Virtual, 17 November 2020
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Mr. Tom Rudowsky
(SES) Program Executive Office for Tactical
Aircraft
Programs (PEO(T))
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Mr. Rudowsky assumed duties as the Deputy Program
Executive Officer, Tactical Aircraft Programs in
December 2019. In this position, he is responsible for
the executive leadership and oversight of all assigned
programs.
Prior to this assignment, he served as the Director of
the Sustainment Group for the Naval Air Systems Command.
He was responsible for the lifecycle sustainment for all
Naval Aviation programs and platforms overseeing an
annual operating budget of approximately $6.5B and
oversight of approximately 15,000 civilian, military,
and contractor support personnel. Mr. Rudowsky also
served as the Assistant Commander for Logistics and
Industrial Operations from May 2018 to October 2019 and
as Deputy Assistant Commander from November 2017 to May
2018.
From August 201l to November 2017, Mr. Rudowsky served
as the Director of the Air Vehicle Engineering
Department, Research and Engineering Group, Naval Air
Systems Command overseeing a workforce over 1,300
government and contractor support personnel. In this
capacity, he was the senior civilian responsible for all
acquisition and in-service engineering associated with
air vehicle systems engineering, aeromechanics,
structures, materials, and subsystems for all Naval
Aviation aircraft. He was the principal Naval Air
Systems Command and Department of Navy
spokesman/authority for air vehicle engineering matters
and technology.
Mr. Rudowsky received his appointment to the Senior
Executive Service in January 2010 and was named Director
of the Integrated Battlespace Simulation and Test
Department, Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River,
Md. At the time of his appointment, he had over 21 years
of federal service and had held numerous challenging
assignments spanning the full life cycle of system
development, fielding, and sustainment.
Mr. Rudowsky earned both a bachelor’s and master’s
degree in aerospace engineering from Pennsylvania State
University and is a graduate of the United States Naval
Test Pilot School flight test engineering curriculum
(Class 99).
Leadership development accomplishments include graduate
of the Naval Air Systems Command Senior Executive
Management Development Program, the Federal Executive
Institute, recipient of two certificates from the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Kenan
Flagler Business School, and three certificates from
Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor
Relations. He is a member of the Acquisition
Professional Community certified as Defense Acquisition
Workforce Improvement Act Level III in Program
Management; Engineering; Test and Evaluation; and Life
Cycle Logistics.
Mr. Rudowsky has received numerous Command level
recognitions including recipient of the Naval Air
Systems Command T. Michael Fish Award for Work Life
Quality, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Test
Engineer of the Year, and the Engineer and Scientist's
John E. Burdette Memorial Award for Outstanding Project
Engineer. Mr. Rudowsky’s technical recognitions also
include selection as a Naval Air Systems Command Senior
Engineer (Associate Fellow) with the inaugural standup
of the Fellows program.
His awards include the Meritorious Service Award, the
Department of Defense Exceptional Civilian Service
Award, and the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious
Executive. |
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Air Commodore Terry van Haren
DSM, RAAF
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Air Commodore Terry van Haren (‘TVH’) is the Australian
Air (& Space) Attache’ in Washington, DC.
Terry joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1986 as a
direct entry pilot. He first flew Caribou tactical
transport aircraft; and rerolled to fast jets in 1991.
He subsequently served with all four Australian Classic
Hornet (FA18A/B) Squadrons and completed Fighter Combat
Instructor (FCI)/ weapons instructor course in 1997,
with follow on tours at 2 Operational Conversion Unit
and 77 Squadron. In 2003, he led 75 Squadron operations
during Operation FALCONER (Iraqi Freedom), for which he
was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) for his
‘exceptional leadership in warlike operations’.
Terry commanded No. 3 Squadron (FA18A+) at RAAF Base
Williamtown between 2009 and 2011. He served for two
years as Director Air and Space Operations Centre (AOC)
at HQ Joint Operations Command. In 2014, he served as a
Battle Director in the 609th Combined Air and Space
Operations Centre (CAOC), Al Udeid, Qatar. In 2015, he
was appointed Officer Commanding No. 78 Wing with the
responsibility to train and develop fighter aircrew and
technicians. During this tour he transformed fighter
aircrew training with the introduction of performance
coaching and the Fighter Fit program.
In June 2017, TVH was promoted to Air Commodore and
Commanded the Australian Air Task Group for Operation
OKRA (Inherent Resolve), operating KC30, E7A, and FA18F
in Iraq and Syria.
