Nuclear Triad Symposium Speakers

 

Christopher Yeaw

NSRI

Dr. Christopher Yeaw is the Associate Executive Director for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Programs at the National Strategic Research Institute, U.S. Strategic Command’s University Affiliated Research Center (UARC). An integral component of the University of Nebraska, NSRI leads and leverages collaborative efforts with other academic institutions, National Laboratories, FFRDCs, UARCs, and non-profit organizations. NSRI’s responsively and enduringly supports the US government in successfully executing the strategic deterrence, nuclear and counter- WMD missions with world class research and analysis. The Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Programs Department leads thought and collaborates across the entire range of strategic and nuclear issues: deterrence policy, threat analysis, weapon design, strategic materials, NC3, wargaming, nonproliferation, counter-terrorism, and education.

Immediately prior to his appointment at NSRI, Dr. Yeaw was the National Nuclear Security Administration's Senior Policy Advisor for Defense Programs, having served as the Department of Energy's lead official in the development and rollout of the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review. Formerly, he was the founder and director of the Center for Assurance, Deterrence, Escalation, and Nonproliferation Science & Education (CADENSE), a nuclear weapons think tank at the Louisiana Tech Research Institute. From 2010- 2015, Dr. Yeaw served in a Senior Executive position as the first Chief Scientist of Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), which was established in 2009 to organize, train, equip, operate, secure, and maintain all U.S. intercontinental ballistic missile and nuclear-capable bomber forces.

Dr. Yeaw began his career in 1996 at the Naval Surface Warfare Center as a lead missile defense engineer following his graduation with a doctorate in nuclear engineering and engineering physics from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Next, he served as a lead nuclear weapons technical intelligence officer with the Defense Intelligence Agency. After his tenure at DIA, Dr. Yeaw served as the Principal Advisor for Nuclear Matters to the Assistant Secretary for Verification and Compliance, during which time he was a member of the first U.S. special diplomatic mission to Libya and led the initiation of the dismantlement of the Libyan covert nuclear weapons program. He then served as the Chief Scientist of the Department of Energy's Office of Intelligence. Finally, prior to his AFGSC assignment, he was an Associate Professor and Director of the Mahan Scholars Research Program at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, where he also founded the STRATCOM-sponsored Deterrence & Escalation Game and Review (DEGRE) nuclear war game series.

 

Adam Lowther, PhD

NIDS

Adam Lowther, PhD is the Vice President of Research at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies. He has deep expertise in nuclear deterrence and the nuclear programs of Russia and China.

He previously served as the Director of Strategic Deterrence Programs at the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI)—serving US Strategic Command. Prior to joining NSRI, Dr. Lowther served as the director of the department of multi-domain operations (MDO) at the Army Management Staff College (AMSC) where he led efforts to develop MDO education programs in collaboration with an interdisciplinary faculty of engineers and scientists. Prior to this assignment, Dr. Lowther was a Professor of Political Science at the Army’s School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) and taught 21st-century conflict to lieutenant colonels and colonels.

Previously, he served as the founding director of the School of Advanced Nuclear Deterrence Studies (SANDS), Kirtland AFB. Dr. Lowther led the school’s academic, professional development, and research efforts.

He also served as the director of the Center for Academic and Professional Journals at the Air Force Research Institute (AFRI), Maxwell AFB, where he oversaw publication of the Air Force’s professional journals: Strategic Studies Quarterly and Air and Space Power Journal (English, Spanish, Chinese, French). Prior to assuming this position, Dr. Lowther was a research professor at AFRI where he led and participated in studies directed by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force.

He is the author or editor of many books and academic journal articles. Dr. Lowther has published in outlets like the New York Times, Boston Globe, Joint Force Quarterly, Strategic Studies Quarterly, and a variety of other places.

Early in his career, Petty Officer Lowther served in the US Navy aboard the USS RAMAGE (DDG-61), at CINCUSNAVEUR–London, and with the Seabees (NMCB 17). 

