David May

Brigadier General @ Wisconsin Air National Guard

Brig. Gen. David W. May is Wisconsin’s deputy adjutant general for Air. As such, he serves as the chief advisor to the Adjutant General on all matters pertaining to Air National Guard programs, policies, operations, management and command and control of the Wisconsin Air National Guard. He also provides staff assistance guidance and direction concerning Air National Guard personnel, administration, training, recruiting and retention incentives, and budgetary matters. Gen. May is responsible for more than 2,300 Wisconsin Air National Guard personnel serving in two flying wings and a Combat Readiness Training Center at Volk Field Air National Guard Base. Brig. Gen. May earned a bachelor’s degree in music at Kent State University in 1993. He earned a master’s degree in music at the University of Michigan in 1994, and a doctorate in philosophy, organization and management at Capella University in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2003. He completed Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base by correspondence, Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, and Air War College at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force base by correspondence. Brig. Gen. May received his commission through the Air Force Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, in August, 1996. He has held a variety of command and staff positions at the wing, combatant command, Air Staff, and Joint Force Headquarters level. His staff tours include HQ U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, HQ Air Force Cyber Command (Provisional), U.S. Transportation Command, and the Joint Force Headquarters of the Wisconsin National Guard. He assumed his current rank and duties April 16, 2020. Prior to his current assignment, he commanded Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Camp Douglas, Wisconsin, which includes the Combat Readiness Training Center, the 128th Air Control Squadron, and the 126th Weather Flight. Brig. Gen. May’s military awards include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with one oak leaf cluster, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Air Force Overseas Ribbon Long, the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold birder and one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Longevity Service with four oak leaf clusters, the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Pistol), the Air Force Training Ribbon, and the Wisconsin National Guard Emergency Service Ribbon.

Michael Western

Lieutenant Colonel @ Volk Field Air National Guard Base

Lt. Col. Michael J. Western commands Volk Field Air National Guard Base (ANGB), Camp Douglas, Wisconsin, which includes the Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC), the 128th Air Control Squadron (ACS), and the 126th Weather Flight. He is responsible for all aspects of mission performance of these three diverse organizations. The CRTC at Volk Field is the premier training resource in the ANG managing a 2,300 acre installation, over 12,000 square miles of Special Activity Airspace, and an Air to Ground Gunnery Range. The Air Control Squadron and Weather Flight maintain qualifications and readiness for worldwide combat deployment. He also oversees multi-million dollars’ worth of equipment, manages dynamic budgets and is responsible for fielding a cohesive Air Battle Management Command and Control team. He also serves as the ACS Weapons System Council Chairman that is comprised of 10 squadrons and actively advocates the community’s interests to National Guard Bureau. Lt. Col. Western enlisted into the Wisconsin Air National in January 1997. After completing basic military training, he was assigned to technical training at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi where he was a distinguished graduate from the Aerospace Control and Warning Systems course. He received his commission in 2002 from the Academy of Military Science at McGhee Tyson ANGB, Knoxville, Tennessee prior to graduating from Air Battle Manager training at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida in 2003. Prior to his current position, Lt. Col. Western worked as a Packaging and Project Engineer for a Fortune 500 company located in Iowa for 11 years. There he managed a wide array multi-million dollar capital projects where he fused together cross functional teams to bring new products to market.

Tonya Townsell

Public Affairs Officer @ Fort McCoy

Tonya Townsell assumed the position of garrison Public Affairs Officer, Fort McCoy, Wis. in September 2015. In this capacity, she communicates the Fort McCoy and Total Force Training Center mission to America’s warfighters and to the Nation. The mission of Army Public Affairs is to fulfill the Army's obligation to keep the American people and Army personnel informed and to establish the conditions that lead to confidence in America's Army and its readiness to conduct operations in peacetime, conflict and war. Townsell earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington. She also attended the Defense Information School while serving in the U.S. Army.She has worked in Army public affairs since 1990 in a variety of public affairs positions throughout the United States and Germany as a civilian as well as a service member. She considers herself fortunate to have found a career to be passionate about.

