Zubair received a bachelor’s degree from New York University in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s in Electrical Engineering degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He is current lead the electric propulsion strategy for Pratt and Whitney and collaborates across RTX. He hold numerous patents and has deep technical knowledge and expertise in power systems and energy storage. Combating climate change through electrification and other technologies is a personal passion of Zubair’s and he hope to see us make great strides in this space over the next decade.
People Category: Wednesday Sessions
VADM Jon A. Hill, USN
Vice Adm. Jon Hill is a native of Texas, born and raised on Fort Bliss. A Surface Warfare Officer, designated as an engineering duty officer, he is a graduate of Saint Mary’s University. He earned his Master of Science in Applied Physics and Ordnance Engineering from Naval Postgraduate School.
Hill’s first flag officer tour was program executive officer for Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS). In this role, he was accountable for developing and certifying the deployment of all surface ship combat control systems, radars, missiles, launchers, electronic warfare, naval gunnery systems, and surface and subsurface anti-submarine warfare mission capabilities within the fleet and joint force.
Hill previously served as the deputy director, Missile Defense Agency. Other leadership and acquisition engineering positions include AEGIS Shipbuilding (PMS 400), Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Dahlgren Division and Port Hueneme Division, PEO Theater Surface Combatants, and on the Assistant Secretary of the Navy staff for Research, Development and Acquisition (ASN RD&A).
He also served on the Joint Staff (J-6), U.S. Army Staff for Missile Systems, and as a senior fellow on the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group (CNO SSG XXVII). He served as technical director for AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense then as AEGIS Combat Systems major program manager responsible for delivering Naval Integrated Fire Control and Counter Air (NIFC-CA) and Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) capabilities to forces afloat.
In June 2019, Hill became the 11th director of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). In this capacity, he oversees the MDA’s global mission to develop, deliver, and sustain layered capabilities to defend deployed forces, the United States, allies and friends against ballistic missile attacks in all phases of flight.
Personal awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal (two awards), the Legion of Merit (two awards), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, U.S. Army Commendation Medal, Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards) and the Navy Achievement Medal (two awards).
Jagadeesh Pamulapati
Dr. Jagadeesh Pamulapati is the Director, Laboratories Office in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Research and Engineering) (ASD(R&E)). Dr. Pamulapati is responsible for all matters associated with Department of Defense (DoD) laboratories that encompass a Defense Laboratory Enterprise and the approximately 39,000 scientists and engineers that work in the 63 Defense laboratories, warfare centers, and engineering centers across 22 states and the District of Columbia. In addition to laboratory matters, Dr. Pamulapati also leads the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Development Office within the DoD; ensures interchange with Allied friendly nations; and provides advice and assistance in developing policies for rapid technology transition.
Dr. Pamulapati was selected for the Senior Executive Service in January 2016. Prior to this, Dr. Pamulapati was in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)) from June 2006. In this position, he was responsible for developing and implementing policy initiatives for the Army’s laboratories. He also fulfilled the role of the Executive Director for Strategic Plans and Program Planning, a Senior Executive Service position, where he was responsible for the Basic Research, Innovation Enablers, Manufacturing Technologies, Technology Wargaming, and International Portfolios.
During his time with the Army, Dr. Pamulapati also served as a senior policy analyst within the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, responsible for a broad portfolio of national security interest items; the Chief Scientist and Chief Technical Officer responsible for technology integration for the Army’s Future Combat Systems (FCS) program the Army’s leading transformational initiative consisting of soldiers, manned and unmanned systems within a unifying network; and a scientific liaison to the Army Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-8 where he provided technical expertise on science and technology issues.
Dr. Pamulapati began his distinguished career at the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) where he developed advance ultra-submicron high speed devices for next generation optoelectronic integrated circuits and monolithic millimeter wave integrated circuits, infrared materials for forward looking infrared imagers as well as high power infrared laser sources for countermeasure applications.
