text: There's been a ton of info thrown around about Sony and Microsoft's next gen consoles. Nothing is concrete and it's all speculation. We won't know anything official until Sony's event on February 20th and Microsoft's inevitable unveiling at E3. I received some inside info last week and took the time to do some more digging. This info I'm about to give you could change at any time so take it with a grain of salt until February 20th.


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Co-sponsored by AFCEA International and the U.S. Naval Institute, West 2015 is the largest event on the West Coast for communications, electronics, intelligence, information systems, imaging, military weapon systems, aviation, shipbuilding, and more. Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to engage the military and industry leaders who are designating warfighting strategies and operational platforms.
The Department of the Navy approves attendance and participation in the Western Conference and Exposition (WEST 2015).
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WEST is the premier Sea Services event focused on operations in the Asia-Pacific region - showcasing emerging systems, platforms, technologies and networks that will impact all areas of current and future Sea Service operations. Senior leaders will address the theme "Lower Budgets and Higher Demands: How Do the Sea Services Strike the Right Balance?" Industry will showcase and discuss emerging technologies and equipment that will impact all areas of future Sea Service operations. Now in its 25th year, WEST 2015 is co-sponsored by AFCEA International and the U.S. Naval Institute, both non-profit, non-lobbying membership associations. Registration is free for military and government. Many related technical sessions are eligible for continuing education (CEs) and training credits.
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Important Housing Information
The Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association (AFCEA) and the United States Naval Institute (USNI) are proud to host WEST 2015 in San Diego in February 2015. We have contracted solely with J. Spargo and Associates as the official housing vendor for WEST 2015. We do not endorse or have a relationship with any other housing service.
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|Morning Keynote
|Exhibits Open
|Dedicated Exhibit Time
|What Are the Force Providers' Priorities?
|Theater Sessions
|Dedicated Exhibit Time
|Luncheon Keynote
|Dedicated Exhibit Time
|Theater Sessions
|Mission First, People Always: How Are We Making it Work?
|Dedicated Exhibit Time and Reception on Exhibit Hall Floor
|Exhibits Close
|Morning Keynote: How Are the Fleet Commanders Answering the Bell?
|Exhibits Open
|Dedicated Exhibit Time
|The Network as a Key Warfighter Advantage: What More Must Be Done?
|Theater Sessions
|Dedicated Exhibit Time
|Luncheon Keynote: Creative Disruption: How Do the Sea Services Exploit the Best Technologies?
|Dedicated Exhibit Time
|Theater Sessions
|What Will the System Commands Deliver?
|Theater Sessions
|Dedicated Exhibit Time and Reception on Exhibit Hall Floor
|Exhibits Close
|Morning Keynote
|Exhibits Open
|Dedicated Exhibit Time
|Continuity and Change in the Indo-Asia Pacific: Commanders' Perspective
|Theater Sessions
|Dedicated Exhibit Time
|Luncheon Town Hall - What Are the Sea Service Leaders' Priorities?
|Exhibits Close
Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command
Admiral Phil Davidson is from St. Louis, Missouri. He is a 1982 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He assumed command of U.S. Fleet Forces Command/Naval Forces U.S. Northern Command on December 19, 2014.
A surface warfare officer, he has deployed across the globe in frigates, destroyers, cruisers and aircraft carriers.
In his most recent assignment, he was the commander, U.S. 6th Fleet and the commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, while simultaneously serving as the deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Africa.
His previous command assignments include command of Carrier Strike Group 8/Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, USS Gettysburg (CG 64) and USS Taylor (FFG 50).
Ashore, Davidson has served in fleet, interagency and joint tours as a flag officer; he was previously the director, Maritime Operations, U. S. Fleet Forces Command, the senior military advisor to the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP) at the State Department, and the deputy director for Strategy and Policy in the Joint Staff/J-5.
He served earlier in his career in policy, strategy and operations billets on multiple tours with the U.S. Pacific Fleet staff, the Navy staff and the Joint Staff, and as the Navy's military aide to the vice president of the United States.
Davidson is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval War College. He has a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies, and a Bachelor of Science in Physics.
His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat "V," a Superior Honor Award from the U.S. Department of State, and other personal, service, unit and campaign awards.
former Deputy Secretary of Defense and former Secretary of the Navy
Gordon England was the 29th Deputy Secretary of Defense. He previously served as the 72nd and 73rd Secretary of the Navy and as the first Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
Prior to joining the administration of President George W. Bush, Mr. England served as President of the General Dynamics Fort Worth Aircraft Company (later Lockheed), President of the General Dynamics Land Systems Company and as corporate Executive Vice President of General Dynamics Information Systems and Technology Sector, Ground Combat Systems Sector and the International Sector. His business career spanned over 40 years as an engineer and senior executive.
A native of Baltimore, Mr. England graduated from the University of Maryland in 1961 with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. In 1975 he earned a master's degree in business administration from the M.J. Neeley School of Business at Texas Christian University and is a member of business, engineering and leadership honor societies.
Mr. England has served in a variety of civic, charitable and government organizations, including serving as a city councilman; Vice Chair, national Board of Goodwill, International; the USO's Board of Governors; the Defense Science Board; the Board of Visitors at Texas Christian University; and many others.
He has been recognized for numerous professional and service contributions by multiple universities and organizations.
Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command, U.S. Northern Command
Adm. Bill Gortney graduated from Elon College in North Carolina, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science in 1977. He entered the Navy as an aviation officer candidate, received his commission in the United States Naval Reserve in 1977, and earned his wings of gold in 1978.
On three different occasions, Gortney commanded forces in the U.S. Central Command area of operations, providing support to Maritime Security Operations and combat operations for Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. These assignments included commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet / Combined Maritime Forces, Bahrain, 2008-2010; commander, Carrier Strike Group 10, on board USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), 2007-2008; and commander, Carrier Air Wing 7, on board USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67), 2002-2003.
Additional command tours included VFA-106, the East Coast FA-18 Fleet Replacement Squadron, NAS Cecil Field, Florida, 1996-1997; and VFA-15, 1994-1995, on board USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).
Gortney's fleet assignments included VA-82, 1981-1984, on board USS Nimitz (CVN 68); VFA-87, 1988-1990, on board USS Theodore Roosevelt; executive officer, VFA-132, 1991-1992, on board USS Forrestal (CV 59); executive officer, VFA-15, 1992-1994, on board USS Theodore Roosevelt; and deputy commander, Carrier Air Wing 7, on board USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69).
Other overseas assignments included deputy for Current Operations, Joint Task Force Southwest Asia, Saudi Arabia, 1999; chief, Naval and Amphibious Liaison Element to the Combined Forces Air Component Commander, U.S. Central Command, for the opening months of OIF at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia; and chief of staff, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet, NSA Bahrain, 2003-2004.
Shore assignments included VT-26, NAS Beeville, Texas, 1978-1980; VFA-125, NAS Lemoore, California, 1984-1988; Aide and flag lieutenant to the assistant chief of Naval Operations (Air Warfare), Washington D.C., 1990-1991; Joint Staff, J-33 Joint Operations Department CENTCOM Division, 1998-1999. A 1996 graduate of the Naval War College, he earned a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies. His first flag tour was as the deputy chief of staff for Global Force Management and Joint Operations, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia, 2004-2006. From 2010-12 he served as director, Joint Staff. His most recent assignment was as commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, 2012-2014.
Gortney has flown over 5,360 mishap-free flight hours and completed 1,265 carrier-arrested landings, primarily in the A-7E Corsair II and the FA-18 Hornet. He is authorized to wear the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Navy Distinguished Service Medal (two awards), Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (four awards), Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Air Medal (three awards: Gold Numeral One, two Strike/Flight), Defense Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Sea Service Ribbon (8 awards), and the Overseas Service Ribbon (2 awards).
Deputy Secretary of Defense
The Honorable Robert O. Work was confirmed as the 32nd Deputy Secretary of Defense on April 30, 2014.
Mr. Work most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). From 2009 to 2013, Mr. Work served as the Undersecretary of the Navy. In this capacity, he was the Deputy and Principal Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy and acted with full authority of the Secretary in the day-to-day management of the Department of the Navy.
Assistant Commandant for Acquisition & Chief Acquisition Officer (CAO), U.S. Coast Guard
Rear Admiral Baffer currently serves as the U.S. Coast Guard's Assistant Commandant for Acquisitions and Chief Acquisition Officer (CAO). As CAO, he directs efforts across all Coast Guard Acquisition programs, acquisition support, personnel, finance, contracting, and research and development activities to execute the service's acquisition portfolio.
In his previous assignment as Program Executive Officer (PEO), he oversaw the execution of all Coast Guard acquisition programs and projects, which provide the modernization and recapitalization of surface, air, command and control, and logistics assets.
RADM Baffer has served in a variety of engineering, acquisition and operational tours, including Engineer Officer of Cutter THETIS, Executive Officer of Coast Guard Cutter JARVIS, Commanding Officer of Cutters THETIS and CHASE and as prospective Commanding Officer of the third National Security Cutter, STRATTON.
