5 Star Security Systems

Currently, Valde is the serving his second term as the Chapter’s President. As President, Valde oversees all of the Chapter’s Directors, Committee Chairs and represents the Chapter when working with NDIA National on various initiatives and requirements. In addition, Valde oversees the planning for the Annual Dinner Meeting and serves as a valuable volunteer on the GVSETS, Finance, Policy and Nominating committees. He is also interested in becoming more involved in STEM.

Valde would like to continue to serve on the board and support the events it currently hosts. Given his experience with previous events, he can provide some institutional memory to sustain and improve current events. Valde would also like to expand the Chapter’s outreach to develop strategic partnerships and improve policy outreach.

His ultimate goal is to enhance and strengthen Michigan's economy by doing his part to improve national security through working with an organization like the NDIA, which is made up of like-minded individuals. It is his way of giving back.

Valde brings a wealth of resources to his term, including a large number of connections within the state and federal government. He also has a wide number of connections with other defense groups across the state. He is committed to working as many hours as possible to support the board and its activities. He also brings personal experience with the government sector, as an elected official, in the defense industry, and as a soldier for 30 years. The combination of the these brings with it a unique perspective.

When it comes to a successful Board of Directors, Valde believes the Board should work as a team, and everyone should contribute to our mission. They must not rest on their laurels and should analyze every aspect of what it does to see how it can improve. The Board must all do what it can to ensure.

In addition to the NDIA Michigan Chapter, Valde also serves as an advisor to the WID-Michigan board. He was an officer on the Arsenal of Democracy AUSA Chapter and serve as the President of the Michigan Military & Veterans Hall of Honor.

He is a team player. His goal is to help the board accomplish its mission of Connecting to Serve, but he does not want it to sit on its laurels.

Retired. Formerly with BAE Systems and U.S. A

Retired. Formerly with BAE Systems and U.S. Army PEO Ground Combat Systems

Currently, Scott serves as a NDIA Michigan Chapter Board Director and has been chosen to be the Board’s next Vice President, which is succession to becoming the Chapter President next year. As a Director, Scott has been supporting the ROTC Awards Banquet and Policy Committees. And in addition to his Vice-Presidential responsibilities, Scott also anticipates leading the ROTC Awards Banquet planning next spring.

Scott is committed to the NDIA Michigan Chapter and it's potential to help its corporate and individual members have a voice on defense matters. He would also like to help grow the Chapter’s partnerships with its government customers and other associations to ensure our Michigan Defense Community remains vibrant.

Satisfaction in giving back to the community which has supported him for nearly 40 years in government service and defense industry endeavors is extremely important to Scott. He has a unique combination of senior Army Acquisition experience, 30 years of military service, and serving as a leader of a major defense OEM.

Ultimately, Scott has a deep connection across both industry and government and is passionate in helping or advising wherever he can. He believes the Chapter must uphold its commitments to its Board and members, while advocating for both individual and corporate members in education, information, and policy matters.

JZ Global Solutions

Currently, Elizabeth serves as a Director on the NDIA Michigan Chapter Board and holds the Membership Chair position. In addition, she has served as the Board’s liaison with the National Guard Association of Michigan and the Association of the U.S. Army’s (AUSA) Arsenal of Democracy Chapter. Elizabeth is also a former President of the NDIA Michigan’s sister association, Women in Defense’s Michigan Chapter.

Elizabeth is committed to continue furthering the NDIA Michigan Chapter's mission by utilizing her experience on the board and in membership growth along with her strong ties within the Michigan Military Coalition to continue to strengthen industry-defense partnerships and advocate for Michigan’s defense community. She aims to contribute to the chapter's strategic direction and ensure it remains a vital resource for its members.

By serving on the Board, Elizabeth hopes to gain a broader perspective on the defense landscape in Michigan, build stronger relationships with industry leaders, and further develop her leadership skills while contributing to the NDIA Michigan Chapter's success. Her experience across the defense sector, including her current role as NDIA Michigan’s Membership Director, her work with the Michigan Military Coalition, and her background in the ground vehicle space, provides a unique perspective on industry needs and challenges. Combined with proven leadership as former President of WID, she offers a strong ability to drive membership growth, foster collaboration, and advocate for our members and the Michigan defense industrial base.

In her view, the Board and its committees will be most successful by prioritizing strategic alignment, proactive engagement with members, and utilizing effective resources. This involves a clear roadmap with actionable steps, empowering committees with the necessary authority and support, and consistently tracking performance to ensure the Chapter remains on course to achieve its goals and keep within its mission. Elizabeth’s experience has instilled in her the importance of focused execution and results-driven strategies. She would be deeply grateful for the privilege to continue serving as Membership Director, as she is passionate about growing our community and supporting the NDIA Michigan Chapter's success.

M3 Defense Consulting

Misty serves as a Director on the NDIA Michigan Chapter Board and recently concluded her second, record-setting, year Chairing the Michigan Defense Expo (MDEX). As the current Chair of the Michigan Defense Exposition (MDEX) and a dedicated Director on the NDIA Michigan Chapter Board, she is seeking reappointment to continue serving with purpose, vision, and momentum. In addition to her NDIA support, has also proudly served on the Women in Defense (WID) Michigan Board. In both roles with the NDIA and WID, Misty has contributed to advancing the missions of each organization through strategic planning, event leadership, community engagement, and volunteer development. Misty is also a lifetime member of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), which reflects her enduring commitment to supporting our military and national defense. She is dedicated to fostering collaboration, promoting diversity, and advancing initiatives that benefit our service members and their families. Ultimately, she is deeply committed to strengthening the defense industrial base and advancing national security through collaboration, advocacy, and education.

