Mr. T.I. Weintraub previously served as the Executive Vice President 2007-2009, Vice President Plans & Programs 2005-2007, and Member of the Board of Directors, Rocky Mountain Chapter of NDIA since 1999. He has chaired numerous NDIA and joint community events over the years. T.I. is also an active member of the Air Force Association (AFA), Armed Forces Communication & Electronics Association (AFCEA) and the Military Affairs Council of the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce. T.I. joined General Dynamics C4 Systems in Jul 2007. He serves as the Director of Colorado Operations for General Dynamics C4 Systems. In his current position, T.I. develops business strategy and positions the company for growth within the aerospace, intelligence and defense communities. Previously, T.I worked for ManTech International Corp 2000-2007. He served as Director of Business Development, ManTech Space Systems headquartered in Colorado Springs. Prior to joining ManTech, T.I. held positions with Lockheed Martin and Booz Allen & Hamliton. T.I. retired from active military service with United States Army. He was a career military intelligence and space operations officer having served in numerous special operations and joint positions. T.I. is a decorated veteran of Operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom.
Executive Vice President Henry Baird is the director of Strategy and Business Development, ATK Launch Systems, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. ATK isa leading provider of advanced weapon and space systems with $4billion in annual sales, approximately 16,500 employees, and operations in 21 states. The company is the world's leading supplier of solid propulsion systems and the nation's largest manufacturer of ammunition.
Baird joined ATK in August 2006. In his current position, he develops business strategy for ATK Launch Systems, communicates and tracks priorities, provides market intelligence and advice, and fosters ATKbusiness.
Prior to joining ATK, Baird served in the U.S. Air Force, retiring with the rank of Colonel. He had assignments in the United Kingdom and across the United States, including duty as an F-111 weapon system officer; test navigator on the B-2 strategic bomber; DoD liaison to the U.S. State Department, Delta II program manager and deputy director for Launch Programs at the Space and Missile Systems Center. Baird has held leadership positions within the Secretary of the Air Force Space Acquisition Directorate and Headquarters Air Force Space Command. He managed research, development and production of all heritage launch vehicles including Delta II, Atlas II, and TitansII and IV. Baird also developed concepts and defined requirements for future space and missile systems, tested the first of its kind strategic bomber and advocated funding for current and future Air Force space systems.
A native of Georgia, Baird received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Florida, a Master of Science in astronautical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology and a Master of Arts in International Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval Command and Staff College.
Vice President - Government Relations
DeForest Hamilton joined The Boeing Company in 1996 in the Washington, D.C. Office, and affiliated with the Colorado Springs Field Office in 2000. As a Business Development Manager, he works closely with the major military commands in the metropolitan area representing Boeing’s space and communications, Army systems, and Homeland Defense business. In addition, he is the Colorado focal for the Boeing Global Corporate Citizenship grant program and is the Colorado point of contact for State and Local government relations. Mr. Hamilton is active in the Colorado Springs’ Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Council and Economic Development Corporation, and The Colorado Space Coalition. In addition he serves as a volunteer Commissioner and current Chairman the El Paso County Highway Advisory Commission. Mr. Hamilton was on active duty in the Navy from 1989 to 1996 and currently he holds the rank of Commander in the Navy Reserve with twenty one years of service. His federal government service includes six years as a personal and professional staff member in both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.
Mr. Hamilton holds an M.A. in National Security Studies and a B.A. in Political Science.
Vice President – Membership
Cary "CT" Trafton is Vice President, Membership for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of NDIA. He previously served four years on the NDIA RMC Board of Directors as the Finance Committee Chair. He is Vice President, Membership for the local Lance P. Sijan Chapter of the Air Force Association, a position he has held for five years. He is a member of AFCEA and the Association of Old Crows.
Mr. Trafton joined BearingPoint as Senior Business Advisor where he researches, recommends, and participates in Air Force Space business opportunities. He is people-focused, results-based leader with 25 years Program Management and 15 years Defense Business Development experience.