A native of Newport News, Va., RADM Baffer graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1984. He holds a Master of Science degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois, a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Massachusetts at Boston, a Master of Science degree in the management of technology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the Marine Corps War College. He is a licensed professional engineer and a certified level III acquisition professional.
Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force
Lieutenant General Berger was commissioned as an infantry officer in 1981 following graduation from Tulane University. As a Lieutenant and Captain, he served as platoon commander in 1st Marine Division, and later as company commander and Battalion Operations Officer in 2d Reconnaissance Battalion during OPERATION DESERT STORM. He also served as Officer Selection Officer in Roanoke, Virginia.
As a field grade officer Lieutenant General Berger was an instructor at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) in Yuma, Arizona; instructor at III MEF Special Operations Training Group; and served on the Joint Staff as a policy planner in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, J-5.
Lieutenant General Berger commanded 3d Battalion, 8th Marines from 2002 to 2004, deploying the Battalion first to Okinawa, and later to Haiti in support of Operation Secure Tomorrow. As a Colonel, Lieutenant General Berger commanded Regimental Combat Team 8 in Fallujah, Iraq during OPERATION IRAQI FREEEDOM.
While serving as Assistant Division Commander of 2d Marine Division, he was appointed to the rank of Brigadier General. He then deployed to Kosovo, where he served for one year as Chief of Staff for KFOR Headquarters in Pristina. From 2009 to 2011 he served at Headquarters Marine Corps as the Director of Operations in Plans, Policies, and Operations. In 2012 he deployed to Afghanistan as the Commanding General of 1st Marine Division (forward) in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM.
Lieutenant General Berger served as Commanding General, MAGTFTC, and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center from 2013 to 2014.
In addition to a B.S. in Engineering, he holds a Master of International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, and a M.S. in Military Studies.
His formal military education includes the U.S. Army Infantry Officer Advanced Course, U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and U.S. Marine Corps School of Advanced Warfighting. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School, Jumpmaster School, U.S. Navy Dive School, and U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Reconnaissance School.
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Dominance, N2/N6, and Director of Naval Intelligence
Vice Admiral Branch, a native of Long Beach, Miss., graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1979 and earned a master's degree in International Relations from the Naval War College in Newport, R.I.
A naval aviator, his operational assignments include Light Attack Squadrons 15 and 37, USS Forrestal (CV 59), and Strike Fighter Squadron 37. He served as executive and commanding officer of Strike Fighter Squadron 15, executive officer in USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), commanding officer in USS Coronado (AGF 11) and USS Nimitz (CVN 68), and commander of Carrier Strike Group One/Carl Vinson Strike Group. During those tours, Branch deployed with both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets and has logged combat time in A7s and F18s over Grenada, Lebanon, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Iraq. He participated in Operations Urgent Fury, Earnest Will, Southern Watch, Deliberate Force, Iraqi Freedom, and led the initial Navy efforts for Haiti earthquake relief in Operation Unified Response.
Ashore, Branch has served as an instructor in the A7 and F18 Fleet Replacement Squadrons, the Joint Staff in Washington, completed Navy Nuclear Power Training, served as executive assistant to the Commander U.S. Pacific Fleet, Director of Operations and Plans (N31) on the Chief of Naval Operations staff in Washington, and Commander of Naval Air Force Atlantic. He was appointed to the rank of Vice Admiral in July 2013 as he assumed office as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Dominance, and the 65th Director of Naval Intelligence.
Branch's decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Strike Flight Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat "V", Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit and campaign awards.
Master Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Coast Guard
Master Chief Steven W. Cantrell assumed the duties of the 12th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard on May 22, 2014. As the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Commandant, Master Chief Cantrell advises him on enlist workforce policies, advocates for military benefits and entitlements, is the senior enlisted mentor, and acts as the sounding board for select enlisted administrative actions. Master Chief Cantrell also devotes time traveling through the Coast Guard, observing training and communicating with Coast Guardsmen and their families.
At the time of his selection as the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, Master Chief Cantrell was the Atlantic Area Command Master Chief in Portsmouth, VA. Previous assignments include Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard. Master Chief Cantrell's other shore assignments include: Command Master Chief of the Eighth Coast Guard District, New Orleans, LA; Officer in Charge, Station Panama City Beach, FL; Command Master Chief of the First Coast Guard District, Boston, MA; Officer in Charge, Station Wrightsville Beach, NC; Officer in Charge, Station Alexandria Bay, NY; Officer in Charge, Station Harbor Beach, MI; and Operations Petty Officer, Station Barnegat Light, NJ. Master Chief Cantrell's afloat assignments include: Officer in Charge, Coast Guard Cutters RIDLEY and POINT WELLS, Montauk, NY; Executive Petty Officer, Coast Guard Cutter POINT CAMDEN, Santa Barbara, CA; Coast Guard Cutter CONFIDENCE, Port Canaveral, FL; Coast Guard Cutter PATOKA, Greenville, MS; and Coast Guard Cutter RAMBLER, Charleston, SC.
Master Chief Cantrell's awards include the Legion of Merit, two Meritorious Service Medals, one Coast Guard Commendation Medal with an operational distinguishing device, seven Coast Guard Achievement Medals with an operational distinguishing device, and numerous other personal and service awards. He has earned a permanent Cutterman insignia, Coxswain insignia, Boat Forces Operations insignia, Command Afloat and Ashore devices, and a Command Master Chief (Gold Badge) insignia.
Master Chief Cantrell assumed the duties of the 12th Silver Ancient Mariner on May 5, 2014.
Master Chief Cantrell holds both a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Master of Science Degree in Business Administration. He is also a graduate of Class 45 of the Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Academy, the National Defense University's Keystone Command Senior Enlisted Course, and numerous other service-related schools.
Commander, Naval Submarine Forces, Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet and Commander, Allied Submarine Command
A native of Weymouth, Mass., Vice Adm. Connor graduated from Bowdoin College in 1980. He is a Mahan Scholar and distinguished graduate of the Naval War College with a Master of Arts in National Security Affairs and Strategic Studies.
Following completion of his initial nuclear power and submarine training, he served in USS Ulysses S. Grant (SSBN 631), USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720), USS Providence (SSN 719), and USS Augusta (SSN 710).
Connor commanded USS Seawolf (SSN 21) from 1997 to 2000. He served as commander, Submarine Squadron Eight from March 2003 through July 2004. From June 2008 until April 2010, he served as commander, Submarine Group Seven, Task Force 54/74 Yokosuka, Japan.
Connor's shore assignments include service at the Navy Operational Intelligence Center; flag secretary for the Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; prospective commanding officer instructor for U.S. Atlantic Fleet. He has served on the Joint Staff, on the staff of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy; and, as director, Submarine Warfare Division (N87); director, Naval Warfare Integration Group (N00X); and, assistant deputy chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Systems (N9B) on the OPNAV staff. He assumed his current duties as commander, Submarine Forces in September 2012.
His personal awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (four awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards).
former SEVENTH Fleet Commander
Vice Admiral Doug Crowder retired from the Navy on 1 January 2010. His last assignment was as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy (N3/N5), the senior advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations on joint operations and strategies, strategic planning, international politico-military matters, and security assistance.
Admiral Crowder has commanded at sea at every level, including command of USS KIDD (DDG-993), DESTROYER SQUADRON TWENTY FOUR, and the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN CARRIER STRIKE GROUP. Additionally, he served as Commander, Combined Support Group Indonesia, during the 2004-05 tsunami relief operations.
From 2006-2008, Admiral Crowder served as the Commander of the US SEVENTH FLEET, commanding all US Navy forces throughout Asia and the Western Pacific. The 7th Fleet's Area of Responsibility encompasses more than 48 million square miles and includes 35 maritime countries and the world's five largest foreign armed forces. At any given time, there are 60-70 ships, 200-300 aircraft and 40,000 Sailors and Marines assigned to the fleet.
Ashore, Admiral Crowder served 10 different assignments in the Pentagon including duty on the Joint Staff, Secretary of the Navy's staff, and seven tours on the Chief of Naval Operations' staff, most in the politico-military and strategic planning arena. He also served as the Executive Assistant to the Commander-in-Chief, US PACIFIC FLEET.
Admiral Crowder is a 1974 graduate of the US Naval Academy, graduating with distinction with a Bachelor of Science degree. In 1980, he was selected an Olmsted Scholar and studied European Economic and Political Affairs at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland.
Admiral Crowder is currently the President, CROWDER STRATEGIES & SOLUTIONS LLC; an independent consultancy focused on leadership, management and international security affairs.
CEO, U.S. Naval Institute
Peter Daly is the Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Naval Institute, one of the most respected professional associations and thought leaders in the country. Comprising almost 50,000 members, the Institute has served for 140 years as an independent forum that fosters increased understanding of the sea services and their enduring contributions to the Nation. The Naval Institute supports and advances the naval profession and the development of those who serve.
