2024 National Security and Naval Power Bootcamp

Agenda

Sunday June 2^nd

Sunday, June 2

Orientation

Location

Anytime

Check-In

Thurston Hall

1900 F St NW, Washington, DC 20052

6:00 pm (after you check-in)

Welcome Reception

Tonic Restaurant

2036 G St NW, Washington, DC 20036

Monday June 3^rd

Monday, June 3	Day One: National Security Strategy & Policy	Location
8:30-9:00	Welcome (Prof. Squassoni, J. Roberts) Introductions & Expectations	Tompkins Hall 725 23rd St NW, Room 201
9:00-10:15	National Security Strategy and National Defense Strategy Thomas C. Fu, Ph.D. Head, Mission Capable, Persistent and Survivable Naval Platforms Department Office of Naval Research	Tompkins Hall Room 201
10:30-12:00	Structure of the Navy Howard A. Berkof Director, Production, Deployment, and Fleet Readiness Program Executive Office, Integrated Warfare Systems	Tompkins Hall Room 201
12:00-1:00	Lunch Keynote Address Role of Civilians Anthony Verducci Department of Navy Deputy Assistant Secretary, Civilian Personnel	Tompkins Hall Room 201
1:00-1:30	Break
1:30-3:00	Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) CAPT Ed Robledo Chief of Naval Operations Undersea Warfare Division	Science and Engineering Hall Room 1300
3:00-4:30	Communication leadership Lt Col Melissa Urbansky Secretary of Defense Strategic Thinkers Fellow Johns Hopkins University	Science and Engineering Hall Room 1300
6:30-8:30	Pizza and Movie	Square 80 2110 G St NW Rain location: Science & Engineering Hall B1220

Tuesday June 4^th

Tuesday, June 4	Day Two: Navigating around National Security	Location
8:15-9:30am	National Security Apparatus: Who does what and why in Washington for National Security? Leonor Tomero Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Missile Defense	Science and Engineering Hall 800 22nd St NW, Washington, DC 20052 Room 3040
9:30-9:45	Break
10:00-10:30	Battle of Midway Remembrance - J. Roberts
10:45–12:00	The Budget Process Alessandra Zimmerman, Director, R&D Budget & Policy Program, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)	Science and Engineering Hall Room 3040
12:00–1:00	Lunch	Science and Engineering Hall Room 3040
1:00-2:15	The Role of Congress Don MacDonald, Former Chief of Staff House Committee on Foreign Affairs	Science and Engineering Hall Room 3040
2:15-2:30	Break
2:30–4:00	Navy force structure and shipbuilding: Some Current Issues Ronald O’Rourke, Ph.D. Senior specialist Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress	Science and Engineering Hall Room 3040
4:00-6:30	Break
6:30-8:30	2020's: The Transformative Decade for US Naval Power Col Lance Lewis, Former Assistant Vice Chief of Naval Research Office of Naval Research	Pisco y Nazca 1823 L Street NW Washington DC

Wednesday June 5^th

Wednesday, June 5	Day Three – Carderock Site Visit	Location
7:00-8:00	Transit to Naval Surface Warfare Center - Carderock Division	Meet at Thurston Hall for bus transit
8:00-12:00	Carderock Site Visit	Carderock Naval Surface Warfare Center
12:00-1:00	Lunch Young Professionals Panel	Carderock Naval Surface Warfare Center
1:00-2:00	Return	Bus
2:00 -2:30	Introducing tabletop exercise (TTX) (Sharon Squassoni and Jenny Roberts)	Science and Engineering Hall Room 3040
2:30-3:45	China’s Military Modernization Mackenzie Eaglen, Senior Fellow American Enterprise Institute	Science and Engineering Hall Room 3040
4:00 -5:30	U.S. Indopacific Strategy: Key Challenges & Opportunities Ankit Panda, Stanton Senior Fellow Nuclear Policy Program Carnegie Endowment for International Peace	Science and Engineering Hall Room 3040
Evening	Dinner on own

Thursday June 6^th

Thursday, June 6	Day 4 Key Topics	Location
8:45 -9:00	D-Day Remembrance – J. Roberts	Science and Engineering Hall Room 3040
9:00 -10:30	The Nuclear Navy Dr. Murray Snyder The George Washington University	Science and Engineering Hall Room 3040
10:45 -12:00	Climate Change and its impact on the Navy Hon Sharon Burke Ecospherics	Science and Engineering Hall Room 3040
12:00 – 1:00	Lunch
1:00 – 2:30	Australia, United Kingdom, United States Security Partnership panel discussion Matthew Marburger Deputy Program Manager, AUKUS Integration and Acquisition Program Mari Faines AUKUS Strategic Communications Advisor Office of the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Philip Y. Kao, Ph.D. Regional Security and Arms Transfers Global Issues Team Bureau of Political-Military Affairs U.S. Department of State	Science and Engineering Hall Room 3040
2:30-3:00	Break
3:00–4:30	New challenges for the Navy in the Arctic Rebecca Pincus, PhD Director of Polar Institute Woodrow Wilson Center	Science and Engineering Hall Room 3040
4:30–5:30	Break
5:30-8:00	Potomac River Kayaking	Thompson Boat Center 2900 Virginia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037