Jason Rathsack

Group Lead, Business Operations @ Defense Contract Management Agency

Jason Rathsack, Group Lead, Business Operations -Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) DCMA Milwaukee is responsible for contract administration of approximately 3,600active Department of Defense (DoD) contracts and grants in Wisconsin, Northern Indiana, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Mr. Rathsack previously served as an Administrative Contracting/Grants Officer with DCMA Milwaukee and a Contract Price/Cost Analyst with DCMA Chicago providing direct support to DoD contracting officers in reviewand recommendations associated with proposal analyses, review of contractor business systems, cost accounting standards, and incurred cost disputes. Mr. Rathsack’s Team is responsible for a range of administrative duties as laid out in FAR 42.302 including but not limited to negotiation and settling provisional billing rates, forward pricing rates, final costs on flexibly priced contracts, and administration of DoD Grants where cognizance is delegated. Prior to serving DCMA, Mr. Rathsack performed cradle to grave contract specialist duties for the US Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), and the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA). Mr. Rathsack is an active member of NCMA and has served on the NCMA WI Chapter Board for 7 years, most recently elected as President. Mr. Rathsack has a DAWIA Level III Certification in Contracting, a B.S. in Economics/Business, and a Masters of Public Administration (MPA) from UW Milwaukee where he previously served as President of the MPA Alumni Chapter.

Eric Ness

District Director @ Small Business Administration

Eric Ness is the District Director for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Wisconsin District with locations in Madison and in Milwaukee. As District Director, Eric is responsible for the delivery of SBA programs throughout Wisconsin. Eric joined the SBA in 1990 as a Commercial Loan Officer where he had the opportunity to work in both processing and liquidation of loans. He has served as Finance Chief and Assistant District Director for Economic Development. In December of 2001, Eric assumed the position of Wisconsin District Director. Prior to coming to SBA, Eric worked for Impact Seven as a Business Analyst and was General Manager of Western Wisconsin Development Corporation in Northwestern Wisconsin.Eric graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Degree in Agricultural Engineering and later obtained a Masters in Business Administration from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

Megan McKinney

Business Development @ Beacon Interactive Systems

For over 20 years, Megan McKinney has honed her expertise within the commercial, aerospace and defense industries, and built customer relationships with federal government and federal prime clients. Since July 2020, Ms. McKinney has been part of the business development team at Beacon Interactive Systems. At Beacon, Ms. McKinney helps deliver game-changing digital capabilities and mission critical systems to the Department of Defense, supporting the warfighter and driving Mission Readiness across the sustainment lifecycle. Prior to Beacon, Ms. McKinney has held leadership positions in business development, marketing and sales including SupplyCore, Banneker Industries, Monogram Systems and others. Ms. McKinney is an active member of defense industry associations and is currently serving as Vice-Chair Chapters on the National Defense Industrial Association's (NDIA) Member Leadership Council (NMLC), and NDIA Great Lakes Chapter Board Member (Co-founder 2009, President 2015-2020). Ms. McKinney is also a member of the Association of the United States Army's (AUSA) Redstone-Huntsville Chapter.

Aaron Kapellusch

Business Development Executive @

Aaron Kapellusch most recently served as the Regional Manager for Wisconsin for Sebert Landscape, a $50M commercial landscape management company overseeing business development and operations for two business units in the state. Prior to that, he served as the President/CEO of the Wausau Region Chamber, serving over 900 businesses and 43,000 members. He is a ’97 graduate of the University of Wisconsin –Parkside School of Business. During his college years he started his own landscape maintenance and construction business, which he later sold. Mr. Kapellusch went on to serve as a Project Director for the nation’s largest landscape management firm, The Brickman Group. In 2005, he moved to the Northwoods of Wisconsin, where he worked as the Marketing Manager for Nicolet Plastics, a custom plastic injection molding firm, as well as Business Development Director for Northern Lake Service, a national provider of laboratory services to municipalities, manufacturers, and government agencies. Aaron is currently the chair of the Horticulture Advisory Committee at Gateway Technical College, past president of the Northwoods Entrepreneurs’ Network, past member of Grow North Economic Development Corporation, past member of the Northwoods Manufacturers’ Alliance, past member of the Milwaukee Water Council, as well as being involved with a several other economic development groups. Aaron also served on the Board of Directors of Marathon County Economic Development Corporation, Wausau Chamber Foundation, Central Wisconsin Progress, and was the Vice-Chair of the Entrepreneurial and Education Center of Marathon County. In 2014he also was asked to serve on the Wisconsin Fast Forward Grant Evaluation committee;a state workforce development initiative, evaluating over eighty applications from manufacturers for skills training grants with program awards well over $3million. He is extremely interested in the economic success of the Wisconsin, and worked with other young professionals to develop E3YP, a Young Professional Group under the Wausau Region Chamber, which grew to over 2500 members with 34 corporate sponsors in 18 months. He is a firm believer that our greatest asset in any business and community are people

Daryl Zahn

Senior Manager of Contracts and Compliance for DRS Naval Power Systems, Inc. @ DRS Naval Power Systems, Inc.

Daryl Zahn is the Senior Manager of Contracts and Compliance for DRS Naval Power Systems, Inc.; managing a team of Contract Administrators and support personnel for pre and post-award contract activities for the Milwaukee, WI facility. Daryl received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin –Whitewater. Daryl has earned a Master’s Certificate in Government Contracting from the George Washington University School of Business, and certification as a Certified Federal Contract Manager (CFCM) through the National Contract Management Association. Daryl began his career in the Federal Contracting profession as a member of Astronautics Corporation of America’s Milwaukee, WI contracting team. After a decade with Astronautics, Daryl moved to the Eaton Navy Controls Division, which after some Acquisitions and mergers over the years is now DRS Naval Power Systems, Inc. During his career, Daryl has worked to administer Federal Prime Contracts and Sub-contracts to other primes, as well as some commercial and special action contracting. Daryl has been a member of National Contract Management Association (NCMA) since 2002, and has been an active member of the NCMA-Wisconsin Chapter Board of Directors, holding positions of Secretary, Vice President, President and now Past-President in support of the chapter. Daryl is active with NCMA providing training in Federal Acquisition Regulations as well as other DoD contracting related areas.

Richard Deschauer

Senior Director of Contracts and Compliance @ DRS Naval Power Systems, Inc.

ichard Deschauer is the Senior Director of Contracts and Compliance for DRS Naval Power Systems, Inc.; managing pre and post-award contract activities for three facilities. Rich received his undergraduate degree in Economics from New Jersey’s Montclair State University. He was commissioned in the U.S. Navy through Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island and received a Master’s of Science degree in Acquisition and Contract Management from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey California. Prior to his years working with DRS Naval Power Systems, Inc., and the legacy company, Eaton Navy Controls Division, Rich began his career in service to our country as a member of the US Navy. Aside from numerous sea tours, Rich served as the Deputy Director for Special Acquisitions with the Defense Fuel Supply Center, Defense Logistics Agency, in Alexandria, Virginia. He was the Contracting Officer for DoD’s worldwide strategic fuel storage where he negotiated Government-to-Government agreements for fuel storage in the Middle East and Africa. He also served as the Director of Contracts at the Fleet and Industrial Supply Center, Oakland, California, providing contract support for all Navy activities and ships on the West Coast and in Pacific fleet. Rich was the Deputy Director for Contract Management at the Naval Supply Systems Command, responsible for contract policy and resource management of the Navy’s Field Contracting System. There Rich established and managed both the Navy’s Contingency Contracting program and the Navy’s purchase card program. Rich was also instrumental in developing and deploying the Navy’s electronic commerce portal, NECO. For Rich’s final tour in the Navy, he was the Director of Business Operations for the Defense Contract Management Agency’s in-plant office at Boeing Aircraft and Missile Systems in St. Louis. He was the senior on-site Government contracting official for the facility. Rich is a member of the National Contract Management Association (NCMA). He has held various leadership positions, including president of the St. Louis Gateway chapter, and is designated a Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) and an NCMA Fellow. Rich has held Level III Certification in Contract Management under the standards of the Defense Acquisition Work Force Improvement Act (DAWIA); is a former designated member of the Department of Defense Acquisition Professional Community, and is a standing member of the Defense Systems Management College (DSMC) Alumni Association.

Dave Zvenyach

and innovative former government executive who helps businesses and government work smarter, together. Dave has unique expertise on all things public sector; he’s held positions in all three branches of government, as well as at the federal, state, and local levels. He served as a Senior Technical Advisor and Assistant Commissioner for the US General Service Administration’s Federal Acquisition Service Office of Systems Management; Executive Director of 18F; Deputy Commissioner for the GSA Technology Transformation Service (“TTS”); Assistant Commissioner for the TTS Office of Acquisition; General Counsel to the DC Council; Chief of Staff to Councilmember Mary Cheh; and judicial law clerk to United States District Judge Yvette Kane. Dave has written on diverse topics, including a book entitled Coding for Lawyers, a chapter on Political Law for the DC Bar Practice Manual, and about a variety of technical and legal topics on his blog. Dave is also a teacher, having served as an Adjunct Professor at the George Washington University Law School, a facilitator for the Digital Services IT Acquisition Professional program, and an instructor for a Continuing Legal Education course through the DC Bar on Legislative Drafting. Dave is a member of the Wisconsin delegation to the Uniform Law Commission and the Board of the Washington Council of Lawyers. He’s been named a Legal Rebel, a Legal Hacker of the Year, a Fed 100, a FastCase 50, and an Open Data Pioneer. He was recognized as “role model for public service and dedication to his craft” by the Council of the District of Columbia, received the Exceptional Service Award from the DC Bar for establishing the first Pro Bono Legal Volunteer Program in the DC government, and is an ABA Fellow. Dave is a graduate of the George Washington University Law School and has a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin. He lives with his family in Fitchburg, WI.

Bill Hughes

Shareholder @ Husch Blackwell

Bill Hughes is a shareholder in the Milwaukee office of Husch Blackwell LLP. He is a member of the firm’s Construction Services Team and has expertise in all aspects of construction and public contract law. Bill represents construction managers and prime and subcontractors, on construction issues, including the drafting and negotiating of construction contracts. He has extensive experience in the award, protest, and litigation of competitively bid and publicly awarded contracts, and he counsels federal contractors on all aspects of government contracts including the Federal Acquisition Regulations, audits, bids, changes, costs, claims, intellectual property rights, terminations and negotiations. He also has extensive arbitration and litigation experience representing clients in recovering damages or defending against claims on both private and public contracts. As a former U.S. Government attorney, Bill is one of the few Wisconsin attorneys with the experience necessary to represent clients in matters involving federal contract law. Education: George Washington University, LL.M. in Government Procurement, with highest honors Marquette University Law School, J.D., magna cum laude U.S. Air Force Academy, B.S., distinguished graduate Admissions: State Bar of Wisconsin U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces U.S. Court of Federal Claims U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin Awards & Distinctions: Martindale-Hubbell® AV® Preeminent™ Wisconsin Procurement Institute Mentoring Award (2010) – for dedication and commitment to the development of the federal contracting community U.S. Air Force Meritorious Service Medal

Brian Waagner

Partner @ Husch Blackwell

Brian helps clients avoid and resolve complex disputes on government contracts. He has a unique ability to coordinate legal strategy with the technical, financial and practical issues that often arise under such agreements. With more than 20 years of experience as a trial lawyer and commercial litigator, Brian represents contractors in bid protests and in litigation involving complex claims and disputes. He also advises clients on contract compliance and administration issues, corporate due diligence matters and allegations of False Claims Act violations. Brian represents clients in the construction, healthcare, technology and energy industries. Brian shares industry insights as the editor of Husch Blackwell’s government contracts blog, The Contractor's Perspective.

Dana Mason

Lead Assessor and Curriculm Development and Training Team Chief @ Defense Contract Management Agency

Dana Mason currently serves as one of the founding members of the Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Assessment Center (DIBCAC)with the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). Mrs. Mason is a Lead Assessor as well as the Curriculum Development and Training Team Chief for the DIBCAC.In this position, she verifies the implementation and enforcement of policies and doctrine in accordance with DFARS Clauses 252.204-7012, 252.204.7008, 252.239-7009 and 252.239-7010. As a Lead Assessor for the DIBCAC, Mrs. Mason provides detailed Defense Industrial Base(DIB) cybersecurity assessment findings and results and oversees the assessment team. These assessment results show a real time representation of a contractor’s ability to meet the requirements addressed by the NIST SP 800-171,Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations, and ultimately their ability to safeguard Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Mrs. Mason also provides oversight of DoD cybersecurity assessment training and curriculum development to include supervising all assessor training for DoD agencies, mission partners, and military services. These training services expose assessors to analytical and technical skills in support of achieving optimal assessment results. Before assuming her position with the DIBCAC, Mrs. Mason was the Audit Preparedness Program Manager for the DCMA Cybersecurity Directorate.She is also a United States Air Force veteran as a Security Specialist.Mrs. Mason holds a Master’s of Science in Information Resource Management, a Bachelor’s Degrees in Computer Information System as well as Management Information Systems. She also holds certifications from ISC2for Certified Authorization Professional(CAP), ITIL Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management and GIAC Certified Project Manager (GCPM).

Carley Salmon

Cybersecurity Assessor @ Defense Contract Management Agency

Carley Salmon currently is a Cybersecurity Assessor for the Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Assessment Center (DIBCAC) for the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). In this position she serves as an Assessment Lead, executing DCMA Defense Industrial Base (DIB) Cybersecurity Assessments with industry partners, validating compliance with the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) Clause 252.204-7012, Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and Cyber Incident Reporting. Ms. Salmon participated in developing the foundational documentation and assessment methodology for assessing DFARS Clause 252.204-7012 compliance against the NIST SP 800-171, Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations. She developed training for external partners in these areas to create continuity and efficiencies across departments who execute these assessments. Ms. Salmon continues to be a part of the continuous improvement of assessment execution methodology, training, and program evolution in the ever changing cyber field in addition to performing compliance validation assessments. Prior to joining the effort for developing and executing DIB Cybersecurity Assessments, she worked in others of DCMA Information Technology positions to include Information System Security Manager in the DCMA Cybersecurity Center. Before joining the DCMA team in 2015, Ms. Salmon held various management position outside of the Department of Defense, as well as served as a U.S. Army National Guard Platoon Leader for Aviation Maintenance and UH-60 Blackhawk pilot. Her experience has given her a unique perspective as both user and administrator in the Information Technology Field, as well as the experience as the warfighter recipient of these contracted good.

Terry Whipple

Executive Director @ Juneau County Economic Development Corporation

Terry Whipple has a passion for creating a contagious environment for entrepreneurship! He is also adamant that the Midwest needs to foster a culture of entrepreneurism in order to compete in the 21st century economy. Terry is the Executive Director of the Juneau County Economic Development Corporation (JCEDC) and former president of the 7 Rivers Region. He is a seasoned professional with practical experience in a plethora of business applications including business start-up and turn-around, mergers and acquisitions and maximizing business opportunities via trends research. He is skilled in strategic planning, management, negotiations, sales and marketing and an expert in presentations, public speaking, team building and networking. He has been applying his experience in corporate turn-arounds to revitalizing Juneau County and its rural communities. A bridge-builder and collaborator, Terry received the SBA’s Region V and Wisconsin 2005 Home-Based Business Champion of the Year Award. He also received the Wisconsin 2005 Innovation Champion Award for the development of innovative new programs as well as the 7 Rivers Region Pyramid Award. In 2009, Terry was presented the International Economic Development Council Award for Innovative entrepreneurial programs. He has served as an independent business consultant specializing in work with distressed small businesses and currently maintains his own private consulting business. His current appointments include: • President of the 7 Rivers Alliance 2009, Current Board Member • President of iLEAD Entrepreneurial/Leadership Charter School • Chair for the 7 Rivers Economic Development Group • Advisory Board – State of Wisconsin, Department of Corrections • Wisconsin Government Contracting/Appropriations Advisory Committee developing a strategic plan to bring more federal dollars to Wisconsin • Board of Directors and Facilitator for the Juneau County Inventor & Entrepreneur Club • Consultant to the State of Wisconsin for the development of the 42 plus WI I&E Clubs • Advisory Board - Western Technical College • Board of Directors Juneau County Revolving Loan Fund • Board of Directors Juneau County Housing Committee • Board of Directors International Trade, Business and Economic Council He has received awards and recognition for his work and passion for entrepreneurism by the: • International Economic Development Council, Award 2009, Entrepreneur Programs • 7 Rivers Alliance, Pyramid Award 2008 • SBA Region 5, 2005 Home-Based Business Champion • SBA State of Wisconsin 2005 Home-Based Business Champion • 2005 Wisconsin Innovator of the Year • 2004 Top Rural Initiative Award for innovative practices in rural development from Wisconsin Rural Partners at the Wisconsin Community Leadership summit. Terry attended Utah State University and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University. He lives in rural Tomah with his wife and three daughters.

Helen Henningsen

Wisconsin Procurement Institute

Mark Dennis

Wisconsin Procurement Institute

Tony Steinhoff

Director, Mission and Installation Contracting Command @ Fort McCoy

Mr. Tony Steinhoff is the Director for the Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC) Fort McCoy. MICC Fort McCoy is comprised of 45 total positions both military and civilian. Mr. Steinhoff possesses an unlimited contracting warrant and is responsible for planning, managing, and executing a comprehensive contracting and acquisition program to meet the needs of the Fort McCoy Installation and its tenant activities, Fort Hunter Liggett, Parks Reserve Forces Training Area and many Reserve organizations with the largest being the 88thReadiness Division (RD) and the 63rdRD covering a 26 state geographical region. Mr. Steinhoff previously served as the Deputy Director for MICC Fort McCoy and once as the Chief of the Construction and Commodities Division for MICC Fort McCoy. Mr. Steinhoff deployed to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait on an Active Duty tour with his Wisconsin Army National Guard unit from July 2005 to July 2006 where he served as a Contracting Officer for 3rdArmy. He is currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Reserves serving as the 88thRD’s Chief of Internal Review and Compliance at Fort McCoy, WI with over 27years of service. He got his start in the 1102 career field as a Contract Specialist with the United States Property & Fiscal Office for WI in December 1999 at Camp Williams, Camp Douglas, WI. Mr. Steinhoff has over 20 years of professional experience in Contracting. During his career, he served in a number of positions with experience in Architect and Engineering, Construction and Commodities, and Services both in the Continental United States and Outside the Continental United States and managed the Government Purchase Card Program. He served as a Contracting Officer’s Representative for a Civilians on the Battle Field contract through 1stArmy while mobilized with his Reserve unit, 2-411thLogistical Support Battalion, Fort McCoy, WI from July 2010 to July 2011. He earned his Level III Certification in Contracting in May 2006 and maintains a secret security clearance. Mr. Steinhoff has a Master’s of Business Administration in Human Resource Management from Touro University International, Cypress California, and a Bachelor’s of Science from Lakeland College, Sheboygan, WI. He graduated from Officer Candidate School in 2001 at Fort McCoy, WI, Quartermaster Officer Basic Course in 2002 at Fort Lee, VA, Ordnance Officer Advance Course in 2004 at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD, Combined Arms Exercise in 2005 at Fort McCoy, WI and Command and General Staff Officers’ Course in 2014 at Fort McCoy, WI.

