People Category: Panelist

Major Phillip Smith is a Program Manager at DARPA’s Tactical Technology Office (TTO) where he runs the ANCILLARY and REMA programs. He previously served as the Deputy Director of the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab’s Future Technology Office and Operations Officer for the Marine Innovation Unit, where he trained reservists on emerging technologies and their impact on Force Design 2030. Prior to that, he led the Futures and Forecasting section at the Marine Corps Rapid Capabilities Office, spearheading innovative programs like Blue Crayons, Wing in Ground effect, Egon (C-UAS), and Autonomous Low Profile Vessel. His experience also includes roles as a Coalition Coordination Officer at Central Command, an Aviation Training & Readiness Analyst, and a AV-8B Harrier Attack Pilot with combat experience in Iraq.

LTC Michael “Woody” Woodhouse is the Deputy Cell Director for Warfighter Integration and the Long Range Kill Web Lead at the Space Development Agency (SDA). The Warfighter Integration Cell supports the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) programs from requirement identification to launch and operations. Recognized as the Department of Defense’s constructive disruptor for space acquisition, SDA will quickly deliver needed space-based capabilities to the joint warfighter to support terrestrial missions through development, fielding, and operation of the PWSA.

LTC Woodhouse has served in a variety of Artillery, Missile Defense, and Acquisition assignments. Notably as the “Top Notch” Air Defense Artillery Brigade Operations Officer, deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar in support of Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve. Additionally, he led that “Diamondback” Air & Missile Test Detachment as the unit trained for and executed the first Soldier-led flight test
of the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS).

LTC Woodhouse served in several leadership and staff positions to include: Space and Missile Defense Planner, HQs Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (NATO); Brigade S3 Operations Officer, 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade; Battalion S3 Operations Officer, 3rd Battalion (Patriot), 2nd Air Defense Artillery; Commander Patriot Test Detachment, 3rd Battalion, 6th Air Defense Artillery; Air and Missile Defense Planner, Headquarters 3rd Army
(USARCENT); and Commander of Charlie Battery, 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery.

LTC Woodhouse has an M.A. from the University of Texas at El Paso, an M.A. in Military Arts and Science from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and a B.S from Niagara University. He is a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College, Air Defense Artillery Officer Basic and Advance Course, Multi-TADIL Advanced Joint Interoperability Course, Army Space Cadre Basic Course, the Joint Firepower Course, the joint Air Operations Command and Control Course, and the Defense Strategy Course. LTC Woodhouse’s awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medals, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the Korean Defense Service Medal.

Tom Sarama is the Chief Engineer for Raytheon, an RTX business.  Sarama’s 40-year career has included progressively responsible positions in both military and commercial aircraft programs, which gave him a remarkably broad range of experience in engineering, manufacturing, and business development.

Sarama joined Raytheon Aircraft Company in 2000 as Engineering Vice President, focused on engineering processes and tools, and developing aircraft and people. In 2003, he transitioned to Strategic Programs Vice President to help lead the company’s business transformation, developing and implementing programs that aligned with the organization’s strategic vision to create a lean, agile commercial-aircraft company. This work included defining the company’s core competencies and promoting continuous improvement while developing outside strategic alliances for non-core activities.

In 2004, he joined RMS as manager of the Advanced Air Vehicles Product Center, which he developed to support the enterprise’s entry into new markets such as unmanned aerial vehicles. Later that year, he was promoted to lead the Mechanical Subsystems directorate.

In 2007, Sarama was named RMS Chief Hardware Engineer. He helped teams across the enterprise to solve highly visible complex problems, ultimately providing a path to start or continue product deliveries. This role accelerated his exposure to the company’s broad technology applications, uniquely preparing him for the Raytheon Chief Engineer position.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in business administration from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Dr. Ali Perez joined Lockheed Martin Ventures in 2021. Ali is responsible for investments in human potential, biotechnology, man-unmanned teaming, digital transformation, and advanced manufacturing. Her role also supports post-deal integration and transition of technology from the Ventures portfolio into Lockheed pursuits and programs.  She runs the Ventures Internal Research and Development program that provides LM engineers with opportunities to collaborate with start-up companies that Lockheed Martin Ventures has invested in.

Prior to joining Lockheed Martin Ventures, Ali worked to manage Lockheed’s Technology Strategy and Research (TS&R) portfolio under the VP of TS&R. She started her career at Lockheed in the Advanced Technology Laboratories running research programs in neuroscience, human and autonomy collaboration, man-unmanned teaming, and artificial intelligence. Before joining Lockheed, Ali worked for the University of Texas at Dallas conducting research in neurophysiology and cognitive training for individuals with traumatic brain injury and cognitive impairments.

Ali received an M.S and Ph.D. in Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Texas at Dallas. Ali also received her B.A in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina.