INNOVATION SYMPOSIUM

TIME

AGENDA FOR INNOVATION PROGRAM 11.18.2026

• Ms. Bonnie M. Green, Executive Director, The Patuxent Partnership
• Mr. Steve Spehn, Science & Technology Advisor, The Patuxent Partnership

• Ms. Sabra Horne, Entrepreneur-in-Residence at BMNT Inc. and author of Creating Innovation Navigators Note: *Ms. Horne will sign her book after the conference ends.

• Moderator: Mr. Robert Leonard, BMNT
• Brian A. Vickers, Lt Col USAF, Commander, 175^th Civil Engineer Squadron & Maryland Air National Guard Innovation Lead 
• Mr. Joe Fagan, Innovation Operations Support Manager at USAFRICOM
• Mr. Anthony Owens, BMNT Program Manager, SOF RACER
• Ms. Chierren M. Denman, NextStep Technology, Inc., in support of the National Guard Bureau (NGB) J81 Innovation Branch

• Coffee Break

• Moderator: Mr. Rick Tarr, Director, Technology Transfer Office, NAWCAD
• Dr. Theresa Schafer, CTO, NAWCAD
• Dr. Phillip Cole, Director, Technology Partnerships & Rapid Transition, NSWC Indian Head
• Dr. Elissa Trueman, CTO, NSWC Carderock
• Mr. Parker Page, NSWC Dahlgren
• Dr. Thomas Walls, Principal Scientist for Autonomous EO//IR IST, Naval Research Lab

• Mr. Nicholas Shaker, Deputy Director of Prototyping for ODASW (Prototyping & Experimentation)

• LUNCH

• Ms. Abigail Desjardins, Deputy Director, Global Partnerships Department of War Innovation Unit U.S. Department of War

• Northrop Grumman Corp: Carolyn Abrenica, Director of Programs, Autonomous Collaborative Platforms – Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems
• Boeing: Mr. Taylor Frank – Director, Air Dominance Strategy & Development
• Shield AI: Mr. J.J. Cummings, Director for Strategic Engagement, Navy
• Anduril: Mr. Drew Thomson, Senior Director, Strategic Growth NOTE: excellent article at TWZ 10 about the Anduril X BAT VTOL “Prototype X-BAT VTOL ‘Fighter’ Drone Unveiled” here: https://www.twz.com/news-features/x-bat-vtol-fighter-drone-prototype-unveiled?utm_source=beehiiv&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=twz-newsletter&_bhlid=a9e63ccf6b1b502c4103b7e3cc5e6c4f96565b73

• Coffee Break

• Jared “CLiF” Bindl, Lt Col USAF, Chief Innovation Officer, USAFRICOM

• Closing Remarks