5G Forum
April 25th, 2023 7:00am-10:00am EST 2941 Restaurant, 2941 Fairview Park Dr, Falls Church, VA 22042
Since its global deployment in 2019, 5G has paved the way for monumental innovations in communications networks across the public and private sectors. 5G’s faster connection speeds, higher bandwidth and lower latency have facilitated advancements in a myriad of sectors and applications, including within the U.S. military.
Now, 6G and NextG are on the horizon, promising even further network progress, market transformation and improved communications capabilities to support the United States’ technological power in the age of global competition.
Join the ExecutiveBiz 5G Forum to hear from government officials, 5G experts and industry leaders as they discuss the challenges, opportunities and priorities surrounding 5G, as well as what’s next for the future of networks with the constant emergence of new technologies and capabilities.
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Dr. John Baras -
Distinguished University Professor and Director, Maryland Center for Hybrid Networks (HyNet), University of Maryland
John S. Baras is a Distinguished University Professor, holding the Lockheed Martin Chair in Systems Engineering and a Permanent Joint Appointment with the Institute for Systems Research (ISR) and the ECE Department at the University of Maryland College Park (UMD). He received his Ph.D. degree in Applied Mathematics from Harvard University, in 1973, and he has been with UMD since then. From 1985 to 1991, he was the Founding Director of the ISR. Since 1992, he has been the Director of the Maryland Center for Hybrid Networks (HYNET), which he co-founded. He is a Fellow of IEEE (Life), SIAM, AAAS, NAI, IFAC, AMS, AIAA, Member of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) and a Foreign Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA). Major honors and awards include the 1980 George Axelby Award from the IEEE Control Systems Society, the 2006 Leonard Abraham Prize from the IEEE Communications Society, the 2017 IEEE Simon Ramo Medal, the 2017 AACC Richard E. Bellman Control Heritage Award, and the 2018 AIAA Aerospace Communications Award. In 2016 he was inducted in the University of Maryland A. J. Clark School of Engineering Innovation Hall of Fame. In June 2018 he was awarded a Doctorate Honoris Causa by his alma mater the National Technical University of Athens, Greece. His research interests include systems, control, optimization, autonomy, machine learning, artificial intelligence, communication networks, applied mathematics, signal processing and understanding, robotics, computing systems, formal methods and logic, network security and trust, systems biology, healthcare management, model-based systems engineering. He has been awarded twenty patents and honored with many awards as innovator and leader of economic development.
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Dan Beaman -
Global Director - 5G/IoT/MEC, Palo Alto Networks
Dan Beaman is Palo Alto Networks Global Director of 5G, IoT, and Multi Access Edge Computing (MEC) security solutions. His teams deliver mission critical cyber security solutions for mobile networks supporting the largest Service Providers and Enterprise customers Globally. Prior to leading the Global 5G team, Dan led Palo Alto Networks Federal Systems Integrator business. In this role, he was responsible for leading Federal program initiatives with Palo Alto Networks most strategic Federal customers and system integrator partners. In this capacity, Dan also served as Palo Alto Networks strategic Trusted Internet Connections (TIC) 3.0 lead, working with DHS CISA to align adoption of use cases for Government customers. Prior to joining Palo Alto Networks, Dan held a number of leadership positions at F5 Networks, Samsung and was head of Vodafone’s Global Public Sector business. While at Vodafone, his teams were responsible for driving digital transformation efforts with global clients in Banking, Finance and Global Government. With more than 21 years of IT and business development experience, Dan has spent his career providing customers with insight to help transform their infrastructure and enhance operational capabilities through the use of technology. He has remained focused on assisting customers with technology solutions and leading teams that effectively solve business requirements rapidly.
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Dr. Eric Burger -
Technical Program Director, Next G Alliance Technical Program Office, Virginia Tech Applied Research Corp.
