ABC 2022 Annual Conference Speakers
We are delighted to welcome the following speakers to the ABC conference. This year's presenters range from industry leaders and respected aviation safety authorities to high profile risk analysts and engineering experts.
David Arenson, Hypersonic Chief Engineer, Lockheed Martin Corporation
David assumed the role as LM Hypersonic Chief Engineer in October 2021. In this role he concentrates first in the Hypersonic Strike team in being successful with several demos planned in the near future. He is actively involved in making sure there is cross BA support, cross BA lesson learned and assisting in reviews and supporting FRBs. Previously David was the Chief Engineer for Lockheed Martin Space from December 2018 to October 2021.
David began his 30+ year career as a satellite digital box designer for RCA Astro Space. He supported GPS IIR from phase B study through the design of the Telemetry Information Unit (TIU). David then became one of the original designers for the Commercial Space A2100 satellite. He transitioned to lead electrical system engineer and played a key role in testing and launching the first three satellites. David then transitioned to then M&DS where he joined the P470 staff as the lead HWCI engineer. He accomplished transitioning the design to operations and through various roles was then the Chief Infrastructure Architect, driving changes to the architecture and recapitalization of the hardware while minimizing downtime.
In 2006, David was selected to be a Lockheed Martin Fellow. In this esteemed technical role, he supported across the enterprise, including a focus on the Program Surveillance mission area. In 2011, David moved back to Space Systems in the role of SNS Chief Engineer, David supported GPS in several Avionics areas to get through the first builds and supported the trouble shooting at Excellis on the Mission Data Unit (MDU). In December 2012, David became the A2100 Chief Engineer position. As the A2100 Chief Engineer, he provided overall technical leadership for the A2100 IRAD project Technical Refresh (TR). David played a key role in architecting and driving the TR implementation onto SBIRS 5/6. In May 2015, David became the Milspace Chief Engineer, supporting across the LOB including the successful MUOS and SBIRS GEO4 launches, transition of SBIRS 5/6 to the TR baseline, and support to the space protection programs. In April 2017 he transitioned to the Design Assurance role in Mission success. He ran IRTs and chaired a variety of programs. During this time David continued to be called upon to help with major issues including spending time on FBM.
David has a degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Delaware. In addition to his appointment to Lockheed Martin Fellow, he has received numerous top recognitions including 3 NOVA awards and one high NTK customer award.
When he is not contributing to the Lockheed Martin Space missions, he enjoys spending time with his very supportive wife and 2 wonderful children.
Captain Anthony Lawrenson, Ph.D., Director for Business Development, Volant Autonomy
Having completed a career in the Royal Air Force as a pilot and flying instructor, Anthony Lawrenson is currently a Boeing 777 Captain with a major European operator. Over the last two decades he has designed and delivered courses in human factors, organisational culture, legal command and leadership training. He completed his Ph.D. at Cranfield University where he regularly lectures to the MSC courses in human factors and airline transport management. Anthony is a director and co-founder of Volant Autonomy. Volant is a tech start-up that is developing risk-based flight guidance systems, for next-generation autonomous and single pilot operations.
Anthony’s research field covers risk and culture management, human performance with particular focus on decision making. He has lectured and given presentations on issues of human performance, legal liability and organisational culture within the aerospace industry, the aviation insurance industry, the shipping industry, the military and the NHS. Since 2015, he has been developing and conducting specialised training programmes with UK Sport for elite sports coaches in preparation for international and Olympic competition. His clients include head coaches and performance directors in the FA, the RFU, English & Welsh Cricket, the LTA and British Swimming.
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Mark Searle, Global Director, Safety, International Air Transport Association (IATA)
Mark Searle joined IATA, Montreal in 2019 where he leads IATA’s effort, on behalf of the global airline community, to continuously reduce aviation incidents and accidents.
Prior to joining IATA, Mark led the UK CAA Safety Strategy Department, with a specific focus on risk management, both at State and service provider level, for the safe integration of new and innovative technologies.
Both roles followed a successful commercial flying career where Mark accumulated 12,000 flying hours.
During his long career in aviation, Mark has been Chair of BALPA, representing the interests of 10,000 pilots operating from the UK, and Chair of Flightcrew Risk Solutions PCC providing Loss of Licence insurance for the global pilot community.