Kelly Lee

SSP, US NAvy

Ms. Kelly Lee currently serves as the Director, Plans and Programs at Strategic Systems Programs (SSP). In this capacity, Ms. Lee provides executive leadership to SSP enterprise for the development and execution of the program plans and $4+ Billion annual budget for the Navy Strategic Weapons Systems and the joint Navy/Army Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) program. She serves as a Chief Operating Officer of the SSP Board of Directors. Ms. Lee leads the professionals acquiring strategic weapon systems and the operations of the strategic weapons processing facilities providing the nation with 70% of its deployed nuclear weapons as well as 100% of the United Kingdom’s strategic deterrent capability. Ms. Lee’s leadership fosters innovation in program planning for business operations for financial management, contracts, acquisition planning, cost estimate, legal counsel, information technology, facilities, human capital programs, and the Navy’s treaty implementation and compliance program. Ms. Lee has been a member of the Senior Executive Service since May 2013, and has a total of 38 years of Federal Service.

Prior to her current assignment, Ms. Lee served as the Branch Head for TRIDENT (D5) Missile Systems responsible for design, development, production, technical services, operations, logistics and disposal of the D5 missile systems to include flight test instrumentation and special support equipment for United States and United Kingdom. Prior to her Missile branch head assignment, Ms. Lee served as an Assistant of Missile Production, Assembly and Operations of the Strategic Systems Programs. Her responsibilities included managing the operations of two Echelon 3 organizations, Strategic Weapons Facilities, Atlantic and Pacific, and providing Navy Strategic Missiles to the United States and United Kingdom.

Ms. Lee started her Navy career as an Engineer in Training at NAVSEA 05 where she gained Hull, Mechanical and Electrical (HM&E) systems experiences. Ms. Lee moved to SSP when she was selected to serve as the Strategic Weapons Facility Operations Engineer in 1990. Following that assignment, Ms. Lee was selected to head the Launcher Operations Engineering Section in 2000. Ms. Lee then became the Missile Branch Integration Manager at SSP in 2005. In addition to these assignments, Ms. Lee also served as a Special Assistant to SSP Technical Director supporting Director, SSP for Nuclear Weapon Senior Leaders Oversight Council in 2008. She was selected as the Program Manager responsible for the implementation of Navy Enterprise Resource Planning (Navy ERP) at SSP Headquarters and six Field Sites in 2009. After successful implementation of Navy ERP, she was selected to her first SES position as Assistant of Missile Production, Assembly and Operations in 2013.

Ms. Lee earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and Master’s Degree in Public Administrations from American University.

Her awards include the Civilian Meritorious Service Award and Department of Navy Certificate of Excellence for Acquisition Reform. She is a member of the Acquisition Professional Community and is Level III certified in the Program Management and Systems Planning, Research, Development and Engineering (SPRDE) career fields.

Adam Church

TechSource, Inc.

Adam Church is a Deputy Director with TechSource Inc. in Albuquerque, NM. Adam's current role is focused on developing and executing work across the Nuclear Security Enterprise, working with clients such as the NNSA, DOE National Laboratories, and DoD customers. Additionally, he oversees efforts across multiple science and engineering capabilities for TechSource, including work in Linear Accelerators, Pulsed Power Systems, Test and Evaluation, and Hypersonic Systems. He has 18 years of experience leading engineering teams across multiple project domains, supporting programs in Nuclear Deterrence, and Hypersonic Flight Component Development. He has experience in qualification testing, including radiation testing, mechanical shock/vibe testing, and EM/EMC testing.  

