• Ivan Bolden, Chief, Army Partnerships, G-9 (Installations), U.S. Army 
• Toniann Fisher, Director, Air Force Community Partnerships and Mission Sustainment 
• Col. Joseph Novario, Marine Corps Installation Management Command

• Mike Coltrin, Assistant Deputy Secretary for Force Support and Military Programs, U.S. Air Force  
• Geraldine Valentino-Smith, Director, Defense State Liaison Office, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy 

• Nia Hope, Chief of Staff, Corporate Responsibility for JPMorgan Chase & Co. 
• Avery Ouellette, Private Sector Engagement Director at RTI International 
• Gayle Girod, Assistant General Counsel, Bureau for Development, Democracy and Innovation, U.S. Agency for International Development 
• Daniel Glasson, Deputy Director for Community Investment, Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation
• Moderated by Jim Thompson, Deputy Group Chief, Private Sector Group, Office of the Director of National Intelligence

This keynote panel will discuss how the military services and defense Communities can help attract and retain a new generation of leaders. Led by a panel of senior military and community leaders, this discussion will explore this emerging generation’s expectations, strengths, values, and the importance of developing a community and organizational culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion that can harness the capabilities of an increasingly diverse talent pool. 

• Daniel Dailey, Sergeant Major of the Army (ret.), Vice President, NCO and Soldier Programs, AUSA  
• Brynt Parameter, Senior Director of Military Affairs and Head of Non-Traditional Talent Acquisition, Walmart; Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army 
• Lt. Gen. Kevin Vereen, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-9 (Installations), U.S. Army  
• Moderated by Brig. Gen. Terrance Adams, Director, Cyberspace Operations and Warfighter Communications, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Cyber Effects Operations, U.S. Air Force  

From Ukraine and Eastern Europe to the volatile Indo-Pacific region, the National Guard State Partnership Program has been at the forefront in building the military capability and professionalism of our friends and allies around the world. Join National Guard leaders from across the country as they discuss how the program works, why it has been so successful, and how communities can support the mission. 

• Maj. Gen. Matthew Beevers, Acting, the Adjutant General
• Maj. Gen. John Hronek, Adjutant General of Montana  
• Maj. Gen. Bill Zana, National Director, National Guard State Partnership Program 
• Moderated by Steven Ford, National Guard Program Manager, Tetra Tech

Hear from leading experts, journalists, and beltway insiders as they discuss the key issues, politics, and ideas that will drive defense policy and budget decisions for the next two years. 

• Mackenzie Eaglen, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute 
• Todd Harrison, Managing Director, Metrea Strategic Insights  
• Matthew Herrmann, Senior Advisor, The Roosevelt Group 
• Karen Jowers, Senior Reporter, Military Times 
• Moderated by Matt Borron, Executive Director, ADC   

DOD is taking an aggressive approach to tackling climate change and the threat it poses to our military installations. This conversation will explore the current strategy, actions taken to this point and the road ahead. 

• Joe Bryan, Chief Sustainability Officer & Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Defense 
• John Conger, Director Emeritus, Center for Climate and Security 
• Moderated by Mike Berger, Principal, Booz Allen 

• Thomas Ford, Administrator, Grand Forks County, ND; ADC Board of Directors
• Keith Graf, Executive Director, Texas Military Preparedness Commission
• Jill McClune, Legislative Lead, Army Alliance for Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MG

Recent studies show that readily available and enduring military spouse employment is needed to maintain a livable standard of living for military families. Even with record pay raises for the military, dual income military families are required to meet today’s rising costs of living. Unfortunately, many military spouses are unable to find permanent or portable meaningful careers due to the nomadic lifestyle of the military. In the 2023 NDAA, the Secure Act 2.0 and the Military Spouses Retirement Security Act provided some tax relief to small employers to help improve employment opportunities for military spouses. Local communities can assist small businesses with locating and referring military spouses to local employers to take advantage of this new benefit. DOD also advanced new policies to give federal workplace preference to military spouses. In addition, DOD and HOH have teamed up to offer 12-week paid internships for military spouses.

