Venezia by PVII

Speakers

Jatin Bains has 30 years Commercial Maritime Industry experience. He is President of Channel Logistics USA since 2001 that developed Maritime Domain Awareness technologies. In the 1990’s he was President of Gulf & Orient Steamship Line and East Coast Overseas. From mid 70’s to late 80’s he sailed and subsequently held various mid management assignments with Steamship Lines. He served on and chaired various MDA Working Groups. He was an accredited US State Dept delegate to APEC 2006 on MDA. He has a Captain’s License, speaks and publishes articles on Asymmetric Warfare using Commercial Shipping.

Alan Bloodgood is the Director for Homeland Security Solutions for Lockheed Martin Transportation and Security Solutions. Alan is responsible for technology strategies, business strategies, and product management for Federal and non-Federal Markets in the areas of Border and Transportation Security solutions. Alan has degrees in both business and engineering. In 1993, Alan received an MBA degree with a concentration in Finance from the University of Maryland. He was a 1985 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a dual degree in Computer Engineering and Economics. Alan is an active coach of several children’s baseball teams in the Washington Metro Area. Alan and his wife Laura have 2 children, a son and a daughter.

Judee Burgoon is Professor of Communication, Professor of Family Studies and Human Development, and Director of Human Communication Research for the Center for the Management of Information at the University of Arizona. She holds a doctorate from West Virginia University in communication and educational psychology. Dr. Burgoon has authored or co-authored seven books and monographs and over 240 articles, chapters and reviews related to nonverbal and relational communication, interpersonal relationships, the impact of new communication technologies on human-human and human-computer interaction, research methods, and public opinion toward the media. Her research, which currently centers on deception, trust, interpersonal interaction, and new technologies, has been supported by extramural funding from the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, & the U. S. Army Research Institute’s Research and Advanced Concepts Office among others.

Yi-Chang Chiu is Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at The University of Arizona. Following the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis, Chiu was asked by the Federal Highway Administration and the Minnesota Department of Transportation to use a traffic simulation model to test and recommend proposed rerouting scenarios aimed to ease congestion in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas. He holds a Ph.D., Transportation Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, M.S., Transportation Engineering, National Chiao-Tung University, and B.S., Civil Engineering, National Taiwan Univeristy. Research Areas include Dynamic Traffic Assignment, Multi-Resolution Traffic Assignment Simulation Modeling, Critical infrastructure management and response, and Mass evacuation network modelling.

Dr. Garland Chow is Associate Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management and Director of the Bureau of Intelligent Transportation Systems (BITSAFS) and Freight Security at the Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia. Dr. Chow writes and teaches in the fields of supply chain, business logistics and freight transport management. He is an internationally known authority on motor carrier transportation and author of over 200 articles and reports. Since June 2005, he has been the director of BITSAFS, supervising and conducting research on the use of information technologies such as ITS to facilitate secure and efficient movement across borders. He is also conducting research on the design of global supply chain networks, off shore sourcing, marine container security and measuring performance in the transport chain.

Michael Clark has 40 years of experience in a wide variety of science and management positions in the Canadian Defence Department. A graduate of the University of Manitoba with a MSc in Mechanical Engineering, he began his career as a scientist with the Canadian Defence Research Board where he conducted research in solid rocket propulsion. He was subsequently appointed Director Armaments Division and Director S&T Air in Defence R&D Canada before moving to London, UK as Defence R&D Counsellor, Canadian High Commission. Mr. Clark has served on both the Weapon Systems and the Aerospace Systems groups of the Technical Cooperation Program and has been a member of the Structures and Materials Panel and the Studies, Analysis and Simulation Panel of the NATO Research and Technology Organization. In 2005, he assumed his current position as Counsellor Defence R&D at the Canadian Embassy in Washington where he is responsible for liaison in science and technology with the US Department of Defense and the US Department of Homeland Security.

