and weapons instrumentation engineering and operations departments.

Mr. Dowd was accepted into the Senior Executive Service (SES) in November 2014 as NAVAIR’s national Range Director. In this role he was responsible for the ranges at Patuxent River, Md., Point Mugu and China Lake, Calif., as well as the air vehicle modification and instrumentation engineering group located at all three sites.
Mr. Dowd began his Navy civilian career in 1988 as an aerospace engineer with the Point Mugu Missile Test Center after graduating from Boston University with a bachelor’s of science degree in aerospace engineering. He worked for 5 years as a flight test engineer performing test and evaluation of Navy cruise missile systems such as the SLAM, Harpoon and Penguin missiles.

Mr. Dowd worked for 9 years in various positions in the Airborne Threat Simulation Division on the exploitation and hardware simulation of foreign threat electronic warfare systems. The simulators that the Airborne Threat Simulation Organization (ATSO) produced are used for Test & Evaluation of Navy, Army and Air Force platform radar and missile seeker systems.

From 2001-2003 Mr. Dowd worked in the NAVAIR Network Centric Warfare Office at Patuxent River, Md.
After returning to Point Mugu in 2003 and completing his master’s of business administration degree at Pepperdine University in 2005, he served for 8 years as the Threat & Target Systems Department Head prior to entering the Senior Executive Service. Mr. Dowd is a recipient of the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award.

Vincent M. Liddiard was appointed to a 3-year term SES position in July 2023. He is responsible for the scientific, technical, and strategic policies for instrumentation, and test capabilities. He provides oversight and integration of test programs and capability development of six geographically dispersed test centers for a broad range of Army systems. Responsible for addressing strategic policy matters for Army Test and Evaluation priorities to ensure national defense readiness.

From November 2016 to July 2023 he served as the Chief of Staff at Dugway Proving Ground (DPG) and a detail assignment as the White Sands Missile Range, Chief of Staff from August 2022 through February 2023. As Chief of Staff, he established new AFGE and NAGE local union contracts, integration of command wide efforts, mission focused support ensuring capabilities to support the tactical application of technical expertise. His strategic partner initiatives with the Utah Defense Alliance, Military Affairs Committee and enterprise stakeholders ensured viability of DPG efforts for the Army enterprise. This enabled success in pre-program of record developmental testing, programs of record and customer testing. His efforts for strategic development of DPG and quality of life initiatives have made a positive impact for DPG.

Mr. Liddiard is a founding member of the Special Programs Division at DPG. His work included Chemical and Biological testing, training, and technical support for operations and exercises. He was responsible for overall direction of testing for Special Programs from 2008 to 2016. From 1999 through 2016 Mr. Liddiard’s efforts included technical and project management of test efforts supporting U.S. Army, and other government agencies for; Portal Shield, Large Frame Aircraft Decontamination Demonstration, Restoration of Operations and other advanced concept developmental test events, homemade explosives characterization tests, and intelligence threat evaluation efforts. Other critical work includes chlorine release threat evaluation, chemical/biological detector, and decontamination testing. In 2003, Mr. Liddiard served as the Dugway deputy director for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization ‘Final Response’ effort conducted with 19 partner nations. His distinguished work led to follow on efforts with the United Kingdom Defence Science Technology Laboratory (DSTL) and the United Kingdom Royal Airforce Regiment. He also directed the Department of Homeland Security sponsored Advanced Chemical and Biological Integrated Response Course (ACBIRC) for several years.

CAREER CHRONOLOGY:
• July 2023 – Present: Executive Technical Director, White Sands Missile Range, U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, White Sands, NM (Limited Term SES)
• November 2016 – July 2023: Chief of Staff, Dugway Proving Ground, U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, Dugway, UT
• January 2004 – November 2016: Various Positions, Special Programs Division, U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, Dugway, UT
COLLEGE:
• Master of Science, Plant Science, Utah State University, 1997
• Bachelor of Science, Botany, Brigham Young University, 1995
CERTIFICATIONS:
• Level III Acquisition Certification – Test and Evaluation
AWARDS AND HONORS:
• Meritorious Civilian Service Award
• Honorable Order of the Dragon

Joel Babbitt is the VP Army for Viasat, a worldwide SATCOM provider, where he helps transform the U.S. Army’s communications portfolio to meet tomorrow’s threats. He joined Viasat upon retiring from America’s most elite forces, where he was in charge of that community’s 286 programs and its $1.8B annual modernization budget. Joel has served as a program manager at every level, finishing his career as a program executive officer. Additionally, Joel is the best-selling author of “Half-Price Negotiating: Reframing Defense Acquisition Program Management to Achieve Extraordinary Results.”