Misty’s desire to continue on the board stems from a strong belief in this chapter's power to shape the future of defense innovation and industry partnerships. Through her leadership of MDEX, she has worked to elevate the event’s relevance, accessibility, and impact for businesses of all sizes–especially small and emerging companies critical to defense innovation. Misty strives to ensure MDEX continues to serve as a strategic platform for meaningful engagement between government and industry, highlighting the importance of the Michigan defense corridor in national readiness.

As a retired Army officer who served three combat tours during her 21 years, and as a defense consulting firm owner, Misty brings operational insight and industry perspective to the board. Her background enables her to advocate effectively for policies and initiatives that support technological advancement, workforce development, and equitable participation across the defense ecosystem. She is passionate about fostering inclusive opportunities for underrepresented voices in our community, including women, veteran and minority-owned businesses.

Misty believes continuity of leadership on the board–particularly for those who serve in high-visibility roles such as MDEX Chair, is essential to sustaining momentum and strategic alignment. She is eager to continue contributing her time, expertise, and network to help advance the chapter’s mission and ensure it remains a national leader within NDIA.

Serving as a Director allows Misty to continue giving back to a community and mission that have shaped her life. She hopes to gain deeper connections with industry and government leaders who are committed to doing what’s right for our warfighters. And by remaining on the board, she can help ensure the Chapter continues to support innovation, collaboration, and meaningful change–always with our service members at the forefront. For her, it’s about service, impact, and integrity.

Misty brings a unique blend of operational military experience, industry expertise, and strong national and regional defense connections to the board. As Chair of MDEX and a business owner in the defense sector, she regularly engages with senior leaders across DoD, OEMs, small businesses, and academia. She is also proud to serve as an advisor to both Fisher House Michigan and Women in Defense Michigan, where she helps champion causes which support military families and advance the role of women in defense. Misty is committed to expanding volunteer engagement, fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment, and using her platform to advocate for underrepresented communities. Her leadership is mission-focused, proactive, and always centered on what’s best for our service members.

Per serving on the Board, Misty believes clear communication, shared accountability, and mission alignment are essential to the success of the Board and its committees. It’s critical that the Directors maintain transparency in decision-making, set achievable objectives, and foster collaboration across all levels of the organization. Equally important is cultivating a culture of inclusivity and active volunteerism, where diverse perspectives are valued, and every member feels empowered to contribute. By staying focused on our shared commitment to the warfighter and the defense industrial base, the Chapter can ensure that its efforts remain impactful, relevant, and forward leaning.

She would be honored to continue serving on the Board and contributing to the Chapter’s ongoing success.

U.S. Army Contracting Command- Detroit Arsenal

Deanne has a long history supporting the NDIA Michigan Chapter. She started volunteering in 2003 and joined the Board of Directors in 2013. She served as the Chair for the Michigan Defense Expo (MDEX) for ten years, as well as serving as our current Chair for the ROTC Cadet Visit and Membership Networking Social. Most importantly, she honorably served as the Chapter’s Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President and ultimately the President in 2021-22.

Deanne would be honored to continue to serve an organization which has become a second family to her. She loves the NDIA Michigan’s mission and wants to continue supporting the organization with the same passion, dedication and capacity she has in recent years.

Deanne feels her connection to the Detroit Arsenal and historical knowledge and experience with the NDIA brings the Chapter value. In addition, the Chapter’s success is dependent upon having set operations processes and procedures. This would significantly help the NDIA meet and surpass its goals, and with her organizational experience, she would love to help with this effort. Deanne also believes the most essential element for a successful board and its committee is a foundation of clear communication, shared purpose/ mission and strong operating/ governance practices. She also feels Board of Director accountability, diversity of thought and expertise is necessary, as well as a culture of respect.

Beyond NDIA Michigan Chapter, for seven years, Deanne has also served as the President of the Parent Advisory Council at the Detroit Arsenal.

ND Defense LLC

Jim currently serves as a Director on the NDIA Michigan Chapter Board and recently organized a successful and inaugural Northern Michigan Defense Conference in Traverse City, as well as sits on the Chapter’s Policy Committee. Prior to that, Jim served as the Chair for the record-setting Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering and Technology Symposium (GVSETS) between 2022-24. Jim also helped with planning the NDIA Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Conference from 2018 - 2020.

Jim has been a member of NDIA since he entered the Defense Industry in 2009 and has served on the NDIA Michigan Chapter Board as both an Advisor and Director since 2019. Since his beginning with the NDIA, he has watched the Chapter grow and expand into a strong voice for the Defense Industry, both within the State of Michigan and Nationally. He is running for re-election for the NDIA Michigan Chapter Board to help continue the positive impact that the Chapter is locally and nationally.

As a nominee for the NDIA Michigan Chapter Board, his goal in representing the organization as a Director is multi-faceted:

1. Advancing the Defense Industry: Jim aims to leverage his experience and connections to advocate for policies and initiatives that support the growth and sustainability of the Defense Industry in Michigan and beyond. This is why he is involved on the Policy Committee and believes the Chapter can be a "go to" for local and state legislators in Michigan.
2. Enhancing Collaboration: Jim hopes to foster stronger partnerships between government, industry, and academic institutions to create a more integrated Defense ecosystem which benefits all stakeholders. This is what he loves about the Chapter events such as MDEX, GVSETS, Cyber and others. The NDIA Michigan brings industry stakeholders together!
3. Expanding Educational Opportunities: By serving on the Board, Jim wants to promote programs and events that educate and inform members about emerging trends and technologies in the Defense sector, ensuring the Chapter remains at the forefront of industry advancements. This includes supporting things like Higher Orbits and Robotics Competitions.
4. Strengthening Our Voice: Jim seeks to amplify the Chapter's influence at both the state and national levels, ensuring the perspectives and needs of Michigan's Defense community are heard and addressed.
5. Mentorship and Development: Jim hopes to contribute to the next generation of leaders in the Defense Industry by providing mentorship and guidance, fostering a culture of growth and innovation within the Chapter.
6. Sustaining Positive Impact: Ultimately, Jim’s goal is to continue the positive trajectory of the Chapter, ensuring it remains a vital and influential organization for all members and the broader Defense community.