Dr. Pablo de la Peña-Sanchez, Ph.D has held several positions within the ITESM System; as director of the Center for Strategic Studies at ITESM in Hermosillo, coordinated two strategic projects for the regional development in the state of Sonora. Dr. De la Peña, as director of the Graduate School and Continuous Education, coordinated several strategic planning processes for Mexican companies with a nationwide scope. He recently was awarded with a Ph.D in Public Administration and Policy from the University of Arizona; his research focus was analyzing the relationship between Foreign Direct Investment and the creation of a new entrepreneurial class in México. Dr. De la Peña is currently the Dean of the Undergraduate College at
Monterrey Tech Campus Sonora Norte in Hermosillo, Sonora; and he is coordinating the Study “Economic Opportunities for Development” in the State of Sonora, a research project founded by the Monterrey Tech System nationwide.

Alain Dudoit was appointed the Consul General of Canada, Los Angeles in 2004. Mr. Dudoit held a number of senior positions at Canada’s Privy Council Office, the Canadian International Development Agency and the Department of Finance. In 1982, he became Senior Departmental Assistant to the Secretary of State for External Affairs. From 1984 to 1988, he served in Paris as Minister-Counsellor (Commercial and Economic Affairs). In 1994, he was named Ambassador to the Czech Republic, a position he held until 1997. In 2000, he was appointed Ambassador to Spain. Mr. Dudoit received a BA [Philosophy], Université de Caen, 1965; winner, competitive preparatory examination, Université de Bordeaux, 1966; BA, Université de Montréal, 1966; BSc [Political Science], Université de Montréal, 1968; LLL [Licentiate in Laws], Université de Montréal, 1971; MSc [Political Science], Université de Montréal, 1972.

Ambassador Andreas Ekman became the Director General of the Swedish Inspectorate of Strategic Products (ISP) on September 1st, 2005. ISP controls Swedish production and exports of military equipment and dual use products. From 2003 to 2005, Ambassador Ekman worked at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, where he served as the Government’s co-ordinator supporting Swedish defence trade Prior to that, he was the Consul General of Sweden in Los Angeles (1998-2003) and Minister for Economic Affairs at the Swedish Embassy in Washington DC (1993 – 98). Andreas Ekman was a Deputy Under Secretary at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs 1989-93. As such he was the head of a Bureau that handled economic relations with Central and Eastern European countries, North America, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Ambassador Ekman has a MSc. from the Stockholm School of Economics.

Eric Frost, Ph.D., Faculty, Geological Sciences, Co-Director SDSU Center for Homeland Security, Co-Director, SDSU Visualization Center. An associate professor of Geological Sciences, Frost currently co-directs the College of Sciences’ Immersive Visualization Center, a laboratory funded by federal and industry sources and connected to the San Diego Supercomputer. One of the founding faculty for the SDSU Homeland Security master’s degree program, Frost has partnered with the law enforcement community and several federal agencies in staging “shadow” operations of real events to test San Diego’s emergency preparedness. Ph.D., 1983 University of Southern California. Dr. Frost’s research interests include Structural geology, Field geology, Regional tectonics, Seismic reflection profiling, and Geologic imaging.

Paul Ganster is Professor of History, Director of the Institute for Regional Studies of the Californias, and Associate Director of the Office of International Programs at San Diego State University. He is author of more than fifty articles, book chapters, and edited works on policy questions of the U.S.-Mexican border region, border environmental issues, Latin American social history, and comparative border studies. He is co-author with David Lorey of The U.S.-Mexican Border into the Twenty-First Century (Rowman & Littlefield, 2008). He has been a Fulbright Lecturer in Costa Rica and consultant on programmatic development for the United States Information Agency at universities in Mexico, Bolivia, Costa Rica, and Ecuador. Ganster also has been a visiting professor at the School of Economics of the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California in Tijuana. He is chair of the Good Neighbor Environmental Board, a federal panel that advises the president and congress on U.S.-Mexican border environmental issues.