 

Jeffrey Duncan

JRC

As Vice President of JRC Integrated Systems’ Engineering and Integration Division, Jeff Duncan provides engineering, program management, and technical expertise to multiple government customers. With 35 years of service as a Strategic Weapons System (SWS) subject matter expert, Jeff has led his division to solve complex challenges to critical DoD defense programs. Jeff’s portfolio includes oversight to Strategic Systems Program’s SWS Ashore, Columbia Test, Nuclear Enterprise Infrastructure, and Launcher Test Facility as well as Missile Defense Agency’s Conventional Prompt Strike and Anti-Tampering and Radiation Hardening work. 

Jeff’s leadership has positioned JRC as a premier strategic integrator to the government, delivering critical aerospace infrastructure and facility testing for D5 Modernization efforts. Jeff’s expertise has led SSP’s Florida Program Management Office in creating its very first government owned integrated test facility, performing Hardware-in-the-Loop system qualifications of the Trident II Strategic Weapons System (SWS) for the COLUMBIA Class submarine. Recent contributions include system integration of critical test equipment supporting Draper’s state-of-the-art Strategic Enhanced Ground Test Facility. 

Jeff is responsible for supervising 70+ employees, 6 prime and 4 subcontracts, and managing $21.5M in annual revenue. As a Board of Advisor’s Members, Jeff contributes to setting the strategic plan, ensuring a successful strategy for future growth and development. He is also responsible for leading JRC in its budgeting and pricing efforts, including comprehensive cost estimates, work breakdown structures, and company-wide budgets.

In 1986, Jeff began his Naval career as a Missile Technician, operating, maintaining, and supervising the Trident II Weapons System. He retired from the Navy in 2010 as a Senior Chief. After 24 years of service, his knowledge as a Strategic Weapons System (SWS) subject matter expert, were sought by Naval Submarine Support Centers, Submarine Squadrons, COMSUBLANT, and SSP. In his roles, he supervised personnel to execute strategic missile, strategic navigation, SONAR, fire control, and torpedo maintenance responsibilities. He flawlessly directed the maintenance operations and programs of 8 SSBN/SSGN, encompassing over fifteen subsystems in five major system areas.

Jeff’s enthusiastic leadership empowers his teams to develop smart solutions through innovation and excellence. Jeff leads from within, working alongside his employees to solve complex challenges for JRC’s government counterparts. 

Jeff earned a Bachelor a Science in Mechanical Engineering in 2009 from Hill University.

Daniel Roycroft

Moog

Weapons Knowledge Preservation and Transfer Program Manager, TechSource

Mr. Roycroft has over 25 years of experience in mission critical project leadership, bid and proposal, project and program management execution involving the development, qualification, and the production of high-reliability defense and space systems.  Daniel is responsible for successfully leading the establishment of Moog’s capabilities for the production of navigation sensors and Inertial Measurement Units for strategic and navigation grade applications.  Today, he is overseeing the execution of Moog’s portfolio of programs that involve the integration of avionics, navigation sensors, and propulsion elements into Moog’s high-performing control systems for hypersonic and reentry applications. Under his direction, is the development of Moog’s workforce executing the programs that maintain and support the strategic deterrence.  Daniel holds a Bachelor of Science in engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology, is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), PRINCE2 Practitioner, AGILE Scrum Master, and Six-Sigma Black Belt. 

Major General Jason R. Armagost

Commander, Eighth Air Force, and Commander, Joint-Global Strike Operations Center

Maj. Gen. Jason R. Armagost is the Commander, Eighth Air Force, and Commander, Joint-Global Strike Operations Center, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. "The Mighty Eighth" is responsible for the service’s bomber force and airborne nuclear command and control assets, encompassing approximately 24,000 Airmen across six installations, and proudly operating more than 150 E-4, B-1, B-2, B-52 and T-38 aircraft. The J-GSOC serves as the central command and control node for all operations within Air Force Global Strike Command, orchestrating warfighting and readiness activities for the Commander, Air Forces Strategic.