By serving as a Director, Jim aspires to make a meaningful impact, ensuring our chapter not only thrives but also plays a critical role in shaping the future of the Defense Industry in Michigan and nationally. As a nominee for the NDIA Michigan Chapter Board, he brings several key values which can enhance the effectiveness and reach of the organization:

1. Strong Connections: Jim has established relationships with government officials, industry leaders, academic leaders, and political leaders in Michigan and Nationally, provide valuable networking opportunities. These connections can facilitate partnerships, collaborations, and advocacy efforts that benefit the chapter and the broader Defense community.
2. Resource Access: By leveraging his network, he can connect the chapter with resources such as funding opportunities, expertise, and industry insights that can support the Chapter initiatives and events.
3. Event Leadership Experience: Having chaired one of the Chapter's largest events for three years, running an inaugural event in Northern Michigan, having served on the NDIA Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Conference committee and currently serving on the AUSA AOD Board, Jim brings a wealth of experience in organizing successful programs. This expertise can help ensure future events are impactful, well-attended, and aligned with our members' interests. An example was organizing and running the inaugural Northern Michigan Defense Conference in conjunction with Traverse Connect which resulted in sell-out attendance and further outreach exposure for the Defense Industry in Northern Michigan.
4. Advocacy Skills: Jim’s background in the Defense Industry equips him with the knowledge and skills to effectively advocate for our chapter's priorities. He can represent our interests at various forums, ensuring the Chapter’s voice is heard at both state and national levels.
5. Commitment to Volunteerism: He is passionate about engaging and expanding our volunteer base. By fostering a culture of volunteerism, Jim feels he can encourage more members to get involved, bringing fresh ideas and energy to Chapter initiatives and hopefully strengthening the bench.
6. Mentorship and Development: Jim believes mentoring emerging leaders is essential to the success of our industry. Mentors have made a positive impact in his life in other industries as well as the Defense Industry. For example, in the Defense Industry, people like Rich Dauch, Randel Gaereminck, Nancy Loerch, Beth Cryderman Moss, Valde Garcia, Grace Bochenek, Bill Janis, Geoff Davis, and many more have shared their advice and experience and helped make a positive impact on his career. He has had the opportunity to pay this forward and it’s been a rewarding experience. He believes the Chapter should continue to help cultivate the next generation of professionals who will contribute to the chapter and the Defense sector.
7. Vision for Growth: His strategic thinking can help identify new opportunities and drive initiatives which enhance the Chapter’s impact.

By bringing these values to the Board, Jim aims to strengthen the Chapter's position as a leading voice for the Defense Industry in Michigan and ensure we continue to serve our members effectively. He believes in the following to help ensure the NDIA Michigan Chapter Board and its committees are successful in attaining our goals:

1. Clear Vision and Strategic Goals: Jim is a big believer in the concept of "Vision, Mission, and Values". This provides direction and helps align the efforts of all board members and committees toward common objectives.
2. Effective Communication: The Chapter’s efforts have really improved over the last 3-4 years with an organized effort to communicate our events, opportunities and success.
3. Strong Leadership and Accountability: Effective leadership within the Board and committees is essential for driving initiatives forward. He likes to idea of having Directors more involved and feel it encourages team collaboration and support.
4. Member Engagement: Actively involving members in Chapter activities and initiatives enhances ownership and commitment.
5. Resource Allocation: Resources are key in successful event planning. Jim believes the Board needs to continue ensuring committees have the necessary resources–whether financial, informational, or human–enabling them to execute plans effectively. He feels this has been successful in jump starting events and opportunities relevant to the Defense community.
6. Metrics: He feels the Chapter has done a great job of establishing metrics and managing to those metrics to help the Chapter succeed and believes it should continue with this process.
7. Collaboration with Stakeholders: Building strong relationships with external stakeholders, including government entities, industry partners, academic institutions, and political staff and leaders, enhances the Board’s ability to achieve its goals and amplify its impact.
8. Celebrating Successes: Recognizing and celebrating achievements, both big and small, fosters a positive culture within the Board and encourages continued engagement and motivation among members.

Jim also serves as a Board Member on the AUSA AOD Chapter and involved with corporate memberships.

For Jim, it has been a pleasure serving on the NDIA Michigan Chapter Board for the past few years as an Advisor and as a Director. He believes the Chapter has evolved into an impactful organization and wants to continue to serve as a Director to help expand our impact and reach in the defense community. He asks for your support in being re-elected to the NDIA Michigan Chapter Board of Directors.

Selva Strategies, LLC

Vicki has served as an Advisor and Director on the NDIA Michigan Chapter Board since 2018 and recently founded the Policy Committee which seeks to provide a voice for Michigan defense and aerospace industries within state and federal policies. Prior to her Policy role, Vicki was the Michigan Defense Expo (MDEX) Chair from 2020-23, where her efforts were instrumental in doubling the size of attendance.

Vicki has been a Board Director for NDIA Michigan since 2018. She has contributed her time, expertise and passion to events, committees and mentoring and hopes to continue these efforts for the next term. Vicki has been a leader in the defense and aerospace community for over 20 years as Director for Senator Carl Levin, Executive Director of the Michigan Defense Center and as an advocate for small businesses in the government contracting space. She is hoping to grow and implement the new Policy Committee that she began at the behest of the current Board of Directors. She feels utilizing the influence of the NDIA Michigan Chapter of Excellence to advocate and educate government and business leaders on the needs of the industrial community will add substantive benefits to our membership.

