Plenary Speakers

Begin your morning with a continental breakfast followed by a thought-provoking keynote from Paul Mann, Chief Technical Officer for the Golden Dome Strategic Alliance, AE Industrial.

During the Opening Ceremony, we will also recognize excellence in our field with the presentation of the John Jensen Best Conference Paper Award, the Lawrence Rauch Award for Standards, and the Myron Nichols Award for Telemetry Spectrum.

Join us for an insightful keynote presentation featuring George Rumford, Director of the Department of War (DoW), Test Resource Management Center (TRMC). As the leader of a vital field activity reporting to the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, Mr. Rumford oversees the readiness and modernization of the nation’s essential test and evaluation (T&E) infrastructure.

The TRMC provides governance over DoW test resources (open-air test ranges, ground test facilities, hardware-in-the-loop laboratories, measurement facilities, software testbeds, and modeling and simulation used for testing), including the Major Range and Test Facility Base (MRTFB). 

The TRMC forecasts future T&E needs, defining strategic investment portfolios to test hypersonics, directed energy, autonomy and artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, cyber, nuclear effects, space systems, and multi-domain operations. Addressing the highest priority test gaps, the TRMC invests in the development of new and upgraded test resources, executed in partnership with the Services and Defense Agencies, to improve Joint and multi-Service DoW test capabilities that support acquiring advanced warfighting capabilities.

We are honored to welcome Brigadier General Tyler Nick Hague as our featured luncheon speaker. Brig. Gen. Hague currently serves as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations within the United States Space Force, where he is responsible for the policy, training, and readiness of our nation’s newest military branch.

With over 25 years of active-duty service, Brig. Gen. Hague brings a unique perspective that bridges the gap between advanced flight testing and orbital operations. His distinguished career is perhaps most notably marked by his time as a NASA astronaut; he has completed three spaceflights and spent a total of 374 days in space, including four spacewalks and commanding the NASA SpaceX Crew-9 mission.

The luncheon will also feature the presentation of the prestigious Cliff Aggen Award, recognizing outstanding student papers. Purchase your tickets in advance for $25 as only a limited number of seats will be available.