Dr. Eric Burger is Research Director of the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative at Virginia Tech, where he is also Research Professor of Computer Science and Public & International Affairs. His research spans 5G and Beyond, VoIP and real-time interactive multimedia services, secure communications, emergency communications, threat intelligence sharing, distributed ledger technology, and technology policy. Prior to Virginia Tech, Dr. Burger was Research Professor of Computer Science at Georgetown University. He recently returned from government service as the Assistant Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. His primary portfolio was cybersecurity and telecommunications. Besides being an advisor to the President on R&D issues, he was an advisor to the National Security Council and the National Economic Council. Items he worked on included tripling the wireless R&D budget; integrating cybersecurity into networking; transferring 100 MHz of contiguous, prime mid-band 5G spectrum from Federal to commercial use; expanding broadband access; and lead the development of the R&D, standards, and test sections of the Securing 5G and Beyond Implementation Plan. He served as a member of Team Telecom and worked on CFIUS matters. Prior to OSTP, he served as the Chief Technology Officer of the FCC, where amongst other rulemakings he worked on cybersecurity, supply chain security, the security of submarine cables, improving location accuracy for wireless 911, combatting illegal robocalls, improving the Wireless Priority Service, and of greatest import, the designation of 988 for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. Before academia, Dr. Burger was a C-level executive of several network equipment and enterprise software companies, including Neustar (NYSE), Brooktrout (NASD), and BEA Systems (NASD). In the service provider sector, he worked at MCI and Cable & Wireless. He has founded or turned around five companies with successful exits. He currently serves on the boards of the Public Interest Registry and the Foundation for Resilient Societies. He serves on the advisory boards of Ocient, SafetyDeed.com, and the Revolutionary Integration Group. He also serves on the advisory board of the Illinois Tech College of Computing and the Medgar Evers College School of Business. He holds over 20 US Patents, authored over 20 communications standards documents, and numerous journal publications.
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Philip Grant -
Sr Lead Engineer/5G Evangelist, Booz Allen
Philip Grant is a Senior Lead Engineer/5G Evangelist, Global Defense Sector, Booz Allen. He has over three decades experience in management and technology consulting with expertise in next-generation wireless emerging technologies architecture, deployment, and analysis. His client assignments at Booz Allen Hamilton span Civil and Defense market clients. Recent recent assignments have addressed multi-access edge computing, new spectrum evaluations, 5G/ Non-terrestrial networks (5G/NTN), proliferated LEO mega-constellations, and network slicing functionality. His current research interests include: 5G converged satcom/cellular network design, new Satellite Coverage Services (SCS) use cases, and Private 5G architectures.
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Jeff Harman -
President and CEO, Oceus
Jeff Harman is President and Chief Executive Officer for Oceus. In this role, Mr. Harman leads the execution of the company’s strategic plan and provides the operational leadership to enable the company’s success and growth. Prior to coming to Oceus, Mr. Harman had over 22 years of industry experience in the delivery and management of technology systems, networks, and services across the Federal Government. He previously worked for CACI International as a Senior Vice President Operating Group Manager, directly managing over $200M in annual revenue with clients in the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), the United States Combatant Commands, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Coast Guard. In his role, Mr. Harman was responsible for Enterprise IT and Network solutions core competency. Prior to joining CACI, Mr. Harman held leadership positions for Teaming Associates, BBN, and GSI. Mr. Harman served in the U.S. Air Force prior to joining GSI and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems.
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Tameika Hollis -
CEO, Illuminate Mission Solutions (IMS)
Over the course of Tameika’s 20+ years of P&L responsibilities, she has led multiple million-dollar organizations in the areas of defense, intelligence and cyber security technical solutions. Tameika provides overall leadership and strategic direction for Illuminate.
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Gregg Melanson -
Chief Growth Officer, Acuity, Inc.
Gregg Melanson serves as Chief Growth Officer for Acuity, Inc., a leading federal technology consulting firm. Under his leadership, Acuity’s Growth Organization unites the corporate functions responsible for developing new offerings and capturing new market share to propel the company forward. His team spearheads efforts to expand the customer base, nurture strategic partnerships, and drive innovation. He believes in team building through consensus and offers everyone in his organization opportunities to grow their individual skills. For over three decades, Gregg has leveraged his expertise in strategy, business development, market analysis, and organizational transformation in roles with organizations including Cybercore, Sprint, NCI, and Walt Disney Corporation. Gregg earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida and an MBA from George Washington University.
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Rajesh Persad -
Manager, Energetics Manufacturing and Operations, NSWC Indian Head Division, Naval Sea Systems Command
Mr. Persad is currently leading the modernization effort for the Energetics Manufacturing Department at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD). At NSWC IHD, Mr. Persad also served as the Branch manager for Energetics Manufacturing and Operations. Before coming to NSWC IHD, Mr. Persad served at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Office of Space and Counterspace in the Directorate of Science and Technology (S&T) leading the cloud modernization effort to create a sensor agnostic space data exploitation environment for tasking, processing, exploitation, and dissemination (TPED), data management, and collaboration environment for other Intelligence Community (IC) partners. Mr. Persad served as the R Department Chief Engineer and Principal Technical Advisor to the Department Head at NSWC Dahlgren Division as well as in a variety of roles within the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Special Communication Mission Solutions (SCMS).