By the way, Vicki knows EVERYONE and is more than willing to bring those connections and resources to the Chapter. She is also a longtime mentor and looks forward to assisting the next generation of defense industrial leaders to grow in expertise and confidence. She believes hard work and clarity in mission will take this Board and Chapter into the future.

Vicki currently leads Thrive, a multimillion-dollar non-profit that provides resources and assistance to small and diverse businesses including government contracting. She is a committed member of the NDIA team and has always been available to assist wherever needed.

Jetco Solutions

Currently, Jon serves as a Director on the NDIA Michigan Chapter Board and helps the Chapter by representing western Michigan.

Jon has been involved with the defense industry for nearly 20 years and wants to ensure our warfighters get the products and services they need and deserve to be successful in an everchanging environment of conflict. And as a result of his experience, he has a plethora of connections, resources and experience. As the current Director for West Michigan, he would like to continue to plan and coordinate more events, increase membership and ensure companies and individuals are aware of the Chapter's resources and network. For the companies and members located in West Michigan, Jon would like to continue being a conduit between the NDIA and industry to feed the western side of the state defense information, education and generate awareness.

For a Board to be to be successful, Jon feels strong about commitment. As a volunteer, you must be willing to invest time, resources and input to the chapter. And providing feedback from your networks, peers, industry and government, is essential to execute successful events and initiatives.

• Current Board Member for NDIA Michigan Chapter
• Current Board Member for AUSA Arsenal of Democracy Chapter
• Former Board Member for West Point Society of Michigan
• Former Board Member for Association of the 3d Armored Division Association
• Former Board Member for American Legion 305
• Former Board Member for Army Navy Cub of Michigan
• Former Board Member for United States Army Ranger Association
• Advisor, United States Military Academy
• Leadership Council – Small Business Association of Michigan
• Contractor – Protect and Grow for Michigan’s Defense and Homeland Security

IQM Research Institute

David, a recent addition to the Advisors to the NDIA Michigan Chapter Board, is an active member of the Michigan Defense Expo (MDEX) Planning Committee.

David would like to be considered as a director because he believes he can bring an additional element of perspective from industry and how industry and government are interacting. To bring the perspective of what is working well and where there are enhancement opportunities. Based on his limited experience with the current BoD through his advisory role, he can see a great deal of existing talent from whom he may learn a great deal that will build on his weaknesses. Any interactions with existing talent can only enhance his knowledge and abilities.

IQMRI leadership colleagues have strongly encouraged his participation with the NDIA board. Together we see the existing strength of the NDIA-Michigan Chapter and the potential for increasing its prominence in our area. David’s company's CEO (a past NDIA-Michigan board leader) has demonstrated a keen ability to bring Washington and Lansing together for the benefit of his employer, which can greatly serve the NDIA. His CEO has taught David the importance of not taking no for an answer and to persevere. David’s perseverance will be one of many values he will bring with him, not to mention his connections within industry and DC. In addition, his extensive background in accounting, audits and finance may benefit NDIA's ongoing accounting and reporting needs.

In order to succeed, David feels it’s important to continue the NDIA’s membership expansion. In particular, corporate membership which allow for greater exposure and membership expansion to organizational employees, at no cost to the employees themselves.

In order to continue to succeed, David feels the Board must continue to increase outreach to state and federal legislators. Encouraging them and their staffers to attend as many events as possible in order to demonstrate to members the importance of NDIA-Michigan and improve Michigan’s chances of bringing back much needed revenue to our state.

David also brings outside Board and Association experience from his time serving on his Michigan Catholic Conference's lay employee's pension board and being treasurer of his local homeowners association.

Talonwise, Inc.

Thom, a recent addition to the Advisors to the NDIA Michigan Chapter Board, has been actively supporting the Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering and Technology Symposium (GVSETS) for the last four years, and recently accepted a promotion to Chair GVSETS.

By serving as a Director on the NDIA Michigan Board, Thom hopes to further support industry, especially small business’ in gaining a foothold and becoming a part of the strategic logistical backbone required by our military. With him, Thom brings a wealth of Information Technology, ORSA, DoD Budgeting (PPBES), Congressional liaison and Leadership experience.

He believes the best way committees are successful is by providing value add, communicate actions, and support industry in attaining their goals. Thom has supported NDIA-MI for over 10 years, five of which while in uniform and five out of uniform. The capabilities, networking, support and connections that NDIA-MI provides are second to none in our industry.

In addition to supporting the NDIA Michigan Chapter, Thom has also served the following Boards and Associations:

• Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency (NMSCA)
• Otsego County Airport Board
• Crawford County Airport Board
• Gaylord Regional Chamber of Commerce

Michigan Economic Development Center (MEDC)

Over the last two years, Mark has been a very active Advisor to the Board. In addition to Advising the Board, Mark graciously volunteered to be a Co-Chair for the recently formed Aerospace Committee, as well supporting and advising the Young Professionals connect effort. In addition, Mark has been a voice for the NDIA Michigan Chapter with the new Michigan Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation.

Mark has been a dedicated defense industry professional in Michigan for over 10 years. Passionate about protecting the Warfighter and committed to the betterment of Michigan’s defense industry, Mark is a do-er dedicated to getting things done and making a positive impact. And by becoming a Director on the Board, he hopes to become an even more active contributor and leader within NDIA Michigan.