Friday June 7^th

Friday, June 7	Day 5: Future Challenges	Location
8:30 – 9:00	Brief into exercise	Science and Engineering Hall Room 3040
9:00-10:30	Group breakouts for tabletop exercise	Science and Engineering Hall Room 3040
10:30-10:45	Break
10:45–12:00	Read-outs	Science and Engineering Hall Room 3040
12:00–1:00	Lunch
1:00–2:30	Emerging technologies: Maritime Artificial intelligence and autonomy Edward Chesnut GWU School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Alumni Aaron Wagner, Ph.D VP, Corporate Business Development & Growth Metron	Science and Engineering Hall Room 3040
2:30– 3:00	Break
3:00–4:30	Space and maritime intersect John “Patsy” Klein Senior Fellow and Strategist at Falcon Research, Inc. Adjunct Professor at Space Policy Institute (GWU)	Science and Engineering Hall Room 3040
4:30-5:00	Closing Remarks; Presentation of certificates Prof. Sharon Squassoni	Science and Engineering Hall Room 3040

Speakers

Sharon Squassoni

GWU Research Professor of International Affairs

GWU Research Faculty

GWU Elliott School of International Affairs

Sharon Squassoni's research, writing and policy-making has focused on reducing risks from nuclear energy and weapons for three decades. She has held senior positions at the State Department, Arms Control and Disarmament Agency and the Congressional Research Service, as well as the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the Center for Strategic & International Studies. She is on the boards of the PIR Center, the Wisconsin Project, the Center for Arms Control and Nonproliferation and the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center. She is co-founder of the Climate-Security Initiative.

Jenny Roberts

CEO Lowcountry Maritime Group

Jenny Roberts serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Lowcountry Maritime Group. There she is responsible for the US Navy workforce development efforts to ensure a robust future workforce as well as bolstering the defense industrial base. These efforts include recruitment and retention of science and engineering as well as skilled trade professionals to civil service and industry organizations. With experience in the defense industry as well as defense civil service, she is able to develop the partnerships and programs to close gaps in workforce development.

As SAIC’s Vice President for the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) and Fleet Account, she provided Information Technology, subject matter expertise plus integration support to NAVSEA Program Executive Offices, the public shipyards, Navy Personnel Command, Naval Education and Training Command, Navy’s data environment, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and NAVSEA Logistics, Maintenance and Industrial Operations.

As the Division Director for Strategy, Integration and Investment in Northrop Grumman’s Maritime/Land Systems and Sensors Division, she identified and executed cross-company synergies to provide greatest mission impact for effective, sustained growth.

In other industry roles, she provided direct technical expertise to Program Executive Offices support Acquisition Management; Joint Capability Integration and Development System; and Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution processes. She also provided technology transition support to Office of Naval Research and Joint Program Executive Offices to integrate advanced technologies in to acquisition programs.

In civil service, Jenny served as the Branch Head for Undersea Influence driving the expansion of undersea warfare with a focus on development of advanced capabilities. Having built a team environment where all members understand expectations and are accountable for their work. Using her acquisition, financial and requirements expertise to manage $6B portfolio while influencing an additional $25B in resources supporting Navy, Defense and national security requirements. Previously, Jenny served as the Deputy Branch Head for Undersea Influence where she was responsible for the Navy’s future undersea warfare platforms, unmanned systems, surveillance systems, payloads, weapons, sensor systems, hull, mechanical, and electrical (HM&E) programs applying my acquisition, financial, and requirements expertise across the life-cycle spectrum.

Jenny was an acquisition professional at NAVSEA Undersea Warfare where she managed the Submarine Force’s Science and Technology portfolio. She developed opportunities for combined effects through guiding and integrating efforts across science and technology, research and development, acquisition, certification and lifecycle support portfolios, Dual hatted as the Assistant Program Manager for Submarine Survivability, she reported directly to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations on the development and production of capabilities critical to the advancement of the Division’s mission and strategic objectives.

Jenny holds two Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and a Master of Science Degree in Technology Management from University of Maryland – Global Campus. A member of the Defense Acquisition Corps and a Project Management Professional certified through Project Management Institute, her accomplishments have been recognized with the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award, the third highest Navy civilian award available, as well as numerous awards and commendations.

Thomas C. Fu, Ph.D., SES

Head, Mission Capable, Persistent and Survivable Naval Platforms Department

Office of Naval Research

Dr. Thomas Fu is the head of the Mission Capable, Persistent and Survivable Naval Platforms Department of the Office of Naval Research (ONR). As department head, Dr. Fu oversees a broad range of S&T programs for Navy and Marine Corps platforms and undersea weapons, with an annual budget of over $500 million per year. Dr. Fu is also the acting director of the Advanced Naval Platforms Division within the Mission Capable, Persistent and Survivable Naval Platforms Department. The division provides technologically superior capabilities for naval platforms through investments in basic and applied research and advanced technology development programs for advanced power systems, acoustic and non-acoustic signatures, structural reliability and lifecycle management, hydrodynamic performance, advanced propulsors, metamaterials, thermal system management, and platform autonomy and control, as well as the National Naval Responsibility for Naval Engineering. Dr. Fu entered the Senior Executive Service in September 2015. He began his federal civilian service in 1988 at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, working part-time as a mechanical engineer while in graduate school. After receiving his doctorate in mechanical engineering in 1993, he became a full-time research engineer. In 2001, Dr. Fu was promoted to senior research engineer and was named Head of the Resistance & Propulsion Division in 2008. In 2010, he became Deputy Head of the Hydromechanics Department, which became the Naval Architecture & Engineering Department in 2012. The department—then comprised of approximately 650 engineers, scientists and other personnel—served as the Navy's technical capability for surface- and undersea-vehicle hull forms and propulsors. Dr. Fu provided day-to-day operational and technical management, as well as served as the department’s director of Science & Technology and Naval Engineering Education Center program manager.