Kevin Van De Ven

Strategic Sourcing Manager @ Fincantieri Marinette Marine

HOUR BREAK

Colonel Leslie A. Zyzda-Martin

Commander @ Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Camp Douglas WI

COMMANDER Colonel Leslie A. Zyzda-Martin, served as the Division Chief of the Joint Intelligence Analysis & Governance, Joint Intelligence Directorate (J2), National Guard Bureau (NGB), Pentagon, Washington D.C. She was responsible for the development of National Guard (NG) Joint Intelligence guidance and programs, NGB J2 contribution to joint strategic plans, J2 integration, and synchronization with other DoD and inter-agency intelligence strategic processes, integrating Air and Army NG intelligence strategies, and providing a critical source of leadership, expertise, and guidance on NGB Intelligence issues. She also performed as the Special Access Program Coordinator for the National Guard. Col Zyzda-Martin enlisted in 185th Tactical Fighter Group, Iowa Air National Guard (ANG), in 1988. She graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1993 and commissioned in the Iowa ANG in 1999. She transferred to the 114th Fighter Wing, South Dakota ANG in 2002, graduating from the United States Air Force Weapons Instructor Course in 2004. While in the SDANG, she deployed numerous times to support fighter operations in Operation NORTHERN WATCH, Operation SOUTHERN WATCH, and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. In 2008, Col Zyzda-Martin transitioned to the ANG statutory tour program as the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance subject matter expert at the United States Air Warfare Center, 561st Joint Tactics Squadron, Nellis AFB, NV. In this position, she supported combat operations in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. In 2010, Zyzda-Martin transferred to the SCANG and served as 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Ft Bragg, NC Senior Intelligence Officer (SIO). During her tenure, the 24 STS transitioned to the 724th Special Tactics Group, and Col Zyzda-Martin assumed the role of 724 STG A2, Director of Intelligence. As the SIO and A2, intelligence analysts under Zyzda-Martin's direction provided Intelligence support to 24 STS/724 STG Operators, Army (CAG), and Navy (DEVGRU) Special Operators. In 2012, Zyzda-Martin transitioned to 724 STG Plans as the Strategic Intelligence Planner and deployed as part of the commanding general's Operations Planning Team (OPT). In 2013, Col Zyzda-Martin became the ANGAdvisortoACC/ A2, Langley AFB, Virginia, providing the ACC/A2 continuity with ACC gained ANG assets. Col Zyzda-Martin assumed command of the 132 ISS, Iowa ANG, in April 2014 and led the transition from an F-16 fighter wing to an ISRG targeting mission. In 2017, Col Zyzda-Martin became the deputy commander of Det 3, 655th ISRG, USAFR, and stood up the 820th IS, Offutt AFB, NE. In 2018, she transitioned back to the SCANG. Col Zyzda-Martin officially assumed command of Volk Field, CRTC, on September 1, 2020.

Wisconsin State Representative Tony Kurtz

Wisconsin State Representative @ Wisconsin's 50th Assembly District

Representative Tony Kurtz has been passionate about serving his community. Following high school, Tony spent the next two decades in the U.S. Army. Since retiring from the Army, Tony and his wife Kim have made their home in Western Wisconsin, where they own a farm in Wonewoc. They have two children, Kaylin and Nick, who are currently attending colleges in Wisconsin. Tony continues to pursue his goal of service and is honored to serve as a representative in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

U.S. Representative Ron Kind

3rd Congressional District of Wisconsin @ U.S. House of Representatives

Congressman Kind - born in La Crosse, La Crosse County, Wis., March 16, 1963; B.A., Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., 1985; M.A., London School of Economics, London, England, 1986; J.D., University of Minnesota School of Law, Minneapolis, Minn., 1990; lawyer, private practice; state prosecutor, La Crosse County, Wis., district attorney’s office, 1992-1996; elected to the One Hundred Fifth and to the eleven succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1997-present).

Sam Rikkers

Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer @ Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

Sam Rikkers is deputy secretary and chief operating officer for WEDC. Prior to joining WEDC in November 2019, he served as strategic economic initiatives director at the Wisconsin Department of Administration. Sam has an extensive background in rural development, both in the U.S. and internationally. He served in the White House from 2013 to 2014 as director on the energy and environment team in the Presidential Personnel Office, then was administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service. Before returning to Wisconsin in 2017, he launched and led the Rural Opportunity Initiative of the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business. In Wisconsin, he served as executive director of Tiny Earth, a global initiative based at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, harnessing the research of undergraduate students to discover new antibiotics. A native of Stoughton, Rikkers holds a juris doctor degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School, a master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy from Macalester College. He also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia.

Panelists From:

9:30AM • MICC - Fort McCoy • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Rock Island District • U.S. General Services Administration • State of Wisconsin Department of Administration • State of Wisconsin Department of Corrections • Waukesha County 10:15AM • Great Lakes Dredge & Dock • Oshkosh Defense • Plexus Corp. • Woodward, Inc. • WPS Health Solutions 11:05AM • Beacon Interactive Systems • Lake Assault Boats • Northern Wings • U.S. Small Business Administration