Mark’s role leading the OADI office for Michigan places him in a position few Board members will ever have. He is positioned to engage agencies at the state and federal levels and to draw attention to Michigan’s Defense Industrial Base at a National level. Mark’s efforts were influential to the AUVSI 2026 event being held in Detroit, which will elevate how the world views Michigan’s defense industrial base.

Ultimately, Mark is commitment to Michigan Defense strategy, measurable milestones, and accountability.

Michigan Nurses Association

Currently, Noah helps lead the NDIA Michigan Chapter’s Young Professionals Connect effort, in addition to volunteering on the Michigan Defense Expo (MDEX) and Policy Committees. In a short time, he has become a volunteer-extraordinaire!

As an active member of the NDIA Michigan Chapter, Noah wants to take the next step in helping enhance the organization and its impact on our state's contribution to the defense industrial base. Throughout his time in the organization, he’s seen how critical NDIA Michigan's work is in supporting the defense industry. Already, he has helped bring young professionals into the organization, lay the groundwork to support the defense industry through public policy, and assisted in the execution of one of the chapter's premier events. Serving as a Board Director with the NDIA Michigan Chapter will allow him to contribute even more to the above efforts while supporting other initiatives that enhance the Michigan defense community.

Being on the NDIA Michigan Board of Directors will allow him to integrate further into the Michigan defense community and better understand the issues impacting the defense industrial base by engaging with its stakeholders. As someone whose early career has been based around opportunities in national security, public policy, and economic empowerment, he understands how valuable the industry is to creating positive outcomes for our state and country. One of his longstanding goals is to grow his career while enhancing the Michigan defense community's resilience and contribution to the nation's defense industrial base. Representing NDIA Michigan on the Board of Directors as someone early in his career will allow him to do the above and, in the process, enhance an industry already doing mission-critical work.

Building the next generation of defense professionals will be key if Michigan hopes to enhance its contribution to the defense industrial base. As a young professional and active member of NDIA, he has already been assisting with this effort through Young Professionals Connect. He understands the challenges young professionals face in the industry, the barriers they face in growing their careers, and the need to integrate them into the NDIA member structure. This will be critical to the long-term success of the Michigan defense community and the organization, a key understanding he can bring to the NDIA Michigan Board of Directors.

Noah’s background in public policy is another element which he could bring to the Board. With the new Policy Committee taking shape, it will be vital to have members on the Board who understand the policy issues facing the defense industrial base and have worked within the government to provide solutions. As a former Michigan Senate staffer who worked for a defense industry-orientated member from Macomb County, he can help the Board develop a roadmap to tackling the pressing public policy challenges the Michigan chapter's members and stakeholders face.

Noah also believes another key element vital to building, not only robust committees but also a strong organization is collaboration. On a relationship level, this means being open to new ideas and perspectives, listening to others, and working with them to achieve common goals. When you have collaborative relationship with others, in an environment like a board of directors, you can tackle challenges by considering all the elements at play. On an organizational level, understanding the various committees under the NDIA Michigan Chapter are all working toward the same goal is vital to ensuring long-term success. Oftentimes, it's easy to get tunnel vision, but you can avoid it by constantly looking for opportunities to collaborate with others across an organization. Building a more collaborative relationship with all stakeholders on the Board will allow the organization and its committees to achieve its goals.

Focusing on the membership is another element essential in ensuring that the chapter and its committees meet their objectives. The NDIA is an organization based on the volunteerism of its members. Without the corporate and individual members, it would be challenging to staff committees and run events, severely hampering the organization's mission. By focusing on the organization's members, the challenges they face, and the value that membership within the chapter brings, the resources necessary to see the Board and its committees succeed will follow.

Although his current role is not directly related to the industry, Noah’s early career has seen him move throughout spaces traditionally and tangentially associated with the defense industrial base. Below is his short career history as it pertains to the defense industry and national security efforts:

• Michigan Senate: Worked for a state lawmaker from Macomb County who chaired the Senate Military & Veterans Affairs Committee, was a Legislative Defense & Aerospace Caucus member, and focused on economic development related to the defense industry.
• Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI): Interned with ODNI in a section focusing on public-private partnerships to tackle issues like AI, foreign malign influence, and emerging technologies.
• Business Executives for National Security: Interned at a think tank focused on enhancing the US defense industrial base via the expertise of the country's business leaders. Focused on recent congressional enactments like the CHIPS Act and STEM national security talent.
• US Department of State: Interned with the Diplomat in Residence assigned to the University of Michigan, focusing on recruitment efforts for foreign service specialist positions.
• Michigan Association of Counties (MAC): Interned with MAC, focusing on pandemic recovery via the American Rescue Plan Act as it related to county economic development entities.

Invisible Technologies, Inc

Breton was a Maintenance Officer in the US Air Force for ~10 years and has been in the Autonomy and AI space since separating from Active Duty in 2021.

As Breton examines the board, he sees representation of traditional defense companies, but few in emerging technology fields like AI. Additionally, he is local to the Metro Detroit area and would be excited to help re-establish Detroit's role as a key industrial partner with the DoD. Breton would also like to begin discussions around how to build a center of excellence around weapon system sustainment.

Breton also feels strongly that Michigan has the capabilities and manufacturing know-how to unstick a number of serious sustainment problems plaguing the DoD's weapon systems (he has firsthand knowledge of some of these issues). He believes its’ deep experience in manufacturing and engineering is being grossly underutilized, but he’d argue we aren't framing our pitch effectively and would like to help change that.

Breton’s experience in Artificial Intelligence is focused on the training of foundation LLM's, as well as predictive maintenance and analytics (and theory around how that could inform logistics management). His Autonomy experience was operationally focused, as had previously directed Argo AI's operations in Allen Park.

His military background is in the use and sustainment of 4th and 5th Generation fighter aircraft. This also included establishing the USAF's first combat coded F-35A squadron at Hill AFB, UT. He also has experience on the F-16, F-35, F-15E and A-10.