In over thirty years of service in the Royal Australian
Air Force, Air Commodore van Haren has accumulated 6000
hours flying, with over 3000 hours on the Classic Hornet
and 4000 hours fast jet.
Air Commodore van Haren also holds a Bachelor of
Aviation; Masters of Management in Defence Studies; and
Masters of Aviation Management with Distinction.
Terry is married to Rhonda, a registered nurse, and they
have three sons. He enjoys swimming, surfing, skiing and
is a keen Elvis fan.
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Mr. Gregory M. Kausner
(SES)
Executive Director, International Cooperation
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Gregory M. Kausner, a career member of the Senior
Executive Service, is the Executive Director,
International Cooperation in the Office of the Under
Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment
(OUSD(A&S)). Mr. Kausner is responsible for leading,
developing, and implementing international armaments
cooperation policies within the Department of Defense
(DoD) in coordination with U.S. Government agencies,
foreign governments, and defense industry. This activity
includes cooperation with allies and partners on
research, development, production, and support of
weapons systems and related equipment; defense
exportability efforts to foster greater
interoperability; and technology transfer and export
control.
From January 2017 to March 2020, he was Deputy Director
of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA),
responsible for oversight of a diverse portfolio of
Security Cooperation programs including Foreign Military
Sales, Building Partnership Capacity initiatives,
Institutional Capacity Building, Humanitarian Assistance
and Disaster Relief, and Workforce Development. Mr.
Kausner worked with a broad range of stakeholders from
international partners to U.S. defense industry to
synchronize DSCA activities with foreign policy and
national security objectives.
Prior to joining DSCA, Mr. Kausner served as a Senior
Advisor to the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control
and International Security. From April 2013 to December
2015, he was appointed as the Deputy Assistant Secretary
of State for Regional Security and Security Assistance.
In that capacity, he led two directorates within the
Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, charged with
advancing U.S. national security interests through the
formulation and execution of political-military policy;
supervision of bilateral and multi-lateral security
relationships; and oversight of security assistance.
Prior to his appointment at State Department, Mr.
Kausner was a Senior Professional Staff Member on the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee. His portfolio
included oversight of defense policy, security
assistance, diplomatic security, counterterrorism, and
intelligence.
As an officer in the U.S. Navy, Mr. Kausner piloted
F-14A and F/A-18F aircraft in support of theater
operations in the Asia-Pacific and two combat tours in
Iraq. His shore assignments included the East Coast
Fleet Replacement Squadron, VFA-106, and the Navy’s
Office of Legislative Affairs. In his capacity as a Navy
Reservist, he was mobilized in support of Operation
Enduring Freedom, from December 2015 to September 2016,
as the Deputy Director of the Naval and Amphibious
Liaison Element, at Al Udeid, Qatar. His previous
assignments were to the Defense Innovation Unit, NR CNO
Capabilities Assessment, NR CNO Operations and Plans,
and Office of Naval Intelligence.
His awards and decorations include the Secretary of
State's Award for Excellence in International Security
Affairs, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal-Individual
Action (with Combat V), Air Medal (Strike Flight), Navy
and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine
Corps Achievement Medal. He is a member of the
International Institute for Strategic Studies and was a
Council on Foreign Relations term member.
Mr. Kausner, a native of Sparta, N.J., received a B.A.
in International Relations from the University of
Delaware and a M.A. in Security Studies from Georgetown
University. |
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Alison Petchell
Minister Counsellor Defense Materiel
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Alison Petchell is the Minister Counsellor Defence
Materiel at the Embassy of Australia in Washington DC.
Alison commenced in her role in March 2019 and is the
senior Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group
representative for Australia’s Department of Defence in
North America and Europe. Her key responsibilities
include oversighting procurement of Defense Materiel
into Australia and facilitating Australian Defence
Industry participation in international supply chains.
Alison has nearly 15 years’ experience delivering
technology to the Australian Defence Force across all
stages of the capability life cycle. Along with her MBA,
Alison has Masters Degrees in Project Management and
Sustainment. Between delivery roles she managed the
Skilling Australia’s Defence Industry program and
managed industrial participation for Australia’s JSF
Program Office.
Prior to joining the Department of Defence Alison was a
health professional who also undertook roles shaping
Australian health policy. |
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Jacqueline A. Ferko
(SES)
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Product
Support)
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Ms. Jacqueline A. Ferko serves as the principal advisor
to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD)
leadership on policies, procedures, and actions related
to the readiness and sustainability of major weapon
systems. She is responsible for the development and
implementation of acquisition and sustainment
strategies, policies, and processes to provide the
Warfighter with cost-effective weapon system readiness
across the life cycle through an integrated defense
industrial base. Ms. Ferko also coordinates and
synchronizes ASD(S) international and partner
engagement. She is also responsible for the management
of the logistics and acquisition workforce for the
Department of Defense.