 

Ryan Norman serves as the Test Resource Management Center’s (TRMC) Chief Data Officer (CDO), where he is responsible for developing and overseeing execution of the strategic plan, underlying architecture, and related investments necessary to help improve T&E Knowledge Management and analysis capabilities across the DoD. Mr. Norman also serves as the TRMC’s lead for Joint Mission Environments, where he is responsible for leading the Joint Mission Environment Test Capability (JMETC) team that provides distributed Test & Evaluation (T&E) infrastructure, enterprise services, and technical expertise to facilities across the Department of Defense (DoD). This role includes acting as the Director for the Test & Training Enabling Architecture (TENA) Software Development Activity (SDA), which maintains and evolves an integration architecture that ensures live-virtual-constructive interoperability within and between test and training ranges. Since joining the TRMC in 2008, Mr. Norman has held several additional positions including: Project Manager for the Cyber Operations Research and Network Analysis (CORONA) project; TRMC’s Senior Engineer for Cyberspace Test Capabilities; Chief Engineer of the JMETC program; and TRMC Lead for Army Range Oversight. Mr. Norman previously served at U.S. Army Redstone Test Center (RTC) as Software Architect. Mr. Norman holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology and is a DoD certified acquisition professional in the T&E, Information Technology, and Program Management career fields.

Panel 1 Digital Engineering through the Lens of T&E

Moderator 

William S. Harrell, JMETC Digital Engineering Lead, Test Resource Management Center

 

Panelists

Brian J. Kelly was appointed as a Scientific and Professional Senior Technologist (ST) in December 2023, and serves as the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command’s Chief Data and Analytics Officer (CDAO). This position is a direct report to the Executive Technical Director/Deputy to the Commander of ATEC, focused on digitally transforming the test and evaluation data and data products command-wide.

Prior to ATEC, Mr. Kelly was the lead data scientist in the Network Cross Functional Team (N-CFT), a matrixed position with U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Data and Analysis Center, formally known as U.S. Army Materiel Systems Analysis Activity (AMSAA), from 2019 to 2022.

From 2012 to 2019, Mr. Kelly served as the lead for the Cyber Electromagnetic Activities Team. In this position, he led the systems performance analysis of the Multi-Function Electronic Warfare Analysis of Alternative, which the Army conducted to inform an acquisition category II Milestone A decision.

Mr. Kelly held the position of lead analyst for an organizational-wide solution for data request and data fulfillment vision from within the Joint Data Center, the central hub of all system performance data at AMSAA from 2011-2012. He helped establish a coalition within AMSAA, as well as with various customers to begin the modernization.

From 2006 to 2011, he served as the acting team lead of AMSAA’s Survivability Team where he developed a set of physical and behavioral models for a new functional area titled active protective systems within OneSAF.

Mr. Kelly started his civil service in 1999 serving as a lead analyst on the Advanced Simulation Team at AMSAA, supporting the Product Manager in the contract evaluation through version 1.0 for a next generation force level simulation called OneSAF Objective System – a brigade and below semi-automated force on force level simulation.

Mr. Kelly’s educational achievements include a Mechanical Engineering degree from University of Maryland College Park in 2000, a master’s degree in Computer Science – Information Security from Johns Hopkins University in 2004 and a master’s degree in Computer Science – Cybersecurity from University of Delaware in 2017.

Joshua Goins is a Chief Technologist at the US ARMY Redstone Test center under the Army Test and Evaluation Command. As Chief Technologist, Mr. Goins develops new capabilities to support DoD modernization efforts focusing primarily on expeditionary data collection systems and architectures. Mr. Goins is responsible for ensuring that the systems being develop keep pace with current and future weapon systems requirements using the latest technology and practices available to the DoD.

 

 

Jeff Tolleson is a Group Vice President at PeopleTec, an employee-owned Defense firm specializing in a variety of services and products in the digital transformation, cybersecurity, modeling & simulation, and other competency areas. Jeff leads a portfolio of digital transformation, intelligence analysis, data science, offensive cyber, and test modernization government product development initiatives 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, U.S. Army DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center, U.S. Northern Command, Test Resource Management Center (TRMC), and the Office of the Director of Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E). 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, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, Army Program Executive Offices, and the Intelligence Community. Jeff is a U.S. Army Veteran who served in two combat deployments to Iraq during the heart of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He holds a BS degree in Business Management from Troy University and a MBA from Liberty University.