James Gerow, Vice President, Swe-Dish Satellite Systems INC is responsible for introducing small aperture SHF system to the U.S. Market and manages service and support for SSSI customers. Jim provides insight on U.S. DoD communication architectures and manages product improvements as they relate to DoD and federal agency applications. Jim transferred to SSSI from Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) where he gained extensive experience in the deployment and operation of SHF communication systems. Prior to SOCEUR, Jim served as a Program Manager with the U.S. Special Operations Command and as a Project Engineer with the Naval Air Warfare Center. Jim obtained a BSEE from the University of Connecticut and has a prior military background with Naval Special Warfare.

Elyse Golob is the Director of the University of Arizona Office of Economic and Policy Analysis (OEPA). This Office conducts research on a wide variety of economic development issues to inform government officials, business and community leaders and the general public. Dr. Golob has played an instrumental role in spearheading the University’s border security initiatives and serves as co-chair of the Border Security Steering Committee. She is a founding member of the Southwest Border Security Consortium (SBSC), a collaboration of nine world-class research universities to address and solve border security challenges. Dr. Golob has a doctorate in urban planning and policy development from Rutgers University. She was the Vice President of Research at the New York City Economic Development Corporation and taught at Cornell University, Boston University and New York University.

David Higgerson is Director of Field Operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Arizona. In his new position, Higgerson will be responsible for the operations and enforcement activities at the eight international ports of entry in Arizona, which process almost 36 million people, nearly 9 million vehicles, 368,000 commercial trucks, and almost $18 billion in international trade every year. Prior to this assignment, Higgerson was Port Director in Hadalgo-Pharr, Texas, the fourth-largest port of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border. Higgerson has more than 35 years experience in government, with vast experience in international relations, law enforcement and trade issues. A proven leader, he has been the recipient of numerous awards, including several from such prestigious organizations as the World Customs Organization.

Michael Jenkin is a Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, and a member of the Centre for Vision Research at York University, Canada. Working in the fields of visually guided autonomous robots and virtual reality, he has published over 150 research papers including co-authoring Computational Principles of Mobile Robotics with Gregory Dudek and a series of co-edited books on human and machine vision with Laurence Harris. Michael Jenkin’s current research interests include work on sensing strategies for AQUA, an amphibious autonomous robot being developed as a collaboration between Dalhousie University, McGill University and York University; the development of tools and techniques to support crime scene investigation; and the understanding of the perception of self-motion and orientation in unusual environments including microgravity.

David M. Jurkowski, CMM, CD, BEng (Brigadier-General Retired) is Vice President, Government Relations & Aircraft Sales Support for Specialized Aircraft Solutions, a Division of Bombardier Aerospace. Mr Jurkowski holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Royal Military College of Canada. His military career includes 3,500 flying hours of operational fighter and advanced jet pilot training experience in Europe and Canada. He has commanded at the Fighter Squadron, Wing and Group levels and has extensive crisis management experience in many high visibility events at the national strategic level. As Chief of Staff Joint Operations for the Canadian Forces, he oversaw 72 operations around the globe during his three year appointment prior to retiring in 2000. Originally involved in Bombardier’s world benchmark military aviation training programs (NATO Flying Training in Canada and the CF18 Advanced Distributed Combat Training System), his current responsibilities centre on providing special mission aircraft to Canadian and foreign government customers.

Dr. Thia Kirubarajan holds the Canada Research Chair in Information Fusion at McMaster University, Canada, where he is an Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. At McMaster, he also leads the Estimation, Tracking and Fusion Research Laboratory (ETFLab). Dr Kirubarajan’s research interests are in estimation, target tracking, multi-source information fusion, sensor resource management, signal detection and fault diagnosis. He has published about 200 articles in these research areas, in addition to one book on estimation, tracking and navigation and four edited volumes. Dr Kirubarajan is a recipient of Ontario Premier’s Research Excellence Award and the IEEE Barry Carlton Award.

Dr. Jonathan Kofman’s past research includes the development of 3D scanners for the prosthetics industry in Sweden and the development of laser camera range sensors for prosthetics, which were commercialized by CAPOD Systems AB, Sweden, in 1991, and a technique for unconstrained range sensing, which was awarded a U.S. patent. He is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Systems Design Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada. His research interests include range sensing and intelligent optomechatronic and biomechatronic systems, and biometrics and surveillance as 3D vision. Dr. Kofman is Chair of the Optomechatronics Computer Vision Systems Conference of the International Society for Optical Engineering (SPIE).

