People Category: Panelist

Jay Meil is the chief data scientist for SAIC’s Artificial Intelligence Innovation Factory, where he directs AI strategy and solutions across multiple domains. In 2021, Meil was recognized with an SAIC research fellowship for his work in multi-modal data fusion.

Meil has 18 years of experience designing and implementing applied mathematical models to drive data-centric decision making at scale. He is passionate about developing AI solutions that facilitate the transformation of multi-INT data into actionable intelligence in support of a common operating picture across defense and national security agencies.

He has supported numerous federal government customers, including Department of Defense and National Intelligence Community, for whom he has defined innovative and impactful ways to predict and optimize outcomes. He recently managed an advanced technical operations unit in support of the Department of Homeland Security, leading a cross-functional team of highly skilled data scientists, data engineers and DevOps engineers to build and operationalize deep learning models. Meil also has extensive experience in Bayesian modeling and optimization, including 15 years of experience in spatiotemporal analysis, forecasting and mapping.

Meil, who is committed to lifelong learning, has numerous academic credentials in computer science, data science and artificial intelligence. He has completed a MicroMasters from MIT in data, economics, and development policy. He has certifications in quantitative analytics from the Wharton School (Aretsy School of Executive Education) and applied mathematics for deep learning from Imperial College of London. He holds certifications as a senior data scientist from the Data Science Council of America and data analytics from Six Sigma Global Institute. Additionally, Meil completed a 9-month intensive fellowship in data science and machine learning with Lambda Institute.

Meil is a frequent participant in research panels and think tank discussions on the impact of artificial intelligence on national security, including with CERN’s OpenLab and Quantum Technology Initiative, the European Geosciences Union and, most recently, the Atlantic Council Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security.

Dr. Debra L. Emmons is vice president and chief technology officer at The Aerospace Corporation. In this role, she is responsible for providing vital leadership for determining and executing the company’s technology strategy and investments. Emmons leads four offices: Hubs, responsible for assessing promising new technologies; iLaB, responsible for developing investment strategies in innovative technologies and advanced concepts; xLab, responsible for building and operating prototypes; and the newly formed Commercial Space Futures (CSF) office, responsible for driving the harnessing of commercial solutions for government missions to advance U.S. space. She also manages the company’s internal R&D program and the Aerospace Technical Fellows program, with the company’s top engineers and scientists.

Previously, Emmons was vice president of special studies at Aerospace, responsible for promoting the use of corporate and government resources through horizontal and cross-program integrated planning and engineering. Prior to that, she served as general manager of Aerospace’s Communication Technologies and Engineering Division, where she oversaw the communications studies, analysis, and testing products of the division to serve the full range of corporate national security space, civil, and commercial customers, and managed a geographically distributed team of engineers and laboratories. Emmons was also the lead for the corporate strategic initiative in optical communications and its applications. Before that, she was the assistant general manager of the Strategic Assessment and Studies Division, where she led her team in providing objective technical analyses and assessments for space programs that serve the national interest. Emmons also managed the Programmatic and Technical Assessment Center of Excellence for strategic studies and analysis within her portfolio.

Emmons was integral in the establishment and growth of the NASA and civil space customer lines of business. In 2010, she relocated to the East coast offices to strengthen the customer-facing role and increase our value. Before joining Aerospace in 2003 as a project engineer, Emmons worked at Hughes Space and Communications Company as a system engineering project manager on commercial telecommunications satellite development.

An experienced aerospace leader with technical, management, and industry experience in the acquisition and development of advanced technology space systems, Emmons has more than 25 years of experience in systems engineering, technical and risk analysis, program management, and communications systems. She was a principal contributor on several key high-level studies and assessments that have informed strategic decisionmaking within the government.

EDUCATION

Emmons earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Cornell University with a concentration in signal processing and communications theory. She was awarded an MBA from Imperial College Management School, London, UK, with a concentration in entrepreneurship and finance. Emmons earned a Ph.D. in systems engineering from the George Washington University.

AWARDS AND HONORS

Emmons was awarded two Aerospace President’s Awards and named Aerospace Woman of the Year (2007). In 2006, she was honored for her contributions to the NASA Hubble Space Telescope Analysis of Alternatives. In 2010, she was honored for providing technical studies critical to the Augustine Commission’s recommendations for future U.S. human spaceflight.

AFFILIATIONS

Past and present affiliations include the Aerospace Executive Diversity Council; Space Communications and Navigation committee; Advanced Space Communications and Navigation Systems Session, International Astronautical Federation; a subcommittee of the National Science Foundation Business and Operations Advisory Committee; and National Space Club and Foundation, Washington, D.C.