Prior to accepting the CEO post in 2011, Vice Admiral Daly served as Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff, U.S. Fleet Forces Command. His Navy career, spanning more than 30 years, includes command of the destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59), Destroyer Squadron 31, and Carrier Strike Group 11 – Nimitz Strike Group. During each of these commands, he deployed to the 5th and 7th Fleet Areas of Responsibility – participating in Operation Desert Strike in 1996 in Russell and as Sea Combat Commander for the Lincoln Battle Group in the Gulf immediately after the attack on USS Cole in 2000. As Nimitz Strike Group Commander in 2005, he led Task Forces 50, 152 and 58 in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and maritime intercept operations in the Arabian Gulf.
Shore assignments include executive assistant and program analyst, J-8, Joint Staff; executive assistant to the Commander, Pacific Fleet; and executive assistant to the Commander, U.S. Pacific Command. As a flag officer, he served as Deputy for Resources and Acquisition (J-8) Joint Staff; Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy; and as Deputy N3/N5 (Operations, Plans and Strategy) in the Navy Staff.
Vice Admiral Daly is a Life Member of the Naval Institute and former member of the Institute's Editorial Board.
He is a native of Chicago, a graduate of the College of Holy Cross (A.B. Economics), receiving a regular commission through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He holds a Master's degree in Operations Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California.
Commander, Naval Air Systems Command
Vice Admiral Dunaway was born in El Paso, Texas. After receiving his wings in April 1984, he served as a graduate flight instructor then went on to complete flight training in the F/A-18 Hornet. From 1986 to 1989 he flew with the "Vigilantes"of Strike Fighter Squadron 151 aboard the carrier USS Midway (CV 41) homeported in Yokosuka, Japan, and was then selected for Class 96 at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Md.
Dunaway's test assignments include: A-12 operational test director with Air and Test Evaluation Squadron (VX) 5; F/A-18 branch head; deputy for Test and Evaluation at the F/A-18 Weapon System Support Activity; and F/A-18E/F operational test director with VX-9, where he flew more than 200 developmental test missions and was the test pilot of the year.
His program management assignments include: F/A-18 Radar Integrated Product Team lead for Program Manager Air (PMA) 265, responsible for the development of the APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar; program manager for the Precision Strike Weapons program office (PMA-201); and deputy program executive officer for Air Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault, and Special Mission Programs.
From September 2007 to January 2009, Dunaway served as the commander of the Naval Air Warfare Center (Weapons Division) at China Lake and Point Mugu, Calif., and as U.S. Navy's Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) assistant commander for Test and Evaluation. His next flag assignment was as commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force in Norfolk, Va., where he served from January 2009 to August 2012. In September 2012, he assumed command of the Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, Md.
Dunaway is a class of 1982 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, a Master of Science in Aviation Systems Management from the University of Tennessee, and a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. His personal decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He has accrued more than 2,900 flight hours and 290 arrested carrier landings.
Commandant of the Marine Corps
General Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. assumed the duties of Commandant of the Marine Corps on October 17, 2014. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, he graduated from St. Michael's College and was commissioned in 1977. He previously served as the Commander, International Security Assistance Force and United States Forces- Afghanistan from February 2013 to August 2014.
General Dunford has served as an infantry officer at all levels. He commanded 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines. During Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, he commanded the 5th Marine Regiment.
His Joint assignments include service as the Executive Assistant to the Vice Chairman, JCS, Chief, Global and Multilateral Affairs Division (J5), and Vice Director for Operations on the Joint Staff (J3).
He has also served as the Assistant Division Commander, 1st Marine Division, Marine Corps Director of Operations, and Marine Corps Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations. He commanded I Marine Expeditionary Force and served as the Commander, Marine Forces U.S. Central Command. From 2010-2012, he served as the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps.
General Dunford is a graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School, Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School, and the U.S. Army War College. He holds a M.A. in Government from Georgetown University and a M.A. in International Relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.
Vice President and Director China Studies, Center for Naval Analyses
David M. Finkelstein, Ph.D. is vice president and director of CNA China Studies Division. A long-time student of Chinese and Asian affairs, he is widely published. His 1993 historical monograph, From Abandonment to Salvation: Washington's Taiwan Dilemma, 1949-50 (GMU Press), was hailed in Presidential Studies Quarterly as "blazing a new trail" and as certain to "take an important place in the literature of U.S.-China relations in the mid-20th Century." He is also co-editor of China's Leadership in the 21st Century: The Rise of the Fourth Generation (M.E. Sharpe, 2002); Chinese Warfighting: The PLA Experience Since 1949 (M.E. Sharpe, 2003); China's Revolution in Doctrinal Affairs: Recent Trends in the Operational Art of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (CNA, 2005); and Civil-Military Relations in Today's China: Swimming in a New Sea (M.E. Sharpe, 2006).
A retired U.S. Army officer, Finkelstein held command and staff positions at the platoon, company, battalion, and major Army command levels. He also held significant China-related positions at the Pentagon as an advisor to the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He also served on the faculty at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he taught Chinese history.
Finkelstein holds a Ph.D. in Chinese history from Princeton University, and he is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Army Command & General Staff College, and the Army War College. He has also studied Mandarin Chinese in Tianjin, China at Nankai University.
Commander, THIRD Fleet
Vice Admiral Floyd hails from Lewisburg, W.Va., and was commissioned through the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill NROTC program in May 1980. He was designated a naval flight officer in August 1981 and completed training in the F-14A at Fighter Squadron (VF) 101 in May 1982.
Floyd served in several F-14 Tomcat squadrons including tours with the Jolly Rogers of VF-84, the Grim Reapers of VF-101 as an instructor, and the Red Rippers of VF-11. He participated in Operation Desert Storm while serving as a department head with the Starfighters of VF-33. He served as the executive officer and subsequently the commanding officer of the VF-32 Swordsmen from November 1994 to September 1997.Subsequent sea tours include a tour as the executive officer of USS Constellation and deputy commander of Carrier Air Wing 7 where he participated in Operation Enduring Freedom. He commanded Carrier Air Wing 7 from February 2003 to July 2004.
Ashore Floyd served on the staff of the Naval Space Command in Dahlgren, Va. as aide to the commander and subsequently as flag lieutenant, commander Carrier Group 8. He also attended the Naval War College graduating with a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies and served as the chief staff officer on the Fighter Wing, U.S. Atlantic Fleet staff. He completed a tour on the staff of the United States military representative to the NATO Military Committee in Brussels, Belgium, served as the deputy operations officer on the staff of Joint Task Force Southwest Asia in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and served as chief of staff to commander, Naval Air Forces. He has served flag tours as director, Aviation and Aircraft Carrier Plans and Requirements (OPNAV N880) and deputy director, Air Warfare Division (OPNAV N88B) prior to assuming command of Strike Force Training Pacific in February 2009. He returned to the OPNAV staff in June 2010 as director, Air Warfare Division (OPNAV N88) followed by Warfare Integration (OPNAV N9I), and Deputy Assistant Chief of Naval Operations for warfare systems (N9B). In June 2013, he assumed command of U.S. THIRD Fleet headquartered in San Diego.
His awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medals, Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal and various campaign, unit, and service medals.
former Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, and CEO Herdt Consulting, Inc.
James "Jim" Herdt, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (Retired), is the CEO of Herdt Consulting, Inc. Jim transitioned from active duty in April 2002 with 35 years of active naval service. He served the last four years of his active service as the most senior enlisted member of the United States Navy. As such, his responsibilities included leading program and policy development for an enlisted force of over 400,000 personnel. Additionally, he served as a personal advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations, Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of Defense and U.S. Congress on all U.S. Navy personnel policies.
Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command
Vice Admiral Hilarides became the 43rd Commander of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), June 7, 2013. As NAVSEA commander, he oversees a global workforce of more than 56,000 military and civilian personnel responsible for the development, delivery and maintenance of the Navy's ships, submarines, and systems.
Raised in Chicago, Hilarides graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics. After graduation, he served as master of the Naval Academy Sailing Squadron sloop Avenger, competing in numerous offshore racing events.
Prior to command, he served at sea aboard USS Pargo (SSN 650), USS Gurnard (SSN 662) and USS Maryland (SSBN 738), deploying to the North Atlantic, Mediterranean, Arctic and Western Pacific, as well as conducting several strategic deterrent patrols. Ashore, he served on the staff of Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; Bureau of Naval Personnel; Joint Staff; and the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations.
Hilarides commanded USS Key West (SSN 722) from May 1998 to November 2000 in Pearl Harbor. In command, he deployed to the Western Pacific and conducted a major shipyard maintenance period.
Since becoming an acquisition professional in 2002, he has served as director, Advanced Submarine Research and Development, program manager of the SSGN Program and program executive officer for submarines, where he was responsible for all new construction submarine programs, along with the acquisition and life cycle maintenance of submarine weapons, countermeasures, sonar, combat control and imaging systems.