At his current company, Breton is responsible for building partnerships with the military services and defense primes. He also drafts proposals and manage delivery in the execution of our contracts. His knowledge is of greatest value, but he also has connections with a few senior Air Force leaders and retired General Officers, including one who ran the Air Force Sustainment Center (AFSC)."

In order for the Board to be successful, Breton feels it must understand the real problems the DoD is facing and then crafting an approach or solutions to solve the problems. Additionally, a spirit of collaboration and trust is necessary among members of the board. The Board should be focused on expanding the pie, because there's plenty to go around.

Selfishly, Breton is looking to join the Board to expand his professional network and build deeper ties in this community. His wife and he are from Michigan, and chose to return home after his time in the USAF was over. They love it here and want to see their home state prosper. The Alumni Board of Directors for the Michigan State EMBA program (2021-2022). Detroit, and Michigan as a whole, has a tremendous amount of unrealized economic potential, as it relates to the defense industrial base and Breton would like to get involved and help Michigan unlock that potential.

Applied Research Associates, Inc.

With over 20 of experience in Army acquisition and the defense industry, John is passionate about contributing to NDIA Michigan's mission of supporting the warfighter by bridging the gap between industry, academia, and government. Serving on the Board would allow him to leverage his expertise to enhance the chapter's initiatives and foster meaningful collaborations within Michigan's defense community.

John aims to deepen his engagement with key stakeholders in Michigan's defense sector, expand his professional network, and contribute to shaping policies and programs that advance industry capabilities. This role offers an opportunity to grow as a leader while making a tangible impact on the defense community.

In addition, John brings a robust network of contacts across industry and government which can be instrumental in fostering partnerships and securing resources for NDIA Michigan's programs. His experience in leading cross-functional teams and organizing industry events positions him to contribute effectively to the Board's initiatives and volunteer engagement efforts.

In order for the Board to be successful, John believes clear communication, strategic planning, and active collaboration are vital. Establishing measurable objectives, regularly assessing progress, and fostering an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued will drive the Board's success in achieving its mission.

John is committed to advancing NDIA Michigan's objectives and has a proven track record of leadership and innovation in the defense sector. He is eager to apply his skills and experiences to support the chapter's growth and impact.

AirBoss Defense Group

AirBoss Defense Group is relocating its headquarters to Michigan from DC, and John would very much like to help support and shape the defense community in the area. He believes his background in senior executive assignments, with both government and industry, positions him well to provide value to the chapter and the community.

John is hoping to gain an ability to support and shape the local defense community as a board director in ways it would not be available otherwise. He is eager to lead or support initiatives and events, by leveraging the power of NDIA and the chapter, which advance the connections within the community and thereby enhance the capabilities of the chapter and individual members.

Personally, he is interested in giving something of value back to the defense community after a long and satisfying career. From a company perspective, he is interested in increasing the awareness of AirBoss within the defense community and enhance the opportunities to partner with other member companies.

John believes his background in senior executive assignments, with both government and industry, position him well to provide value to the chapter and the community. He has strong active connections and a broad perspective across the defense sector. He also has strong organizational skills which could be best applied in organizing chapter operations and major events (as a relevant example, as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Maintenance, he orchestrated the DoD Maintenance Symposium and Awards Banquet for seven years growing it from a 1000-person annual event to a 3000-person event that is widely recognized as a gold standard in defense community events)

Following is a bio respectfully submitted for the Board's consideration:

• John have served in executive leadership roles in defense industry, advanced technology small business, U.S. Department of Defense, and international security operations.
• He currently serves as President and COO of AirBoss Defense Group, LLC, a survivability company with a portfolio which spans heavy military equipment, chem-bio protective gear, healthcare protective equipment, and testing and diagnostics. Since joining AirBoss in 2020, John has led the organization to significant achievements, including securing a record $576M contract for personal protective equipment (PPE) with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and leading a partner coalition in securing the largest single government issued contract for U.S. Made COVID test kits with a value over $400M. And during two recent visits to the Ukraine, he negotiated a $350M contract with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense for mine-clearing equipment and secured a $50M sale of modular breaching charges to a NATO partner country for donation to Ukraine.
• Before AirBoss, John led two start-ups focused on commercializing advanced materials and manufacturing technologies where he leveraged partnerships with the U.S. Army and international entities to achieve a sales pipeline exceeding $100M.
• At Northrop Grumman, John served as Senior Director of Strategy and Global Relations, where he facilitated corporate growth and profitability across a broad portfolio of Defense, Civil, Health, and international programs.
• John’s government service includes notable tenure as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Maintenance, overseeing the Department’s annual $80B weapon system maintenance program. In two year-long deployments, he supported international security operations, serving as Executive Director for Afghan National Security Force Sustainment with the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, and as Director of the Training and Advisory Mission for the Iraqi Ministry of Defense with Multi-National Forces in Iraq. He also held executive positions in both the Army and Navy. With the Army, he managed lifecycle support for over 20 aviation, missile, and ground systems, directing an annual budget of approximately $1B. And with the Navy, John led aviation maintenance operations across seven subordinate commands, overseeing a workforce of over 14,000 personnel and an annual operating budget of $4B, in the repair and overhaul of over 700 aircraft, 5000 engines and modules, and 500,000 components a year.
• John holds a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Penn State University and a Master’s in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Purdue University. He is an alumnus of the National Security and Resource Strategy Program at the National Defense University and the National and International Security Program at the Harvard Kennedy School. He also serves on Penn State University’s Engineering Department’s Industry and Professional Advisory Council, as well as on the Board of Directors of an advanced unmanned aerial systems company.
• And perhaps most importantly, John is married to Kyle Anne Johns, Senior Vice President, Independent Bank, and his best friend.

