Arthur Grijalva

ARTHUR F. GRIJALVA is the Director of SpaceWERX, guiding strategic initiatives for the Space Force focused on innovative space technologies and partnerships. Steering a $460M annual portfolio, his leadership of SpaceWERX Ventures, Spark, and Prime programs accelerates the integration of commercial technology into space defense. His journey commenced at the U.S. Air Force Academy, which led to a distinguished tenure as the Deputy Director for Acquisition Delta-Space Warfighting at Space Systems Command, where he oversaw significant classified projects. He holds an M.S. in Industrial Engineering from New Mexico State University and is an alumnus of the University of Southern California's SHIELD program, a joint endeavor of the Price School of Public Policy & Viterbi School of Engineering, to enhance his expertise.

Bernard Edwards

Bernard Edwards is the Deputy Communications and Navigation Systems Capability Lead for NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate. In that role, he provides technical advice to NASA’s Science Mission Directorate and the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate. He also serves as the Chief Communications Systems Engineer at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. He supports the NASA representative to the Interagency Operations Advisory Group (IOAG) and until 2024 chaired the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) Optical Communications Working Group. He also served as the Chief Engineer for the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration Project. He received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering in 1989, a M.S. in Electrical Engineering in 1991, and a M.S. in Computer Science in 1993 all from The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.

Brigadier General (Ret.) Robert "Tip" Osterthaler

Mr. Osterthaler is a retired Air Force Brigadier General who also has over 25 years experience in the private sector providing technical services and telecommunications networks to enterprise and government customers. He is currently serving on multiple governing and advisory boards, focusing primarily on the space and communications industries where he also regularly participates in diligence projects for private equity and research firms.

After retiring from the Air Force, Mr. Osterthaler spent 10 years as senior vice president at SAIC providing technical services to government clients and 8 years as President and CEO of satellite service provider SES Government Solutions. While at SES, Mr. Osterthaler was a leading industry voice for better integration of commercial space capabilities into the national security space architecture and proposed a number of innovations that have changed the nature of the relationship between the satellite industry and the US Government.

He has served as Board Chair of ND SatCom, a satellite equipment company; Advisory Board Member for Hawkeye 360, a radio frequency collection and analysis company; and Advisory Board Member for Lynk Global, a provider of satellite direct-to-device connectivity. From 2017 until 2021, he was on the Board of FirstNet, the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network, the largest wireless public safety network in the world, where he served on the Technology Committee, chaired the Finance Committee, and was Board Chair.
 

Clare Hopper

Clare A. Hopper is Director, Commercial Satellite Communications (COMSATCOM) Office, assigned to the Space Systems Command, United States Space Force, Washington, D.C. She is responsible for delivering COMSATCOM capabilities to support the joint warfighter, federal agencies, and international partners. Her portfolio includes the Enhanced Mobile Satellite Service (EMSS) Program Office, the EMSS Capabilities Office and the Department of Defense COMSATCOM Solutions Program Office.

EMSS is an $800 million global satellite program that provides the Department of Defense, federal and coalition partners with unlimited access to the commercial Iridium constellation, a mesh-network of 66 on-orbit cross-linked satellites, through a dedicated, EMSS controlled gateway.

The COMSATCOM Solutions Program Office acquires any commercial satellite capability for any customer, anywhere, and has over $5 billion under management.

Prior to this role, Mrs. Hopper was the SATCOM Division Chief, Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). In this role she managed the Department of Defense Enterprise Gateways Program Office, the SATCOM Operations Integration Branch, and the COMSATCOM portfolio described above, prior to its Congressionally directed transfer to the United States Space Force. Other assignments include Program Manager, EMSS and Program Manager for a classified telecommunications system within DISA’s National Leadership Command Capabilities Center (NLCC). Mrs. Hopper began her career in government with DISA as a Contracting Officer, and served as the Chief, Special Projects Contracting Branch, which held a contracts portfolio valued over $2 billion.

Prior to joining the government, Mrs. Hopper was a retirement funds analyst for T. Rowe Price.

Mrs. Hopper received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from West Virginia University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Mrs. Hopper is Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Level 3 certified in Contracting from the Defense Acquisition University (DAU).