• Elizabeth O’Brien, Executive Director, US Chamber of Commerce, Hiring Our Heroes 
• Patty Barron, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy 
• Patty George, Spouse of the 38th Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army 
• Moderated by Mike Immler, Vice President, Military Affairs, First Command Financial Services, Inc 

Hear from the key Service leaders responsible for policies related to installation management, environment sustainment and energy. Dive into their top priorities and challenges and learn how communities and industry partners can play a role in supporting their mission. 

• Paul Farnan, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy, and Environment 
• Edwin Oshiba, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Energy, and Environment  
• Bob Thompson, Performing the Duties of the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Energy, Installations, and Environment 
• Moderated by Rebecca Gray, Senior Vice President, Boingo Wireless 

 

Infrastructure cybersecurity has emerged as a primary defense community mission. Several Department of Energy (DOE) and Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) programs now fund defense community cybersecurity research and workforce members. Communities seek guidance from mission partners, including federal agencies and infrastructure providers, on how to develop critical cybersecurity capabilities for homeland infrastructure protection missions. 

• David Batz, Managing Director, Cyber & Infrastructure Security, Edison Electric Institute  
• Bridgette Bourge, Senior Director, Cybersecurity, American Public Power Association 
• Daryl Haegley, Technical Director for Control Systems Cyber Resiliency & Division Chief for Civil Engineering Systems and Data, U.S. Air Force  
• Cynthia Hsu, Cybersecurity Program Manager, Rural and Municipal Utilities, Department of Energy  
• Doug Wolfe, Vice President & General Manager, Jacobs
  
• Moderated by Alex Brickner, Director, SBIR Program, UMass Lowell Research Institute 

Aviation noise continues to be a top concern for communities. This town hall will explore the Air Installations Compatible Use Zones program, which is being revitalized to better support for land uses and better communication. Panelists will discuss template legislation to encourage land planning outcomes, staffing initiatives to improve relationships, and the new Noise Mitigation Community Partnership.

• James Potter, Chair, Defense Noise Working Group, U.S. Air Force 
• Erica Rohr, Director, Noise Program, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Energy, Installations and Environment)  
• Tom Crabbs, Military Liaison, Commonwealth of Virginia 
• Scott Spencer, Assistant Deputy Director for Community Adjustment and the Program Activity Lead for Community Noise Mitigation, Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation
  
• Moderated by Celeste Boccieri–Werner, Chief of Strategic Development & Executive Vice President, Matrix Design Group, Inc.

An in-depth conversation that will explore the key challenges facing the U.S. Army and how defense communities can support Army missions, soldiers and families.

• Hon. Christine Wormuth, Secretary of the Army
• Interviewed by Karen Holt, ADC Vice President and Federal Installation Administrator, Harford County, MD

Tasked with new missions and expanding roles at home and abroad, the Reserve Component is facing a complex and evolving set of challenges that require the skills of a new generation of service members. This in-depth discussion will explore the innovative strategies and partnerships National Guard and Reserve Component leadership are undertaking to ensure the force is able to attract and retain the next generation of citizen-soldiers.

• Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, Director, Army National Guard 
• Maj. Gen. Gregory Mosser, Deputy Commanding General, Army Reserve  
• Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Pennington, Deputy Chief, Air Force Reserve 
• Maj. Gen. Duke Pirak, Deputy Director, Air National Guard 
• Moderated by Brian Garrett, Deputy Director for Military Affairs, Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs 

Congressional leaders will discuss their bipartisan work on the House Armed Services Committee and last year’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Learn about new infrastructure opportunities for state and local governments, a key provision in the FY23 NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) that will impact installations and military families, and these leaders’ priorities for the FY24 NDAA.  

• U.S. Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02), House Armed Services Committee
  
• U.S. Congressman Jason Crow (CO-6), House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
  
• Moderated by Sal Nodjomian, CEO, Matrix Design Group; ADC Board of Directors; City Councilman, Niceville, FL

Recruitment remains one of the biggest challenges the armed services are facing. To boost recruitment and retention, the military needs to get creative. One solution: Get defense communities involved. As the home of the military, defense communities are uniquely qualified to drive awareness and support for these goals. Join this discussion of the challenges and opportunities with leaders from both the private and public sectors.

• Sharene Brown, Spouse of the 22nd Chief of Staff of the Air Force 
• Kristi Hilbert, CEO, Heroes Supporting Heroes; Air Force Civic Leader Program  
• Meredith Lozar, Head of Community Development & Government Relations, JPMorgan Chase & Co. 
• Craig Wilhelm, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army  
• Moderated by Mona Dexter, Vice President, Military and Veteran Affairs, Comcast NBCUniversal

Often overlooked in the conversation about military recruitment is the critical role defense communities play in fostering military familiarization, leadership, and critical skills in our nation’s youth. Getting the next generation excited about STEM, the jobs we will have in the future, and the leadership opportunities that brings isn’t easy to do, and getting to our rural and at risk communities is even harder. Explore innovative community- and industry-led programs across the country that engage children by providing valuable education and experiences, as well as demonstrating the wealth of opportunities that a career in the military or defense industry can offer.

• Scott Andes, Program Lead, $1 Billion Build Back Better Regional Competition, U.S. Economic Development Administration  
• Robert “Gator” Ator, Director of Military Affairs, Arkansas Economic Development Commission 
• Cindy Miller, SAME Leadership Development Programs
• Bob Herrmann, Executive Director, Middle Georgia STEM Alliance
• Aaron Stebner, GA-AIM Lead and Associate Professor, Woodruff Faculty Fellow, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering
• Moderated by Dan Rhoades, Chief Operating Officer, Robins Air Force Base 21st Century Partnership 

Ensuring high quality military child education has remained a principal concern of Service Chiefs for more than a decade. The concerns are not simply matters of military family life policy, but rather critical needs that have direct impact on both Force Retention and Force Readiness. This concern has been validated by successive years of military family survey responses, the 2016 Service Secretaries notice to the nation’s governors, and the incision of education quality in the Strategic Basing Program (originally launched by USAF in 2017 and subsequently mandated of all Services in the 2019 NDAA). The broader economic implications of education quality’s inclusion in strategic basing decisions led ADC leadership to action a group of military child education specialists to support defense community leaders. This session provides a primer for both civilian and uniformed leaders charged with developing and executing effective mitigation strategies. 

• Kirsten Baesler, State School Superintendent and Administrator, North Dakota Department of Public Instruction; Board President, Council of Chief State School Officers
• Dr. Jerrod Wheeler, Superintendent of Schools, Knob Noster School District, MO; ADC Board of Directors; Military Child Education Coalition Board of Directors
• Marcus Lingenfelter, Chief Policy Officer, Cognia; ADC Education Task Force
• Moderated by Jim Cowan, Executive Director, Collaborative for Student Success; Executive Director, Military Families for High Standards

DOD and AT&T FirstNet are working toward developing new telecommunications infrastructure at all military installations. This session will explore the current efforts being undertaken by industry stakeholders, cell carriers and installation managers to deploying Passive Telecom Infrastructure (PTI) elements, macro towers, small cells, dark fiber and in building systems on Navy, Marines, Air Force, Space Force, and Army bases across the country.

• Terry Yonkers, Former Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistic Installations, Environment and Logistics 
• LTG (R) Mike Ferriter, President & CEO, National Veterans Memorial and Museum. 
• Scott Solomon, Chief Strategy Officer, U.S. Air Force, AT&T Business – Public Sector & FIRSTNET, Defense and National Security 
• Vice Admiral (R) William French, Former Commander of Navy Installation Command   
• Christopher Woehler, Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff G-6, Marine Corps Installations Command
• Moderated by COL (R) Lou Zeisman, VP Military Relations, Signal Point 

An increase in foreign investment in development and real estate around military installations has become a growing concern for DOD and community leaders. This discussion will explore how Congress is working to support communities and installations in managing the risks and challenges posed by these investments.