In October 2014, Dr. Fu became a program officer in the Sea Warfare and Weapons Department at ONR. Dr. Fu has authored over 140 technical publications. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in ocean engineering from Purdue University in 1984; a Master of Science degree in physical oceanography from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego in 1988; and a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Johns Hopkins University in 1993. Dr. Fu was a George Washington University Visiting Scholar in 2013 and adjunct faculty member in 2014. He has also been an adjunct faculty member at the University of Maryland and Oregon State University.

Dr. Fu was named the Asian-American Engineer of the Year by the Chinese Institute of Engineers-USA in 2012 and a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in 2018. His other awards include a Meritorious Unit Commendation (2013) and the David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award (1998). Dr. Fu also currently serves as the Navy’s NATO-Applied Vehicle Technology Panel member, and as the Editor-in-Chief of the Society of Naval Architects & Marine Engineering (SNAME), Journal of Ship Research.

Howard A. Berkof, SES

Director, Production, Deployment, and Fleet Readiness

Program Executive Office, Integrated Warfare Systems

Mr. Berkof has served the United States Navy in multiple capacities for over 15 years. He was selected to the Senior Executive Service in June 2023. Mr. Berkof currently serves as the Director for Production, Deployment, and Fleet Readiness within the Program Executive Office for Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS). Mr. Berkof is responsible for integrated production and fielding requirements and resources for sensors, weapons, combat systems, and associated elements. Prior to joining PEO IWS, Mr. Berkof served as the Deputy Program Manager for the ACAT I Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program Office (PMS 501) within the Program Executive Office for Unmanned and Small Combatants (USC), overseeing the funding, construction, testing, and delivery of the two different variants of the LCS class.

Previously, Mr. Berkof spent 13 years working the acquisition of unmanned maritime systems, and is a recognized leader in accelerated and innovative acquisition processes, winning three Navy Acquisition Excellence Awards. He served as Deputy Program Manager for the Unmanned Maritime Systems Program Office (PMS 406) from 2016- 2020. During this period, Mr. Berkof led the program office through significant growth, expanding to a nearly $1B annual portfolio of unmanned surface and undersea programs and doubling the size of the staff. From 2012-2016, he served as Deputy Program Manager and Principal Assistant Program Manager for the ACAT I Remote Minehunting System Program Office (PMS 403). Mr. Berkof also served a one-year assignment from 2011-2012 at the Pentagon, working as a Senior Requirements Analyst for the Expeditionary Warfare Division (N95) for the Chief of Naval Operations.

Prior to entering the Government, Mr. Berkof worked for Ingersoll-Rand Co. as a District Sales Manager in the Tool and Hoist Division. He also worked for a year and a half with Corning Asahi Video Products as a Production Supervisor and Manufacturing Engineer. Mr. Berkof holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Engineering Leadership Development from the Pennsylvania State University. He has been an active volunteer in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) for over 25 years at the local, regional and national levels.

Anthony Verducci, SES

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Civilian Personnel)

Mr. Anthony (Tony) Verducci is Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Civilian Personnel (DASN (CP)). In this capacity, he is the senior advisor to the Assistant Secretary (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) of the Navy on policies and programs impacting the Department of the Navy’s (DON) civilian workforce. He leads strategies and assessments of policies, programs and activities required to attract, train, inspire and retain a skilled and diverse civilian workforce to support Navy and Marine Corps warfighters. His responsibilities include the delivery of human resources servicing, processes and support for all Commands and organizations in the Navy, Marine Corps and Secretariat; providing training and career development and advocating diversity and equality of opportunity for the DON civilian workforce; and ensuring policies to support the recruitment of a highly qualified workforce committed to advancing the National Security mission.

Previously, Mr. Verducci distinguished himself as a member of the DON’s Office of the General Counsel (OGC). He served in four executive positions as a member of OGC, including his most recent assignment as Assistant General Counsel (Manpower & Reserve Affairs). In that role he was the principal legal advisor to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower & Reserve Affairs) for matters concerning military and civilian personnel policy as well as the coordination of efforts worldwide in labor and employment litigation.

Prior to that he served as Counsel, Military Sealift Command, Deputy Counsel for the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and Counsel, Commander, Navy Installations Command. Mr. Verducci is a retired Marine Officer who served as a Judge Advocate and Aviation Maintenance Officer.

He served in private practice at Morgan Lewis, LLP before joining DON OGC in 2003. Mr. Verducci’s attorney assignments focused on litigation involving civilian personnel and labor law matters. Mr. Verducci was promoted to the senior executive service in 2016 and he was named Associate General Counsel in April 2022. A native of Glen Ridge, New Jersey, Mr. Verducci received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Anthony Verducci Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Civilian Personnel) Economics from the United States Naval Academy, a Master of Arts Degree from Webster University, a Juris Doctor from the Seton Hall University School of Law, and a Master of Laws in Labor and Employment Law from the Georgetown University Law Center.

CAPT Edward Robledo USN

Branch Head of Fleet Readiness and Training

Chief of Naval Operations - Fleet Readiness Division (OPNAV N83)

Edward J. Robledo is originally from El Paso, Texas. He enlisted and served as an Air Traffic Controller in the United States Air Force from 1988 to 1992. In 1993, he was accepted into the Navy’s Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Program. He graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

His division officer tour was on USS ASHEVILLE (SSN 758) from April 1997 to April 2000. His post Division Officer shore duty assignment was at United States Strategic Command as an Emergency Action Officer and Joint Exercise Controller from May 2000 to October 2002. During this tour, he earned a Master's in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska.

His Department Head tour was on USS MARYLAND (SSBN 738) (BLUE), where he served as Engineer Officer from April 2003 to November 2005. During this tour, MARYLAND completed five Strategic Deterrent Patrols earned one Battle Efficiency “E” and one Red Engineering “E”. His post Department Head shore duty assignment was the Submarine Squadron 16 & 20 Engineer Officer from December 2005 till March 2008. During his tour, he relieved as the Engineer Officer on USS FLORIDA (SSGN728) and complete the first dry dock Major Modernization Period for an SSGN.

His Executive Officer tour was on USS ALABAMA (SSBN 731) (BLUE), where he served from July 2008 till May 2010. During his tour, ALABAMA completed the recertification as a Strategic Asset, and conducted its first Patrol in over four years after its Engineering Refueling Overhaul.

His post Executive Officer shore duty assignment was on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations - Programming Division (OPNAV N80 – BULLPEN). He served as the submarine, aircraft carrier and nuclear weapons financial analyst. His tour was from June 2010 till December 2012.

His Commander Command tour was on USS HENRY M. JACKSON (SSBN 730) (GOLD) from 9 September 2013 until 4 March 2016 where he successfully completed four Strategic Deterrent Patrols.

His post Command shore duty assignment was on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations – Undersea Warfare Division/Programming Division (OPNAV N97/N80) from July 2016 until December 2019. He served as the Head of Programming, Budget, Manpower and Diving and Rescue division.

CAPT Robledo Major Command tour was at TRIDENT Refit Facility King Bay, GA from 14 April 2020 till 29 March 2022. TRF-KB sustains, maintains and modernizes the Atlantic Fleet SSGN/BNs with a work force of over 1750 dedicated Civilians and over 300 Military personnel.

CAPT Robledo served as the Division Chief of Joint Staff J8 Programming Budgeting and Analysis Division from April 2022 till September 2022 where he transferred to OPNAV. He served as the Deputy for Fleet Readiness from early January 2023 until April 2023. He has been serving as the Branch Head for Fleet Training and Readiness Assessment, N833, from April 2023.

CAPT Robledo’s personal decorations include the Legion of Merit Service Medal (with one gold star), Meritorious Service Medal (with two gold stars), Joint Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (with four gold stars), Joint Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (with two gold stars), and an Air Force Achievement Medal.

CAPT Robledo is married to the former Megan Elizabeth Schroeder of St. Louis, Missouri. Mrs. Megan Robledo is the Special Assistant for the Senior Deputy Comptroller of the Office of Comptroller of Currency, Department of Treasury. They have six children together and reside in McLean, Virginia.

Lt Col Melissa D. Urbansky USAF

Secretary of Defense Strategic Thinkers Program Fellow

Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies

Secretary of Defense Strategic Thinkers Program (STP) Fellow at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)

Lt Col Melissa D. Urbansky is currently a Secretary of Defense Strategic Thinkers Program (STP) Fellow at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). In her current role, Lt Col Urbansky is immersing herself in the conceptual dynamics and trends of war and strategy; specifically analyzing their role in the development of effective decision-making and execution of strategy and military operations. STP teaches students to deal with unanticipated security challenges and seek innovative approaches in order to engage our nation’s top civilian and military leaders on the development and conduct of strategy and military operations in the broader context of national policy objectives.

Lt Col Urbansky entered the Air Force in 2008 as a Distinguished Graduate of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at the University of Miami. Prior to her current assignment, Lt Col Urbansky was a Strategic Communications Air Force Fellow, working in the Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Office in the Pentagon.

Education:

2008 Bachelor of Science in Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
2009 Air and Space Basic Course, Outstanding Performer, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
2009 Space 100/Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Operations Training, Top Graduate, Vandenberg AFB, CA
2012 Squadron Officer School, by correspondence and in-residence, Chief of Staff Flight, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
2016 Master of Arts in Human & Health Services Administration, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
2019 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence, Maxwell AFB, AL
2020 Leadership Development Course, Maxwell AFB, AL
2021 Master of Arts in Strategic Communication, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
2023 Master of International Public Policy, Johns Hopkins SAIS, Washington, DC

Richard Johnson, SES

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Policy

Richard C. Johnson serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Policy (N-CWMD). In this role he supports the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy by developing strategies, informing policies, and conducting oversight of nuclear deterrence policy and arms control, as well as developing and overseeing the implementation of strategies and policies of all Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction policy issues, to include preventing the proliferation of WMD-related materials; the DoD Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) Program; and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) defense.

Prior to his appointment at the Department of Defense, Richard served as the senior director for fuel cycle and verification at the Nuclear Threat Initiative. Richard previously served as the assistant coordinator and deputy lead coordinator (acting) for Iran Nuclear Implementation at the U.S. Department of State. Prior to working at the Department of State, Johnson was director for nonproliferation at the National Security Council in the Obama Administration.

Richard held numerous positions at the Department of State, including as special assistant to Secretary Hillary Clinton's special advisor for nonproliferation and arms control, as a policy advisor on nonproliferation issues regarding North Korea, and as a political officer at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing.

Richard has been involved deeply in Iran and North Korea nuclear issues, including as a member of the U.S. delegations to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Joint Commission and the Six-Party Talks on North Korea’s nuclear program. While on assignment to the Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration, Johnson was a U.S. nuclear disablement monitor at the Yongbyon nuclear facility in North Korea.

Richard also previously served as senior legislative aide and field representative for California Assembly member Carol Liu. He graduated as valedictorian from Claremont McKenna College and later earned his master’s degree at Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs. Richard is proficient in Mandarin Chinese, is a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and was a Presidential Management Fellow, as well as a one-time Jeopardy champion.

Richard is a Southern California native and currently resides in Washington, D.C.

Leonor Tomero

Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Missile Defense

As of January 20, 2021, Leonor Tomero served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Missile Defense Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, supporting the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities by developing strategies, informing policies, and conducting oversight of nuclear deterrence policy, arms control and missile defense policy.

For over a decade, she was House Armed Services Committee Democratic professional staff lead for nuclear deterrence, nuclear weapons, nonproliferation, military space, and missile defense. In that capacity, she had responsibility for drafting and negotiating over 100 provisions and authorizing over $65 billion each year in eleven annual National Defense Authorization Acts, with regard to military space and related intelligence assets, nuclear forces and production capacity, hypersonic missiles, missile defense, non-proliferation, arms control, and nuclear clean-up programs.

Prior to joining the Committee, she was Director of Nuclear Non-Proliferation at the Center for Arms Control and Nonproliferation, responsible for analysis, Congressional education, Track II programs, and public and media outreach related to nuclear weapons, nonproliferation, missile defense and space policy. She also served on the congressional staffs of Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-NV) and Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) working on nuclear waste and environmental issues.

Ms. Tomero holds a B.A. in Government from Cornell University, an M.A. in Security Studies from Georgetown University and a J.D. cum laude from American University’s Washington College of Law, and was a term-member on the Council on Foreign Relations.

Alessandra Zimmermann, Ph.D.

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Alessandra Zimmermann is a Writer/Analyst for the R&D Budget and Policy Program of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), where she collects information on federal science spending, both current and past.

Previously, she was the Executive Director at Proposal Analytics, performing research into making the research funding space more useful to early career researchers. She has also been a program Manager for the Canadian Science Policy Center, an intern at AAAS’s EPI Center, and a researcher for the National Science Policy Network.

Prior to switching to science policy work, she earned her PhD in biochemistry from the University of Maryland, and a BS in chemistry from Carnegie Mellon University.

Don MacDonald

Former US House of Representatives Staff Member

Don MacDonald worked for the US House of Representatives for 27 years, retiring (at least from that job) earlier this month. Most recently Don was Chief of Staff to Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA). Don previously served as the Staff Director for the Subcommittee Asia, the Pacific and Nonproliferation, from 2017 until 2020. He served as the Staff Director of the Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade Subcommittee from 2007-2010, and has held numerous other positions with subcommittees of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Congressman Sherman’s office. He has also served as a senior aide on several Democratic campaigns for the US House, Senate and state offices in California, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky and Georgia.

His work on the House Foreign Affairs Committee has focused on U.S. relations with the Asia/Pacific region; export control policy and reforms; export promotion strategy; foreign assistance programs and arms transfers; countering the Iranian and North Korean nuclear weapons programs; trade policy; the effective use of trade sanctions; and U.S. international civil nuclear cooperation policy. He also assisted U.S.-based firms facing hostile or detrimental foreign state policies, and helped U.S. citizens facing problems overseas, including unjust detention.

He received a BA from Boston University, summa cum laude, in 1995 in International Relations, and a JD from American University’s part-time program, cum laude, in 2002. He is licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia. He lives in Alexandria, VA with his wife and two children.

Ronald O'Rourke

Naval Affairs Analyst

Congressional Research Service

Ronald O'Rourke received a B.A. in international studies from the Johns Hopkins University in 1980 (Phi Beta Kappa) and an M.A. in international studies from the University’s School of Advanced International Studies in 1981 as its Christian A. Herter (valedictorian) Fellow. He has worked as a research assistant on naval integrated logistics support issues for American Management Systems, Inc. of Arlington, VA, and as a consultant on defense issues for then Governor Pierre S. du Pont IV of Delaware. Since 1984, he has been a naval affairs analyst for the Congressional Research Service (CRS) of the Library of Congress. He has written numerous reports and articles on naval affairs. His essay, “The Maritime Strategy and the Next Decade (/magazines/proceedings/1988/april/maritime-strategyand-next-decade),’’ published in the April 1988 Proceedings, was the 1988 winner of the Annual Arleigh Burke Essay Contest.

Col Lance Lewis, Ph.D.

Dr. Lance Lewis was most recently the Assistant Vice Chief of Naval Research where he made strategic investments leading to accelerated technology development and integration into future naval capability. He conceptualized innovative concepts in advising senior Naval and Marine Corps leaders on all matters of science and technology, including allied policy and political issues to shape investment.

Prior to joining Office of Naval Research COL Lewis was the Commanding Officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, the most strategically and operationally significant and complex Advanced Naval Base in the Marine Corps, compromising a portfolio of more than $14 billion dollars and 10k personnel. There he developed and implemented strategy to lead organization with annual budget of over $250 million to fund operations, real property capitalization, and increase efficiency. Also implemented and operationalized first CUAS system in the USMC. He provided inspiration leadership to 13,500 US and Japanese personnel and families through the COVID pandemic and complete sustainment of MCAS Iwakuni as a fully operational air station in a complex international environment.