Colonel Aaron Stevenson

Colonel Albert 'AC' Harris III

Colonel Albert C. Harris III is the Commandant and Commander of the National Security Space Institute, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. He leads a multi-service team providing space-centric professional continuing education to select space warfighters, international partners, and leaders worldwide. The Institute offers a wide spectrum of education opportunities spanning the tactical, operational, and strategic levels of war, with subjects ranging from space law and doctrine to the geo-political implications of space combat employment. The Institute proudly serves the education needs of the US Space Force, Sister Services, Federal Agencies, NATO, and 62 partner nations. Colonel Harris commissioned in the Air Force in 2004, and then re- commissioned into the Space Force in 2020. He completed Squadron Officer’s School, Air Command and Staff College, Air War College, is a graduate of the Advanced Space Operations School’s Advanced Orbital Mechanics Course, Advanced Satellite Communications Course, and has earned a doctorate with distinction from Capella University’s School of Public Service Leadership. His previous assignments include a variety of leadership positions in inter-continental ballistic missiles, space operations, joint planning and exercises, and enterprise-wide strategic planning. Moreover, the depth and breadth of his experience has allowed Lt Col Harris to publish six space related journal articles in three different languages. He is married to Susan Lea Harris and they have one son, Albert C. Harris IV.
EDUCATION
2004
Bachelor of Arts in Music, University of Kentucky
2005
ICBM React B Operations Training, Air Education and Training Command
2007
Space Acquisition, Defense Acquisitions University
2007
Fundamentals of Systems Acquisition, Defense Acquisitions University
2008
Air and Space Power Course, Lemay Center for Doctrine Development and Education
2008
Squadron Officer School, Air Education and Training Command
2008
Master of Science in International Relations, Troy University
2009
Space Surveillance, Air Education and Training Command
2009
Warfighter Planning Course Online, Lemay Center for Doctrine Development and Education
2010
Advanced Orbital Mechanics, Advanced Space Operations School
2010
Intermediate Systems Acquisition, Defense Acquisitions University
2011
Satellite Communications Advanced Course, Advanced Space Operations School
2012
National Systems Information Course
2013
NRO Acquisition Planning and Roles and Responsibilities, NRO Acquisitions Center of Excellence
2013
NRO and the Congressional Budget Process, NRO Acquisitions Center of Excellence
2013
Air Command and Staff College, Air Education and Training Command
2014
Space 200, National Security Space Institute
2015
Contingency/Wartime Planning Course
2015
Doctor of Public Administration-Graduated with Distinction
2016
Space 300, National Security Space Institute
2018
Air War College, Air Education and Training Command
ASSIGNMENTS
1.
September 2004 – April 2005, Student, Officer Space Prerequisite and ICBM React B Operations Training, Vandenberg AFB, CA.
2.
April 2005 – August 2008, Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander (Squadron Command Post); Deputy Missile Combat Crew Flight Commander; Missile Combat Crew Commander (Squadron Command Post); Wing Weapons Safety Manager, Malmstrom AFB, MT.
3.
August 2008 – May 2011, Space Battle Manager; Team Lead of Space Situational Awareness Operations Procedures; Deputy Chief of Operations Procedures; Chief of Launch Operations; Chief of the Special Events Team, Combat Operations Division, 614 Air and Space Operations Center/JSpOC, Vandenberg AFB, CA.
4.
May 2011 – July 2012, Chief of the Joint Space Effects Team, Combat Plans Division, 614 Air and Space Operations Center/JSpOC, Vandenberg AFB, CA.
5.
July 2012 – July 2013, Deputy Chief of the Adjudications Branch, Personnel Security Division, Office of Security and Counterintelligence, HQ National Reconnaissance Office, Chantilly, VA.
6.
July 2013 – June 2016, Senior Mission Director; Chief, NRO Training and Exercise Plans, National Reconnaissance Operations Center, Mission Operations Directorate, HQ National Reconnaissance Office, Chantilly, VA.
7.
July 2016 – June 2018, Operations Officer, Communications Operations Squadron East, Network Operations Group, HQ National Reconnaissance Office, Chantilly, VA.
8.
June 2018 – July 2020, Chief, Strategic Plans Branch, Headquarters Air Force Space Command (A8XP); Chief, Strategic Plans Branch (S8XP); Senior Executive Officer to the Director, Plans, Programs, and Financial Management (S8E), Headquarters United States Space Force, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.
9.
July 2020 – November 2020, Chief of Staff, Space Training and Readiness Delta, Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado.
10.
November 2020 – September 2021, Director, Space Training and Readiness Delta Operating Location-A, Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado.
11.
September 2021 – June 2023, Commander, 392d Combat Training Squadron, Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado.
12.
June 2023 – June 2024, Executive Officer to the Commander, Space Operations Command, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado.
13.
June 2024 – May 2025, Deputy Commander, Space Delta 8, Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado.
14.
May 2025 – Present, Commandant, National Security Space Institute, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado.
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal, 1-oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Service Medal, 3-oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal, 3-oak leaf clusters
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award, 4-oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal
Air and Space Campaign Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal, 1 “N” Device
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2006
341 Operations Group General Curtis Lemay Leadership Award
2007
Air Force Space Command Safety Award of Distinction
2011
Air Force Space Command CGO Space Operator of the Year
2013
NRO (NAF Level) Company Grade Officer of the Quarter
2014
NRO (NAF Level) Field Grade Officer of the Quarter
2016
Technology Operations Group FGO of the Year
2017
Air Force Space Command FGO Space Operator of the Year
2018
Director, National Reconnaissance Office Silver Medal
2018
HQ Air Force Space Command Directorate of Plans, Programs and Financial Management Field Grade Officer of the Year
2020
HQ United States Space Force, Field Grade Officer of the Quarter
OCCUPATIONAL BADGES
Master Space Badge
Basic Missile Badge
Commander’s Pin
PUBLICATIONS
2011
Harris III, A.C. (2011). [Review of the book Effects-Based Operations: Applying Network Centric Warfare in Peace, Crisis, and
War, by E. A. Smith]. Air and Space Power Journal, 120-121.
2011
Harris III, A.C. (2011). Administering the 2010 National Space Policy: Lessons from History and Recommendations for the
Future. The High Frontier: The Journal for Space and Cyberspace Professionals, 7(2), 56-60.
2014
Harris III, A.C. (2014). Maintaining Space Superiority. Air and Space Power Journal, 28(1), 68-82.
2014
Harris III, A.C. (2014). Maintaining Space Superiority. Air and Space Power Journal: Chinese Edition, 8(1), 49-56.
2015
Harris III, A.C. (2015). Improving Organizational Communication: An Action Research Study within a Federal Agency
(Dissertation). Capella University.
2017
Harris III, A.C. (2017). Maintaining Space Superiority. Air and Space Power Journal, Spanish Edition, 29(4),
2018
Harris III, A.C. (2018). Preparing for Multi-domain Warfare: Lessons from Space/Cyber Operations. Air and Space Power
Journal, 32(3), 45-61.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Member, Space Force Association
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant, 2004
First Lieutenant, 2006
Captain, 2008
Major, 2014
Lieutenant Colonel, 2019
Colonel, 2025
(Current as of November 2025)