Amber Willett was appointed as a branch head in Naval Test Wing Atlantic’s (NTWL) new Test & Evaluation (T&E) Data Division in March 2024. In this position, Amber manages the Data Resource Management and Data Engineer & Analysis Liaison branches who ensure all NTWL data management requirements are met including collection, processing, transfer, and analysis to enhance decision makers’ effectiveness in supporting the warfighter.

Prior to NTWL’s T&E Data Division developing, Amber was a data resource manager for NTWL from 2022-2024 collaboratively working with Atlantic Ranges and Target Data Engineer and Analysis Section.

From 2014-2022, Amber served as an Aeromechanics and Structures Flight Test Engineer (FTE) for NTWL on multiple aircraft test programs: USN E-XX (E-6B replacement) TACAMO aircraft, USCG HC 27J, USMC CH 53K Stallion, USN P 8A Poseidon, RAAF KC-30A Tanker, and USN E-6B Mercury.

Amber’s educational achievements include graduating from the United States Naval Test Pilot School’s fixed-wing FTE curriculum (2021), a master’s degree in Systems Engineering from Naval Postgraduate School (2017), and a Mechanical Engineering bachelor’s degree with a concentration in Aerospace Engineering from Old Dominion University (2014).

In her spare time, Amber served as the Society of Flight Test Engineers Patuxent River Chapter Programs Officer from 2022-2024 coordinating monthly meetings to advance test effectiveness, safety, and efficiency by sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration across the aerospace industry. Amber also enjoys coaching and playing soccer, hiking and camping with her husband and three dogs, and reading.

 

Kyle Snow is a rising leader and recognized subject matter expert within the Air Force Test Center (AFTC) in the fields of data, analytics, and digital engineering. Kyle currently serves as an Operations Research Analyst within the 96th Test Wing’s (96 TW) Strategic Initiatives division at Eglin AFB, FL. Through his duties as the 96 TW’s Digital Engineering Lead, Kyle has positioned the 96 TW at the leading edge of Digital Engineering implementation, shaping the organization’s approach in alignment with Department of Defense strategic vector and the needs of major acquisition programs. Through projects with the Test Resource Management Center and OUSD(R&E) DTE&A, as well as through his direction of the 96 TW MBSE Consortium, his efforts have been instrumental in fostering collaboration between the Air Force, Army, and Navy T&E communities.

Kyle holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Florida, and a Master of Science in Operations Research from the Georgia Institute of Technology. His academic achievements complement his extensive professional experience, showcasing a holistic approach to problem-solving and innovation within the aerospace domain. Despite his relatively short civilian career, Kyle has received numerous awards, including Air Force Level Junior Analyst of the Year award for 2023, attesting to his unwavering dedication and exceptional contributions to the AFTC and the broader defense community.

Panel 2  “Plant 42, Nothing Happens Here”

Moderator

Dr David G. Smith, is the Director of the multi-billion dollar Air Force Production Facility, Plant 42. Previously he was the Senior Installation Support Director for Edwards Air Force Base, where he champions essential infrastructure and support capabilities directly influencing the flight test mission. He is also retired from the United States Air Force with most recent duties as the Inspector General for Edwards AFB and an Experimental Test Flight Radar Navigator attached to the 419th Flight Test Squadron, supporting the development, evaluation and procurement of new technologies in aircraft, performance, weaponry, and avionics. He is also the Special Assistant to the Commanding General, California Guard, California Military Department, where he as a Brigadier General supports Title 32 actions for the readiness, effectiveness and integration of forces with the California Army and Air National Guard.

Doctor Smith entered the Air Force in 1982, and flew B-52’s at multiple locations. He many accomplishments include earning the coveted Fairchild Trophy; an achievement recognized by President Reagan. He was hand-picked from all B-52, B-1 and FB-111 crews to accompany General Chain, CINCSAC, to represent the SAC alert force receiving the David C. Schilling Award for the year’s most outstanding contribution to flight. He has also served as a Regimental Air Liaison Officer attached to the elite 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. He has deployed to combat duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Doctor Smith is married to the former Denise Cook, and they share six children, a son Damien, and daughters, Daira, Darcie, Avalon, Bailee, and Madyson, along with eight grandchildren.

