Speakers

MADS 2026 | SEPT. 2-4, 2026 | FLOWOOD, MISSISSIPPI

We are proud to introduce the distinguished speakers of the Mississippi Aerospace and Defense Symposium 2026—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 and drive its impact.

Keynote Speakers

U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mississippi

The Honorable Tate Reeves - 65^th Governor of Mississippi

Adam Spice, Chief Financial Officer, Rocket Lab

Dr. Denise Jones Gregory, President, Jackson State University (JSU)

Davis Pace, President and CEO, Mississippi Enterprise for Technology (MSET)

MADS 2026 Panelists

Zach Bergman External Relations The Spaceport Company	Patrick Besselievre Project Manager–Aerospace & Defense Mississippi Development Authority (MDA)
Tasha Bibb Senior Program Manager Mississippi State University (MSU)	Keith Blystone Chief of Staff/CFO Ocean Aero
Latane Brackett Innovation Program Manager Jackson State University (JSU)	Dameion Brown Director of Information Security & Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Jackson State University (JSU)
Dr. William Burnett Director National Data Buoy Center (NDBC)	Dr. Gary Butler Founder and CEO Camgian & Chair of ADAM Board
Dr. Joe Calantoni Technical Director U.S. Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Center (CNMOC)	Dr. Almesha Campbell Vice President for Research Jackson State University (JSU)
Austin Check Assistant Director Office of Technology Management Mississippi State University (MSU)	Elyce Curry Senior Innovation Project Manager ERDCWERX
Bryan Farrell Director, Raspet Flight Research Laboratory Mississippi State University (MSU)	Stephen Fitts Vice President of Supply Chain Management Ingalls Shipbuilding
Erin Gordon Industry Engagement Manager AccelerateMS	Joe Graben Director of Strategic Partnerships/PM University of Southern Mississippi (USM)
Michael Grasso Co-Founder and CEO The Lumber Manufactory, Inc.	Brig. Gen. Jamie Hankins Director, Joint Staff MSNG
Paul Harris Asst. Director of Small Business Programs Raytheon	Dr. John C. Higginbotham Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development University of Mississippi
Eric Hill Chief Operating Officer (COO) Glo	Shane Homan Senior VP of Economic Development Community Development Foundation (CDF)
Tony Jeff President, CEO Innovate Mississippi	Chris Jenkins Assistant Director, Office of Research Compliance and Security Mississippi State University (MSU)
Mark Kaufman Co-Founder, Chairman, Chief Strategy Officer X-Bow Systems Inc.	Rakhee Khambhati Director of Government Partnerships Reflect Orbital
Dr. Kelly Lucas Vice President for Research University of Southern Mississippi (USM)	Dr. Lu Lu Scientific Consultant and Grant Writing Specialist Eva Garland Consulting (EGC)
Brent McCullouch Senior Project Coordinator Command Post Technologies	John McKay President and CEO Mississippi Business Alliance (MBA)
Jamie Miller President and CEO Gulf Coast Business Council (GCBC)	Michael W. Miller, CPA Director, Supply Chain Management Ingalls Shipbuilding
COL Kyle T. Moulton Director, Operations/Plans/Training/Safety U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC)	George N. Nickolopoulos Director of Strategic Partnerships Integer Technologies
Brig. Gen. (Ret.) John Nipp Director Cyber Programs Command Post Technologies	Marta Panickar Director of Research Security University of Mississippi
Bret Perry General Manager Anduril Solid Rocket Motor Systems	Jace Ponder Director, Governor's Office of Military Affairs Mississippi Development Authority (MDA)
Christine Powell Director NASA Stennis Space Center	Jacob Rendon Sr. Director of Neutron Development Rocket Lab
Michelle Richardson Executive Vice President Elevate Government Affairs	Kelli Sharpe Director of Public Relations Jackson State University (JSU)
Dr. Brad Smith Director of the Office of Research Security and Export Controls University of Southern Mississippi (USM)	Trey Smith Director of Talent Solutions AccelerateMS
Jimmy Stringer Executive Director of Government Affairs Camgian	Darin Van Pelt Director and Professor of Practice of General Engineering and Strategic Initiatives University of Mississippi
Will Vildibill Senior Project Manager for Business Technologies and Continuous Improvement General Atomics-EMS	PJ Waldrop Deputy Executive Director and COO Mississippi Development Authority (MDA)
Ryan Walker External Relations Manager Google	Brian Mitchell Warshawsky Director of Research, Ethics, and Compliance UC Berkeley
Rina White Principal Deep South Capital	Dr. Scott Willard Interim Vice President for Research and Economic Development Mississippi State University (MSU)
Tim Wolverton Director of Legislative Affairs, Policy, and International Development General Atomics