Eric Andersen, President, Aon
Eric Andersen serves as President of Aon. Most recently Eric was Chief Executive Officer of Aon Benfield, the world’s leading reinsurance intermediary and full-service capital advisor. Previously he was Chief Executive Officer of Aon Risk Solutions Americas where he led Aon’s largest geographic unit with 14,000 colleagues on teams in the U.S., Canada, Bermuda and Latin America. Throughout his 20+ year career at Aon, Eric has served in a number of important leadership positions, including Aon Risk Solutions' U.S. Retail Field Leader, Chief Executive Officer of Aon Global Americas’ global account segment, National Co-Managing Director of Aon’s Financial Services Group and Resident Managing Director of Aon in Southern California. He joined Aon in 1997 via the acquisition of Minet.
Eric earned an MBA in Finance from Fordham University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Colgate University. He is a proud member of the board of trustees of Colgate University and sits on the board of Covenant House New Jersey, an organization that helps homeless, at-risk and runaway youth. Eric is actively involved with the Federal Advisory Committee on Insurance (FACI) as well as the Insurance Development Forum (IDF).
Guy Berry, Business Unit Director, Moog, Inc.
Guy Berry was appointed his role in October of 2020. Since then, he has emerged as a thought leader in the effort to digitize military and civil airports worldwide. Guy is responsible for advancing the Moog Digital Airfield vision which takes a sensor agnostic approach to increasing situational awareness on all airfields. This approach creates a more cost effecitive, efficient and safer aviation environment. Additionally, he serves as Moog’s liaison and lobbyist for outreach and collaboration with our federal government and DoD partners.
Most recently, Guy has led Moog’s partnership with the United States Navy and Marine Corps to create a “system of systems” approach for digitizing airfield operations with the intent to reduce FOD rates by more than 75% and reducing annual costs in the Department of the Navy by more than $100M. This partnership has developed new technology, regulatory schema, and integrated systems which will bring the “Smart Airport” and autonomous remediation reality closer. Using this approach, Moog has emerged as the OEM for a Smart Airport solution and has installed the prototype system at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and has begun work on a Smart Airport solution for Naval Air Station Lemoore, Ca. Prior to this role, Guy spent two years in Moog’s military sustainment sector where he led efforts for the F-35 and Marine Corps aviation globally.
Previously, Guy served as an officer in the Marine Corps for 23 years, retiring in 2018. While in service Guy deployed multiple times both on land and at sea and served primarily as a pilot, military engineering lead, and in the innovation efforts for both the AV-8B and the F-35 programs. Guy has broad experience in aviation operations from his almost 30 years of aviation experience.
Greg Bowles, Head of Government Affairs, Joby Aviation
Greg Bowles, Head of Government Affairs for Joby Aviation, engages key policy makers to advance the introduction of a new generation of local air transportation that is so safe, quiet and cost effective that it will become a part of our daily lives.
For almost two decades, Greg has been working in regulation and policy in the U.S., Europe and around the world to foster the safety and success of the aviation community. During this time, he championed efforts to reform thousands of regulations including the global changes governing the design of general aviation aircraft.
Previously Greg served as the V.P. of Global Innovation & Policy for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. Prior to joining GAMA, Bowles worked for rotorcraft and airplane manufacturers in advanced design and regulatory roles. Greg is a member of the ASTM Board of Directors and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Greg has served on several ICAO technical committees, he has chaired FAA Aviation Rulemaking Committees, and other global aviation standards committees.
Greg holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Webster University. Greg is an active pilot based in Washington, DC.
Lisa Callahan, Vice President and General Manager - Commercial Civil Space, Lockheed Martin Corporation
Lisa B. Callahan is Vice President and General Manager of the Commercial Civil Space line of business for Lockheed Martin Space. In this role, she is responsible for all aspects of execution, strategy, and growth in the Commercial and Civil markets of human and robotic deep space exploration, communications, and weather and earth science. Lisa leads her team at the forefront of cutting-edge technology – helping humanity take the step to becoming an interplanetary species. Her team of about 1,700 amazing women and men builds and operates the spacecraft that provide bandwidth to connect the world, early warning weather data to protect life and property, and allows humans and robots to explore our solar system to unlock the secrets of the universe.
Throughout her 30+ year career, Lisa has held a variety of leadership roles for Lockheed Martin. She brings a strong business mind to her roles and implements a vison and sets up teams for long-term success. Her story is a testament to the exciting world of engineering, and she strives to share her experience through mentoring and speaking engagements to inspire young engineers, especially females, to dream big and pursue their dreams. Lisa graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Lisa also serves on the Corporate Advisory Board for the University of Southern California’s School of Engineering, the Engineering Advisory Council for the University of Colorado – Boulder’s College of Engineering and Applied Science, and the Board of Directors for the Space Foundation.
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Amy Garzaro, Aerospace Engineer, FAA
Amy Garzaro joined the FAA in August 2011 as an aerospace engineer. Her role upon hire was to support the Aircraft Certification Service with various Safety Management System (SMS) efforts. Her prior experience includes working with NASA where she held positions in both Engineering and Safety and Mission Assurance offices.
Amy has a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautics with a minor in Aviation Safety as well as a Master’s degree in Project Management from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. She also studied abroad at the University of Western Sydney and focused her courses on Aviation Emergency Management. Amy is a private pilot and holds an instrument rating.
She is the former Voluntary SMS Program Lead and Part 21 SMS Rulemaking lead. Amy has immense experience in SMS. During her time at the FAA she has participated on and led many teams supporting the development and understanding of SMS for design and manufacturing (D&M) organizations. She has experience working with numerous D&M companies in the development and implementation of SMS. Amy supported the Manufacturers SMS Pilot project, the Part 21/SMS Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC), she has worked SMS related domestic and international standards, and participates in a variety of domestic and international SMS working groups. In Amy’s current role she supports many programs and projects across the Aircraft Certification Service as a SME in SMS. She is an advocate for SMS and what it can do to improve the safety of our aviation system.
John Heimlich, VP & Chief Economist, Airlines for America
John Heimlich joined Airlines for America (A4A) in April 2001 and currently serves as Vice President and Chief Economist. He is responsible for matters pertaining to economics and energy and frequently engages with members of the media. Prior to A4A, Heimlich spent five years at United Airlines in financial planning, financial analysis and international and regulatory affairs. In the latter role, he worked on competition matters, mergers, route cases and antitrust immunity for alliances. A native of Kent, Ohio, Heimlich holds a Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Cornell University and a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Dr. John Tomblin, Ph.D., Senior Vice President for Industry and Defense Programs, Wichita State University
John Tomblin is the Senior Vice President for Industry and Defense Programs at Wichita State University and the Executive Director of the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR). He is also a Sam Bloomfield Distinguished Professor of Aerospace Engineering.
As senior vice president for Industry and Defense Programs for Wichita State University (WSU), Tomblin oversees more than 1,500 staff in laboratories and centers focused on applied learning, technology, innovation and smart manufacturing. These include the Cyber Security and Forensics Group, Ennovar Technology Solutions, FirePoint Innovations Center, GoCreate, Kansas Procurement and Technical Assistance Center, Molecular Diagnostics Lab, National Institute for Aviation Research, National Institute for Research and Digital Transformation, Strategic Initiatives, Shocker Career Accelerator and Technology Training Team.
In this role, Tomblin has advanced WSU’s Innovation Campus from a 120-acre golf course to a thriving community of global partners committed to providing applied learning opportunities for WSU students while advancing industry technology and innovation. These partners include Airbus, Boston Consulting Group, Dassault Systèmes, Deloitte, Hexagon, NetApp, Spirit AeroSystems and Textron Aviation.
As executive director of WSU’s National Institute for Aviation Research, Tomblin has grown the university’s aerospace engineering R&D portfolio from $20 million in 2004 to more than $190 million. This places WSU fourth among all U.S. universities that perform aerospace R&D. This activity is driven by more than 1,100 employees in 20 laboratories encompassing 1.5 million square feet in six locations across the city of Wichita.
One of Tomblin’s most significant accomplishments is extending NASA’s AGATE program into the National Center for Advanced Materials Performance (NCAMP), which gained acceptance from the FAA and EASA in 2010 and 2014 respectively. Another significant accomplishment is the establishment and growth the Digital Twin Program at WSU-NIAR, which has led to sustainment support and life extension for aircraft such as the F-18 Hornet, B-1 Lancer, UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, F-16 Viper and M113 armored personnel carrier. He was also integral in the development and rapid growth of the NIAR WERX MRO program, established in 2020 with the announcement of its first Boeing 777 passenger to freighter conversion program.
Dr. Tomblin received his Ph.D., master’s degree and bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV. He resides in Wichita, KS with his wife Katharine and three sons.
Jonathan D. Sides, Chief Engineer for FOD, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Propulsion and Power Engineering (P&P)
Mr. Jonathan D. Sides presently serves as the Chief Engineer for FOD, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Propulsion and Power Engineering (P&P) at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD. Mr. Sides also leads a number of strategic P&P initiatives, including technology transition and Project Management development programs. Mr. Sides has spent most of his career with propulsion and power, serving as the lead engineer for the Pegasus engine, the IPT lead for the legacy Hornet engine, and most recently, the Senior Design engineer for turbofan/turbojet engines in the US Navy. Jonathan has a passion for technology transition, is a US patent holder, and published author in scholarly military journals. Jonathan is active with his family, enjoying soccer, tennis and snowboarding with his children and is an active cyclist and runner.