Colonel Edward Ferguson

Col Edward G. Ferguson is the Deputy Commander, Delta 8, Schriever SFB, CO. He is responsible for the Department of Defense (DoD) Military Satellite Communications System (MILSATCOM) and is the focal point for U.S. protected and assured SATCOM. As Deputy Commander his team executes command and control of the nation’s MILSATCOM constellation, develops and trains space warfighters, and delivers joint force capabilities through 24/7 crew operations. Additionally, Delta 8 generates, presents, and sustains a $55B+ SATCOM portfolio with units and Guardians stationed around the world supporting eleven combatant commands and numerous Allies.
Col Ferguson began his Air Force career in 2001 as a Physicist after graduating from the Colorado School of Mines. He received his commission through ROTC Detachment 105 at the University of Colorado – Boulder. He has held a variety of acquisitions, ICBM combat crew and staff positions. Col Ferguson was a CSAF Blue Horizons Fellow, a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Service Chief’s Fellow, is a graduate of Naval War College Navy Command and Staff program as a Gravely Scholar, and graduate of the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies. Prior to his current position, the Col was the Chief, Advanced Warfighter Capabilities and Resources Analysis Division and the Director, Space Technical Analysis Group, at United States Space Command, Schriever SFB, CO.
Col Ferguson has deployed as the Executive Officer, 379th Expeditionary Mission Support Group in support of Operations ENDURING and IRAQI FREEDOM and Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, and as an Operations Analyst in the Strategy Division of the U.S. Air Forces Central Command Air and Space Operations Center in support of Operations ENDURING and IRAQI FREEDOM.

Colonel Gary Goff

Lieutenant Colonel Gary M. Goff is the Director of the Spectrum Warfare Division in System Delta 89. In this role, he manages a portfolio of classified electronic warfare, cyber, and advanced military communications activities. His portfolio includes technology investments and capability demonstrations to define future ground and space-based systems for warfighters.

Lieutenant Colonel Goff received his commission in 2006 after graduation from the United States Air Force Academy and completed basic acquisition management training at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, OH. He began his career as a satellite engineer for the Wideband Global SATCOM constellation in the 3rd Space Operational Squadron (SOPS) at Schriever AFB, CO. While in 3 SOPS, he transitioned to lead the ground systems engineering shop facilitating command and control of MILSATCOM assets. On his next assignment, Gary served as a project officer for the acquisition of the primary sensor of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) constellation. Later, he transitioned to branch chief and led the acquisition of all 8 sensors flown on each DMSP asset. Lt Col Goff took a break from space acquisitions to pursue a PhD in Space Systems at Wright Patterson AFB. After he completed his degree from the Air Force Institute of Technology, he began working as a program manager for the Research and Technology arm of the Imagery Intelligence Directorate at the National Reconnaissance Office. After working as the chief of the mission engineering branch, he served as the acting division chief. Next, Lt Col Goff attended the Army Command and General Staff College in Leavenworth, KS for intermediate developmental education. After graduating, he moved to the Pentagon and served as the program element monitor for space based infrared systems working for the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisitions in the Space Capability Directorate. He implemented programming, planning, budgeting, and execution plans on missile warning for the Secretary of the Air Force. Next, he was selected for Materiel Leader and accepted an assignment at Los Angeles Garrison. In his two years, he led a 250-member government and contractor team pioneering new satellite communications and overhead persistent infrared payloads, architectures, demos, and analyses. After developing the Evolved Strategic SATCOM future payloads through requirements / functional reviews and component testing, Lt Col Goff was moved into the space sensing directorate to lead the Medium Earth Orbit Resilient Missile Warning / Missile Tracking Missile Track Custody program. There he led the development of two future overhead persistent infrared (OPIR) orbital planes of capability totaling 12 satellites and a combined $2B of investments delivering capabilities for warning and tracking ballistic and maneuvering missiles. As the program grew, Lt Col Goff transitioned to work the future acquisition of the next program phase, Epoch 2. In this role, he led the development of up to four future OPIR orbital planes of capability for the entire MEO constellation totaling a combined ~$3B of planned investments for warning and tracking missiles. After OPIR, Lt Col Goff served as the deputy director of the advanced MILSATCOM acquisition delta which later was absorbed into the Spectrum Warfare Division. As deputy director he led a group of 50 military and civilians managing a $3B capability portfolio. Lt Col Goff is Defense Acquisition Workforce advanced certified in Program Management.

Lt Col Goff is married to the former Andrea Potter of Norman, OK and together they have two daughters, Claire (10) and Quinn (5).