He holds a master's degree in Engineering Management from the Catholic University of America, completed the Air Force Command and Staff College, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI Program in International Security Affairs, and numerous acquisition schools.
Hilarides has received various personal and campaign awards, including the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation.
Vice Chief of Naval Operations
Admiral Howard is a 1978 graduate of Gateway High School in Aurora, Colorado. She graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1982 and from the Army's Command and General Staff College in 1998, with a Masters in Military Arts and Sciences.
Howard's initial sea tours were aboard USS Hunley (AS 31) and USS Lexington (AVT 16). While serving on board Lexington, she received the secretary of the Navy/Navy League Captain Winifred Collins award in May 1987. This award is given to one woman officer a year for outstanding leadership. She reported to USS Mount Hood (AE 29) as chief engineer in 1990 and served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. She assumed duties as first lieutenant on board the USS Flint (AE 32) in July 1992. In January 1996, she became the executive officer of USS Tortuga (LSD 46) and deployed to the Adriatic in support of Operation Joint Endeavor, a peacekeeping effort in the former Republic of Yugoslavia. Sixty days after returning from the Mediterranean deployment, Tortuga departed on a West African training cruise, where the ship's Sailors, with embarked Marines and U.S. Coast Guard detachment, operated with the naval services of seven African nations.
She took command of USS Rushmore (LSD 47) on March 12, 1999, becoming the first African American woman to command a ship in the U.S. Navy. Howard was the commander of Amphibious Squadron Seven from May 2004 to September 2005. Deploying with Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 5, operations included tsunami relief efforts in Indonesia and maritime security operations in the North Arabian Gulf. She commanded Expeditionary Strike Group Two from April 2009 to July 2010. In 2009, she deployed to CENTCOM theater, where she commanded Task Force 151, Multi-national Counter-piracy effort, and Task Force 51, Expeditionary Forces. In 2010, she was the Maritime Task Force commander for BALTOPS, under 6th Fleet.
Her shore assignments include: J-3, Global Operations, Readiness and executive assistant to the Joint Staff director of Operations; deputy director N3 on the OPNAV staff; deputy director, Expeditionary Warfare Division, OPNAV staff; senior military assistant to the secretary of the Navy; Chief of Staff to the director for Strategic Plans and Policy, J-5, Joint Staff, deputy commander, US Fleet Forces Command, and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans & Strategy (N3/N5). She currently serves as the 38th Vice Chief of Naval Operations.
Vice President, Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Programs, Raytheon
Vice Admiral Hunt (Ret) is a former Navy Surface Warfare Officer with over 37 years of service. He Is a University of Wisconsin – Madison graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Bacteriology. He also has a Master of Science from Naval Postgraduate School in Telecommunications Systems Management.
He has served in a number of surface ships, including command of USS Crommelin (FFG 37) and USS Philippine Sea (CG 58). His major staff command assignments include Carrier Strike Group SIX, THIRD Fleet, and Naval Surface Forces. Additionally, he was the first Navy commander of Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa, headquartered in Djibouti.
He has had multiple Pentagon tours on both Joint and Navy staffs. Flag assignments include Deputy Director, Strategy and Policy (J5); Director, Programming Division (N80); and most recently Director, Navy Staff.
VADM Hunt recently joined Raytheon as Vice President of Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Programs.
former Commander, U.S. Pacific Command
Admiral Timothy J. Keating retired in December 2009 after serving for three years as the Commander of the United States Pacific Command, headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii. His area of responsibility included over 3.4 billion people and half the surface of the earth. While in command, Admiral Keating visited over 30 countries, meeting diplomats, military officials, academicians and commercial leaders to emphasize active engagement with national and international partners in preserving the security and stability upon which the Asia-Pacific region's success depends.
Prior to his tour at Pacific Command, Admiral Keating was Commander of the United States Northern Command, responsible for protecting the United States homeland and providing support to federal, state and local officials in time of crisis. Simultaneously, he was Commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, providing aerospace warning, air sovereignty and defense for the United States and Canada.
Previous tours include service as the Director of the Joint Staff in the Pentagon; command of the United States Fifth Fleet and all naval forces in the United States Central Command, headquartered in the Kingdom of Bahrain; Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Plans, Policy and Operations) in the Pentagon; command of the USS Kitty Hawk Battle Group stationed in Yokosuka Japan; and Deputy Director for Operations (Current Operations) on the Joint Staff in the Pentagon.
Admiral Keating held command positions at the Naval Strike Warfare Center, a Carrier Air Wing and an F-18 Squadron. Admiral Keating is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and was a Chief of Naval Operations Fellow with the Strategic Studies Group in Newport Rhode Island. He has accumulated over 5,000 hours of flight time in tactical jets and has landed on Navy aircraft carriers over 1,200 times. In addition to numerous awards from the United States, he has received military decorations from Great Britain, Bahrain, Canada, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan and Singapore, and is a proud Honorary Master Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy.
Admiral Keating is a member of the Naval Institute Board of Directors, the Council on Foreign Relations, is a Director for the Jamestown Foundation, Nexen USA, and CAE-USA, is a Trustee for the Naval Aviation Museum and the Navy-Marine Association, serves on the Virginia Commission for Military and National Security Affairs and is an international strategic advisor for several corporations.
Commander, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command
Rear Admiral Lewis was born at Misawa Air Force Base, Japan, and commissioned in 1979 through the Navy ROTC Program at the University of Nebraska. As the SPAWAR commander, he leads a global workforce of 9,700 civilian and military personnel who design, develop and deploy advanced communications and information capabilities.
At sea, Lewis has served aboard USS Spruance (DD 963) as communications officer, where he earned his Surface Warfare qualification; USS Biddle (CG 34) as fire control officer and missile battery officer; and USS Ticonderoga (CG 47) as combat systems officer. His major command assignment was Aegis Shipbuilding Program Manager in Program Executive Office Ships, where he led the delivery of seven DDG 51 class ships and procured another 10 ships.
Lewis' shore assignments include assistant chief of staff for Maintenance and Engineering, commander, Naval Surface Forces; the Navy Secretariat staff; Naval Sea Systems Command staff; Aegis Shipbuilding Program Office; supervisor of Shipbuilding, Bath; and Readiness Support Group, San Diego.
Upon selection to flag rank in 2009, Lewis served as vice commander, Naval Sea Systems Command, and then served four years as program executive officer, ships, where he directed the delivery of 18 ships and procurement of another 51 ships.
Lewis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Nebraska and a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from the Naval Postgraduate School. Lewis' personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various service and unit awards.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Textron Systems Corporation
Ellen Lord is president and chief executive officer of Textron Systems Corporation. Lord was named to this position in October 2012. She is also a member of Textron's Executive Leadership Team.
Lord previously served as senior vice president and general manager of Textron Defense Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems Corporation (TSC). She took over the leadership of Textron Defense Systems in 2011 after serving three years as the senior vice president and general manager of AAI Corporation, a fellow operating unit of TSC.
Before joining AAI, she served as vice president of integration management for TSC in Wilmington, Mass. In that position, she led the team responsible for managing the integration of AAI into the Textron family of businesses.
Prior to that, Lord was vice president of Intelligent Battlefield Systems at Textron Defense Systems, where she was responsible for a business line including unattended networked ground sensor and munitions systems. She also served as vice president of strategy for TSC, in addition to other tactical and strategic business and operations positions.
Earlier in her career, she managed proprietary and patented plastics technology for Textron Automotive Technology Center in Dover, N.H. During her tenure, she led teams that developed an innovative new family of engineering thermoplastics for automotive interiors.
Lord earned a masters degree in chemistry from the University of New Hampshire, as well as a bachelor of arts in chemistry from Connecticut College. She also is a Textron Six Sigma certified Black Belt, specializing in Design for Six Sigma.
Assistant Commandant, Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Information Technology and Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Cyber Command
Rear Admiral Lytle assumed the duties as the Assistant Commandant for Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Information Technology (C4IT) and Commander, Coast Guard Cyber Command in May 2014. He is responsible for management and oversight for all Coast Guard C4IT operational, business, and infrastructure assets.
Rear Admiral Lytle is a 1981 graduate of the U. S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. Upon graduation with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management, he was assigned to duty on board the USCGC BOUTWELL in Seattle, WA as the Anti-submarine and Weapons Officer. In 1983 he moved to Miami, FL and served tours in the District Seven Command Center and in what is now the District Seven Maritime Intelligence Center.