Sandra Matthews is Manager, Business Development, OCRI Global Marketing group, responsible for the attraction of investment, companies and people to the Ottawa region and the branding and marketing of the City of Ottawa. Sandra promotes business for Ottawa’s companies in OGM’s partnership cities in the United States including Tucson, Raleigh, Washington, San Jose, Boston, as well as ongoing business development in India, Latin America and the UK. Sandra has been active in Ottawa’s economic development community for the past twelve years, working with the Ottawa Economic Development Corporation prior to its merger with OCRI. Sandra has an extensive background in working with Canada’s international affairs agencies including DFAIT, Industry Canada, and Ontario’s Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, and the foreign diplomatic community in Ottawa. Sandra has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Carleton University.

Captain Christopher P. McNamara, USN (Retired) is the principal in a consulting firm whose mission is to help its clients understand how the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security both generate and go about meeting their requirements. His firm, RaeMac, LLC, has offices in Tucson, AZ and Washington, DC. Mr. McNamara was previously with WBB Consulting. Prior to this Mr. McNamara was a Captain in the United States Navy. In his last post at sea, Mr. McNamara directed the operations of an Aircraft Carrier Battle Group, composed of 12 ships and submarines, 6,000 sailors and marines, and over 100 aircraft. When assigned ashore Mr. McNamara served as a special assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations. His work there resulted in his selection as a Senior Public Policy Fellow at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. A graduate of Georgetown University’s College of Arts and Sciences and Graduate School, his writings on National Strategy have received wide acclaim.

Richard J. Millies, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Deputy Director, Defense Security Cooperation Agency. Prior to this, he was Director of Policy, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs. He has extensive experience working international affairs issues, particularly those associated with technology transfer, weapons sales, and political-military affairs. Much of his work experience was in the Department of the Air Force, but he has also worked for the Navy Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Office of Management and Budget. He has a BA from Fordham University, MS in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, and MBA from Southern Illinois University. Mr. Millies attended executive development programs at Harvard and M.I.T. He was also an Air Force Reserve Officer for over 20 years.

Bernard O. Otremba-Blanc, Ph.D. was appointed Honorary Consul of Germany on August1, 2002. He is Chairman & CEO of the BOA Group, an international business consulting organization. He studied in Germany and the United States and holds a Master’s degree in business administration as well as a Ph.D. in economics. Dr. Otremba-Blanc was a founding member of the Arizona Chapter of the German American Chamber of Commerce and served on the Board of Directors from 1992 to 1999. Presently, he is the Director of the Arizona Chapter of the American Council on Germany and serves on two Advisory Boards at Arizona State University: the “Honors College Dean’s Council” and the “Director’s Council for the School of Global Studies”. In March of 2002, the President of Germany bestowed upon Dr. Otremba-Blanc the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesverdienstkreuz der Bundesrepublik Deutschland), for his endeavors in fostering and sustaining American- German relations.

Mark Page is a graduate of the University of Illinois. He worked 18 years for McDonnell/Douglas in advanced R&D. Projects included the MD-80 Propfan Demonstrator, the NASA HSCT Supersonic transport, Oblique All-Wing, and the NASA-Boeing Blended-Wing-Body where he served as Chief Engineer. Mr. Page was also the Chief Aerodynamicist for the MD-90. In 1997 Mr. Page got the racing bug and joined Swift in 2000. Since then, Mr. Page led the aero development of several RaceCars and designed the KillerBee Blended-Wing UAV. This past year Mr. Page led the design of the Eclipse Concept Jet for Eclipse Aviation. This program went from launch to first flight in just 200 days.