Maj. Gen. Armagost graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and was commissioned in 1992. He has served in multiple operational and training assignments and logged more than 2,900 hours in the B-2A, F-16CJ, F- 16CG, B-1B, B-52H and T-38A. His notable educational and staff assignments include a fellowship at the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University, California, Chief of Nuclear Operations on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, and Director of Strategic Plans, Programs, and Requirements at Air Force Global Strike Command.

Maj. Gen. Armagost commanded the 13th Bomb Squadron at Whiteman AFB, Missouri, the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot AFB, North Dakota, and the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. His operational assignments supported contingency operations during operations Desert Strike, Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Inherent Resolve, Freedom’s Sentinel and Deliberate Resolve. He also served as the Deputy Commanding General for Security Assistance Group-Ukraine, where he led coordination of the DoD’s historic security assistance support effort to the Ukrainian government. Further, he has flown numerous combat missions in the F-16CJ, B-2A, B-1B and the B-52H.

 

Colonel Kevin P. Kippie

Air Force Global Strike Command

Colonel Kevin P. Kippie is the Deputy Director of Strategic Plans, Programs and Requirements, Headquarters Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, LA. He assists the Director with strategic planning, establishing requirements, and programming advocacy for the nation's Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile force, B-1, B-2, and B-52 bombers, MH-139 and UH-1N helicopters, the E-4B National Airborne Operations Center Aircraft (NAOC), and Nuclear Command, Control and Communications systems. He also assists with funding and requirements for the modernization and recapitalization of strategic nuclear forces to include the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent and the B-21 Raider, with a total budget exceeding $13.5 billion. Encompassing more than 33,700 people, Air Force Global Strike Command provides combatant commanders with combat- ready forces to conduct strategic nuclear and global strike operations.

Prior to this assignment Colonel Kippie was the Vice Commander of the 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, TX.

BRIGADIER GENERAL COLIN J. CONNOR

Director of Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Modernization, Site Activation Taskforce

Mr. Jimenez is the President and Chief Operating Officer of JRC Integrated Systems. He is responsible to the CEO for corporate leadership and management of JRC to implement its mission and core values. In addition to leading the company’s financial metrics, business goals, and objectives, he is responsible for establishing policies to support the company’s culture and vision.

Mr. Jimenez has over 20 years of experience in Advanced Technology Development in DoD Computer Systems and Artificial Intelligence Applications. He was a Fellow at Charles Stark Draper Laboratory where he focused on statistical and reinforcement machine learning. During his time at Draper, Mr. Jimenez worked on several projects in support of the US Navy Strategic Systems Programs. He is currently looking at using Artificial Intelligence to solve the complex problem of microchip design in microelectronics to meet special DOD requirements.

 As JRC’s COO, Mr. Jimenez works to ensure that the company has the proper operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, and people systems in place to effectively grow the organization and to ensure financial strength and operating efficiency. Mr. Jimenez and his team are passionate about the success of his customers and his employees.

Mr. Jimenez holds a Bachelor of Science degree as well as a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT.

 

Jeffrey Braun

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc.

Mr. Braun currently serves as the Senior Director of the Office of Innovation at Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. In this role, he advises senior DoD leadership on the intersection of strategy, technology, and operational concepts; sets the vision for SPA’s future capabilities and drives the Office towards that vision; devises, leads, and advises on high profile studies (recent examples are the Nuclear-armed Sea-Launched Cruise Missile (SLCM-N) Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) and the NC3 Next Tradespace Analysis (NNTSS)); and runs the nuclear weapons physics and effects curriculum for SPA.

Mr. Braun has worked in the realm of nuclear weapons for nearly fifteen years, where he held various technical,

advisement, and leadership roles across Sandia National Labs (Albuquerque and Livermore), the Joint Staff J5, and at Systems Planning and Analysis. During his career, Mr. Braun has advised DoD senior leadership, to include the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, various Deputy Assistant Secretaries of Defense, and Service Leadership on the myriad of issues across the Nuclear Enterprise. He is a recognized thought leader on balancing deterrence need and the reality of weapons (nuclear and conventional) development and production, due to his experience ranging from nuclear weapon systems and component development at Sandia through his years as a Nuclear Weapons Council Action Officer.

Mr. Braun received his B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington, with a focus in electromagnetic physics. He serves on the Executive Board of

Directors for the National Defense Industrial Association’s Integrated Precision Warfare division (NDIA/IPW) and as Working Group Co-Chair within the Military Operations Research Society (MORS).

 

Sean Jackson

Strike Division at Northrop Grumman Aeronautics

Sean Jackson is a vice president and program manager within the Strike Division at Northrop Grumman Aeronautics systems, overseeing the B-21 Raider program. In this role, Jackson leads all areas of the B-21 program which includes the development, production, sustainment, field testing and modernization of the world’s first sixth-generation aircraft. Previously, Jackson served as the program’s deputy program manager in addition to various positions of increasing responsibility within the Strike division. Prior to joining Northrop Grumman in 2016, Jackson served 25 years in the U.S. Air Force where he led critical efforts across engineering, flight test and program management.

James Hunsicker

Praeses

J.D. is the Vice President for Government Programs at Praeses.  J.D. is a distinguished graduate of The Citadel, first commissioned into the Air Force in 1989. Throughout his 32 years of service (22 years active duty; 10 years as a government civilian) with the U.S. Air Force, J.D. has held a multitude of both analytic and leadership roles at the squadron, group, center, Major Command, Unified Command, DoD Agency, and Air Staff levels., J.D. is uniquely suited to lead Praeses’ procurement, planning, and deployment of software solutions at both existing and future DoD and other Federal Agencies.

 

 

Jason Ingalls

Ingalls Information Security

 

Don Rucker

OuterLink

Michael A. Tichenor

Air Force Global Strike Command

Mr. Michael A. “Swede” Tichenor is the Executive Director of Operations and Communications for Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale AFB, La. He assists the Director in providing policy, guidance and resource advocacy for AFGSC’s nuclear and conventional forces. Mr Tichenor provides senior leader expertise for operations, training, exercises, testing and evaluation of all Air Force bomb wings, ICBM force, UH-1N helicopter fleet, security forces and nuclear command and control capabilities.

A native of St Paul, MN, Colonel Tichenor received his commission through the Air Force ROTC program in 1987 upon graduation from the University of Minnesota. After his initial operational tour as a B- 52 Instructor Radar Navigator in the 644th Bombardment Squadron, 410th Bombardment Wing, K.I. Sawyer AFB, MI, he was selected to fly B-1s with the 37th Bomb Squadron, 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth AFB, SD. After a five-year tour in the 37th BS that included a combat tour to Fairford AB, U.K. in support of Operation ALLIED FORCE and duty as Assistant Director of Operations and graduating from the USAF Weapons School, he served as Assistant Director of Operations for the 28th Operational Support Squadron of the 28 BW. In July of 2001 Colonel Tichenor attended Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, Montgomery AL. Following school, he served as Chief of Combat Plans and ultimately Commander of the 32 Air Operations Squadron, Ramstein AB, Germany. In 2006, he joined the 7th Operations Group, 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess AFB, TX where he served as Deputy Operations Group Commander until June 2009. June 2009 is when Col Tichenor was assigned to 8 AF where he was Chief of Combat plans for the 608 Air Operations Center. In Jul of 2010, Col Tichenor took command of the 608 AOC where he commanded until July 2012. In July 2012, Colonel Tichenor became the Director of Plans and Operations for 8th Air Force. He was also dual hatted as Director Task Force 204. In July, 2014 he was assigned as Inspector General, Headquarters Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale AFB, La. He retired in October, 2016 after more than 28 years of military service. Upon retirement from Active Duty, Mr Tichenor took on the role of Chief of Nuclear Command, Control and Communications (NC3) Governance and Requirements at the Air Force Nuclear Command, Control and Communications Center, Barksdale AFB, LA.

Scott Hardiman

Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center

Scott C. Hardiman, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Air Force Program Executive Officer (PEO) for Nuclear Command, Control and Communications (NC3), and the Director of the NC3 Integration Directorate, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts.

Leading one of the AFNWC execution directorates, he is responsible for integration of the Air Force's NC3 Weapon System and for leading over 400 Airmen, government civilians, and support contractors. Additionally, he directs the acquisition execution of a $13.9-billion portfolio of Acquisition Categories (ACAT), non-ACAT, and sustainment programs. As the PEO for NC3, he reports directly to the Service Acquisition Executive and is the milestone decision authority for delegated ACAT II and all ACAT III programs in the NC3 portfolio.

Mr. Hardiman entered the Air Force in 1984 after graduating from the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Crops at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, as a distinguished graduate with a regular commission. He began his military career as a Propulsion Systems Test Manager and F110-GE-129 Engine Production Program Manager, Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright- Patterson AFB, Ohio.

During his 22-year military career, Mr. Hardiman served in a number of program management, logistics, and higher headquarters positions. Early in his career, he managed programs that included test and production of advanced jet engines for F-15 and F-16 fighter aircraft and advanced radar systems, communications and radar facilities for the U.S.-Canadian North Warning System. In his final two military assignments, he served as the Deputy System Program Director for the F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighter program and the Materiel Squadron Commander for B-52H bomber modernization.

He began his civilian government service in 2006 as Deputy Director of the 851st Electronic Systems Group, Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom AFB, where he was responsible for a $5-billion program providing next-generation airborne sensor and battle management capabilities. He then served in a number of positions, including as a research fellow at the RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California; Deputy Director, Electronic Systems Center’s Capabilities Integration Directorate; and Chief, Space and Nuclear Networks Division.

From 2016 to 2022, Mr. Hardiman was dual-hatted as bpth the Deputy Director, NC3 Integration Directorate, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, and the Deputy PEO for NC3. He assumed his current responsibilities in January 2022, which also became an SES position.

 

Brigadier General Michael O. Walters

Joint Staff, Pentagon

Brig. Gen. Michael Walters is the Deputy Director, Nuclear and Homeland Defense Operations, Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. He is responsible for advising the Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff Director of Operations regarding nuclear, space, homeland and missile defense operations, as well as all aspects of the National Military Command System.

Brig. Gen. Walters received his commission in 1997 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Utah and completed Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas in 1999. He has served multiple flying tours in the B-52, B-2, and the B-1, as an instructor, evaluator and weapons officer and has commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels. Brig. Gen. Walters’ operational and staff experience includes service as Senior Fire Support Officer and Advisor to the Commanding General, Joint Special Operations Command, and Senior Executive Officer to the Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command. Prior to his current assignment, Brig. Gen. Walters served as Assistant Deputy Director, Current and Integrated Operations, Joint Staff, the Pentagon, where he was responsible for assisting the Deputy Director with leading personnel across three divisions and advising the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on global integrated operations, and strategic opportunities for dynamic force employment.

Brig. Gen. Walters has combat experience in operations Enduring Freedom, Freedom’s Sentinel, and Inherent Resolve. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School, U.S. Naval Command and Staff College, the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, and the U.S. Army War College.

David J. Funk

Nevada National Security Sites

Dave is presently the Vice President for the Enhanced Capabilities for Subcritical Experiments (ECSE) at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). He is responsible for delivery of new diagnostic capabilities to support our nuclear deterrent, including the Advanced Sources and Detectors (ASD) Project (aka Scorpius), the Z-pinch Experimental Underground neutron Source (ZEUS) test bed, and the infrastructure upgrades being provided through the U1a Complex Enhancements Project (line-item construction).