Mr. Trafton retired as an Air Force Colonel after 22 years of service. He was as a Mission Ready F-4 Fighter Pilot and Instructor Pilot, and flew operational missions in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Far East. He had direct diplomatic interface with foreign nationals from numerous countries conducting planning conferences and negotiating integrated operational exercises, and flew operational missions with foreign nationals. He was 3 years as Wing Inspector General and 4 years as Flight Commander and Instructor Pilot with over 1000 IP hours in Fighters and Trainers.
His assignments include 13 years in Plans and Programs, 12 years Space Force Enhancement, 12 years Air Force Fighter Operations in the US, Europe, Middle East, and Pacific regions, 9 years Foreign Diplomatic Experience in the Middle East, Europe, Far East, and Worldwide with Air Force Space Command, and 4 years Congressional Legislative Liaison. He ended his career at AFSPC where he served as Director, Force Enhancement; Director, Plans and Programs; and Director, International Affairs.Mr. Trafton holds a B.S. in Mathematics and an M.S. in Management and Business Administration.
Vice President - Plans and Programs
Debbie McCarty is the Vice President, Space Programs and Director of the Colorado Springs field office, Lockheed Martin
Corporate Business Development.Her responsibilities include the development and continuation of customer and business relationships related to space systems and satellites, space launch, cyberspace, range infrastructure, intercontinental ballisticmissile, operationally responsive space, and prompt global strike programs.
In 1989, Ms. McCarty joined the U. S. Air Force and was commissioned through the Officers Training School.She served as a missile launch control officer, crew commander, evaluator and plans and targeting officer at Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota, from
1989-1995.Following graduation from Squadron Officer School as a Distinguished Graduate, she was selected to the elite Top Hand Professional Development Program, assigned to the 576th Flight Test Squadron, Vandenberg AFB, California, from 1996-1998 where she served in both operations and maintenance leadership roles conducting intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) testing.Ms. McCarty then served in Air Force Space Command’s (AFSPC) Directorate of Requirements as Chief, ICBM Guidance Programs, Director’s Executive Officer, and finally as Chief, Mission Team Training & Integration.Ms. McCarty separated from the Air Force’s active duty and transitioned to the Air Force Reserve in 2000, and currently serves in the grade of Lieutenant Colonel.Following command of the 26th Space Aggressor Squadron, Schriever Air Force Base, CO, where she conducted space red force activities,
Lt Col McCarty is currently serving as the 310th Space Wing Inspector General, Schriever AFB, CO.
Ms. McCarty was born and raised in Valparaiso, Indiana.She graduated from Valparaiso University in 1984 with a
Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a major in Marketing, and from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1993 with a Masters in Business Administration.
Ms. McCarty joined Lockheed Martin’s Colorado Springs Corporate Business Development Office in April 2004 following
four years as an Associate and Santa Maria, California, office lead with Booz Allen Hamilton.She was promoted to Director in April 2008, and assumed leadership of the Colorado Springs Business Development office.Ms. McCarty is active in several
organizations including the Air Force Association (AFA), National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), Women in Defense,
Reserve Officer Association, and the Association of Air Force Missileers.She is the Vice President for Government Relations
for the Colorado AFA Chapter, and is the Vice President for Scholarships for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of NDIA.
Ms. McCarty is married to Lt Col (USAF, Retired) Edward A. McCarty, Senior Manager and Systems Safety Engineer for the Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company in Denver.She has three stepsons:Daniel, Michael and Jack.
Vice President – Publicity
Shawnee Huckstep is the CEO and co-founder of TechWise, a Professional Services Company headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO. Beginning in 1994 as a two-person organization with her husband Arran, specializing in custom database development, TechWise is now a strong, 8(a) Woman-Owned, Small Disadvantaged Business with proven Program Management capability and robust infrastructure support for successful execution. TechWise is headquartered in Colorado Springs and operates in seven states: Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Texas, and Virginia.