Official Bio

Tucker Barrett (he/him) is the Multi-Domain Combat Systems Special Projects Integration Technical Lead, supporting the Integrated Warfare Systems & Sensors Line of Business, in the Rotary & Mission Systems business area for Lockheed Martin Corporation. In this capacity, he is responsible for leading special project technical efforts with an emphasis on rapid, strategic, and disruptive capabilities for multiple Department of Defense stakeholder organizations within the Multi-Domain Combat System market segment. His current assignment emphasizes novel sensor, weapon, and launcher integration for the US Navy, US Army, and other Department of Defense stakeholders.

Throughout his career, Tucker has led several critical initiatives for Lockheed Martin
Corporation, including Navy Expeditionary Weapon Systems and Aegis Speed to Capability
(ASToC) rapid capability development programs, and executed Aegis Baseline 9 and Capability Package leadership roles of increasing responsibility.

Tucker graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Science in 2006. He has started a Master of Engineering (M. Eng) Degree in Systems Engineering from the Cornell University Graduate School

Jeff Ryder is the VP Growth & Strategy at General Motors Defense.  He is responsible for developing and implementing the vision, strategy and plan to grow GM Defense in global defense and government markets.  Jeff has had a diversified background across aerospace, defense and technology as VP Mobile Robotics at Oceaneering, Chief Strategy Officer of Exelis, and Director Strategic Planning at BAE Systems.  He founded the innovation and strategy advisory firm Glacier Point, and was a management consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton and CSP Associates.  Jeff served with the Peace Corps in Uzbekistan, has a BA from Skidmore College, a MALD from the Fletcher School at Tufts University, and a MBA from Georgetown University.  He lives in Arlington, Virginia with his wife and two children

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Peart, born and raised in Springfield, Ohio, entered the Army on July 13, 1995 at Fort Leonardwood, MO.  He then graduated in January of 1996 from Advanced Individual Training as a 14J, Early warning Systems Operator.  With his first duty station being with 1^st Battalion, 44^th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 4^th Infantry Division, FT Hood, TX .  In February of 2005, CW4 Peart graduated Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCCS) and in July completed Warrant Officer Basic Course (WOBC) as 140A, Air and Missile Defense System Integrator, both as Honor graduate.  With his first duty station as a Warrant Officer being 1^st Brigade Combat Team, 4^th Infantry Division, Ft Hood, TX.  He served in a variety of Army and Joint/Combined command and staff positions while stationed in FT Hood, Japan, Ft Bliss, and Shaw Airforce Base. His assignments lead to operational support to Operation Southern Watch, Operation Spartan Shield, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom.  With the most recent being with III Corps in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve serving the CJ-36 Protection Air and Missile Defense System Integrator involving the integration and training of various small C-UAS capabilities.  He is currently serving in the Headquarters Department of the Army G-3/5/7 Joint C-UAS Office (JCO), Requirements and Capabilities division.

CW5 Peart holds an Associate’s degree in General Studies from Central Texas College and Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management from Park University.  His professional education being most recently a graduate of Warrant Officer Intermediate Level Education (WOILE) and Joint Interface Control Officer (JICO) School.

His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal (4 Stars), Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal (1 Star), Korean Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and Army Basic Space Badge.

Khoi T. Nguyen, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Command Acquisition Executive and Director for the Cyber Acquisition and Technology Directorate (J9) for U.S. Cyber Command, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. Mr. Nguyen is responsible for establishing command acquisition and procurement policy and guidance, managing cyber programs, and providing functional support in the areas of systems engineering, management, configuration, logistics, financial management, procurement, contracting, and testing and evaluation of developed or acquired solutions in excess of $1.2 billion annually.

Mr. Nguyen enlisted in the Virginia Army National Guard as an Infantryman in 1989.  He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1994 and was commissioned in the U.S. Army the same year. He began his career as a Sapper Platoon Leader in 2nd Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, Korea. Following 2nd ID, he was Platoon Leader and Executive Officer in B Co, 317th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Georgia. He commanded C Co, 5th Engineer Battalion, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. After command, he was hand-picked to be a small group leader, Engineer Captain’s Career Course. He transitioned to Army Acquisition in 2006 and was assigned as the Chief Systems and Security Engineer for the Global Command and Control System at the Defense Information Systems Agency. His last assignment prior to retirement from the U.S. Army was as a Program Manager for a fleet of airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance platforms supporting combat operations in Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan.

Mr. Nguyen retired from active duty in 2014 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was appointed to the Senior Level in September 2020 and Senior Executive Service in May 2023. Prior to his current position, he served as the Technical Director for U.S. Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command.