Colonel Vance Renfroe, USAF (Ret), is President of the Minuteman Institute for Defense Studies (MINDS) in Washington DC. Under his leadership, MINDS has been teaching university courses on democratic and multinational institutions in Russia and Germany since 2002 and has gained Department of Defense support for expansion of the teaching project into Europe, the Balkans, and Africa. Renfroe, a combat-seasoned Command Pilot/Evaluator, has been Air National Guard Director of Operations and Programs, senior advisor to both the Director of Operations, Headquarters United States Air Force, and to the Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans, HQ USAF. At the request of the Supreme Allied Commander, Renfroe became the first Reserve Forces Advisor to US European Command and promulgated the Directorate of Reserve Affairs. Colonel Renfroe is also president of Renfroe Associates International, a consulting firm with business in the Middle East and Asia.

Ilia Rosenberg, a member of Boeing Technical Fellowship Advisory Board and Chief Technologist for the Secure Border Initiative (SBInet) Program, led Boeing’s Integrated Product Team for the International Space Station Communications System and co-chaired Station NASA-Boeing International Partners Super Problem Resolution Team. While at Boeing he participated in the Technical Planning and Acquisition team tasked with expanding global research and development alliances, and securing strategic technologies. He served as the Boeing representative to the Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America and led activities in Radio Frequency Systems Certification Assessment for NASA’s Space Shuttle Return to Flight Program. His academic interests include human-computer interface technologies, logistics and intelligence systems. A published author in peer-reviewed science journals, whose projects were featured in the New York Times, Time, San Francisco Chronicle, New Scientist, BBC, and Discovery Channel.

Liz Schmelzinger is the Director of Integration Management at Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Secure Border Initiative (SBI) Program Executive Office (PEO). The Secure Border Initiative SBI a comprehensive, multi-year program to secure America’s borders and reduce illegal immigration. As the Director of Integration Management, Ms. Schmelzinger helps to integrate and unify CBP’s efforts against cross-border and trans-national activities that pose threats to homeland security, public safety, and the United States economy. In this capacity, Ms. Schmelzinger identifies congruencies in CBP programs, policies and procedures and works with CBP and DHS stakeholders to build synergies within those areas to increase mission success. Before re-joining CBP, Ms. Schmelzinger served as Assistant Director, DHS Secure Border Initiative where she led and monitored the integration of systems, programs and policies across DHS component agencies charged with the border security mission. Ms. Schmelzinger began her career in 1984 with the U.S. Customs Service at the Port of Buffalo, New York. While in Buffalo, Ms. Schmelzinger served as a Senior Customs Inspector and Import Specialist. In 2001, Ms. Schmelzinger served on staff for the Director of Field Operations at the CBP Tucson Field Office that operates the eight ports of entry in Arizona. In 2004 began her tenure in Washington, D.C. and joined DHS Border and Transportation Security Directorate as a Field Operations Program Manager. Ms. Schmelzinger attended the State University of New York, College at Buffalo, graduating with a Bachelor degree in Political Science. She went on to receive a certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution Studies from Cornell University, School of Industrial and Labor Relations and served as a Mediator for the New York State Unified Court System. Ms. Schmelzinger lives in Manassas, Virginia with her husband and three children.

Rafi Sela is President of AR Challenges, LTd. (Israel) & AR Challenges (USA), Inc. Mr. Sela is a former Co-Chairman of the US Airport Security Task force at HSIA – Homeland Security Industries Association (USA) & founder & former President of the ILHSIA – Israeli Homeland Security Industries Association. He currently manages teaming projects between Israeli Homeland Security companies and their counterparts in North America, India and SE Asia, and has extensive Defense and Security business development experience in North America and Europe for over 30 years. Mr. Sela served in the IDF for 20 years as a senior Ordnance Officer specializing in product development for the Special operations. (Including the design and manufacturing of the equipment for the Entebbe raid). He is married with three children and four grandchildren.

Dr. Jennifer Stewart is the Director General, Washington DC Region of the Department of Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) and Counsellor for Defence Procurement at the Canadian Embassy in Washington. Dr. Stewart’s office also supports the PWGSC International Cooperation Initiative, which facilitates knowledge and best practice sharing between Canada and the U.S. in the area of common services. Dr. Stewart is the current Chairman of the Foreign Procurement Group, a network of 25 countries who participate in the US Security Assistance Program. Dr. Stewart joined the Public Service in 1980. During her career, she has held various executive positions including Director, Human Resources Programs, PWGSC; Senior Program Advisor, Central Region, Department of Supply and Services (DSS); and Director of Evaluation, DSS. Dr. Stewart has a Ph.D. in English and Philosophy from McGill University.

