Speakers

Ms. Katherine “Katie” Arrington is performing the duties of the Department of Defense Chief Information Officer.  In this capacity, she serves as the primary advisor to the Secretary of Defense for information management/Information Technology (IT); information assurance, as well as non-intelligence space systems; critical satellite communications, navigation, and timing programs; spectrum; and telecommunications.

Prior to assuming this role, she served as the Deputy CIO for Cybersecurity (DCIO(CS)). In this role she provided expert policy, technical, program, and defense-wide oversight support to the DoD CIO on all cybersecurity matters. She was responsible for leading the DoD-wide cybersecurity program, partnering with industry to improve cybersecurity and information sharing and represented the Secretary and DoD CIO in international discussions and negotiates on cybersecurity topics in both bilateral and multi-lateral (alliance and coalition) channels. 

Before assuming her position as DCIO(CS), Ms. Arrington was the Senior Vice President of External Affairs at Exiger, where she mobilized issues of universal consensus, including supply chain visibility, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and national security. She also ran for election to the U.S. House of Representatives for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District in 2022.

A leading expert in policy and technology with extensive experience building relationships and coalitions across the public, private and nonprofit sectors, Ms. Arrington was the first DoD CISO for the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD(A&S)). She served as the central hub and integrator within OUSD(A&S) to align acquisition and sustainment cyber strategy and efforts to enhance cyber security within the Defense Industrial Base. She led the White House COVID-19 Supply Chain Task Force for Acceleration as well as the team that created the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC).

Prior to her role as CISO for OUSD(A&S), Ms. Arrington had an extensive career as a legislator and senior cyber executive in private industry. She was a 2018 candidate for the US House of Representatives for South Carolina and served for two terms as a South Carolina State Representative. She has extensive experience in cyber strategy, policy, enablement, and implementation across a wide range of business sectors and governmental levels. She has over 15 years of cyber experience acquired through positions at Booz Allen Hamilton, Centuria Corporation, and Dispersive Networks. These positions have given her a unique experience of supporting and working with the government at large, small, and non-traditional contracting firms.

Jason M. Brown is the General Manager - Defense at Applied Intuition. Previously, Jason was Head of Professional Services - Defense at Google, where he led teams developing solutions for the U.S. public sector. Jason served as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Air Force for 26 years, holding roles including 480th ISR Wing Commander and founder of the Air Force Artificial Intelligence Accelerator at MIT. He has master's degrees from Georgetown University, Air University, and Marine Corps University, and a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M.

Masao Dahlgren is a fellow with the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), where he writes on missile defense, space, and emerging technologies. In addition to his writing, he has presented at conferences including the Hypersonic Innovation Conference and Directed Energy Technology Symposium and appeared in outlets including The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, Axios, CNBC, and others. Prior to joining CSIS, he worked at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, U.S. Department of Justice, and NVIDIA Corporation.

Tommy Gardner is HP’s Chief Technology Officer for HP Federal, spanning the US Federal Agencies, Higher Education, K-12 Education, State and Local government customer segments, as well as Federal Systems Integrators. His current responsibilities include technology leadership, strategic technology plans, product and technology strategies, sales force technical support, and customer and partner relationships.

Previously, Tommy has served as the Chief Technology Officer for Jacobs Engineering, Scitor, and ManTech. Earlier in his career he was a senior technical executive at Raytheon. In the U.S. Navy he served as the Deputy for Science and Technology for the Chief of Naval Research. He oversaw the Navy’s Deep Submergence Program as well as its Advanced Technology Program. He also commanded the nuclear submarine, USS San Juan (SSN 751).

Tommy’s educational background covers multiple disciplines and fields of interest including: cybersecurity, data science, blockchain, quantum information science, artificial intelligence, high performance computing and systems integration.

Tommy holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy, a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University, an M.S. in Management of Technology from MIT and a Ph. D. in Energy Economics from George Washington University. He is a Professional Engineer, an ASME Fellow, and serves on the ASME Board of Governors, the ANSI Board of Directors and the U. S. Council on Competitiveness as the Co-chair of the Advanced Computer Roundtable

Mr. Douglas L. Loverro, is a recognized and highly sought-after expert in defense and intelligence space matters, having worked for over 30 years in the Department of Defense (DoD) and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) developing, managing, and establishing national policy for the full range of National Security space activities. From 2013 to 2017, he served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy. In this role, he was responsible for establishing policy and guidance to assure United States and allied warfighters the benefits of space capabilities and to help guide the Department’s strategy for addressing space-related issues. He led Departmental activities in international space cooperation, assessment of the national security impacts of commercial space activities, and oversaw the establishment of a strategy for addressing growing challenges in space security.

From 2007 to 2013, Mr Loverro served as the Executive Director and Deputy Program Executive Officer for the Air Force Space Command’s Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC). In that capacity, he was responsible for the development, deployment, and sustainment of all Department of Air Force space systems and was a key spokesman for addressing the growing importance of space systems and the steps needed to assure them for the future. Prior to his assignment at SMC, he served in a wide range of space leadership roles as Deputy Director of System Engineering at the NRO, and Program Director for the Future Imagery Architecture System, the US Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) System, and the Air Force’s classified space control systems program.

Mr. Loverro is credited with a wide-ranging list of accomplishments in aerospace development including the development of a national strategy for space defense and space system resilience, initiating modernization of the third-generation GPS System, establishing the DoD’s Global Broadcast Service program, and the invention of the supersonic chemical oxygen-iodine laser. He is an outspoken advocate for greater use of commercial capabilities and manufacturing for future DoD space and launch missions. He retired from active duty in the Air Force as a Colonel in February 2006 after 30 years of uniformed service and upon selection as a member of the Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service.

Mr. Loverro holds an M.S. in Physics from the University of New Mexico, an M.S. in Political Science from Auburn University, an M.B.A. from the University of West Florida, and a B.S. in Chemistry from the United States Air Force Academy. He was the top graduate from his class at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and is a graduate of the JFK School of Government Senior Executives in National and International Security Program, and the National Defense University’s Pinnacle Program.

Mr. Loverro is married to Stephanie Loverro and they have two children, Adam and Kari. He is an avid triathlete and is in competition with his daughter, who is winning.

Leigh Palmer joined Google in 2022 as Vice President of Technology Strategy & Delivery for Google’s fast-growing Google Public Sector business.  In this role, she is responsible for delivering mission critical technology to public sector customers.  Leigh also is responsible for the global managed services of Google’s Distributed Cloud Hosted product.

Prior to joining Google Cloud, Leigh served in executive leadership roles at BAE Systems, CSRA and, most recently, at General Dynamics Information Technology. During her time in these roles, Leigh led teams delivering complex digital transformation programs for the Federal Government focusing on the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, and Intelligence Community.  Leigh has a passion for executing business objectives by building high performing teams. She was recognized in 2021 by WashingtonExec as one of the Top 25 DOD Execs to Watch and by Virginia Business’ Women in Leadership Awards. 

Leigh is on the Board of Directors for the Intelligence and National Security Alliance, and the AFCEA International Executive Committee.

Leigh earned her undergraduate degree at Virginia Tech, and a Masters degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She resides in Dunn Loring, VA with her husband and two children.

Lee is a hands-on technical executive who loves building AI systems and high-performing teams. He has extensive experience applying machine learning to a variety of DoD problems ranging from sensor processing to autonomous platform control. Prior to founding Primordial Labs, Lee was a technical leader at Lockheed Martin where he served as Director and Chief AI Architect for the Applied AI organization. Before that, he spent the better part of a decade at the Skunk Works

As a Principal Investor at Shield Capital, David Rothzeid is responsible for identifying and evaluating high-potential startups at the nexus of commercial innovation and national security. With over $350 million in assets under management, Shield Capital partners with visionary founders to scale transformative technologies. David sits on multiple boards and leverages his expertise to help portfolio companies navigate the complexities of federal procurement and access key government markets.

Before joining Shield, David spent thirteen years in the United States Air Force, where he held various assignments in Space Command, Air Force Materiel Command, Special Operations Command, the Defense Innovation Unit, and the Pentagon, separating at the rank of Major. He continues to serve in the Air Force Reserves at the Pentagon. David resides in Washington, D.C. with his wife, Lauren, and their Pit bull, Bentley.

Meghann Myers covers land warfare and other topics for Defense One. She formerly served as Pentagon bureau chief for Military Times and reported and edited for Army Times and Navy Times. She holds a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University.

Bradley Peniston is executive editor of Defense One. A national security journalist for a quarter-century, he helped launch Military.com, served as managing editor of Defense News, and was editor of Armed Forces Journal. His books include No Higher Honor: Saving the USS Samuel B. Roberts in the Persian Gulf (Naval Institute Press, 2006), which has been featured in the Chief of Naval Operations' Professional Reading Program.

Patrick Tucker is science and technology editor for Defense One. He’s also the author of The Naked Future: What Happens in a World That Anticipates Your Every Move? (Current, 2014). His coverage of the effects of emerging technology on national security has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, FOX, BBC and elsewhere. Previously, Tucker was deputy editor for The Futurist for nine years. Tucker has written about emerging technology in Slate, The Sun, MIT Technology Review, Wilson Quarterly, The American Legion Magazine, BBC News Magazine, Utne Reader, and elsewhere.

Lauren C. Williams is senior editor for Defense One. She previously covered defense technology and cybersecurity for FCW and Defense Systems. Before then, Williams has reported on several issues, including internet culture, national security, health care, politics and crime for various publications. She has a master's in journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park and a bachelor's in dietetics from the University of Delaware.