get to know the 2025 mississippi aerospace and defense symposium speakers
Mississippi Aerospace and Defense Symposium | October 22-24, 2025 | Golden Nugget Biloxi, MS
We are proud to introduce the distinguished speakers of the Mississippi Aerospace and Defense Symposium 2025— leaders whose expertise, innovation, and vision are shaping the future of aerospace, defense, and space technology. These individuals represent the highest levels of excellence across government, industry, academia, and entrepreneurship. Their collective insights will guide critical conversations, spark collaboration, and accelerate progress—not just for Mississippi, but for the nation and beyond. We are deeply grateful for their time, their leadership, and their commitment to advancing our shared mission. Please join us in celebrating this outstanding group of speakers whose contributions make this event possible, meaningful, and impactful.
day one speakers
Thursday, October 23, 2025
The Honorable Tate Reeves - 65th Governor of Mississippi
Maj. (USAF) Charlton Hedden - Senior Environmental Liaison Officer to U.S. Space Force
Clay Walker - Vice President, Test and Launch, Relativity Space
John Bailey - Center Director, NASA-Stennis Space Center
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Richard French - Vice President, Business Development and Strategy, Systems, Rocket Lab |
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Rhakee Khambatoi - Director of Government Partnerships, Reflect Orbital |
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Bret Perry - Head of Growth, Anduril Solid Rocket Motor Systems |
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John McKay - President and Ceo, Mississippi Manufacturers Association |
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Trey Smith - Director of Talent Solutions, Accelerate Mississippi |
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Colonel Micheal A. Powell - Commander 81st Training Group, Keesler Air Force Base |
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Shawn Wolfe - Director of Cyber Crime Division, Mississippi Office of the Attorney General |
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Martin Rivera - Director, Mississippi Cyber Initiative |
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Senator Scott Delano - District 50, State of Mississippi |
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Robert Eikhoff - Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Jackson MS Field Office |
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P.J. Waldrop - Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Mississippi Development Authority |
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Dr. Kelly Lucas - Vice President for Research, University of Southern Mississippi |
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Dexter Malley - Chief of Uncrewed Marine Systems Division, NOAA |
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Dr. Dylan Temple - Vice President of Research, Integer Technologies |
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Jace Ponder - Director, Governor's Office of Military Affairs, Mississippi Development Authority |
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Brigadier General James B. Haynie - PhD, Assistant to the Director of Intelligence, United States Cyber Command |
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Michelle L.D. Hanlon - Executive Director, Center for Air and Space Law, University of Mississippi |
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Julie Jordan - Vice President for Research and Economic Development, Mississippi State University |
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Dr. Almesha Campbell - Vice President for Research, Jackson State University |
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Dr. Stacey A. Hall - Executive Director and Professor of Sport Management, National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security, University of Southern Mississippi |
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Lindsay Ward - Economic Development Director, Pearl River County Economic Development District |
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Clay Williams - Executive Director, Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport |
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Cinnamon Snyder - Airport Director, Trent Lott International Airport |
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Blaine LaFontaine - Executive Director/CEO, Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission |
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Geoff Clemens - Deputy Director, Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission |
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Shelly Hollis - Director of Center for Cyber Education, Mississippi State University |
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Glenda Snodgrass - President and Lead Consultant, The NET Effect |
Day Two SpeakersFriday, October 24, 2025 |
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Mike Ezell - Member of Congress, U.S. House of Representatives |
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Jamie Miller - President and CEO, Gulf Coast Business Council |
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Brian Blanchette - President, Ingalls Shipbuilding |
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Natalie Guess - Assistant Director of Innovation and Impact, University of Southern Mississippi |
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Dr. Almesha Campbell - Vice President for Research, Jackson State University |
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Kieth Blystone - Chief of Staff and CFO, OceanAero |
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Philip Hoffman - Uncrewed Maritime Systems Research and Development Coordinator, NOAA |
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Terrance Barkan - Executive Director, Advanced Carbons Council |
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Dr. Jeffrey Wiggins - Professor, School of Polymer Science and Engineering, Composites, University of Southern Mississippi |
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Derek Dearman - Quality Assurance Manager, JPM Company |
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Kevin Wyss - Director of Product and Application Development, Avadain, Inc. |
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William Burnett - Director, National Data Buoy Center |
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Admiral Erin Acosta - Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command |