American Rheinmetall Vehicles

McKayla hopes to be considered for a Board Director position with the NDIA Michigan Chapter because she is passionate about advancing the mission of the NDIA and its commitment to innovation and collaboration within the defense and aerospace industries. She also thinks this would be a wonderful opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the defense industry to better support her career goals and contributions to the industry. Through her legal and military defense background, she has a deep understanding of industry trends and challenges. She would like the opportunity to contribute her expertise in strategic planning and leadership to help drive the organization's initiatives forward. Her goal is to help strengthen the Michigan Chapter's influence and impact by fostering valuable connections, promoting professional development, and supporting the growth of the defense and national security industries in Michigan.

Through this experience, McKayla also wants to grow her connections within the defense industry and develop her leadership skills through experience and mentorship while learning from industry leaders. Lastly, she hopes to learn something new about the defense industry and how the Board can improve our representation in Michigan.

If chosen for this opportunity, she would bring to the NDIA both her legal and contracting expertise. After achieving her Juris Doctorate, she has developed legal knowledge base around the FAR and DFARS as well as the federal rules of compliance. She would use this experience to help with strategic planning and leadership to help reach the next generation of defense industry professionals.

In order for the Board to be successful, McKayla believes it is crucial to have a clear and achievable goal set up for the organization as well as clearly drawn-out process flows on how these goals will be achieved. In addition, like all relationships communication is key. If the NDIA members and committees can understand the goals and the path forward, it is more likely to gain more support and participation at subsequent events.

McKayla is very passionate about serving the community and the defense industry. She believes in what this industry does for the people at home and those on the front lines. With acceptance to the Board, McKayla plans to be fully engaged to help support her fellow board and committee members. Together, she believes they can grow this organization to support the community and industry.

Gideon Defense

Anthony is seeking consideration for a Board Director position with the NDIA Michigan Chapter because he is passionate about strengthening the defense industrial base through collaboration, innovation, and engagement. As a Marine Corps Officer currently serving with the Marine Innovation Unit, and as CEO of a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), he brings both operational experience and a future-focused perspective to the table.

Anthony currently serves as the Sponsorship Director on the Women in Defense (WID) Michigan Chapter Board, where he’s led sponsorship strategy and corporate engagement efforts. He is also actively involved in several NDIA-affiliated initiatives, including the ROTC Banquet Committee, MDEX Planning Committee, and as a GVSETS Volunteer. These roles reflect his commitment to fostering collaboration across government, industry, and academia.

He is excited about the opportunity to contribute his leadership, military insight, and small business perspective to the NDIA Michigan Chapter Board, and to help advance its mission of driving innovation and strengthening national defense. Serving on the NDIA Michigan Chapter Board would be an opportunity for him to grow both professionally and personally. He is looking to deepen his connection with the broader defense community, learning from leaders across industry, government, and academia, while also contributing his own perspective as a Marine Officer with the Marine Innovation Unit and as the CEO of a SDVOSB.

Anthony is also passionate about mentoring and supporting the next generation of defense professionals, especially veterans, young entrepreneurs, and students just entering the field. Being part of the Board would give him a chance to give back, help shape strategic initiatives and continue building the relationships and experience he needs to keep growing as a leader in this space.

Some values Anthony would bring to the NDIA Michigan Board would include a unique blend of military service, government experience, and private-sector leadership which align directly with the Chapter’s mission. He currently serves in uniform as a Marine Officer with the Marine Innovation Unit and has held prior roles within the federal government, which gives him firsthand understanding of how policy, acquisition, and innovation intersect across the defense space.

As the CEO of a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, he has built strong relationships across DoD agencies, large primes, and small businesses–relationships he’s eager to leverage to expand collaboration, grow engagement, and help NDIA Michigan serve as a bridge between industry and government.

In addition to his military and business background, Anthony serves as the Sponsorship Director on the Women in Defense (WID) Michigan Chapter Board and volunteer on the ROTC Banquet Committee, MDEX Planning Committee, and at GVSETS. He is extremely passionate about expanding volunteerism, advocating for small businesses and veterans, and helping shape initiatives that grow the defense industrial base here in Michigan. In addition, Anthony serves on the Board of Directors for the Monroe County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC). Both roles with WID and MCEDC have allowed him to contribute to strategic planning, community engagement, and organizational growth in support of broader economic and national security goals.

Anthony feels clear communication, consistent follow-through, and active engagement are essential to having a successful Board. Success comes when Board members and committees are aligned around a shared mission and take ownership of their roles. It’s not just about attending meetings, it's about showing up, supporting events, bringing in new voices, and connecting people to resources and opportunities. He has seen firsthand, through his work on the WID Board and committees like MDEX and the ROTC Banquet, that even small actions, when done consistently and collaboratively, can have a big impact. Empowering volunteers, building momentum, and staying mission-focused are key to helping the Chapter grow and deliver real value to its members and the broader defense community.

He appreciates the opportunity to be considered for the NDIA Michigan Chapter Board of Directors. Throughout his career, he’s been dedicated to fostering collaboration between government, industry, and academia to support our national defense objectives. His experience spans military service, government roles, and leading a SDVOSB Small Business, providing him with a comprehensive perspective on the challenges and opportunities within the defense sector.

He is eager to contribute his experience and passion to the Board, working collaboratively to advance the Chapter's mission and support the defense community in Michigan. Thank you for considering his nomination.

Edge Case

As he gets older and closer to retirement, Mark wants to spend more time volunteering and give back to the community which gave so much to him. He has spent his career working in defense, both in leadership of large government contractors, and in later life as a Department of the Army civilian.