In 1989, Rear Admiral Lytle was selected for the Post Graduate Training Program and attended the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL. He graduated in 1991 with a Master of Science degree in Computer Information Systems and a Master's Certificate in Telecommunications. Rear Admiral Lytle's next tour took him out of Miami to the Coast Guard Research and Development Center in Groton, CT. In 1995, Rear Admiral Lytle returned to Miami to serve as the Operations Officer for Coast Guard Group Miami until 1997 and then as the Commanding Officer of Electronic Systems Support Unit Miami. From 2000 to 2003he served as a Division Chief in the Information Systems Directorate at the Telecommunications and Information Systems Command (TISCOM). From 2003 to 2005 he completed duty at CG Headquarters as the Chief, Office of Command and Control Capability. He returned to TISCOM in 2005 to serve as the Commanding Officer. From 2008 to 2011, Rear Admiral Lytle held the position of Deputy Assistant Commandant for C4IT (CG-6d), with over a year of that period also serving as the Acting Assistant Commandant for C4IT and the Coast Guard Chief Information Officer. From 2011to 2014, he served as the Director, Command, Control, Communications and Computer (C4) Systems and Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the U. S. Cyber Command. In this dual position, he was responsible for the delivery of C4 systems that drove the effective execution of all cyber missions and the coordination and implementation of C4 and Cyber Policy, Plans, Architecture, Capital planning/investment, Information Assurance, Network and Web Services and systems/networks requirements.
Rear Admiral Lytle's decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, two Legion of Merit medals, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Coast Guard Commendation Medals, three Coast Guard Achievement Medals, Commandant's Letter of Commendation, various Coast Guard and Navy Unit Commendations and Coast Guard Expert Medals for both Rifle and Pistol.
Principal, McAleese & Associates, P.C.
James McAleese founded McAleese & Associates, P.C., a government contracts consulting and legal firm, in 1992. His vision was simple: to help organizations of all sizes understand the myriad requirements for doing business with the Federal government, and to provide legal and consulting services that would enable them to maximize value from those contract opportunities.
Since then, Jim has dedicated his career to mastering the intricacies of the government contracting process and to maintaining credibility with various stakeholders at all levels of the Federal government. This experience, combined with his in-depth understanding of the political environment and his propensity for analyzing budgets and policies line-by-line, allows him to assist companies in securing money for existing programs or new technologies, help find remedies for troubled programs, and realign companies' relationships with their most valuable customer—the Federal government.
A lifelong interest in military and defense issues—further kindled by an internship with the U.S. Army's contract appeals division early in his career— has established Jim and McAleese & Associates as expert defense industry consultants and analysts. Now a respected authority on the Department of Defense (DoD) budget process and acquisition cycle, Jim is regularly sought out by DoD and industry decisions makers, as well as by the investment community, to comment on the impact a policy decision might have and on what strategies might most effectively leverage that impact on industry trends.
Not surprisingly, a large portion of McAleese's clients hold—or are seeking—Federal government contracts with DoD and with the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and State (DoS). Still, Jim's training and experience as a government contracts attorney ensures that he can work with companies in other industries and with other Federal government agencies on any aspect of government contract work, including compliance, awards, pricing and disputes.
Prior to founding McAleese & Associates, P.C., Jim McAleese was a practicing attorney in government contracts law, based in Washington, D.C. He remains actively involved in several professional organizations, all of which vigorously support the defense and intelligence interests of the United States. He also holds a number of leadership and board positions.
former Commander, Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet
Rear Admiral Douglas J. McAneny, USN (Ret.) serves as HDR, Inc.'s Federal Business Group Director. He is based in HDR's downtown Washington, D.C. office, and is responsible for guiding and growing HDR's federal government business practice across all HDR operating companies. He serves on both the architecture and engineering company executive teams and is the Chief Executive Officer of HDR Environmental Operations and Construction (EOC).
McAneny entered the Navy in May 1978 after completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering as a member of the University of Nebraska NROTC program. He qualified in submarines in May 1981. He also holds a Master of Arts degree in economics from the University of Oklahoma. McAneny has extensive command experience having served in a variety of operational assignments. His final at sea assignment was as Commander Submarine Forces Pacific. In this role McAneny was responsible for attack and strategic ballistic missile submarines which operated from the west coast of the United States to the Suez Canal conducting a broad array of missions in support of critical national security objectives.
HDR is a global employee-owned firm providing architecture, engineering, consulting, construction and related services through our various operating companies. Our more than 8,000 professionals are committed to helping clients manage complex projects and make sound decisions.
Director, Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Chief Information Officer, U.S. Marine Corps
Brigadier General Kevin Nally is currently serving as the Director, C4/CIO for the Marine Corps.
BGen Kevin Nally was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps in May 1981, after graduating from Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy and Natural Resources.
After completing The Basic School and Communications Officer Course, he was assigned to the 1st Marine Amphibious Brigade where he served as a Communications Platoon Commander for the Marine Service Support Group-37 and later as a Communications Platoon Commander for the Brigade Service Support Group. During this tour, BGen Nally attended SCUBA School, Pearl Harbor where he served in an additional duty capacity as a search and rescue diver.
In 1985, he was reassigned to Marine Corps Recruiting Station, Los Angeles, California where he served as an Officer Selection Officer.
In 1988, BGen Nally attended Command, Control, Systems Course in Quantico, Virginia. After graduating in 1989, BGen Nally was assigned to the 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division where he served as the Communications Platoon Commander during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Following this, he was assigned to Communications Company, Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division as the Executive Officer.
In 1992, BGen Nally was assigned as the Operations Officer, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot/Eastern Recruiting Region, Parris Island. In 1995, BGen Nally was transferred to the 3rd Marine Division where he served as the S-6, then the S-3, and finally as the Executive Officer for the 4th Marine Regiment. In 1996, he served as the Commanding Officer, Communications Company, Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division.
In 1998, BGen Nally was assigned as the Deputy Director, J6, United States Forces, Japan and completed a Masters in Information Systems Management.
From 2000 to 2002, BGen Nally was the Commanding Officer of Support Battalion, MCRD/ERR, Parris Island. From May of 2002 to July 2003, BGen Nally was the Director, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
BGen Nally is a 2004 graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces with a concentration in Information Strategy. Following this assignment, he served from 2004 until 2006 as the Deputy Director for C4, United States Central Command where he deployed twice in support of OIF/OEF. In 2006, BGen Nally was transferred to Camp LeJeune, NC, where he served as the II MEF AC/S G-6 and subsequently as the II MEF Chief of Staff. From 2007 until 2009, he served as the Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Communications-Electronics School in 29 Palms, CA. He served as the AC/S, G-6, MCAGCC/MAGTF-TC from 2009 until 2010.
His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold stars, the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Commanding General, 1st Marine Division
Major General Nicholson was born in Toronto, Canada, and is a 1979 graduate of The Citadel in Charleston, SC. He holds a Master's of Science Degree from the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
From 1980-1982, Major General Nicholson served as a Platoon and Company Commander in 3rd Bn, 1st Marines at Camp Pendleton, California. From 1982-1985 he was assigned to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, where he served as a Series and Company Commander.
Following Amphibious Warfare School at Quantico, Virginia in 1986, Major General Nicholson served as a Platoon Commander at Officers Candidate School until joining 3/7 in the fall of 1986. He then served as a Rifle Company Commander for Lima 3/7 and subsequently Delta 1/9 until May of 1990.
From June 1990 to July 1993 Major General Nicholson served as a Company Officer and Instructor at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Following completion of The US Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1994, he was assigned to the Middle East as a United Nations Observer for UNTSO Palestine. In 1995, he reported to Camp Lejeune, NC. as the Executive Officer of the Wolfpack of 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.
In 1997, Major General Nicholson assumed the duties as the 2nd Marine Division G-3 Operations Officer until taking Command of the WARLORDS of 2nd Bn, 2nd Marines in 1999. Following a deployment to the Balkans AO with 26 MEU, he was re-assigned in 2001 as the Executive Officer of the 2nd Marine Regiment.
Upon graduation of the NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy in 2002, he was assigned to NATO HQ in Brussels, Belgium where he served as the Ground Forces Planner for the US Military Delegation to NATO.
In July 2004, Major General Nicholson reported to the 1st Marine Division HQ at Camp Blue Diamond, Ramadi, Iraq, where he served as the Division G-3. In July of 2005, he assumed command of the 5th Marine Regiment and deployed with them to Fallujah, Iraq from January 2006 to February 2007.
Major General Nicholson served as the Deputy Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command at Quantico from November 2007 until August 2008. From January of 2009 through June 2010. he served as the Commanding General of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Task Force Leatherneck, deploying with them for a year to southern Afghanistan. Upon return from this combat tour he was assigned as the Senior Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense in Washington, D.C., from July 2010 to February 2012. In February of 2012, Major General Lawrence D. Nicholson returned to Afghanistan for a year serving as the Operations Officer for the ISAF Joint Command in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Major General Nicholson assumed command of 1st Marine Division in June 2013.
Commander, Naval Surface Forces, and Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet
A native of Washington, D.C. and a 1982 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Vice Admiral Rowden has served in a diverse range of sea and shore assignments.
Rowden's sea duty assignments include duty in cruisers, destroyers and aircraft carriers in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. During these tours, he deployed to the Arabian Gulf, Western Pacific, Sea of Japan, South China Sea, East China Sea, Philippine Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean, Black Sea and Gulf of Guinea/West Africa areas of operation. He commanded USS Milius (DDG 69), served as reactor officer on USS George Washington (CVN 73); commander, Destroyer Squadron 60; commander, Carrier Strike Group 7; commander, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Strike Group; commander Carrier Strike Group 11, and commander, USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Strike Group.