Dr. Pamulapati received his B.S.E., M.S.E. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He holds eleven patents and has contributed to more than 40 archival journal publications and three books. On numerous occasions, he has been invited to lecture at national and international fora for industry and academia. Besides the Army War College in Carlisle, PA, he has been a visiting lecturer at the University of Maryland, College Park, and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway.
Dr. Pamulapati has a myriad of talents and interests outside of science and technology. Besides being a single digit handicap golfer, he is also a pastry arts and design chef holding a degree in Pastry Arts from L’Academie de Cuisine, Gaithersburg, MD.
RADM David Hahn, USN
Raised in Tampa, Florida, Rear Admiral David Hahn graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with distinction in 1985, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Additionally, he holds a Master of Business Administration degree from George Mason University and has completed the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI program in International Security Affairs.
Prior to command, he served at sea aboard USS Casimir Pulaski (SSBN 633), USS William H. Bates (SSN 680) and USS Springfield (SSN 761), deploying to the North Atlantic and Western Pacific, as well as conducting several strategic deterrent patrols.
Ashore, he served as flag lieutenant to Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy; squadron engineer, Submarine Development Squadron 12; action officer, Joint Staff in the Command, Control, Communications and Computers (C4) Directorate; and, legislative fellow on the staff of U.S. Senator John Warner.
Hahn commanded the USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720) from September 2003 to January 2007. In command, he deployed to the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, and conducted an Engineered Overhaul in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Since becoming an acquisition professional in 2007, he has served as Joint Test and Evaluation test director and program manager, Advanced Submarine Research and Development, and major program manager, Submarine Combat and Weapon Control Systems program. In November 2016, he assumed command of the Office of Naval Research as chief of naval research with concurrent flag responsibilities as director, Innovation Technology Requirements, and Test and Evaluation (OPNAV-N94).
Hahn has been awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various campaign and unit awards.
Jim Free
James (Jim) Free serves as Senior Vice President of Aerospace Systems with a focus on expanding Peerless’ robust aerospace portfolio, including civilian, commercial and military space, aeronautics and hypersonics programs.
Previously, Mr. Free served as the deputy associate administrator for technical in NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate and was responsible for assisting the associate administrator in providing strategic direction for all aspects of NASA’s human spaceflight exploration mission. Mr. Free is also the former Director of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration John H. Glenn Research Center. In that role, he was responsible for planning, organizing and directing the activities required to accomplish center missions pertaining to research, technology, and systems development programs in space propulsion, space power, space communications, aeronautical propulsion, microgravity sciences, and materials. Mr. Free has served in all aspects of aerospace programs from discipline engineer, systems engineer and project manager on domestic
and international programs.
Mr. Free is the recipient of the Presidential Rank Award, NASA Distinguished Service Medal, NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, NASA Exceptional Service Medal, NASA Significant Achievement Medal, and numerous other awards. He earned his B.S. in Aeronautics from Miami University and his M.S. in Space Systems Engineering from Delft University, Netherlands.
Teresa Lubbers
Teresa Lubbers was appointed in 2009 to serve as Commissioner for Indiana’s Commission for Higher Education, the coordinating agency charged with ensuring the state’s postsecondary education system is aligned to meet the needs of students and the state. Prior to joining the Commission, Lubbers served in the Indiana State Senate for 17 years, leading on education and economic development issues as Chair of the Senate Education and Career Development Committee.
As Commissioner, Lubbers works to increase college completion, ensure academic quality and student learning and align postsecondary credentials with meaningful careers. She partners with policymakers and higher education leaders to develop and implement the state’s higher education strategic plans, including the Commission’s recently adopted third plan, “Reaching Higher, Delivering Value.”
