Unfettered access and freedom to operate in space is of vital interest to western allies. Foreign proliferation of advanced space systems has resulted in congested and contested space operations — adversaries are quickly developing ever more lethal anti-satellite (ASAT) capabilities, as well as advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. How can national security space enterprise transform to continuously outpace such threats? This focus will be on the need for urgent changes in space defense and will present the lessons learned for new models as well as how improved acquisition policies could meet new space systems and on-the-ground special operation’s needs. Finally, how should commercial space operators prepare for space as a contested domain?
Phil Carrai
Phil Carrai is President of the Technology and Training group for Kratos Defense and Security Solutions, Inc, where he is responsible for all aspects of business operations, sales, mergers and acquisitions. Kratos Defense is an approximately $650 million public company focusing in Aerospace and Defense products and services.
Kratos Technology and Training provides products for satellite signal processing, testing, communications, cybersecurity, in addition to training and simulation products and services. Phil led the acquisitions of DEI (2010), Integral Systems (2011), SecureInfo (2011), BSC (2014) and the integration that followed which transformed the group to be a major provider of specialized products and related services to global commercial and government customers. Previously, he was the CEO of Ai Metrix, a telecommunications software company focused in the defense and commercial markets, which was sold to Kratos Defense in 2006.
He is a former Managing Director for the Morino Group and Special Advisor to General Atlantic, Inc. During that period, he served as the Executive Chairman for US mobile media leader Ztango until its sale to Widerthan.com (now part of Real Networks), and an active board member for Internosis, a commercial and federal services provider, until its sale to EMC.
Phil also was the CEO of McCabe and Associates, a testing and analysis software company, growing revenues during his tenure, and remained with the company as Chairman until its sale to a private equity firm. Between 1989 and 1996, Phil held a number of executive positions at Legent, including Vice President and General Manager of its $200 million Resource Management business unit, where he managed or was directly involved in numerous product launches, channel and international expansions, new product development, and mergers and acquisitions, including the merger with Computer Associates. Phil began his career as a systems analyst/programmer for Alcoa.
Phil currently serves as a board member for Network Alliance and is the President of the Alumni Board for Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
He graduated from IUP in 1983 majoring in Information Science and Accounting, where he is a University Distinguished Alumni and a member of the Eberly Business Hall of Distinction, and received his MBA from Carnegie Mellon University in 1989.
Chris DeMay
Chris, HawkEye 360’s co-founder and CTO, came up with the idea for HawkEye while serving within the United States government, where he was responsible for space-based intelligence technology development projects and programs. He spent fourteen years in various leadership positions with the U.S. Federal Government, and was the proud recipient of the NRO Gold Medal of Distinguished Performance and the Frank Beamer Award for Exceptional Service. Chris holds an MS in Systems Engineering and a BS in Business Information Technology, both from Virginia Tech. He is a fan of third-wave coffee, traveling, and graphic design, and fondly remembers his stint as lead singer of his college rock band. Chris lives in Chantilly with his wife and two children.
Rick Lober
Rick Lober is the Vice President and General Manager of the Defense and Intelligence Systems Division (DISD) at Hughes Network Systems, LLC. In this role, he is responsible for applying the company’s broad range of SATCOM technologies and services to the worldwide defense marketplace and intelligence community. Applications cover satellite communications on the move for both ground-based an airborne platforms along with numerous classified development programs. He has over 30 years experience with both COTS-based and full MIL communications and intelligence products, systems and major programs starting as a design engineer and progressing to a P&L executive.
Mr. Lober previously worked at Cubic Corporation as Sr. VP/GM of the Communications Business Unit. In this role, he led the company’s development of the Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL) for application to both manned and unmanned military ISR platforms.
Mr. Lober worked at Watkins-Johnson Company before joining Cubic. In this role, he started as a design engineer for the company’s large catalog of signal intelligence equipment and progressed to a Department P&L lead for SIGINT equipment and systems. Mr. Lober led the program to develop the world’s first high volume digital HF receiver and also led efforts to move the company into commercial telecommunications markets.
Mr. Lober received his BSEE and MSEE degrees from the University of Illinois, Urbana, and is a member of the IEEE, AFCEA, AUSA, AUVSI and the Society of Satellite Professionals. He has published numerous papers and presentations on digital receiver design, high-speed data links, and satellite communications. Mr. Lober holds a patent in wireless communications and he and his family live in Annapolis, MD.
Mike Nichols
Mike Nichols is the Chief of the Commercial Satellite Communications (COMSATCOM) Solutions Branch, Commercial Satellite Communications Office (CSCO), Air Force Space Command (AFSPC). He oversees a portfolio of commercial satellite acquisitions and services with a lifecycle value of 4.6 billion dollars. The COMSATCOM Solutions Branch facilitates the delivery of operationally responsive, customer-focused, and cost-effective commercial satellite communications to the Department of Defense (DoD) and other Government Agencies by providing focused acquisition and lifecycle support to complex customer acquisitions on established or tailored COMSATCOM contracts.
Mr. Nichols has managed DoD meshed network solutions, including terrestrial transport, data applications, and commercial satellite services as a Department of Defense government civilian for more than 32 years.
During the span of his career, Mr. Nichols has managed communication services for the United States Navy Europe/Central Region in Naples, Italy, was a project manager for European terrestrial transport initiatives based out of Stuttgart, Germany, and served as a senior advisor to the Afghan Ministry of Communications and Technology in Kabul, Afghanistan as part of the U.S. Department of Defense Telecommunications Advisory Team.
Prior to his current position, Mr. Nichols was the Deputy Chief for the DoDs Enhanced Mobile Satellite Services (EMSS).
A U.S. Navy Veteran, Mr. Nichols is proud to serve the Department of Defense and provide critical C5ISR that enable warfighter capabilities.
Ken Peterman
Ken Peterman is President Government Systems at Viasat. A world leader in satellite communications, networking and related technologies, Viasat (sales ~$2B/yr) employs over 5,500 professional and support personnel worldwide. Viasat produces satellite payloads and ground infrastructure, satellite terminals, networked data links and cybersecurity solutions that provide high speed, assured, secure global communications serving both the commercial and government sectors. Viasat’s government business is a market leader in tactical networking and Link-16 datalinks; information assurance and cybersecurity; assured, high capacity satellite communications; and air/ground situational awareness.
Before joining Viasat Ken founded the SpyGlass Group, a respected thought leader in emerging defense and aerospace market trends. SpyGlass works primarily with small and mid-sized businesses to formulate effective strategies to optimize performance, maximize growth, increase new market penetration, and execute challenging business transformation and turnaround agendas.
Prior to founding SpyGlass, Ken was President, Exelis Communications and Force Protection Systems, and President, ITT Communications Systems (sales ~$1.3B/yr). In these positions, responsibilities included general management of over 3,000 employees with facilities in 12 states plus the United Kingdom. Portfolios included tactical communications systems, satellite communications systems, information assurance and cybersecurity solutions, global positioning systems (GPS), electronic protection and counter IED systems, vision systems and integrated command, control, communications and computer (C4) systems for U.S. and allied forces in over 35 countries.
Previously, Ken was Vice President, Rockwell Collins Integrated Command, Control and Communications (C3) Systems (sales ~$600M/yr) and Displays and Awareness Systems (sales ~$450M/yr). In these positions, responsibilities included general management of facilities in 5 states plus the United Kingdom. The C3 Systems portfolio included special mission communications systems, information assurance and cryptographic systems, mobile networking solutions, electronic warfare systems, and MILSTAR satellite communications systems. The Displays portfolio included head-down displays for all types of military ground, vehicular and aerospace platforms, head-up displays for tactical fighter and trainer aircraft, and helmet-mounted vision systems for tactical fighter aircraft and also for soldier systems serving the US and worldwide market.
Ken also held positions at Raytheon including Director, Tactical Systems where he managed a variety of products and systems portfolios serving the global defense communications market. He holds a BSEE (high honors) from Tri-State University (now Trine), augmented by executive education at Pennsylvania State University and Stanford University. Industry leadership includes roles as chairman of the Indiana Aerospace and Defense Council and membership in the National Defense Industry Association, the Association of the United States Army, the Association of the United States Air Force, the Satellite Industry Association and numerous other professional organizations.
As a passionate and innovative leader in the global defense and aerospace market, Ken serves on a variety of boards and advisory groups where he has helped to shape the strategic trajectories of the tactical communications, mobile networking, cybersecurity, and satellite sectors for more than 35 years.
Ken is married to Ms. Jennifer Hawks and is blessed with eight children and five grandchildren.
Jackie Schmoll
Jacqueline (Jackie) Schmoll is senior director of strategy and growth for the Space Systems sector within L3Harris Technologies Space and Airborne Systems segment. Space and Airborne Systems includes space payloads, sensors and full-mission solutions; classified intelligence and cyber defense; avionics; and electronic warfare. Schmoll assumed this position in 2019, reporting to the vice president of strategy and business development in Space and Airborne Systems. In this role, Schmoll is responsible for new business revenue growth, driving the Space Systems strategic growth plan, as well as leading a team of more than 40 business development professionals representing end-to-end space mission capabilities.
Previously, she was general manager for Government GEOINT Systems within L3Harris’ Geospatial Solutions business unit. Her responsibilities included managing a multibillion dollar portfolio of competitive and sole source IDIQ vehicles with the National Geospatial Agency, multiple systems level applications for Combatant Commands, classified agencies and international governments for mapping, content management, and GEOINT search and retrieval.
Prior to her role managing a Profit & Loss business area, Schmoll served as senior program manager for L3Harris’ Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance business unit. She led a small satellite program for the United States Army after transitioning from her previous role as director of business development with L3Harris’ Environmental Solutions business unit, responsible for the business unit growth strategy and capture execution.
Before joining L3Harris, Schmoll was senior manager of Business Development and Capture Management for Lockheed Martin. She was responsible for winning new business accounts with strategic customers in the United States Department of Defense and International community. Previously, she worked for a.i. solutions as a mission analyst where she performed flight dynamics and orbital analysis for NASA and United States Air Force spacecraft missions. She moved into roles of increasing responsibility where she ultimately won and managed new domestic and international business accounts centered around the company’s software products.
Schmoll is a member of AIAA and supports the Modeling and Simulation Technical Committee. She received her master of business administration and bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Maryland. She successfully completed a leadership development program from Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. In 2019, Schmoll was awarded the Spacecoast Business 40 Under 40 Award.