The Honorable David M. Stone is currently the President and CEO of The Alacrity Homeland Group – a homeland security and critical infrastructure protection advisory firm. David Stone is the former Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for the Transportation Security Administration. Prior to this he served as the TSA’s first Federal Security Director at Los Angeles International Airport where he established the post September 11, 2001 security standards required by law. Rear Admiral Stone retired from active duty in April 2002 after 28 years as a naval officer. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree at the U.S. Naval Academy, and also holds a Master of Science in Management from Salve Regina College; A Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island; and a Master of Arts in National Security Affairs from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School.

George Svitak joined Raytheon Missile Systems (RMS) Business Development in July 2000 after completing 26 years of active service with the U.S. Army. In August 2006, he was appointed, Director, Business Development, Directed Energy & Non-Lethal System Solutions. Mr. Svitak’s last assignment in the Army was Director of Combat Developments, U.S. Army Field Artillery Center, Fort Sill, OK. Previously, Mr. Svitak served as Chief, Regional Exercises Branch, US Pacific Command, Camp Smith, HI . He graduated from the National Defense University (National War College) with a Master of Science degree in National Security Strategy, 1994. He was awarded a Master of Military Arts and Science, 1986 from the US Army Command and General Staff College, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, 1974 from Saint Bonaventure University.

Michael (Mike) Theilmann has been with the Canadian federal public service for 22 years working in the areas of emergency management and national security. Presently, under the title Senior Liaison Director, he is the first Canadian liaison officer to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from Public Safety Canada. Based in Washington, D.C., he is an advisor to management teams in both departments. He is also responsible, during actual or potential cross-border emergencies, for helping facilitate Canada-US operational coordination and cooperation. Prior to this, Mr. Theilmann was the Chief Operational Readiness with the Counter-Terrorism Division of the former Department of the Solicitor General of Canada, a post he held for eight years. During 2002-2003, Mr. Theilmann was also the lead planner and head of delegation for Canadian participation in the US-led national counter-terrorism Exercise TOPOFF 2.

D. Rick Van Schoik is Director of the North American Center for Transborder Studies (NACTS) at Arizona State University, a collaboration of US, Canadian, and Mexican universities; Managing Director of Southwest Consortium for Environmental Research and Policy (SCERP), a collaboration of U.S and Mexican universities, and Lecturer on International Security and Conflict Resolution (ISCOR) at San Diego State University. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, served as a navy Special Operations (SEAL) officer, and trained Border Patrol agents. He has a Masters in Science from SDSU, did post-graduate studies at Tufts and Harvard, and was among the first graduates from the Natural Resources Leadership Council.

Tarik Wahab is the Director of i3 Business Development at SolaCom Technologies, responsible for international sales of integrated security and surveillance solutions. Since joining SolaCom in the past six months, Mr. Wahab has delivered three systems for building, border and naval security in the United Arab Emirates. Mr. Wahab brings more than 15 years’ experience working in defense communications and research with companies such as General Dynamics, IBM, and CAE, where his responsibilities included project managing multi-million dollar projects for the Canadian and international military and government, as well as private business. He holds an MBA from the University of Ottawa, and an M.Eng. from Concordia University in Montreal, where he undertook research connected to the space program, and other defense applications.

Robert E. Walkup was elected Mayor of Tucson on November 2, 1999 and re-elected for a second term on November 4, 2003. His efforts in economic development have contributed to a net increase of 50,000 jobs and $10,000 per year in average worker earnings during his tenure. After earning his Industrial Engineering degree at ISU and serving in the U.S. Army, Mayor Walkup worked as an engineer and executive for Rockwell International, Fairchild Republic and Hughes Aircraft Company, for over thirty-five years where he built avionics equipment, military and commercial aircraft, and other national defense systems. He currently serves on the Pima Association of Governments’ Regional Council, the Regional Transportation Authority Governing Board, the Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities (TREO) Board and is the current Chairman of the National Association of State Fire Marshals’ Pipeline Safety Community Advisory Committee.