Ashore, he has served on the Joint Staff as an action officer in the Defense and Space Operations Division (J38); on the chief of naval operations staff as the theater missile and air defense branch head for the director, Navy Missile Defense (N71), and as the executive assistant to the Director of Surface Warfare (N76). He completed a tour as Surface Warfare Officer (nuclear) assignment officer at the Bureau of Naval Personnel Command, and served as commanding officer of Surface Warfare Officers School Command, Newport, Rhode Island, where he oversaw the training of every officer en route to duty on ships at sea.
His first flag assignment was commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea. His most recent assignment was on the Chief of Naval Operations Staff as director, Surface Warfare Division. Rowden earned his Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College.
His current assignment is Commander Naval Surface Forces/Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Rowden's decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and other personal, unit and campaign awards.
President and CEO, AFCEA International and former Director, Command, Control, Communications and Computers/Cyber, Joint Staff, J6
Lieutenant General (Ret.) Robert M. (Bob) Shea most recently served as the Executive Vice President, Strategic Solutions, for Smartronix, Inc. Hollywood, MD.
Prior to leaving active duty, Shea served as the Director, Command, Control, Communications and Computer Systems (C4 Systems), The Joint Staff. He was the principal advisor to the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff on all C4 systems matters within the DoD.
His command positions included Deputy Commander, U.S. Forces Japan; Commander of the Marine Component, Joint Task Force Computer Network Defense; Director of the Marine Corps Command and Control Systems School; and Commanding Officer, 9th Communications Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He also served as the Commanding Officer of two communications companies.
Among Lieutenant General Shea's previous staff assignments are Director for C4 for the Marine Corps; the Chief Information Officer of the Marine Corps; Director of Intelligence for the Marine Corps; the Director for Command, Control and Communications (J6) for the United States Pacific Command; and various other staff positions in the Marine Corps and Joint community.
Shea earned a M.A. from Central Michigan University. He also attended The Basic School, Advanced Communications Officers' Course, the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University.
Lieutenant General Shea is a Director on two corporate boards, an executive partner with a private equity corporation, and an advisor/consultant to several telecommunication and defense corporations. He also has served on study panels for the National Academies and the Defense Science Board.
Lieutenant General Shea's awards include: Defense Distinguished Service Medal, DoD Superior Service Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, Legion of Merit with gold star, DoD Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars. He is also a recipient of the North American IT Leadership Award from the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the AFCEA and a Federal 100 Award winner.
Commander, Marine Corps Systems Command
Brigadier General Joseph Shrader, a native of Princeton, West Virginia, enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 1981. He served for three years with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines as an infantryman and was promoted to corporal. After his enlistment, he returned to West Virginia where he earned an associate degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from Bluefield State College. He was commissioned a second lieutenant through the Platoon Leaders Course commissioning program in 1989.
Upon graduation from The Basic School, BGen Shrader attended the Artillery Officer Basic Course in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and then reported to 5th Battalion, 10th Marines (5/10). While assigned to 5/10, BGen Shrader served as a Guns Platoon Commander, Battery Executive Officer and Battery Commander, and deployed to Southwest Asia during operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Provide Comfort.
BGen Shrader reported in June 1993 to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, where he served as a recruit training company Series Commander, Company Executive Officer and Company Commander. He then attended the Field Artillery Advanced Officer Course in Fort Sill, and in August 1996, reported to the III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF), Okinawa, Japan. While there, he was promoted to Major and served as Assistant Operations Officer, 4th Marine Regiment, and Battalion Operations Officer and Battalion Executive Officer with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines.
He then attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, where he earned a Master of Military Studies degree. In June 2001, he was transferred to Marine Corps Systems Command where he served as the Armor and Fire Support Targeting Team Lead. Upon promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, he was reassigned to serve as the Deputy Program Manager for the Expeditionary Fire Support System.
In July 2004, BGen Shrader returned to III MEF where he served as 12th Marines Operations Officer and later that same year deployed to Sumatra, Indonesia, in support of Operation Unified Assistance. In May 2005, BGen Shrader received orders to stand up 5th ANGLICO, III MEF. In early 2007, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In October 2007, he relinquished command of 5th ANGLICO and was reassigned as the III MEF Force Fires Coordinator.
In August 2009, he was promoted to Colonel after graduating from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at National Defense University in Washington, D.C. He was then designated primary military occupational specialty (8061) Acquisition Professional Officer and assigned to Marine Corps Systems Command. Over the next four years he served as Product Group Director for Combat Equipment and Support Systems, and Product Group Director and Program Manager for Armor and Fire Support Systems.
In May 2013, he transferred to the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Expeditionary Programs and Logistics Management to serve as Chief of Staff. In July 2014, BGen Shrader took the helm as Commander of Marine Corps Systems Command. In August 2014, he was frocked to Brigadier General.
Commander, Naval Air Forces, and Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet
Vice Admiral Shoemaker, a native of St. Petersburg, FL, graduated with honors from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Engineering and was designated a Naval aviator in July 1984.
Shoemaker's operational assignments include tours with Light Attack Squadron (VA) 105, USS Forrestal (CV 59); Carrier Air Wing (CVW) THREE, USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67); Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CV 69), USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75); CVW-17, USS George Washington (CVN 73); Carrier Strike Group (CSG) NINE, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and CSG-3, USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Shoemaker commanded VFA-105, VFA-106 (F/A-18 Fleet Replacement Squadron), CVW-17, CSG-9 and CSG-3.
His shore assignments include VA-174 and instructor duty with VA-122 and VFA-106. He also served as aide to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations and Commander, U.S. Pacific Command; was assigned to Navy Personnel Command (head of Aviation Officer Placement - PERS-433); and, was the executive assistant to Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet. In his first flag officer assignment, he was assistant commander, Navy Personnel Command for Career Management (PERS-4). He has completed the Naval War College Non-Resident Program and is a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College. He served as Commander, Naval Air Force, Atlantic from June 2013-January 2015.
Shoemaker has accumulated over 4,400 flight hours, primarily in the A-7E Corsair and the F/A-18C Hornet and has 1,066 carrier-arrested landings. His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit (6), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3), Air Medal (3) (one individual award with combat "V" and two strike/flight awards) and other personal, campaign and service ribbons.
former Supreme Allied Commander, Europe Commander, U.S. European Command and Dean, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
A Florida native, Jim Stavridis attended the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, and spent over thirty years in the Navy, rising to the rank of 4-star Admiral. Among his many commands were four years as Supreme Allied Commander at NATO, where he oversaw operations in Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, the Balkans, and piracy off the coast of Africa. He also commanded U.S. Southern Command in Miami Florida, charged with military operations through Latin America.
In the course of his career in the Navy, he served as senior military assistant to the Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of Defense. He led the Navy's premier operational think tank for innovation, Deep Blue, immediately after the 9/11 attacks.
He won the Battenberg Cup for commanding the top ship in the Atlantic Fleet and the Navy League John Paul Jones Award for Inspirational leadership, along with over forty US and international medals and decorations.
He earned a PhD from The Fletcher School at Tufts, winning the Gullion prize as outstanding student in his class, as well as academic honors from the National and Naval War Colleges as a distinguished student. He speaks Spanish and French.
Jim has published five books on leadership, Latin America, ship handling, and innovation, as well as over a hundred articles in leading journals. An active user of social networks, he has thousands of followers on Twitter and friends on Facebook. His TED talk on 21st century security in 2012 has had over 300,000 views.
Jim has published five books on leadership, Latin America, ship handling, and innovation, as well as over a hundred articles in leading journals. An active user of social networks, he has thousands of followers on Twitter and friends on Facebook. His TED talk on 21st century security in 2012 has had over 300,000 views.
Admiral Stavridis is also the Chair of the Board of the U.S. Naval Institute, and has won both the Proceedings and USNI Press Author of the Year Awards.
Jim is the 12th Dean at The Fletcher School, a post he assumed in the summer of 2013. He is happily married to Laura, and they have two daughters – one working at Google and the other an Ensign in the U.S. Navy.
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Mike D. Stevens was born and raised in Montana. He graduated from Arlee High School in May 1983 and immediately entered the U.S. Navy attending basic training in San Diego in June 1983.
Stevens attended Aviation Structural Mechanic Apprentice School in Millington, Tenn., and his first duty assignment was with Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Two in Rota, Spain.
In October 2002, he was advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer and assigned to Fleet Composite Squadron Eight in Roosevelt Roads, P. R., as the Maintenance Master Chief and Command Master Chief. In October 2003, Stevens reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola and shortly thereafter assumed the duties as the Command Master Chief. In August 2006, he became the Command Master Chief for Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron 14 in Norfolk, Va. In September 2007, he was selected by Commander, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Atlantic to serve as the Wing Command Master Chief for the largest Helicopter Wing in the U.S. Navy. In January 2009, Stevens was selected as the Command Master Chief for Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet. Following 2nd Fleet, he served as the 16th Fleet Master Chief for Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command from August 2010 to September 2012.
Stevens' academic achievements include an Associate's Degree in Administrative Management Studies; Senior Enlisted Professional Military Education; Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education; Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government "Leadership in Crisis"; and the National Defense University Keystone course. He is an honor graduate and the recipient of the prestigious Peter Tomich Award for exceptional military excellence from the Senior Enlisted Academy.
Stevens' personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (six awards), the Coast Guard Achievement Medal with operational "O", Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Insignia, and Enlisted Naval Aircrew Wings.
Stevens became the 13th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy on Sept. 28, 2012.
Commander, Fleet Cyber Command/Commander, TENTH Fleet
Vice Admiral Jan Tighe was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and raised in Plantation, Florida. In April 2014, she assumed duties as the commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command / U.S. 10th Fleet.
Tighe's previous tours include duty with Naval Security Group Activities in Florida, Virginia, Japan, VQ-1 and Naval Information Warfare Activity. She also had staff assignments on the Headquarters of the Pacific Fleet, Naval Security Group, Naval Network Warfare Command, and served as executive assistant to Commander, U.S. Cyber Command. Tighe commanded more than 2,800 multi-service and multi-agency personnel at the National Security Agency/Central Security Service Hawaii in Kunia. As a flag officer, Tighe served as U.S. Cyber Command Deputy J3; OPNAV N2N6 director, Decision Superiority; Naval Postgraduate School interim president; and deputy commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command / U.S. 10th Fleet.
Tighe is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and was commissioned as an ensign (special duty cryptology) in 1984. She attended the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, where she studied Russian. She also attended the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, and in 2001 was awarded a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and a M.S. in Applied Mathematics.
Tighe wears both the Information Dominance Warfare pin and Naval Aviation Observer wings, earned while deployed as an airborne special evaluator aboard VQ-1 EP-3E aircraft in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. She is also a member of the Acquisition Professionals Community and holds a Level III Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certification in Program Management.
Tighe has been awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (second award), the Strike/Flight Air Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (fourth award), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Sergeant Major of Manpower and Reserve Affairs
Sergeant Major Robert VanOostrom currently serves as the Sergeant Major, Manpower and Reserve Affairs.
Sergeant Major VanOostrom enlisted into the Marine Corps in October 1985 and completed recruit training at MCRD Parris Island, SC in December of that same year. Upon completion of recruit training he reported to NAS Meridian, MS for initial training and assignment as an Aviation Operation Specialist.
In December 1988, Sergeant Major VanOostrom reported to MCAS Beaufort, SC where he completed multiple deployments with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 451 and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122.
In September 1990, Sergeant Major VanOostrom attended Marine Security Guard (MSG) School and subsequently completed tours at the American Embassy in Athens, Greece and the U.S. Interest Section in Havana, Cuba. Upon completion of MSG Duty in April 1993, Sergeant Major VanOostrom transferred to MCAS New River, NC where he served as the Station Operations Chief.
In August 1995, Sergeant Major VanOostrom attended Recruiters School, followed by a tour of duty at RS Nashville. Three years later in August 1998, he received orders and reported Marine Aircraft Group 29 to serve as the Group Operations Chief.
In September 1999, upon his selection to First Sergeant, Sergeant Major VanOostrom transferred to 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division. There he served as Company First Sergeant for Charlie, Weapons, and Headquarters and Service Companies and participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In November 2003, Sergeant Major VanOostrom was selected to his present rank. He was transferred to Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 located at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan in May 2004 for duty. Following this assignment, Sergeant Major VanOostrom returned to North Carolina where he served with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS New River.
In December 2005, Sergeant Major VanOostrom received orders to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263. This tour was highlighted by the first combat deployment of the MV-22B (Osprey) to OIF 06-08 in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
Sergeant Major VanOostrom was then assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 29 from May 2008 to August 2009 as the Group Sergeant Major.
From August 2009 until March 2012, Sergeant Major VanOostrom was assigned as the Sergeant Major of Marine Corps Installations East.
In March 2012, Sergeant Major VanOostrom was assigned to his post as the II Marine Expeditionary Force Sergeant Major and served there until assuming his current duties in October 2014.
Sergeant Major VanOostrom's personal decorations include the Legion of Merit w/1 star, Meritorious Service Medal w/2 stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/3 stars, Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/3 stars, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Information Operations and Space, and Acting Department of the Navy Chief Information Officer
John Zangardi was appointed as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Information Operations, and Space (DASN C4I /IO and Space) in March of 2011. In support of ASN (RD&A), Dr. Zangardi is the principal Department of the Navy advisor for C4I, IO, space (including space - related acquisition), business enterprise acquisition, and information technology and resources management. In his oversight role, he coordinates with key stakeholders to maximize alignment with Navy and Marine Corps needs.
He is a native of Scranton, Pennsylvania and a graduate of the University of Scranton. Dr. Zangardi was awarded a Master of Science degree from the Naval Postgraduate School and a doctorate from George Mason University.
Commissioned through the Aviation Officer Candidate School, he was awarded Naval Flight Officer wings in 1983. Operationally he served with Patrol Squadron 6, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), Patrol Squadron 8, and Patrol Squadron 26 as Commanding Officer. Ashore, his assignments include Patrol Wings Pacific, Joint Staff (J6) as Lead Budget Analyst, Navy Staff (N78) as Assistant for Programming and Budget, and Navy's Office of Legislative Affairs as
Director for Naval Programs.
After leaving active duty, he was employed by BAE Systems Electronics and Integrated Systems operating group, Arlington, Virginia. He was assigned as Director for Maritime Systems and Requirements.
In January of 2008, Dr. Zangardi was selected for appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) with assignment as Deputy Director for Warfare Integration Programs (N6FB), within the Directorate for the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations Communications Networks (N6).
With the stand-up of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations Information Dominance (N2/N6), he was assigned as Director for Program Integration and as Deputy to the Director for Concepts, Strategy, and Integration.
Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard
May 30, 2014. He leads America's oldest continuous seagoing service and the largest component of the Department of Homeland Security, comprised of 41,700 active duty, 7,800 reserve, 8,300 civilian and 31,000 volunteer Auxiliarists.
Prior to this, Admiral Zukunft served as Commander, Coast Guard Pacific Area, where he was operational commander for all U.S. Coast Guard missions in an area encompassing more than 74 million square miles and provided mission support to the Department of Defense and Combatant Commanders. Other Flag assignments include Commander of the Eleventh Coast Guard District and Director, Joint Interagency Task Force West, where he served as executive agent to United States Pacific Command for combating Transnational Criminal Organizations in the Asia-Pacific Region.
In 2010, Admiral Zukunft served as the Federal On-Scene Coordinator for the Deepwater Horizon Spill of National Significance where he directed more than 47,000 responders, 6,500 vessels and 120 aircraft during the largest oil spill in U.S. history. His senior staff assignments included Chief of Operations, Coast Guard Pacific Area and Chief of Operations Oversight, Coast Guard Atlantic Area where he directly supervised all major cutter operations in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. He also served as Chief of Staff, at the Fourteenth Coast Guard District in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Admiral Zukunft has commanded six units and served extensively in the cutter fleet where he commanded the cutters CAPE UPRIGHT, HARRIET LANE, and RUSH.
A native of North Branford, Connecticut, Admiral Zukunft graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Government; from Webster University in 1988 with a Master of Arts degree in Management; and from the U.S. Naval War College in 1997 with a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. He is a graduate of the Asia Pacific Center for Strategic Studies Executive Seminar and Harvard's Kennedy School of Government National Preparedness Leadership Initiative course.
His personal awards include both the Department of Homeland Security and Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medals, Defense Superior Service Medal, three Legions of Merit and five Meritorious Service Medals with "O" device among others.
With defense budgets shifting to the Pacific, you can't afford to miss WEST 2015!
2015 Theme: Lower Budgets and Higher Demands: How Do the Sea Services Strike the Right Balance?
The Western Conference and Exposition (WEST 2015) is the premier Sea Services event focused on operations in the Asia-Pacific region - showcasing emerging systems, platforms, technologies and networks that will impact all areas of current and future Sea Service operations.
Senior operational leaders will address the theme "Lower Budgets and Higher Demands: How Do the Sea Services Strike the Right Balance?" Now in its 25th year, WEST 2015 is co-sponsored by AFCEA International and the U.S. Naval Institute, both non-profit, non-lobbying membership associations. Registration is free for military and government.
WEST delivers a broad opportunity for industry to engage military exhibitors, attendees and speakers. This unique opportunity enables industry to understand military innovations, while discovering current capability needs.
Grow your sales pipeline in the growing Pacific defense market!
To become an exhibitor or sponsor, contact:
Paul doCarmo (Companies A-L)
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Connie Shaw (Companies M-Z)
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[email protected]
703-631-6200 x3905

subset: commoncrawl


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August 12, 2010
Who will turn the tide in D.C.?