Panelists

Senior Master Sergeant Eric C. Tabb, is Senior Enlisted Advisor for the 412 Security Forces Squadron, Edwards Air Force Base California. In this capacity, he advises the Defense Force Commander on enlisted matters and serves as a mentor responsible for synchronizing the efforts of over 700 military and Department of Air Force law enforcement officials for the defense of the second largest base in the Air Force. He serves as a focal point for base defense of 308,000 acres while simultaneously ensuring the support for Los Angeles Air Force Base, Palmdale’s Plant 42, March Air Reserve Base, and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service. He oversees the protection of 56 organizational development test and evaluation programs to advance 14 Department of Defense aircraft platforms valued at $18 billion dollars, including the $20 billion dollar B-21 Raider platform, forming one-third of the $634 billion nuclear triad. He supports security requirements for the Air Force Test Center (NAF equivalent), Air Force Test Pilot School, NASA Research Center, and the British and Netherlands Royal Air Forces.
SMSgt Tabb’s professional background includes various leadership positions within Security Forces. This includes Logistics & Readiness Superintendent, Wing Antiterrorism Officer, and Operations Noncommissioned Officer while assigned Embassy duty. SMSgt Tabb’s service includes assignments in California, Florida, Nevada, and Texas, with overseas assignments to Zambia, Turkey, Portugal, and Italy. He has deployed in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM and INHERENT RESOLVE.
Prior to assuming his current position, he served as Senior Enlisted Leader for 412th SFS, Detachment 1, Air Force Plant 42.

Steven Nastally, is currently the Lead Program Manager for Business Integration at Air Force Plant 42 (AFP 42) located in Palmdale, CA. He is responsible for project portfolio management and execution. He plans for new construction, renovations, and facility alterations which may impact telecommunications and cyber capabilities enabling mission partner operations and 412 TW units supporting the production flight test mission.

Mr. Nastally joined the United States Air Force (USAF) in September 1993 where he served as an F-16 Crew Chief and aircraft inspector with the 416th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards AFB. He separated from the military in September 1997 as an E-5 and continued to serve as a contractor and DoD civilian supporting NASA F-18, 412 Test Wing (TW) F-16 chase, and the United States Test Pilot School’s (TPS) NF-16 Variable In-Flight Test Aircraft (VISTA) test and maintenance operations. Mr. Nastally completed his bachelor’s degree in computer science and continued his service with TPS providing software development and information technology (IT) support. Upon completion of his master’s in business administration, he joined the 412th Communications Squadron as an IT project manager and became Chief of the Project Management Office and then Branch Chief of the Plans, Programs and Resources section. He mentored and led engineering, finance, agreement, and project management teams in completing major upgrades to telecommunications systems, fiber cable infrastructure, networking systems, and land mobile radio systems supporting the 412 TW flight test programs.  In October 2021, Mr. Nastally joined AFP 42 as the Business Integration lead program manager where he plans and executes IT infrastructure and telecommunications projects in support of the 412th Test Wing Operating Location, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, commercial mission partners, Department of Defense units and flight test programs serving the industrial production mission. He completed a master’s degree in military Operational Art and Science from Air University April 2023 with Highest Distinction.

Dwight Junio is the Base Civil Engineer, Operating Location Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale, California.

Mr Junio received his commission and entered active duty in May 1995 as an Air Force Civil Engineer officer. He has commanded a Civil Engineer Squadron and served in a variety of positions at the multi-national, major command, and installation levels, both in the continental United States and overseas in the Republic of Korea, Germany, Azores, and Canada. He has worked at installation level Environmental, Operations, and Engineering Flights and served a tour with RED HORSE, the U.S. Air Force’s premiere heavy construction unit. He also served a tour as an exchange officer with the Canadian Forces Construction Engineering Staff.  Mr Junio’s final military assignment was Creech Air Force Base, Nevada when he retired in 2015.

Mr Junio’s civil service career started at Plant 42 as the Chief of Civil Engineering Operations before being promoted to Base Civil Engineer.  He later served as Chief of Projects with the Veteran Affairs Southern Nevada Healthcare System in Las Vegas, Nevada prior to returning to Plant 42 to reprise his role as the Base Civil Engineer.