Mark looks forward to getting more engaged and learning about other aspects of the defense industry, beyond those he has already supported. He looks forward to bringing government/industry together and promote growth in the future of both. Most of all, Mark looks forward to bringing forward the young (future leaders), both within industry and government.

Having been in the defense industry for a long time, Mark has worked with many. He has been forward thinking with an outlook for strategic growth and has served as a member of the Macomb County Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he has been a Director at General Dynamics for over ten years, leading it’s Advanced Programs and Technology growth prior to retirement from a 25-year career. Mark continued his career as an Army Civilian leading the way for robotic and autonomous vehicles. He has close ties to more than the defense industry; he also has ties with Sterling Heights government since he holds a board position on the community foundation. Mark works with the city to tie together their efforts on the Arsenal Alliance (to the extent they continue to accept his support). As he tells the City Manager and the Mayor, “he is bullish on the City of Sterling Heights” where he’s resided for almost 30 years, and he’s also bullish on the defense community and industrial base located in these areas.

Mark believes its necessary for a board must demonstrate cohesion, teamwork, and out-of-the-box thinking for succeed and continue to growth. The NDIA Michigan Chapter has exhibited spectacular leadership over recent years, showing tremendous growth in the GVSETS and MDEX events, as well as with membership. Working together with shared goals will help this upward evolution continue to happen.

In addition to running for the NDIA Michigan Board, Mark currently serves as a Board Member for the Sterling Heights Area Community Foundation and has been a past Board Member for the Macomb County Chamber of Commerce.

Ares Technology

Eric has been volunteering on the planning committee of GVSETS since 2016 and has served in Registration, Audio/Visual, Program Planning, ESC & Sponsorship management roles.

Eric is interested in taking on a leadership role for GVSETS to ensure the ongoing success of the crucial event. He is also interested in influencing policy to help spur innovation in the ground vehicle community and maintain a robust industrial base with Michigan. By being elected, Eric hopes to gain a chance to continue to give back to the community which he has supported since 2010. Additionally, Eric hopes to use the board position to gather a more wholistic view of the work going on within the industrial base and to bring together companies as collaborative partners.

Eric is well connected both within the ground vehicle community, as well as within the technology develop community nationally. He also on the board of AUSA Arsenal of Democracy Chapter and was awarded 40 under 40 Macomb County 2024, while hosting and participating in other innovation events within Michigan and across the country. Eric serves as a consultant to several companies in the defense community, interfaces at many levels within the Arsenal and with new businesses across the country.

Eric feels follow-through on commitments is essential, not only for the Board/Committees, but for any activity one wishes to be successful. Additionally, he is a proponent of empowering leaders throughout the organization and is committed to sharing responsibility throughout the organization, both at the board level and other volunteer positions. This shared responsibility also demands accountability and Eric is committed to working with other board members to ensure leaders, at all levels, follow-through on their responsibilities and commitments.

By being voted onto the NDIA Michigan Chapter Board, Eric hopes to spur more venture capital investment in defense ground vehicle technology companies to bring our community to a commensurate level as those in other defense areas.

WINMARK Capture Solutions

Mark has had extensive involvement with the NDIA Michigan Chapter, having supported the NDIA Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Division as a Board of Director, and Conference Vice Chair. Mark has also been lending his expertise as the GVSETS Exhibitor Co-Chair and led this year’s Cyber Physical Systems Security Summit’s Quad #2.

Despite never having served in the military, Mark wants to be chosen to voluntarily serve on the NDIA Michigan Chapter Board as a way to better collaborate with NDIA National and local Michigan Defense Community in order to enhance warfighter capabilities, which he finds extremely fulfilling. And with his strong network and positive reputation, he hopes to become a valuable member of the Board.

When it comes to a Board demonstrating success and attaining its goals, Mark feels a Board ought to work cohesively, respect for other Board members and volunteers, as well as committing to participate in order to make both an impact and a difference.

Rafael Systems Global Sustainment, LLC

Over many years, Mark has proudly supported GVSETS main sessions and several of Technical Sessions, including the Modeling & Simulation (M&S) and Systems Engineering (SE).

Mark would like to be considered as a Director on the NDIA Michigan Chapter’s Board since he believes very strongly about Defense and Aerospace here in Michigan, and its impact on our economy. While defense is often overshadowed by commercial industries, it is highly intertwined. And the NDIA Michigan provides extensive opportunities to support our state and our nation. And by voting onto the Board, Mark can help meet the needs of the defense community and guide young professionals. As a youth, he always aspired to have a career in aerospace and defense; yet, he did not have enough guidance and missed a number of important opportunities. And by serving on the Board, Mark hopes to expand his role as a volunteer and share his experiences and knowledge in both defense and commercial industries.

Throughout his defense career, Mark has attended every GVSETS since the inception in 2009, and has worked in aerospace (Hubble Space Telescope, Iron Dome), automotive, commercial software, simulation, ground combat vehicle systems. He also has extensive experience with how industry works, the S&T community, PEOs, and OTAs. In addition, he has founded a couple of successful small businesses and can provide that perspective.

When it comes to a Board demonstrating success, Mark believes the Directors need to understand the organization’s goals, listen to the current needs of those within our Defense and Aerospace communities, and strategically plan for the future. Once these are realized, then commitment and follow-through are necessary to ensure success. Keep in mind future needs will be met by future members. Therefore, it's important to also develop younger members and give them growth opportunities.

In addition to being considered for the NDIA Michigan Chapter Board, Mark is currently serving on the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, which is also a volunteer position which focuses on Ground Vehicles architecture, armor, and survivability. Mark also spends time mentoring a couple small businesses through the OU Inc Kitchen Cabinet, one of which is GS Engineering.