Rob Welton is the Director of Homeland Security Programs at the DC office of Magal-Senstar Inc (MSI) a Fremont CA based manufacturer of high technology security solutions for outdoor perimeters. In addition to its own lines of security products in the USA, Magal-Senstar Inc also represents in the USA the product portfolio of Magal Security Systems Ltd and Senstar Stellar Corporation. Prior to joining Magal-Senstar Inc Mr. Welton was Executive V.P., Marketing and Sales for Knowledge Vector Inc, a developer of web services for security fusion applications. Under his leadership the company raised significant venture capital while securing major contracts in civilian and military infrastructure ($10M USD SPAN – Secure Perimeter Awareness Network) that resulted in the award of an advanced development contract involving the USAF, TSA and TSWG/CTTSO.

David Whiteree is Chairman of IDEEA, Inc., a Virginia company founded in 1985. He is Chief Executive and Founder of the ComDef series of exhibitions and symposia. IDEEA, Inc. is a full service international business development and marketing company established in Washington DC. Mr. Whiteree is founder/publisher of “Common Defense Forum”.

Quentin Whiteree has been President and Chief Operating Officer of IDEEA, Inc. since 1 January, 1999. Prior to this, he was Vice President of the company, responsible for business focus, with an emphasis on emerging information and computer technologies. He joined IDEEA, Inc. in 1987 and has held a series of appointments within the company. He holds a joint BA honors degree in marketing from Strathclyde University, Scotland and is a past President of its Wine Appreciation Society. Mr. Whiteree is a member of the Defense and Air Transportation Security Committee of the British American Business Association, Committee Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Washington, DC Chapter and the National Press Club.

Justin Williams is Executive Director of AMIT - Tucson’s Aerospace, Manufacturing & Information Technology Clusters. He came to his current position to in order to build a stronger and more robust regional economy by assisting small and medium sized technology business expand their local operations. The major components of this growth will come from two areas: innovation and entrepreneurship. Mr. Williams works to foster success in both of these areas. Mr. Williams spent nearly 15 years working with technology firms though-out the West including Intuit, Amazon.com, Ventana Medical Systems, EDS, and several local technology firms. He has received his B.S. in Software Systems Engineering and his M.B.A. in Marketing and Finance from the University of Arizona.

Albert C. Zapanta is the President and CEO of the United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce and is responsible for operations in ten regional offices in the United States and six in Mexico. Prior to this, he worked as an industrial engineer for Bethlehem Steel, and as Director of Governmental Affairs for ARCO until his retirement in 1993. Al was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the U.S. State Department Advisory Committee on International Trade Technology and Development from 1981-1987, and by President George W. Bush as a private sector delegate to the U.S. - Mexico Partnership for Prosperity from 2001-Present. He was appointed by U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfield to serve as Chairman of the Reserve Forces Policy Board (RFPB) from 2002-2004. General Zapanta’s military record includes the award of the Silver Star, five Bronze Stars for Valor, the Purple Heart and thirty other awards during the Vietnam War. He was also awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal for Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Restore Hope in Somalia and Restore Democracy in Haiti.

Randel L. Zeller is Director for Interagency Coordination, Science and Technology Directorate, Department of Homeland Security. In January 2004, Zeller retired from the United States Navy and joined the office of U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel as Senior Policy Advisor for national security. In June 2000, he assumed duties as Special Assistant and Legislative Director for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He served in the Office of the Chairman under General Hugh Shelton, USA and General Richard Myers, USAF. His early Navy assignments included service on nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers. From 1992 to 1994 Zeller commanded the USS GATO (SSN 615). He earned a degree in Marine Engineering from the United States Naval Academy. He holds a Master of Science in Management from Salve Regina University and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.

Version 1.1 10/23/07 © IDEEA, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Speakers have been invited.