EDUCATION
2006 Bachelor of Science in Astronautical Engineering, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO (Distinguished Graduate)
2006 Fundamentals of Acquisition Management, Wright Patterson AFB, OH
2007 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB (Exceptional Performer)
2008 Supplemental Officer Space 100 Training, Vandenberg AFB, CO
2009 Masters of Engineering in Engineering Management, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO
2010 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL (Distinguished Graduate)
2015 Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD), Air Force Institute of Technology, OH
2017 Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS (Top 20% Graduate)

ASSIGNMENTS
1. Aug 06 - Jul 09 Wideband Global SATCOM Space Systems Engineer, 3rd Space Operations Squadron, Schriever AFB, CO
2. Aug 09 - Jul 10 Ground Systems Engineering, 3rd Space Operations Squadron, Schriever AFB, CO
3. Aug 10 - Jul 11 Project Manager, Visible Infrared payloads, Defense Weather Systems Directorate, Los Angeles AFB, CA
4. Aug 11 - Jul 12 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Sensors Branch Chief, Defense Weather Systems Directorate, Los Angeles AFB, CA
5. Aug 12 - Jun 15 Air Force Institute of Technology PhD Student, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
6. Jul 15 - Jun 16, Program Manager Advanced Imagining Sensor, Imagery Intelligence Directorate, National Reconnaissance Office, Chantilly, VA
7. Jul 16 - Jun 17, Chief, Electro-Optics Division, Research and Technology Office, Imagery Intelligence Directorate, National Reconnaissance Office, Chantilly, VA
8. Jun 17 – Jun 18 Command and General Staff School Student, Fort Leavenworth , KS
9. Jun 18 – Jun 20 Program Element Monitor, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Acquisitions, Pentagon, Washington DC
10. Jun 20 – May 22 Materiel Leader, Strategic Payloads, Development Corps, Space Systems Command, Los Angeles Garrison, CA
11. May 22 – Aug 23 Materiel Leader, Resilient Missile Warning / Missile Tracking MEO Space, Space Sensing, Space Systems Command, Los Angeles Garrison, CA
12. Aug 23 – Aug 24 Materiel Leader, Resilient Missile Warning/Missile Tracking Epoch 2, Space Sensing, Space Systems Command, Los Angeles Garrison, CA
13. Aug 24 – Deputy Director, Spectrum Warfare Acquisition Delta, Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power, Space Systems Command, Los Angeles Garrison, CA
14. Aug 25 – Acting Director, Spectrum Warfare Acquisition Delta, Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power, Space Systems Command, Los Angeles Garrison, CA

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 31, 2006
First Lieutenant May 31, 2008
Captain May 31, 2010
Major May 1, 2016
Lieutenant Colonel Sep 1, 2020
Colonel Apr 1, 2026

 

Colonel Julia Donley

Colonel Julia M. Donley assumed duties as the U.S. Army
Signal School Commandant and the 43rd Chief of Signal at
Fort Gordon, GA on 21 June 2024. As the Commandant,
Colonel Donley oversees more than 550 educators training
approximately 11,000 students annually and represents the
Signal Regiment in all matters for active Duty, Reserves, and
National Guard components worldwide serving as the
Personnel and Branch Proponent for more than 55,000
Soldiers.
Colonel Donley commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the
U.S. Army Signal Corps through the Reserve Officer Training
Corps program at Georgetown University in 2000. Colonel
Donley earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs:
Russia and Eastern Europe from the George Washington
University, her Master of Arts in Security Studies from
Kansas State University, and a Master of Science in National
Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School for National
Security and Resource Strategy.
Colonel Donley has since held a variety of command and staff positions to include her most recent
assignment as the 21st Signal Brigade Commander, Fort Detrick, MD; Defense Support to Civil-
Military Operations Afghanistan, J6, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar; Network Analyst for HQDA G8,
Programs Analysis and Evaluation, Pentagon, DC; 302d Signal Battalion Commander; Fort Detrick,
MD; Legislative Liaison, Office of the Chief Legislative Liaison, Pentagon, DC, and the Army Military
Aide to the Vice President of the United States, Washington, DC.
From 2006 to 2011, Colonel Donley was stationed at Fort Gordon, where she served with 67th
Signal Battalion as Assistant S3 and Company Commander (deployed to OIF 06-08: Victory Base,
International Zone and Taji), 35th TTSB as Assistant Brigade S3, and 63d Signal Battalion as
Battalion S3 and Executive Officer. She was assigned to 1st Infantry Division in Germany, where
she served as Battalion S6 of 1-1 Aviation (Attack) Battalion, and Platoon Leader and Assistant S3
of 121 Signal Battalion, deploying to OIF I (Oguzeli, Turkey) and OIF II (Tikrit, Iraq).

Colonel Raj Agrawal

Col Raj Agrawal is Military Deputy for Space; Department of the Air Force Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications, and Battle Management; Headquarters, United States Space Force. Prior to this assignment, he was the inaugural commander of Mission Delta 2, the United States Space Force’s first Space Domain Awareness mission area command, amounting to $4.6 billion-dollar oversight across operations, sustainment, development, cyber defense, and intelligence; spanning the globe with over 1000 personnel at 17 locations supporting national security objectives in four countries. Col Agrawal earned his commission from the USAF Officer Training School in 2001 after serving for eight years as a schoolteacher in Texas. The colonel has extensive joint and battle management experience spanning five Air and Space Operations Centers, the National Reconnaissance Office, multiple combatant commands and named operations.
Colonel Agrawal is a graduate of the US Air Force Weapons School, the US Army Air Defense Artillery Fire Control Officer School, a Distinguished Graduate of Air Command and Staff College and the Eisenhower School, a graduate of the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, and has a Ph.D. in Business Administration.
EDUCATION
1997
Bachelor of Science, Southwestern A/G University, Waxahachie, TX
2003
Master of Business Administration, Touro College, Cypress, CA
2013
Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air University (ACSC), Maxwell AFB, AL
2014
Master of Philosophy in Military Strategy, Air University (SAASS), Maxwell AFB, AL
2015
Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration, Northcentral University, Prescott Valley, AZ
2019
Master of Science in National Resource Strategy, National Defense University, Ft McNair, DC
ASSIGNMENTS
Sep 2001-Aug 2004 Trainee; Crew commander; Ops Instructor; Chief Ops Training, 10 SWS, Cavalier AFS, ND Sep 2004-Jun 2006 Chief, Missile Warning Training; AETC Master Instructor, 533 TRS, Vandenberg AFB, CA Jun 2006-Jun 2007 Executive Officer, 381 TRG, Vandenberg AFB, CA
Jun 2007-Aug 2008 Space Operations Duty Officer, 614 AOC (JSpOC), Vandenberg AFB, CA
Sep 2008-Aug 2010 Chief, Space Operations and Missile Defense; Executive Officer, 613 AOC, Hickam AFB, HI Aug 2010-Jun 2011 Deputy Director of Space Forces, 13 AF/PACAF, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI
Sep 2010-Jan 2011 Chief, Non-Kinetic Effects Team, 609 AOC, AL-Udeid AB, Qatar Jul 2011-Jul 2012 Chief, Special Technical Operations, 607 AOC, Osan AB, S Korea Aug 2012-Jul 2014 IDE and ASG Student, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL
Jul 2014-Jun 2016 Director of Operations, Communication Operations Squadron -West, ADF-C, Buckley AFB, CO Jun 2016-Jun 2018 Commander, 20th Space Control Squadron, Eglin AFB Site C-6, FL (+5 GSUs)
Aug 2018-Jun 2019 SDE Student, Eisenhower School, National Defense University, Ft McNair, Washington DC
Jun 2019-Jul 2021 Division Chief, Office of the Assistant SecAF for Space Acquisition & Integration, The Pentagon Jul 2021-Jul 2022 Chief, International Affairs Space Division, Department of the Air Force, The Pentagon
Jul 2022-Jun 2023 Chief, Future Operations, HQ Space Forces Component, U.S. Space Command, Peterson SFB, CO Jun 2023-Jul 2025 Commander, Space Delta 2 & Mission Delta 2, Peterson SFB, CO
(Current as of December 2025)
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2 oak leaf clusters) Meritorious Service Medal (2 oak leaf clusters)
Air Force Commendation Medal (1 oak leaf cluster) Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal Combat Readiness Medal National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Korean Defense Service Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant
Sep 27, 2001
First Lieutenant
Sep 27, 2003
Captain
Sep 27, 2005
Major
Nov 1, 2011
Lieutenant Colonel
Jan 1, 2016
Colonel
Apr 1, 2021

Colonel Ryan Rose

CWO 5 Rilin "Phil" Desamours

Rilin Desamours is a Senior Space and RF Systems Engineer with 20+ years designing resilient Over-The-Air transport architectures integrating space-based capabilities and terrestrial networks for Marine Corps and Joint Forces operations. He brings deep expertise in RF systems engineering, satellite communications, and space operations with extensive experience in DoD requirements management and acquisition processes. Rilin has supported contingency and emergency response communications across Pacific and Middle East theaters, leveraging ISR, SATCOM, and PNT systems for operational success. He is currently serving as the Senior Space and RF Engineer at HQMC IC4, providing executive-level guidance to senior leadership within the Marine Corps Space Operations and Communications Communities while developing next-generation Marine Space and RF Systems Engineers.

David Logsdon

David Logsdon is the Senior Director, Space Policy, ITI Space Enterprise Council. In his role, he has created and implemented a strategic international space cooperation engagement plan involving multiple countries, which has helped drive US engagement (both G-to-G and private sector) with international partners. Logsdon facilitated the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreements with seven countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Norway). Logsdon was one of the leading players in helping get Technology Safeguards Agreements signed and ratified between the US and Brazilian and Australian governments. Logsdon also led trade missions to Brazil and Chile.

Logsdon holds a private sector leadership position within the DHS CISA Space Systems Security and Resilience Landscape working group, leading an effort to create a space/cybersecurity/zero trust framework. Logsdon is also the Vice Chair of the IEEE International government subgroup, helping create a global space and cybersecurity standard.

 

Dr Brendan Mulvaney

Dr. Brendan Mulvaney is the Director of the China Aerospace Studies Institute. He is a Marine who served for a quarter of a century, where he flew more than 2000 hours as an AH-1W Cobra pilot. He is an Olmsted Scholar who studied at Fudan University in Shanghai, China.

He enlisted in 1991 and was commissioned in 1993 after graduating from UC San Diego. He earned his Master’s in Leadership from the University of San Diego in 2002, and was selected as one of only three Marine Olmsted Scholars for 2003. He studied at Fudan University in Shanghai, China from 2003-2005 where he earned his Ph.D. in International Relations.

He served several tours in California, Iraq, Japan, and the Western Pacific. He served as the first Director of the Commandant’s Red Team, and supervised the implementation of Red Teaming in the Marine Corps. In 2013 he transferred to the U.S. Naval Academy, where he was the Associate Chair for the Languages and Cultures Department, and taught Mandarin Chinese, Chinese culture, and cross-cultural literacy.

He and his wife, Samantha, have twin boys, Sean and Ryan, and live in Alexandria, VA.
 

Dr Jay Schwarz

Jay Schwarz recently rejoined the FCC as Chief of the Space Bureau. Before rejoining the FCC, he served as Vice President of Public Policy at Comcast, focusing on broadband policy. Previously at the FCC he was Wireline Advisor to former Chairman Ajit Pai and held positions within the Wireline Competition Bureau, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, and the Office of Strategic Planning. Jay holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Pittsburgh and an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University.
 

Dr Julie Smith

Dr. Julie Smith is a Principal Research Physicist for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Space Vehicles Directorate. Julie received her master’s degree in physics from the University of New Mexico (UNM) in 2008 and her PhD in Electrical Engineering in 2024. After graduation in 2008 Julie began working for AFRL’s Directed Energy Directorate at Starfire Optical Range. For 7 years in the Directed Energy Directorate, Julie worked on advances in atmospheric propagation, atmospheric modeling and simulation, MEMS technology, adaptive optics, quantum communications and optical communications. During her time in Directed Energy, she published numerous papers on atmospheric propagation and was an active member in the Optical Society of America, OSA. In 2015, Julie moved to AFRL’s Space Vehicles Directorate to work with the Future Space Communications group where she led efforts to advance communication technologies throughout the DoD. In 2016 she was named the Laser Communications Strategy Lead for the Space Vehicles Directorate and in 2020 became the lead for the Communications Tech Area. Julie works with DoD and commercial organizations to develop novel communication and Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) technologies as well as standards for interoperability. She is also an active member of SPIE, IEEE, WIE and SWE.

Dr R. Nicholas Lanning

R. Nicholas Lanning joined AFRL in 2019 after receiving his PhD in quantum optics from Louisiana State University with Jonanthan P. Dowling. Dr. Lanning is a theorist specializing in the spectral and transvers-spatial mode structure of photons created in nonlinear-optical interactions, the design of entangled-photon sources, quantum communication over free-space channels including ground-space links. He is the PI of the Free-space Atmospheric Links for Quantum Optical Networks (FALQON) program at the Air Force Research Lab – Directed Energy Directorate – Space Electro-Optics Division (AFRL/RDS) at Kirtland AFB, NM.

Itzik Daniel Michaeli

Itzik is the Co-Founder and CEO of Commcrete. A former senior commander with +25 years of experience in special operations communications and intelligence. Itzik served as the Chief of Staff of the Special Intelligence Technology Unit, leading cutting-edge advancements in tactical communications. He previously headed the Special Operations Communications Unit within the Intelligence Special Forces and played a pivotal role in C4I strategy for elite special operations units, ensuring mission-critical connectivity in the most challenging environments. Throughout his career, he also served in various commanding roles as a communications officer and C4I leader for the Golani Infantry Brigade, enhancing battlefield communication capabilities for frontline forces.

Jared Reece

Jared Reece is Chief, Commercial Satellite Communications (COMSATCOM) Solutions Program Office, assigned to the Space Systems Command, United States Space Force, Washington, D.C. He is responsible for delivering COMSATCOM capabilities to support the joint warfighter, federal agencies, and international partners.

The COMSATCOM Solutions Program Office acquires COMSATCOM capability for any customer, anywhere in the world, and includes the Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (PLEO) Indefinity Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract awarded in 2023 with a current ceiling of $13B.

Mr. Reece started his career supporting the COMSATCOM Solutions Office in 2015, specializing in cybersecurity, overseeing the transition from DIACAP to RMF, and supported the cybersecurity assessments transition from DISA to USSF, and has been overseeing the development of the IA-PRE cybersecurity program. He served as a program analyst within the program office, managing a variety of contracts from managed services to complex COMASTCOM solutions for the joint warfighter, and federal agencies. He took over as the COMSATCOM Solutions Program Office Branch Chief in 2022 and continues to support the COMSATCOM mission across the US DoD.

Mr. Reece received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Homeland Security, which focuses on emerging technologies, cyber threats, infrastructure protection, and private-sector partnerships.

Jennifer Krolikowski

Colonel (ret) Jennifer Krolikowski is currently the Chief Executive Officer for Plan Z LLC. Prior to this, she served 27 years in the Air Force and Space Force. In her first assignment, she served as a project engineer in the Manufacturing Technology Directorate at Wright Labs. After receiving a Master’s in Aeronautical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology, Jennifer was assigned to the 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron and accumulated 50+ flying hours in the B-52. She moved to the GPS Joint Program Office where duties included Executive Officer; Branch Chief, GPS III Acquisitions; and Air Force Program Executive Office’s GPS Staff Director. Ms. Krolikowski taught advanced courses in space based navigation and space acquisition at the National Security Space Institute and became their Deputy Director for Mission Support. At HQ Air Force Space Command, she served as Chief, Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Requirements. After graduating Air Command and Staff College, Jen consecutively worked as the Tactical Data Network Program Element Monitor; Deputy, Command and Control Division; and Chief, Executive Action Group under the Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisitions. She commanded as Materiel Leader of an ACAT I program, Base IT Infrastructure. Upon graduating Air War College with her third Master’s degree, Ms. Krolikowski became Branch Chief, Integrated Air and Missile Defense Global Requirements on Joint Staff. She then promoted to Military Assistant for DASD/Space, Strategic, and Intelligence Systems, Office of the Secretary of Defense. She commanded as Senior Materiel Leader for Space C2, establishing the USSF’s premier software factory, Kobayashi Maru. Jen most recently served as the Chief Information Officer for Space Systems Command, the acquisition arm of the United States Space Force.

Jen Krolikowski is recognized for the following:

John J. Welsh, Jr Award for Excellence in Acquisition Leadership, 2009
Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Team Innovation Award, 2010
PEO Outstanding Air Force Program Manager of the Year, ACAT I, 2013, 2014, & 2015
Federal Gears of the Government Award, 2019
Air Force Software Innovation Individual & Team Awards, 2020
Disruptive Change Agent Award, 2021
Leading for Impact, Women in Leadership Award, 2021
Fed 100 Award, 2023

 

Jonathan Yaari

Jonathan is a seasoned defense leader, serving 25 years in the Israeli Air Force where he held multiple senior roles and spearheaded pioneering operational and strategic planning initiatives. After transitioning from military service, Jonathan became a consultant with McKinsey & Company, advising top organizations across Israel and Europe. He then served as General Partner at AWZ Ventures - a leading venture capital firm investing in dual-use security technologies, and later as Chief Project Officer at the Azrieli Group, Israel's largest real estate company. Jonathan holds an MBA from INSEAD and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University.

Kelly Dennehy

Kelly Dennehy is Vice President of Enterprise and Government Sales at MTN Satellite, where he has led commercial growth across several verticals that include energy and retail. Kelly joined the organization in 2023 (prior to FMC GlobalSat's acquisition of MTN) and has grown with the business through that transition, taking on progressively senior roles that reflect both his impact and the expanding scope of MTN's enterprise ambitions.
Kelly's comprehensive background spans three complementary disciplines: high-performance sales leadership at Tesla, where he consistently exceeded targets averaging 146% to goal; private capital markets intelligence at PitchBook, where he advised clients on VC, M&A, and growth opportunities; and enterprise sales, where, across his roles at FMC GlobalSat and now MTN, he has built and scaled relationships with global organizations including Starbucks, PepsiCo, and others requiring mission-critical connectivity.
Kelly holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Gonzaga University and pursued graduate studies in Human-Computer Interaction Design at the University of Washington.
 

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Abde Bellahnid

LCol Bellahnid (Retd) is a Professional Engineer, with a master’s in industrial electronic (Power Electronics). He joined the Canadian Forces in 1991.

In 2008 he was posted to the Director of Space Development under the chief of force development (CFD), National Defence Headquarters Ottawa. CFD is responsible for all force development aspects of the Canadian military space programme, focusing from conception of capabilities to their acquisition and deployment. LCol Bellahnid (Retd) holds the position of Project Director of Space Requirements/SATCOM Requirements. LCol Bellahnid (Retd) presently lead a number of ongoing programs including the Tactical Narrowband SATCOM project and the Enhanced Satcom Communication Project – Polar.
 

Major Barton R. Gatrell

Major Gatrell serves as a Program Analyst for Satellite Communications (SATCOM) within the J86 Information Mobility Requirements Division, J8 Directorate, U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM). In this capacity, he is responsible for the development and advocacy of SATCOM applications and projects. He oversees the delivery of joint requirements through the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) and the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) processes.
Furthermore, Major Gatrell manages the creation of Initial Capabilities Documents (ICDs) and Integrated Priority Lists (IPLs) across Combatant Commands. His duties include analyzing system lifespans, gaps, and vulnerabilities to ensure SATCOM availability and spectrum agility during strategic planning and operations. Major Gatrell's military career encompasses 19 years of distinguished active-duty service in the U.S. Army. Prior to his assignment at USSPACECOM, he held a pivotal role with the 4th Infantry Division and V Corps, planning for and deploying to Poland in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. There, he was responsible for the oversight of Brigade and Corps-level rotational units’ digital integration of mission command systems. His operational history also includes deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Inherent Resolve, and Operation Resolute Support.
A significant portion of Major Gatrell's career has been devoted to assignments within the S6/G6 sections of diverse functional units, including sustainment, medical, military intelligence, and special operations. His military education is comprehensive, featuring the Signal Officer Basic Course, Signal Captains Career Course, Command and General Staff College, and the Army Space Cadre Basic Course. He holds multiple professional certifications, including CISSP, SecurityX, Security+, and Network+.
EDUCATION
2020: Master of Science Degree, Cybersecurity, Webster University
2005: Master of Arts Degree, International Politics, University of Utah
2002: Bachelor of Arts Degree, Political Science, University of Utah

ASSIGNMENTS
2025-Today: Program Analyst at USSPACECOM, Peterson Space Force Base, CO
2024-2025: G6 Network Operations Planner at V Corps Forward, Poznan Poland
2022-2024: Brigade S6 at 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson CO
2020-2022: Brigade S6 at 525th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade, Fort Bragg NC
2018-2020: Battalion S6 & Network Operations Officer at 44th Medical Brigade, Fort Bragg NC.
2016-2018: G6 Plans Officer at 593d Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Joint-Base Lewis McChord, WA.
2014-2016: Battalion S6 and Deputy Group S6 at 1st Special Forces Group, Joint-Base Lewis McChord, WA.
2012-2014: Battalion S6 at 92nd Civil Affairs Battalion, Fort Bragg NC.
2007-2010: Staff Officer at Brigade Troops Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, Fort Hood TX.
 

