Speakers
Gary M. Bishop is director for US Army Apache Longbow programs for The Boeing Company in Mesa, Ariz. His programs include the remanufacture of 621 AH-64As to the AH-64D Longbow Apache, the production of 47 new build AH-64D Longbow Apaches, and the development of the next-generation Block III Longbow Apache. Bishop holds a BS from the US Military Academy, an MS in Aeronautical Engineering from the US Naval Postgraduate School, and an MA in National Security from the US Naval War College. He also is a graduate of the Program Manager’s course at the Defense Systems Management College, Ft. Belvoir, Va. Bishop retired from the U.S. Army in 1995, where he led aviation, armor and infantry units as well as assignments in the acquisition corps during a 20-year career.
Kevin Carroll is the Army’s Program Executive Officer (PEO), Enterprise Information Systems. Mr. Carroll is responsible for the program management of the Department of Defense and Army business and combat service support systems, as well as related Army communication and computer infrastructure. These systems support logistics, medical, finance, personnel, training and procurement operations. Prior to becoming a PEO EIS, he served as PEO STAMIS and before that was the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Research Development and Acquisition, US Army Materiel Command. Mr. Carroll earned both his Bachelor of Science Degree and his Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Cristina T. Chaplain currently serves as a Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, at the U.S. Government Accountability Office. This group has responsibility for examining the effectiveness of agency acquisition and procurement practices in meeting their mission performance objectives and requirements. Over the past decade, the team has examined best practices in program management, which have been adopted in both legislation and agency acquisition policies. Ms. Chaplain has specific responsibility for GAO assessments of NASA and the Department of Defense*s space acquisitions. Ms. Chaplain has been with GAO for 16 years. She received a bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, in International Relations from Boston University and a Masters Degree in Journalism from Columbia University.
Jim Gledhill is the Defence Materiel Attaché, Embassy of Australia, Washington DC. Mr Gledhill is responsible for materiel acquisition and support policy, foreign military sales, commercial procurement and freight, providing assistance to Australian project offices, and Australian defense industry. Mr Gledhill served twenty years in the Royal Australian Navy including sea postings to HMA Ships Vendetta, Perth , Swan and Adelaide . Mr Gledhill was appointed as the inaugural Director, Air Warfare Destroyer System Program Office within the Maritime Systems Division of the Defence Materiel Organisation in February 2001. Mr Gledhill returned to the Major Surface Ships Branch as the Deputy Director General in early 2005, from this position Mr Gledhill was selected for his current post, commencing in July 2005.
Brent Holtzen is the Program Director for the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM – RIM 162) Program at Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, AZ. Prior to his current assignment, Brent was the Production Director for the ESSM program responsible for all aspects of producing the missile and providing post-delivery support. . Prior to joining the ESSM program in 1995 Brent spent 21 years in the US Navy’s STANDARD Missile program at General Dynamics, Hughes Aircraft Co. and finally Raytheon. Brent received a BS in Physics from Central Missouri State University in 1974. In 1982 Brent received a MS in Program Management from West Coast University in Los Angeles, CA.
Jim Gledhill is the Defence Materiel Attaché, Embassy of Australia, Washington DC. Mr Gledhill is responsible for materiel acquisition and support policy, foreign military sales, commercial procurement and freight, providing assistance to Australian project offices, and Australian defense industry. Mr Gledhill served twenty years in the Royal Australian Navy including sea postings to HMA Ships Vendetta, Perth, Swan and Adelaide. Mr Gledhill was appointed as the inaugural Director, Air Warfare Destroyer System Program Office within the Maritime Systems Division of the Defence Materiel Organisation in February 2001. Mr Gledhill returned to the Major Surface Ships Branch as the Deputy Director General in early 2005, from this position Mr Gledhill was selected for his current post, commencing in July 2005.
Lieutenant Colonel Kari Renko is currently serving as the Deputy Chief of Armaments Division at the Finnish Air Force Headquarters. LtCol Kari Renko is responsible for the life cycle and procurement planning of all FiAF airborne systems. LtCol Renko holds a Master’s degree in aeronautical engineering. He joined the FiAF in 1992 and has since worked with the Finnish F/A-18 program, first as a structural specialist and later managing air vehicle related R&D and aircraft fleet management for all FiAF aircraft types. LtCol Renko has also served a tour as the technical director in Karelia Air Command, which is one of the operational units using the F/A-18 in Finland.
Jon A. Schreiber was assigned to the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program in February, 1994, and is currently the Director, International Programs. Mr. Schreiber was awarded the Exceptional Civilian Service Award in January 2001. As the JSF team leader for the Production, Sustainment and Follow-on Development Memorandum of Understanding (PSFD MOU) negotiations, Mr. Schreiber’s negotiation team successfully completed multi-lateral negotiations with eight countries which led to signature of the PSFD MOU in November 2006. This MOU establishes the cooperative relationship between the United States and its’ eight international partners for the next 45 years at a value in excess of $250B. Mr. Schreiber graduated from Youngstown State University in June 1969 with a Bachelor of Engineering Degree and from George Washington University in May 1973 with a Master’s Degree in Engineering Administration.
Dr. Jennifer Stewart is the Director General, Washington DC Region of the Department of Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) and Counsellor for Defence Procurement at the Canadian Embassy in Washington. Dr. Stewart’s office also supports the PWGSC International Cooperation Initiative, which facilitates knowledge and best practice sharing between Canada and the U.S. in the area of common services. Dr. Stewart is the current Chairman of the Foreign Procurement Group, a network of 25 countries who participate in the US Security Assistance Program. Dr. Stewart joined the Public Service in 1980. During her career, she has held various executive positions including Director, Human Resources Programs, PWGSC; Senior Program Advisor, Central Region, Department of Supply and Services (DSS); and Director of Evaluation, DSS. Dr. Stewart has a Ph.D. in English and Philosophy from McGill University.