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Maj. Lt Col Benjamin Pimentel -
Technical Lead for Expeditionary & Tactical Programs FutureG, U.S. Department of Defense (OUSD R&E)
Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Pimentel is a Marine Corps Communications Officer and Electronics Engineer. He holds a B.S. from the U.S. Naval Academy, an M.S. in Electrical Engineering, an academic certificate in Cyber Warfare, and a Ph.D. in Information Sciences, all from the Naval Postgraduate School. His military education includes non-resident Expeditionary Warfare School, the College of Naval Command Staff, and the Joint Cyberspace Operational Planners Course. His operational assignments include S-6 Platoon Commander, Headquarters Co, 7th Marines from 2008-2011 (OEF 2009-2010), Network Operations Officer and Deputy G-6, Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1 from 2016-2018, and Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force from 2018-2019. His graduate education utilization assignments include Deputy Program Manager and Program Manager (acting) for Expeditionary C4/Cyber at the Office of Naval Research from 2013-2016. In 2022, he reported to the Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration in Quantico, Virginia where he joined the Force Design Research Group. He is currently on a temporary assignment to the FutureG Office in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering where he serves as the Marine Corps Lead for Warfighter Engagement and the Technical Lead for Expeditionary & Tactical Programs.
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Dr. Thomas Rondeau -
Principal Director, FutureG & 5G (OUSD R&E), U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
Dr. Tom Rondeau recently joined the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD) as the Principal Director for FutureG. From May 2016 to August 2022 he served as Program Manager at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Dr. Rondeau’s research interests include adaptive and reconfigurable radios, improving the development cycle for new signal-processing techniques, and creating general purpose electromagnetic systems.Prior to joining DARPA, Dr. Rondeau was the maintainer and lead developer of the GNU Radio project and a consultant on signal processing and wireless communications. He worked as a visiting researcher with the University of Pennsylvania and as an Adjunct with the IDA Center for Communications Research in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Rondeau holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech and won the 2007 Outstanding Dissertation Award in math, science, and engineering from the Council of Graduate Schools for his work in artificial intelligence in wireless communications.
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Mark Rubin -
Director of Network Services, Jacobs
Mr. Rubin has 28 years of experience in the engineering, RF design, optimization, and network planning of wireless telecommunications networks. Mark is responsible for architecting RF solutions for indoor/outdoor environments for both commercial mobile network operators and private venue owners. This includes macros, CRAN nodes, small cells, DAS’, public safety, and next generation private 5G standalone networks for testing and research. Mark has a deep understanding of RAN hardware, software, and spectrum deployment.
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RADM (Ret) David Simpson -
Partner, Deep Water Point, LLC
David Simpson has influenced U.S. Defense and Homeland Security policy for over thirty years. He is a Professor at Virginia Tech, leading Cybersecurity Risk and Technology Leadership graduate studies. He conducts research on 5G and Cybersecurity and serves on several DoD and DHS panels working on Spectrum and Public Safety Communications issues. He previously served as Chief of the Federal Communications Commission’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau from 2013 to 2017. As Bureau Chief, he oversaw public safety, emergency management, communication resiliency, cybersecurity, and disaster preparedness activities for over 30,000 commercial companies in the telecommunications sector Rear Admiral Simpson served in the U.S. Navy in leadership positions at sea and around the world, for over thirty years. As a Flag Officer he served as Director of Navy Networks, Vice Director of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and Director of Communications and Information Services in Iraq. He had Space, Combat Systems, and Information Technology assignments in multiple countries around the world. RADM (ret.) Simpson is a graduate of the US Naval Academy and earned a master's degree in systems technology from the Naval Postgraduate School.
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7:00am - 7:40am EST
Networking
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7:40am - 7:45am EST
Welcome & Opening Remarks
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7:45am - 8:35am EST
Implementing 5G – The Obstacles and Challenges Panel
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8:35am - 9:10am EST
Keynote Address: Dr. Thomas Rondeau
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9:10am - 10:00am EST
Designing and Delivering 5G Orchestrated Security Panel
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10:00am - 10:05am EST
Closing Comments