Last night's Washington, D.C. mayoral candidate forum on HIV/AIDS was a success in terms of numbers -- nearly 100 people filled a hall in the city's historic Eastern Market to press would-be mayors on AIDS issues. But the audience left without hearing any concrete solutions to the city's immense HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Sadly, no one in D.C. was surprised. It's been nearly a year and a half since the city's HIV/AIDS office released an epidemiology report that placed the District's prevalence rate as the worst in the nation. But so far, no politicians -- past, present or future -- have made an aggressive attack on the problem a top priority.
To their credit, four of the five major candidates did show up, crowding a tiny stage to answer questions volleyed by an audience of AIDS advocates, service providers and HIV-positive individuals. In some ways, the cards are stacked: Many of the audience members deal with with the intricacies of HIV/AIDS in the city every day. The politicians, however, are simply that -- politicians who must be knowledgeable about a range of issues. The fact that they even attended demonstrates that they'd hope to make HIV/AIDS a priority. (Mayor Adrian Fenty did indeed skip out.) All four in attendance have pledged to create a comprehensive HIV/AIDS strategy for the city.
But in Washington, D.C., simply showing up isn't enough. The District -- where the HIV prevalence rate is significantly higher than those of Haiti, Ghana and Ethiopia -- is in desperate need of a leader with in-depth knowledge of the way community conditions propagate the spread of HIV.
In response to a question about the recently released National HIV/AIDS Strategy, candidate Ernest Johnson admitted that he wasn't aware such a plan existed. Leo Alexander did propose some ideas. The problem is that they were completely unrealistic, said Christine Campbell, Housing Works vice president of national organizing and one of the forum's moderators.
(One idea: Implement universal testing at the Department of Motor Vehicles and then label licenses by HIV status. Another: Provide $15 million to end housing wait lists in D.C. "Where in the world are you going to get that money?" said Campbell. "These are pie-in-the sky ideas.") Sulaimon Brown was also in attendance.
Next to Fenty, Vincent Gray, the current council chairman, has perhaps the deepest résumé when it comes to HIV/AIDS in the city. During his first term on the council he spearheaded the Effi Barry HIV/AIDS initiative, which provides grants to organizations that want to integrate HIV/AIDS programming into their activities. He's also the former director of Covenant House, a privately-funded agency that provides food, shelter and crisis care to homeless (and sometimes HIV-positive) youth.
If anything, the forum served to educate voters about what the candidates do (and don't) know about the crisis in their own neighborhood. Advocates plan to challenge the candidates to explain exactly how they'll expand needle exchange programs, promote condom use, eliminate housing wait lists, create a concrete comprehensive sex education curriculum, increase testing and chip away at the crisis ravaging our nation's capital.
"I honestly didn't expect any of these guys to be the expert on the issues," said Larry Bryant, Housing Works national organizing coordinator. "But what I did want to hear is: Who has a comprehensive understanding of this epidemic as a community problem? I wanted to know, who understands that we need to examine the community problems that we have here in D.C. -- that means homelessness, and poverty and other disparities -- in order to address HIV? And really, none any of them put that together."
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Oakland, Berkeley, And East Bay News, Events, Restaurants, Music, & Arts
Why don't you first put his own colorful fun bed right beside yours. Have it really
jolly, with what he likes on it, and pictures and things above it, stars on the ceiling etc!
Pull it up close and maybe share a reading lamp for the two of you.
That way, you are sort of like good roommates.
Get a dog! Get a little one, if you cannot have a big one.
Dogs love to sleep anywhere you will let them on your bed. They are SO agreeable!
Start going to folk dance, take your son with you and let him learn too!
You will meet the best friends you have ever had in your life. I have friends today that I met at folkdancing in 1975. Dancing is not boring like the gym.
Let us know your good results. Love, Nana
( I have no grandchildren,
so I am a Vicarious one. I hope you don't mind!)
By the way, this comment rectangle is all messed up. I have to hit the ENTER key when
I get to the end of the sentence. Otherwise it keeps typing UNDER the column to
the right called THIS WEEK IN NEWS!! I know you can fix this!!


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Join the Nation's Conversation
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First hint of dark matter detected by space station
A $2 billion cosmic ray detector on the International Space Station has found the first significant hint of dark matter, the mysterious substance that may hold the cosmos together.
A $2 billion cosmic ray detector aboard the International Space Station has detected tantalizing signs of the elusive "dark matter" particles that scientists say fill space, an international astrophysics team reports.
At a briefing Wednesday at Europe's CERN laboratory, experiment chief Samuel Ting of MIT, a Nobel-prize winning physicist, reported that first measurements made by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) detector aboard the space station indicate that cosmic rays, which fill the universe as the fallout from exploding stars, have left evidence of collisions with dark matter particles in deep space.
"The data agrees very well with the simplest model," Ting said. He cautioned "more statistics" are needed to be certain of the result.
Dark matter, as the name suggests, is a form of matter that appears invisible. Astronomers say they think it must fill space because of observations of its gravitational tugs on galaxies. Dark matter may be mostly undiscovered exotic physics particles (amusingly called "WIMPS" for "weakly interacting massive particles"), and scientists say dark matter outweighs normal matter — the stuff of stars, planets and people — by more than five times throughout the universe, based on observations of stars' gravitational pull on one another.
But they don't know for certain that it's real. To detect more direct signs of this elusive stuff and determine if it really exists, astronauts installed the AMS detector aboard the space station two years ago. In space, the detector can record cosmic rays, outbursts of charged particles delivered from deep space, otherwise absorbed by Earth's atmosphere. Over the past 18 months, the detector has recorded 25 billion cosmic ray signals, Ting says.
Scientists say that when dark matter particles collide, the results can throw off antimatter particles called positrons — a positively charged mirror image of an electron. The spectrometer can record these positrons as cosmic rays. Cosmic rays have different energy levels, depending on where they originate in the cosmos. When the highest-energy versions result from collisions of dark matter, scientists say, they no longer generate as many positrons, but rather cast off other particles more often. The detection of positrons in that case would drop off sharply. If dark matter doesn't exist, those positron readings would drop off slowly instead.
The numbers do point to dark matter existing as physicists predict, Ting says, but they do not rule out a competing explanation for the antimatter particles. Alternately, they could result from cosmic rays originating instead from distant compact stars called "pulsars" ringing the Milky Way galaxy.
"Beautiful results, but we are not there yet in terms of identifying the dark matter," says astrophysicist Michael Turner of the University of Chicago. Turner first described the antimatter drop-off effect tested by the AMS experiment with Nobel prize-winning physicist Frank Wilczek of MIT in 1990. "(T)he instrument is working beautifully, and the results that will come in the future should be able to test the WIMP hypothesis," Turner says by e-mail.
Ting agrees that over the next two decades aboard the space station, the experiment's smooth operation indicates it should produce enough data to settle the dark matter mystery. "We have a feeling what is happening, but it probably is too early to discuss," he says.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has made fighting meth a top priority. Attorney General Madigan has drafted legislation to help curb meth production and use, crack down on meth producers who endanger others in their production of the drug, and increase penalties and provide additional resources for law enforcement.
Below is information regarding all of Illinois' meth-related laws:
The Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act (MCCPA), 720 ILCS 646/1 et seq., took effect on September 11, 2005. The Act was designed to consolidate and strengthen state laws dealing with the production, distribution, and use of meth. Drafted by the Office of Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and widely supported by law enforcement statewide, MCCPA passed the Illinois Senate and House by unanimous votes.
The Methamphetamine Precursor Control Act (MPCA), 720 ILCS 648/1 et seq., took effect on January 15, 2006. Proposed by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and sponsored by Rep. John Bradley and Sen. Bill Haine, this law imposes stricter controls on the display and sale of cold and sinus products containing meth's key ingredient - pseudoephedrine (PSE). The MPCA requires that almost all PSE products be placed behind pharmacy counters and requires customers to show identification and provide a signature to purchase the products. The MPCA also places limits on the quantity of PSE a customer may purchase in a 30-day period.
The Methamphetamine Manufacturer Registry Act,730 ILCS 180/1 et seq., took effect on June 5, 2006. This Act requires that persons convicted of Participation in Methamphetamine Manufacturing (720 ILCS 646/15) after June 5, 2006, be identified with that information made available to law enforcement and the general public. The Illinois Methamphetamine Manufacturer Registry includes the offender's name, date of birth, offense or offenses requiring inclusion in the Methamphetamine Manufacturer Database, and the conviction date and county of each such offense.
Return to MethNet Home


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10:30 AM right now
Today is Student Success Day at college. This basically means no classes but there are presentations you can go to. I decided to come in to a later presentation about Cybercrime. As I write this, I am on the laptop that I use most often for "computer security" with this federal attorney standing at the front of the room. He has prosecuted and persecuted hundreds of hackers, crackers, and white-collar criminals.
This is awkward.