Lubbers is a past chair and a current member of both the State Higher Education Executive Officers and the Midwestern Higher Education Compact. She serves as Vice Chair for the National Council for State Authorization, Commissioner for both the Education Commission of the States and the Postsecondary Value Commission, a member of the Advisory Council for both the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning and the Level Up Advisory Council and is the interim Chair of Indiana’s Governor’s Workforce Cabinet. Additionally, she serves on the Higher Learning Advocates Board of Directors and is a Fellow for Complete College America.
Lubbers is past chair and current member of the YMCA of Great Indianapolis and Chair of the YMCA Foundation. She is the co-founder of the Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series.
Lubbers holds an undergraduate degree from Indiana University and a Master in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
David Dimmett
As the chief academic officer of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation in Southwest Indiana, David Dimmett was instrumental in leading innovation and unprecedented improvements in student achievement. With an eye always toward increasing opportunities for students, David facilitated the curriculum and instruction for the district, developed strategic partnerships, and implemented several innovative school models including Early College High School and New Tech Institute using the Project Lead The Way Engineering program.
Today, David leads PLTW’s network development, government relations, marketing and communications teams. He passionately supports program quality and growth, as well as coordinates key partnerships and education initiatives to meet the needs of students, educators, schools, and communities.
Shaun Humes
Shaun Humes is a passionate Senior Program Manager in the Boeing Programs Department at Collins Aerospace. Shaun is currently responsible for the 787 portfolio of advanced avionics. Shaun has over nine years of experience at Collins having worked in engineering on various programs, spanning from the North African C-130 Flight 2 avionics retrofit to one of the first applications of the company’s Pro Line Fusion Touch avionics suite.
Since the age of four, Humes knew he wanted to be involved in the operation or design of aircraft. Shaun received a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering and a Minor in Economics from Iowa State University. In May 2019, Shaun graduated with distinction from the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business Executive MBA program—also receiving the college’s Leadership Certificate.
Shaun is also the focal for Aerospace Engineering on the Collins Iowa State University Campus Team, Vice Chair of the Collins Aerospace Cedar Rapids African American Forum (AAF), Executive Board Member of the non-profit Horizons: A Family Service Alliance, and 2016 Aviation Week Young Professionals Advisory Board Member.
The Chicago area native has a passion for social and economic development, being a private pilot, family life, and spiritual well being. He currently enjoys life in Cedar Rapids, IA with his wife and two sons.
Mark Wilson
Mark D. Wilson
Chief Operating Officer
Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
Mark Wilson became the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc., (LibertyWorks®) in 2010 after serving as the Executive Director since 2009. The primary mission of LibertyWorks is to create an agile, entrepreneurial team that excels at developing innovative, affordable power system solutions that enable Rolls-Royce to provide segment-leading solutions for our customers.
Mr. Wilson joined Rolls-Royce in 1982 and has moved through a series of assignments in engineering leadership positions over the past 37 years. Prior to his roles in LibertyWorks, Mr. Wilson held the position of Chief Engineer – JSF LiftSystem® for four years. In this role he had the technical responsibility for development, qualification and entry to production of the LiftSystem for the F-35B under contract from P&W. Prior to this assignment, from 2001 to 2005 he was the Chief Engineer – JSF F136, where he had technical responsibility for completion of the Rolls-Royce workscope for the pre-SDD phase of the F136 program, in partnership with GE.
Mr. Wilson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the New York Institute of Technology. In 2010, he completed the Global 2020 Executive Leadership program from the Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business and in 2017 he completed the Rolls-Royce Leadership Academy at the Oxford University Said Business School.
Steven Martens
Dr. Steve Martens is currently the Propulsion, Power and Thermal Management Program Officer at The Office of Naval Research, Code 35 – Aviation, Force Projection and Integrated Defense. He manages a portfolio of Science and Technology programs to ready new technologies and capabilities for transition to the USN and USMC. Prior to his current role, Dr. Martens spent 20+ years at GE Aviation and GE Global Research, where he developed a deep technical background in advanced propulsion, inlets and exhausts, unsteady aerodynamics and aeroacoustics. He holds a MS and PhD in Aerospace Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University.