Shawnee’s leadership through the downturn in the technology training industry was paramount in the continued success of TechWise. While other companies were fighting for monies to keep their technology personnel and had zero budgets for training, Shawnee found ways to leverage the firm’s excellent past performance in technology training and consulting into new growth areas of Military Training and Exercise Support. She has been able to provide innovation to many Military Training Events by incorporating efficient ways to use technology throughout the training/exercises and helping Customers evaluate the return on investment for the training. She has positioned her Company as the Best Professional Service Company to have on the team to get the Soldiers trained. Productive training for Soldiers means fewer Soldiers’ lives lost.
TechWise brings the best of world-class technical and professional services to Government and Commercial Clients, training, growing, and deploying a skilled, knowledge-based workforce committed to effective partnering with, and supporting, Teammates, Clients, and Community, bringing positive change and improvement to everything we touch.
As CEO of TechWise, Shawnee is a respected Mentor, Visionary, and Leader, ultimately responsible for the decisions that drive the TechWise Business. Her key external role is building and managing relationships with Public, Academic, Business, and Government Leaders.
In 2002, Shawnee was honored by the Colorado Springs Business Journal as one of the Top 25 Dynamic Women in Business. Shawnee received the 2008 Small Business Person of the Year award from the Colorado Small Business Administration. “Shawnee Huckstep is a perfect example of the ingenuity and innovation that small firms possess here in Colorado and the Nation” said Elton Ringsak, SBA’s Region VIII Administrator. Shawnee was also selected for The Inspiring AmbITion (emphasis on the IT) project which is a collaboration of four Colorado Universities organized through the Colorado Coalition for Gender and Information Technology (CCGIT). She was featured in the DVD profiling a diverse sample of Denver-area IT professionals, used for recruiting women and minorities into computing/IT programs.
Shawnee strives to balance a passion for individual success with a deep appreciation for the diverse talents, viewpoints, and contributions of others. Her father, a physicist and esteemed mentor, taught Shawnee the essential nature of listening, asking intelligent questions, and staying curious in the deepest recesses of one's heart. Shawnee often has ‘strong feelings’ and intuitive insights that drive her to honor the ultimate spirit of the TechWise Vision: one of Respect, Honesty, and Responsibility to the larger Community. The basic TechWise principles rest on Leadership, Values, and Innovation.
A contributor to Descendents of the Freedman, Shawnee is of Black and Native American heritage and has always been an enthusiastic advocate for Native Rights and Culture. The TechWise logo is based on Native American symbolism to demonstrate her pride in her family's traditions and values. Shawnee recognizes the significant challenges facing Women and Minority Leaders in such intensely competitive industries that led her to become a founding member of the Colorado Springs chapter of Women in Defense as the Fundraising Chair. She is also Vice President of Publicity for the National Defense Industry Association and works to help bring the needs of Defense to the local industry so that innovation and solutions can be implemented. Shawnee financially supported the Chamber of Commerce in 2007 in pursuit of establishing a Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) in Colorado, which will further help Small Business in the Colorado Community. Shawnee supports the Air Force Association (AFA), Association of the United States Army (AUSA), the Armed Forces YMCA, and the Military Affairs Council. She is also a generous and insightful mentor with a unique ability to provide sage advice balanced with precise questions that help awaken the genius within others. Shawnee continues her involvement in the Community and in 2010 was asked to join the Chamber Board of Directors, giving her the opportunity to contribute guidance and knowledge to other Small Businesses and Professionals.
On the personal side, Shawnee volunteers time each week to spend it with children. She is a personal supporter of the Community Partnership for Child Development which prepares children in El Paso County for success in school life by providing comprehensive early childhood services. She is a recent graduate from the 2009 Leadership Pikes Peak program which helps connect Community Leaders with the local Community.