Prior to this role, Dave worked at Los Alamos for 33+ years, where in his last position, he served as the Project Director for the $1.8 B ASD MIE Project. The ASD Project is responsible for the technology maturation, design, fabrication, installation, and commissioning of Scorpius through CD-4. The Project, led by Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), is a collaboration of partners that include Lawrence Livermore National laboratory (LLNL), Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), and the NNSS.

Before that, and in support of the Remediated Nitrate Salt (RNS) Project, Dave directed the development of the remedy for the problematic nitrate salt population at LANL (same waste that caused the radiological release at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant); and led the implementation of the remedy that involved the restart of two Haz Cat 2, nuclear facilities (2015-2018).

Dave also served as the Weapons Experiments (WX) Division Leader, leading an organization of ~200 people in the safe and secure operation of LANL’s outdoor firing sites, gas guns, explosive chemistry labs, small-scale explosive facilities, and the DARHT facility, the world’s premier hydrotest facility, from 2009-2015.

With over 30 years working at LANL, primarily within the weapons program, Dave’s research involved studies of energetic materials, specifically detonation chemistry using ultrafast lasers, and the measurement of temperature in shocked metals using neutron resonance spectroscopy.

Jeff Bolton

Educational Media Enterprises

An iconic talent and one of the most unique and authentic figures in modern media and communications, Jeff has influenced millions of people around the world throughout his vivid and prolific career. As a documentary film producer, talk show host, television personality, writer, and strategic communications consultant, his credibility is impeccable, and his approach is meticulous. His award-winning body of work spans more than 30 years and continues to grow. He is the founder of the nonprofit television production company Educational Media Enterprises. 

He is currently executive producing the documentary television series THE WATCH: America’s Nuclear Mission Revealed, an extraordinary, never-before-seen look at the men and women performing America’s global nuclear deterrence mission. The project is in production with the full cooperation of the Department of Defense. 

Jeff has been featured on national broadcast networks including ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, MSNBC and CNBC, heard on iHeartRadio, Cumulus Media and Salem Communications, and read in print and online in Popular Mechanics, Combat Aircraft Journal, Defense News, and Autoweek Magazine. His groundbreaking television documentary America's Marine Aviators is currently featured on Amazon PRIME Video. 

He has been embedded around the world with the U.S. military for the last twenty-five years in both combat and natural disaster zones. He has flown more than 40 military aircraft and is the only person in the world, civilian or military, to both fly and film aboard all three U.S. military heavy bombers: the B-1B Lancer, B-2A “Stealth Bomber”, and B-52H “Stratofortress.” He has completed multiple catapult launches and arrested landings at sea with the U.S. Marine Corps in the F/A-18D Hornet. 

Jon Ellis

Radiance Technologies

Jon Ellis is the VP and Senior Portfolio Adviser for Test and Training at Radiance Technologies. In this role he identifies opportunities for growth in the areas of nuclear modernization, directed energy, operations, intelligence and cyber technologies. Before joining Radiance, he spent 35 years in the Air Force, retiring in 2019. He serves as the Military Adviser for The Watch.  

Major General Kenneth S. Eaves

Air Force Global Strike Command

Maj. Gen. Kenneth S. Eaves, is the Air National Guard Advisor to the Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, La. He is the principal advisor to the Commander on Air National Guard matters relating to the organization, training, equipping, and maintaining of combat-ready forces that provide strategic deterrence, global strike, cyber operations and combat support to USSSTRATCOM and other geographic combatant commands.

After receiving his commission from the Academy of Military Science in 1990, General Eaves began his military career as an F-15 pilot in the Georgia ANG’s 116th Tactical Fighter Wing. He subsequently transferred to the Missouri ANG’s 131st Fighter Wing in 1995 where he flew the F-15 and B-2. Currently he serves as an Airborne Emergency Action Officer aboard Airborne National Command Post E-6Bs as well as functioning as an AEAO instructor and evaluator. As a command pilot, he has flown nearly 3,500 flying hours, including combat time during Operation NORTHERN WATCH and Operation PROVIDE COMFORT.