Previous assignments included Lead US Middle East Strategist at Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, UK; Chief of Joint Fires at US Central Command; Aviation Maintenance Officer, Operations Officer, Department Head, Executive Officer of Marine Air Group 31; and F-18 Weapons and Tactics Instruction for Marine Aviation and Tactics Squadron One; F-18 Pilot and Forward Air Controller. COL Lewis earned a BS in American History at the US Air Force Academy, a MA at the Naval War College and MS at the National War College in National Security Strategy, and a PhD at the Royal Military College of Canada where he did his dissertation on USMC Adaptation of Aviation in Small Wars (1919-1933).

Mackenzie Eaglen

American Enterprise Institute

Mackenzie Eaglen is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where she works on defense strategy, defense budgets, and military readiness. She is also a regular guest lecturer at universities, a member of the board of advisers of the Alexander Hamilton Society, and a member of the steering committee of the Leadership Council for Women in National Security.

Ms. Eaglen is also one of the 12-member US Army War College Board of Visitors, which offers advice about academic program objectives and effectiveness, and serves on the US Army Science Board, an advisory body that provides guidance on scientific and other matters to the Army’s senior leadership. In 2023, she became a member of the Commission on the Future of the Navy, established by Congress to study the strategy, budget, and policy concerning the future strength of the US Navy fleet.

While working at AEI, Ms. Eaglen served as a staff member on the National Defense Strategy Commission, a congressionally mandated bipartisan review group whose final report in November 2018, “Providing for the Common Defense,” included assessments and recommendations for the administration. Earlier, Ms. Eaglen served as a staff member on the 2014 congressionally mandated National Defense Panel and in 2010 on the congressionally mandated bipartisan Quadrennial Defense Review Independent Panel.

Before joining AEI, Ms. Eaglen worked on defense issues in the House of Representatives, in the US Senate, and at the Pentagon in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and on the Joint Staff.

A prolific writer on defense-related issues, Ms. Eaglen has been published in the popular press, including in Foreign Affairs, the New York Times, Politico, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and War on the Rocks. She has also testified before Congress.

Ms. Eaglen has an MA from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and a BA from Mercer University.

Ankit Panda

Stanton Senior Fellow, Nuclear Policy Program

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Ankit Panda is the Stanton Senior Fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. An expert on the Asia-Pacific region, his research interests range nuclear strategy, arms control, missile defense, nonproliferation, emerging technologies, and U.S. extended deterrence. He is the author of Kim Jong Un and the Bomb: Survival and Deterrence in North Korea (Hurst Publishers/Oxford University Press, 2020).

Panda was previously an adjunct senior fellow in the Defense Posture Project at the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) and a member of the 2019 FAS International Study Group on North Korea Policy. He has consulted for the United Nations in New York and Geneva on nonproliferation and disarmament matters, and has testified on security topics before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee and the congressionally chartered U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission.

Panda was a Korea Society Kim Koo Fellow, a German Marshall Fund Young Strategist, an International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue Young Leader, and a Carnegie Council on Ethics in International Affairs New Leader. He has worked at the Council on Foreign Relations and the Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs.

A widely published writer, Panda’s work has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, the Diplomat, the Atlantic, the New Republic, the South China Morning Post, War on the Rocks, Politico, and the National Interest. Panda has also published in scholarly journals, including Survival, the Washington Quarterly, and India Review, and has contributed to the IISS Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment and Strategic Survey. He is editor-at-large at the Diplomat, where he hosts the Asia Geopolitics podcast, and a contributing editor at War on the Rocks.

CAPT (ret) Murray Snyder, Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus

Emeriti Faculty

Professor Murray Snyder conducts research of the impact of ship air wakes on rotary wing aircraft. His research includes use of a dedicated 108 foot long research vessel at the Naval Academy, where he is also a Research Professor. He also conducts associated wind tunnel testing and advanced computer simulations performed on large parallel processing computer clusters. His research vessel has a flight deck from which instrumented unmanned helicopters are flown from to collect ship air wake data off ship. Professor Snyder is a retired US Navy Captain who served on four submarines, including as Commanding Officer of USS NEVADA (SSBN 733).

Hon. Sharon Burke

Founder and President

Ecospherics

Hon. Sharon E. Burke is the Founder and President of Ecospherics. Throughout her career, she has worked to balance national security and environmental sustainability, with a focus on ideas that scale through public policy. Burke has been a leader at several civic organizations, including the Center for a New American Security, where she initiated a Natural Security Program, Amnesty International USA, and New America. She served in the U.S. government in Congress, the State Department and the Pentagon, most recently as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Operational Energy. During the Biden-Harris presidential transition, she was on the Defense Agency Review and National Security and Foreign Policy teams. A native of Los Angeles and educated at Williams College and Columbia University, Burke is a frequest public speaker, published writer, and strategic advisor to corporate boards, national laboratories, and U.S. government agencies.

Rear Admiral Lincoln M. Reifsteck, USN

Program Manager, AUKUS Integration and Acquisition Program

Rear Admiral (Lower Half) Lincoln Reifsteck is a native of Fairfield, California. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from the United States Naval Academy in 1995, and a Master of Business Administration degree from The George Washington University in 2002. He was promoted to Flag rank in December 2023, and currently serves as the Program Manager for the U.S. team delivering a conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarine capability for Australia.