Nathan Getz

Nathan Getz is the Data Transport Cell Chief for the Space Development Agency (SDA). In this role, Nathan develops the data communications technical strategy for SDA. This includes waveforms, antenna technology and overall communications capabilities that SDA will be providing in future Tranches. Previously, Nathan was a senior scientist for L3Harris and worked as a systems architect in the Nuclear Command, Control and Communication (NC3) business area. Nathan has broad experience in waveform design, signal processing, communications architecture as well as integrating AI techniques into communication systems.

Ryan Rose

Samuel Visner

Samuel Sanders Visner serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center and as a Technical Fellow at the Aerospace Corporation. Sam is also a Senior Advisor to the Cybersecurity Solarium Commission. Sam served previously as Director of the National Cybersecurity Federally Funded Research and Development Center (MITRE), sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Sam is as a member of the Board of Directors of the Oak Ridge Associated Universities and also serves as a member of the Cyber Council of the Intelligence and National Security Alliance and the Cyber Committee of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association. Sam served as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, where he taught a course on cybersecurity policy, operations, and technology, and has also established a charitable trust for the University for the continued development of curricula in the study of information technology in international security. Sam is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Atlantic Council and is a former member of the Intelligence Community Studies Board. Sam is also a member of the Army Science Board. Sam served previously as Senior Vice President at ICF (Cybersecurity and Resilience), Vice President at CSC (General Manager, CSC Global Cybersecurity), Senior Vice President at SAIC, and as Chief of Signals Intelligence Programs at the National Security Agency, from which he received the Agency's highest award for civilian service in recognition of work done to transform the Agency’s signals intelligence infrastructure following 9/11. Sam holds a bachelor’s degree in International Politics from Georgetown University and a master’s degree in Telecommunications from the George Washington University.
 

Scott Davis

Scott Davis is Chief Executive Officer of MTN Satellite Government Solutions, where he leads the organization with a strategic focus on next-generation satellite technologies while preserving the company's deep commitment to legacy SATCOM systems. With a career spanning more than four decades in satellite communications during his military service and after, Scott brings a rare combination of operational authority, technical depth, and enterprise leadership to one of the sector's most specialized verticals.
Scott's foundation in satellite communications was forged during a 20-year career in the United States Air Force, where he retired as a Master Sergeant in 2004. For the final 13 years of his military service, he was assigned to the White House Communications Agency in Washington, D.C., serving as the Satellite Communications Subject Matter Expert and Spectrum Manager. In that role, he led the SATCOM team responsible for all satellite planning and frequency coordination with the Pentagon in direct support of the White House Administration.
Following his military service, Scott built an equally distinguished career in the private sector, dedicating over 20 years to supporting Department of War and government missions at leading satellite communications firms including Stratos Global, CopaSAT, and MTN Government, where he served as Senior Director of Engineering from 2008 to 2015. He has led cross-functional teams spanning RF engineering, spectrum analysis, sales engineering, network engineering, manufacturing, and product development. He returned to MTN Government in 2024 as President and CEO.
 

Scott Patrick

Scott Patrick helps direct NTIA’s work on national spectrum strategies and policies. His responsibilities include overseeing the development of spectrum-sharing and repurposing strategies in the agency’s work to address federal and commercial spectrum use and demand.
Before joining NTIA, Mr. Patrick was a wireless, media, and technology attorney in private practice, counseling telecom, cable, broadcast, and broadband companies on a wide range of policy, transactional, and regulatory matters. He also has served as an attorney in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau at the FCC. Early in his career, Mr. Patrick was a research engineer at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory where he helped deploy the first three-axis fiberoptic electromagnetic sensors. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering and physics from the University of Maryland.
 

Victor Valentine Davis

Mr. Victor Valentine Davis is the Deputy Executive Assistant Director of the Emergency Communications Division (ECD) and Government Chair of the Communications Information Sharing & Analysis Center. Mr. Davis was previously serving as CISA’s Associate Director for Preparedness. Mr. Davis Joined CISA from the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia. The Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) is an independent federal law enforcement agency that supports both the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

At PSA Mr. Davis served as an Assistant Director responsible for the agency's justice system support and defendant engagement operations. Mr. Davis has over 24 years of combined federal service in the U.S. military and federal civil service. Before joining PSA's executive leadership team, Mr. Davis served as a supervisory attorney and the Agency's Chief of Staff.

Prior to joining PSA, Mr. Davis served as the Chief of National Policy and Planning at the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate from 2016 to 2019. From 2009 to 2016, Mr. Davis was with the Department of Homeland Security. He served as a senior advisor to the Director of Operations, a Deputy Assistant Director of Capabilities Integration, and as the Director of the Interagency Modeling and Atmospheric Assessment Center. From 2007 to 2009, Mr. Davis was a federal contractor supporting the Departments of State, Defense, and Homeland Security. From 1997 to 2007, Mr. Davis served as a U.S. Marine, first as a Combat Engineer and later as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team Leader.

Mr. Davis is a father of 7 and holds a Bachelor of Science from American Military University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of the District of Columbia's David A Clarke School of Law.
 

Xavier P. Adams

Mr. Xavier P. Adams is the Acting Branch Chief of the Satellite Communications and Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Partnerships Branch at Space Systems Command International Affairs (SSC/IA). He is responsible for the development and execution of government-to-government agreements for SATCOM and PNT capabilities. He also provides security cooperation advice and guidance to the Command in support of SSC/IA's "Allied by Design" mission.