• U.S. Rep. John Garamendi (CA-08), Ranking Member, House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee
• Dan Burke, Director, Foreign Investment Review, Mitigation, Compliance and Monitoring, U.S. Air & Space Force
• Moderated by Sandy Person, Executive Director, Travis Community Consortium and Solano County Economic Development Corp, CA

An in-depth conversation that will explore the key issues, priorities and politics that will shape this year’s Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations debate in Congress. 

• U.S. Rep John Carter (TX-31), Chairman, House Appropriations Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee 
• Moderated by Diane Rath, Executive Director, Alamo Area Council of Governments; ADC Board of Directors

An opportunity for attendees to engage directly with OLDCC leadership on the key DOD programs that drive installation-community partnerships, innovation and mission readiness at the local level. 

• Patrick O’Brien, Director, Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation 

Hear from the key Air Force & Army leaders responsible for policies related to training, quality of life, force management and manpower, military civilian personnel and diversity, equity and inclusion. This discussion will dive into their top priorities and challenges, and the role communities can play in supporting their mission.

• Hon. Alex Wagner, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower & Reserve Affairs 
• Dr. Agnes G. Schaefer, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower & Reserve Affairs
• Moderated by Rob McCartney, CEO, The Barry Robinson Center

ADC will sit down with newly confirmed Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations and Environment to discuss his top priorities and thoughts on the role of defense communities in supporting his 2023 efforts.

• Brendan Owens, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment

The services have begun to sound the alarm bell on their dwindling stockpile of munitions and available weapons systems. The supply chain crisis, caused by the pandemic coupled with ongoing war in Ukraine, has placed an enormous strain on DOD’s ability to uphold training and readiness requirements. Senior DOD, industry and congressional leaders will dive into the complexity of this issue and provide their perspectives on how defense communities can help support efforts to rebuild our arsenal, continue supporting Ukraine, and maintain our military’s technological edge. 

• U.S. Sen Tim Kaine (VA), Chair, Senate Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee
• Paul Cramer, Performing the Duties of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment
• Halimah Najieb-Locke, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Resilience
• Brian Abbe, Executive Vice President, Global Defense Sector Engineering Division, Booz Allen Hamilton
• Moderated by Harry Kleiser, Executive Director, SIA Solutions; ADC Board of Directors

• Senator Tammy Duckworth (IL), Senate Armed Services Committee
  
• Moderated by Kimberly Huth, Executive Director, Military Affairs, St. Clair County, IL

• Michael Wu, Principal and Co-Founder, Converge Strategies
• Sharon Burke, President, Ecospherics
• Sandy Kline, Deputy Command Information Officer, Enterprise Integration, Naval Facilities Engineering Command
• Rachel Ross, Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer, U.S. Department of Defense
• Shawn Bennett, Director for Clean Energy, White House Council for Environmental Quality

This panel will discuss how DOD and defense communities are working together to address PFAS in defense communities.

• John Reeder, Vice President of Federal Affairs, Environmental Working Group
• Richard Kidd, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Environment & Energy Resilience
• Barry Steinberg, Partner, Kutak Rock
• Moderated by George Schlossberg, Kutak Rock; ADC General Counsel, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Environment & Energy Resilience

How can current and former defense assets, including land, buildings, and even missions, be a the basis of local economic development strategies? Join us for an open forum to end this year’s summit where we will explore this issue and hear about your projects and ideas.  From BRAC redevelopment projects to EULs and everything in between, we will explore how communities and regions are advancing innovative ideas and talk about how ADC can continue these discussions at future events. This is an open discussion forum, and everyone is invited to participate.

Discussion Leaders:

• Tom Ford, Director of Administration, Grand Forks County
• Scott Norton, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer, TexAmericas Center