Admiral Reifsteck previously commanded Submarine Development Squadron FIVE and USS HAMPTON (SSN 767). Pre-command sea tours were as a Division Officer on USS ALASKA (SSBN 732)(BLUE), Navigator and Operations Officer on USS CHARLOTTE (SSN 766), and Executive Officer on USS COLUMBUS (SSN 762). His experiences at sea include strategic deterrent patrols, Pacific and Arctic deployments, and transits across the Equator and International Date Line, through the Panama Canal, and under the North Pole.

Shore assignments were at Strategic Systems Programs (Washington, D.C.), Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (Pearl Harbor, Hawaii), Navy Personnel Command (Millington, TN), Submarine Group SEVEN (Yokosuka, Japan), and the Joint Staff (Washington, D.C.).

Admiral Reifsteck resides in Virginia with his wife and children.

Matthew Marburger

Deputy Program Manager

AUKUS Integration and Acquisition

Mr. Matthew (Matt) Marburger is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from The Webb Institute of Naval Architecture in 2007. Mr. Marburger currently serves as the acting Executive Director for the AUKUS Integration and Acquisition Program Office to help Australia acquire conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines. Mr. Marburger oversees planning efforts that include future submarine design and construction, tri-lateral policy development, supply chain uplift, contract development, infrastructure upgrades, and tri-lateral workforce planning.

Mr. Marburger has served in a variety of submarine acquisition positions throughout his 15 year Navy career, including COLUMBIA Propulsor and Shafting Project Manager. In this role, he was responsible for all aspects of design, construction, and planning for the Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) Propulsor. During his eight-year tenure, he led the project through preliminary design, detail design, facility upgrades and production readiness. He led a team with members from NAVSEA, Navy Warfare Centers, The Naval Foundry and Propeller Center, University Affiliated Research Centers, and Electric Boat.

Mr. Marburger’s previous assignments include team leader roles in the COLUMBIA program office for shafting, hydrodynamics and propulsors. He started his career in the Navy Acquisition Intern Program. Mr. Marburger is a member of the Acquisition Professional Community and has a Level III Certification in Engineering. Mr. Marburger is the recipient of numerous awards including the CAPT Harold E Saunders award for Exemplary Technical Management, and as a member of the team for the Navy Acquisition Excellence Award, Field Activity.

Mr. Marburger is married to the former Kimberly Sakoian, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They have three children: Diana (2016), Matthew (2018), and Christian (2022).

Mari Faines

[MAAR-ree Faynes]

AUKUS Strategic Communications Advisor

Office of the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security

Mari Faines serves as the AUKUS Strategic Communications Advisor. She undertook this role in October 2023 in support of the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie D. Jenkins. Under the leadership of Senior Advisor on AUKUS Matthew Steinhelfer, the team works in service of the trilateral security partnership. Mari works in service of both Pillar I & II on public communications, diverse stakeholder engagement, and congressional strategy.

Mari joins the State Department having served as Partner for Mobilization at Global Zero; and Director of Communications and Outreach at Physicians for Social Responsibility. In both roles, she focused on the intersection of nuclear disarmament and social justice. Prior to these roles, Mari served for five years at TransPerfect, a global solutions firm, where she held Project Manager & Team Lead positions in New York and London respectively.

Mari has written for multiple publications and is a former podcast host. She maintains her foundation in nuclear intersectionality, conflict resolution, social and transitional justice, and DEIA through volunteering for multiple of advocacy organizations. She has received honors for her work including, being named to the 2022 CSIS/Diversity in National Security Network U.S. National Security & Foreign Affairs Leadership List.

She holds a Master of Science (MSc) in the Politics of Conflict, Rights, and Justice from SOAS University of London, and Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Peace and Conflict Studies & English from Colgate University. She is originally from Chicago and now resides in Washington, D.C. with her husband.

Philip Y. Kao, Ph.D.

Philip Y. Kao, Ph.D. (he/him)

Regional Security and Arms Transfers

Global Issues Team

Bureau of Political-Military Affairs

U.S. Department of State

Dr. Philip Kao is a Foreign Affairs Officer working in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs at the State Department. In particular, he works out of the Regional Security and Arms Transfers office and his portfolio consists of AUKUS, emerging and critical technologies, as well as supporting efforts to address weaknesses in the greater U.S. defense industrial base ecosystem. He is a former AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow as well as an alumnus of the Presidential Management Fellows program. In addition to serving at State, Philip has done work for the National Defense University, Joint Forces Command, the Joint Warfighting Center, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense (PA&E). He is passionate about science policy and science diplomacy, and although not a technical expert, Philip is optimistic and bullish on the acceleration of technology in/for society.

Rebecca Pincus, Ph.D.

Director, Polar Institute

Wilson Center

Dr. Rebecca Pincus is Director of the Polar Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington, DC. Previously, she was on the faculty at the US Naval War College, in the Center for Naval Warfare Studies, where her research focused on Arctic security and geopolitics. She also worked in the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy, as Arctic and Climate Strategy Advisor. In 2015, she was a Fulbright Fellow in Iceland, conducting research on Arctic small states and security. She also worked on polar strategy and policy issues for the US Coast Guard, at its Center for Arctic Study and Policy, and served on the faculty at the US Coast Guard Academy. She is currently a contributing author for the 5th National Climate Assessment. She has testified before Congress and the US-China Commission on security and defense in the polar regions, and her research has been published widely in peer-reviewed and popular outlets.