Vice President - Scholarships
Mr. Poturalski has extensive military and industry planning, development, management, engineering and operations experience in space command, control, communications, computer and intelligence (C4I) systems and human performance.Mr. Poturalski enlisted in the Air Force in 1968 and, later, attended Auburn University under the Airman Education and Commission Program. In 1973, he received his B.S.E.E. (cum laude) and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Afterward, he was assigned to the Air Force Satellite Control Network where he performed space systems engineering and mission operations support. In 1978, he received his M.S.E.E. from the Air Force Institute of Technology and then assigned to the USAF Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory (now Armstrong Lab) at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. There, he designed and managed state of the art R&D programs which led to his selection as the first U.S. Representative to NATO for human performance in C4I decision-making and battle management. In 1984, after graduating (DG) from Air Command and Staff College, he was assigned to NORAD/ADCOM. There, he served as Command Manager for the NORAD Cheyenne Mountain Upgrades and as the Air Force Space Command Technical Director for a special study involving the National Security Advisor to the president of the United States, National Security Advisor to the vice president, and the Director, CIA.In 1988, he joined OAO Corporation, which was later acquired by Lockheed Martin in 2001. His positions at OAO/Lockheed included vice president, director, program manager and senior systems engineer. In 2004, he joined ASRC Aerospace Corporation where he open and managed a new defense programs office in Colorado Springs. He developed and managed major contracts for space systems analysis and mission concepts, the first unified Space Long Range Plan, Army information and integration efforts at Ft Huachuca, AZ, advanced space R&D missions and operations at Kirtland AFB, NM; and a high-visibility NATO treaty-notification program for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). In 2009, he retired from ASRC.Mr. Poturalski is a member of the National Defense Industry Association (NDIA) where he has served in several capacities for the NDIA Space Division and Rocky Mountain Chapter and as a member of the Armed Force Communications-Electronics Association (AFCEA).Mr. Poturalski was born and raised in Baltimore, MD. He and his wife, Donna, reside in Colorado Springs.
Treasurer Jim is also an officer of Florida Tech’s Alumni Board of Directors and a long-time member of AFCEA, having served as thePresident of the Arizona chapter.When not pushing for improvements to the chapter’s financial status, Jim is the Director of Strategic Capture for BAE Systems, responsible for winning major opportunities in the services industry. Before that Jim held various business development positions in ITT Industries and MTC Technologies.Prior to joining industry, Jim was a soldier in the US Army serving in the enlisted ranks as an Avionics Mechanic and ending his military career as the Director of C4 Systems (J6) of the US Atlantic Command (now Joint Forces command). His military service took him to Vietnam, Germany, Somalia, Southwest Asia, Cuba, and Haiti.Jim is a graduate of the US Army War College and earned a Masters Degree (Public Administration) from Pennsylvania State University and a Bachelor of Science Degree (Management Science) from Florida Institute of Technology. He also holds an honorary doctorate in Grampa-ism, bestowed upon him by his twin 5-year-old grandsons and his 2-year-old twin granddaughter and grandson. His wife, Barbara, reports that he completed his GED in Spousing in 1995 and continues to work on his Associates degree.
Secretary
Previously Jeri held the postion of Vice President Publicity. Ms. Andrews is the past secretary for the Colorado Aerospace Education Foundation.She has served as the Air Force Association Lance P. Sijan Chapter V.P. Community Partner and V.P. Publicity and Secretary for the Colorado State Air Force Association.Jeri has been on committees for the NDIA Salute to Space Command as the chair for Corporate tables and Individual ticket sales, NDIA Industry Days as facilities/hotel liaison, AFA Outstanding Squadron Banquet as chair for Corporate table and Individual ticket sales, AFA Info Ops as facilities/hotel liaison, AF Ball as chair for Sponsorship and Corporate table sales, she served as chair for the AF Community Partner & Distinguish Volunteer Reception and as chair of Sponsorships for the Armed Forces Communications, and Electronics Association SpaceComm 1999 - 2002 Symposiums, and volunteers for the Space Foundation Symposium, and the First Annual Homeland Defense Symposium.
Jeri has served as Sponsorship Chairperson for the Steve Foley Charity Golf Tournament. She has been presented the National Defense Industrial Association Excellence Award, National Air Force Association Community Partner Gold Award, AFA Colorado State Excellence Award, and the Medal of Merit award.Jeri Andrews is the Administrative Assistant to the Contracting Group at Northrop Grumman IT/ TASC in Colorado Springs. In this position she provides administrative support to the team of Senior Contract Negotiators. Before joining TASC, Jeri worked for Harris Corp. as the Administrative Assistant for the Business Development Manager.
Past PresidentBob Peterson was President of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of NDIA from 2007-2009He also serves as Vice President, Space Programs, Lockheed Martin Corporation and as the Director of the Colorado Springs Business Development office.Bob most recently was the EVP of the Rocky Mountain Chapter from 2005 to 2007. Previously he had served on the Board of Directors of the Rocky Mountain Chapterfrom 1996 to 1999. In 1999, he moved to Los Angeles and became a member of theGreater Los Angeles Area Chapter of NDIA. He served as the President of that Chapter from 2002 until 2004. He returned to Colorado Springs in 2004 and rejoined the Board of Directors of the Rocky Mountain NDIA Chapter. Mr. Peterson was born in Evansville, Indiana, and raised in Vandalia, Ohio. He graduated from Wittenberg University in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Mathematics and from Bowling Green State University in 1966 with a Masters of Arts degree in Mathematics.In 1966, he joined the U. S. Air Force and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenantthroughthe Officers’ Training School. During a twenty-six year Air Force career, Mr. Peterson served in almost every major Air Force operational command, including AFSPC, MAC, TAC, SAC, USAFE, and PACAF. He is a graduate of Squadron Officers’ School, Air Command and Staff College, and Air War College. Additionally, he received certificates of professional competence in meteorology from the University of Oklahoma and sea-air interaction from the U.S. Navy Postgraduate School. His final assignment was as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Requirements at Air Force Space Command. He retired in the grade of Colonel on January 1, 1993.Mr. Peterson joined Lockheed Missiles and Space Company, Inc., Space SystemsDivision in February 1993 as the Follow-on Early Warning System (FEWS) Resident Technical Representative to IBM Federal Systems Division in Boulder, Colorado. In August 1994,he transferred to the Rocky Mountain Area Office of Lockheed Corporation as the Manager, Space Systems Requirements. Following the merger of Lockheed and Martin Marietta in April 1995, he became Manager, Space and Ground Systems for the Colorado Springs Corporate Business Development office. In May 1999, he was promoted to Director of the Los Angeles Corporate Business Development office. He assumed his present position in January 2004.Mr. Peterson is active in many local community organizations including the Colorado Thirty Group, the Military Affairs Council of the Chamber of Commerce, the Pikes Peak Round Table, Air Force Association, Navy League, AUSA, and AFCEA. While in Los Angeles, he was President of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of NDIA and the President of the Southern California Aerospace Professional Representatives (SCAPR).Bob is married to the former Sara "Susie" Schultheis of Chula Vista, California. They have three sons: Tyler, Todd, and Tim.
Past PresidentLamberth Blalock was named vice president, Air Force Programs,ATK Space Systems in October 2009. In this capacity he isresponsible for all Air Force related strategic strike programsincluding current and future strategic missile product lines. ATK is aleading provider of advanced weapon and space systems with $4.6billion in annual sales, approximately 17,000 employees,andoperations in 22 states. The company is the world's leading supplierof solid propulsion systems and the nation's largestmanufacturer ofammunition. He had previously served as vice president, Strategy andBusiness Development, Strategic and Commercial Sector for ATKSpace Systems.
Prior to joining ATK, Blalock served in the United States Air Force.His ssignments have included duty on a Minuteman crew; commandof an operational ICBM unit and leadership positions withinHeadquarters Air Force, Strategic Air Command, U.S. StrategicCommand and Air Force Space Command. Blalock’s Air Forceresponsibilities have included developing concepts and definingrequirements for
future space and missile systems, developingstrategic plans and programs, deploying modifications to existingweapons systems and advocating funding for current and future AirForce systems.
He is past president of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the NationalDefense Industry Association and has served on the Southeast FamilyCenter Advisory Board for the Armed Services YMCA. He is activein the Air Force Association and is a member of the Military AffairsCouncil, the Pikes Peak Round Table and is on the board of directorsfor the Peterson Air and Space Museum Foundation.A native of North Carolina, Blalock received a Bachelor of Sciencedegree inbusiness administration from East Carolina University anda Master of Science in safety and business management from CentralMissouri State University.
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