Edward B Chesnut

GWU Adjunct Professor

School of Engineering and Applied Science, Department of Computer Science, Cyber Security

Prior to joining GWU faculty, Mr. Chesnut was an engineering manager, engineer planning analyst, project manager, subcontracts manager, and program manager for multiple defense industrial base companies including Northrop Grumman Corporation, Ross Technologies, Titan Corporation, and Lockheed Martin.

Aaron P. Wagner, Ph.D.

Metron

Dr. Wagner leads corporate efforts, across P&L divisions, to penetrate new government and commercial markets, diversify product and client portfolios, and extend product reach. Dr. Wagner has also been the strategic lead for the launch of Metron’s commercial endeavors in the autonomous systems space.

Joining Metron in 2014 as a Senior Research Scientist, Dr. Wagner led and developed technical teams focused on vehicle autonomy, machine learning, meta-learning, bio-inspired robotics, adaptive planning, autonomous fault mitigation, and mechanical and electrical engineering. In the role, Dr. Wagner initially led aspects of the applied research autonomy algorithms and software for the ONR LDUUV INP (Office of Naval Research Large Diameter Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Innovative Naval Prototype). His strategic focus then expanded to include product portfolio diversification, helping transform the autonomous systems division from a single-project operation to a sustainable multi-revenue stream model.

From 2019 into 2023, Dr. Wagner served as Director for the Unmanned Systems (UMS) Division of Metron. He oversaw new business growth and strategy, including business relationship development, recruitment, and technical direction. He was instrumental in capturing business for major programs, including all of Metron’s programs for DARPA TTO, vehicle programs for DARPA STO, and multiple SBIRs at NASA, NAVSEA PMS 406 and PMS 420, and a growing portfolio of special access programs.

Between 2020 and 2022, Dr. Wagner, as Acting CIO, led a complete overhaul of Metron’s IT and cybersecurity model, consolidating IT into a corporate enterprise, spearheading the development of a cloud migration strategy, and implementing compliance efforts such as DIBCAC and CMMC L3.

Dr. Wagner is a veteran of the National Science Foundation’s BEACON Science and Technology Center for the Study of Evolution in Action. As Principal Investigator, he oversaw multiple projects, using knowledge of biological systems to develop innovative solutions for autonomous systems, including intelligent control of, and cooperation among, autonomous agents. His work managing computational research investigating the emergence of memory, cooperation, and intelligent behaviors in autonomous digital agents has significantly influenced his work at Metron, particularly in adaptation of digital evolution tools to create algorithms for autonomous vehicle behaviors.

Dr. Wagner holds degrees in Biology from Montana State University and Environmental Science from the University of Delaware.

CDR (ret) John “Patsy” Klein, PhD

Adjunct Assistant Professor Georgetown University - Center for Security Studies (CSS)

Dr. John J. Klein, callsign “Patsy,” is a Senior Fellow and Strategist at Falcon Research, Inc., and Adjunct Professor at George Washington University’s Space Policy Institute and Georgetown University’s Strategic Studies Program. He routinely writes on space strategy, deterrence, and the Law of Armed Conflict. He is the author of the books Understanding Space Strategy: The Art of War in Space (2019) and Space Warfare: Strategy, Principles and Policy (2006).

Patsy is also a retired Commander, United States Navy, receiving his commission through the NROTC program at Georgia Tech. He served for 22 years as a Naval Flight Officer, primarily flying in the S-3B Viking carrier-based aircraft. Patsy supported combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. His tours included Executive Officer of Sea Control Squadron Twenty Four and as the final Commanding Officer of Sea Control Weapons School, being part of the Viking community’s sundown plan.

Patsy holds a master’s in Aeronautical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, a master’s in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, and a PhD in Strategic Studies from the University of Reading, England. Patsy is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. He has over 2,700 flight hours in 27 different type aircraft and over 600 carrier arrested landings.

Reading Materials

Read Ahead Articles:

Taiwan politics & background

US-China clash on Taiwan

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/China-U.S.-defense-chiefs-spar-over-Taiwan-at-Singapore-meeting?utm_campaign=IC_asia_daily_free&utm_medium=email&utm_source=NA_newsletter&utm_content=article_link&del_type=1&pub_date=20240531190000&seq_num=3&si=3bc28c45-f82b-44b2-ad95-6ad77248d997

Japan, ROK on Taiwan

US coordination with allies

https://www.cfr.org/blog/us-south-korea-coordination-toward-china-maritime-security

General Background on China & South China Sea

Strategies

National Security Strategy

National Defense Strategy

Nuclear Posture Review

Missile Defense Review

National Defense Industrial Strategy

Books and Essays of Interest

Supercommunicators
- Charles Duhigg
A Message to Garcia
- Elbert Hubbard
Good to Great
- Jim Collins
Talking to Strangers
- Malcolm Gladwell
How Will You Measure Your Life
- Clayton Christensen
The Influence of Sea Power on History
- Alfred Thayer Mahan
The Rule of the Waves:
- How Control of the World's Oceans Shapes the Fate of the Superpowers
- Bruce D. Jones
Freedom's Forge:
- How American Businesses Produced Victory in World War II
- Arthur Herman
The Cod Wars:
- A Re-Analysis
- Sverrir Steinsson
CRS reports
- 32665 Navy force structure and shipbuilding plans. This is the main one I mentioned. See the sections on announced ship delivery days and shipbuilding capacity.
- 33153 China naval modernization
- 32418 Virginia class SSN and AUKUS Pillar 1. This includes a discussion (with a data table) showing the backlog in SSN maintenance.

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