Ms. Ferko most recently served as the Senior Advisor and
Chief of Staff to the Under and Acting Secretary of the
Air Force, responsible for providing strategic policy,
communications and legislative support, as well as
oversight for the development and execution of the
Secretary’s policies, goals, and objectives across the
Department of the Air Force.
Previously, Ms. Ferko served as an executive on the
Boeing Government Relations team, where she focused on
achieving legislative goals for U.S. Defense programs,
U.S. trade policy, and corporate domestic policy
initiatives. Before joining the Government Relations
team, Ms. Ferko served as a spokesperson for the Boeing
Company to the United States Congress. She supported the
Communications Vice President and was responsible for
branding, marketing, and communicating the company’s
interests in Washington DC. Ms. Ferko also served as
point of contact for Washington based political
reporters and correspondents from U.S. and global media
outlets.
Prior to joining Boeing, Ms. Ferko served as the
principal communicator at Agusta Westland North America
(Leonardo S.p.A). She managed all communications, media,
and embassy outreach along with advertising for the
company’s government and commercial business units in
the Americas.
Ms. Ferko has worked in both the U.S. House of
Representatives and the U.S. Senate, most recently as a
professional staff member for Senator Olympia J. Snow on
the Senate Small Business Committee. She was an advisor
on appropriations, budget, economic development, trade,
women business issues, manufacturing, disaster
assistance, agency transformation and small business
technical assistance programs. Ms. Ferko also served on
the staff of U.S. Representative Rodney Frelinghuysen.
Additionally, Ms. Ferko worked in the Office of
Congressional and Legislative Affairs at the Small
Business Administration. She was a congressional advisor
and liaison between the senior SBA officials and the
House and Senate.
Ms. Ferko was a student-athlete at American University
where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in
International Affairs. |
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Wing Commander Todd Winterford
F/A-18 and EA-18G Senior Technical Liaison Officer
Air Combat and Electronic Attack Systems Program
Office – NAS Patuxent River, MD USA
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Wing Commander Winterford was born in Perth, Western
Australia in 1970 and grew up in Sydney, New South
Wales. Educated at Davidson High School, he joined the
Royal Australian Air Force in 1990 as an Aeronautical
Engineer.
As a junior officer, he served at Number 501 Wing (F-111
deeper maintenance), Support Equipment Logistics
Management Unit, and the Directorate General Technical
Airworthiness (Airworthiness regulation and compliance)
at both RAAF Base Amberley and various locations in
Melbourne.
Promoted to Squadron Leader, he was posted to RAAF Base
Williamtown and provided engineering, project management
and airworthiness support to the AIR 5376 Hornet Upgrade
Program, delivering capability upgrades to the F/A-18
Hornet. He subsequently served as the Senior Engineering
Officer at number 76 Squadron, operating Hawk Lead In
Fighter and Deputy Chief Engineer at Tactical Fighter
Systems Program Office responsible for both Hawk and
F/A-18 Hornet aircraft.
After completing a Masters of Business Management at the
University of Newcastle, he was promoted to the rank of
Wing Commander in March 2012. As the Project Manager for
the Hornet Structural Refurbishment program, he was
involved in developing strategic planning and resource
requirements to address ageing aircraft management of
the F/A-18 Hornet. In this role, WGCDR Winterford
received the AVM Dietz Memorial Medallion for his work
in implementing an ageing aircraft systems audit and the
development of scenario based assessments of technical
and logistics risks associated with maintaining the
aircraft through to Planned Withdrawal Date. In January
of 2013, he was posted to the newly formed Air Combat
and Electronic Attack Systems Program Office at RAAF
Base Amberley, in support of the Super Hornet as the
Commanding Officer of the Logistics Management Unit.
In 2017, WGCDR Winterford was posted to Head Quarters
Air Combat Group, as the Staff Officer of Logistics and
Engineering. Appointed as the delegate of the Continuing
Airworthiness Manager for the F/A-18F Super Hornet and
EA-18G Growler Capabilities, he coordinated support for
the introduction of the Growler and key Air Combat
elements contributing to Operation OKRA in the Middle
East Area of Operations.
He is currently employed as the Senior Technical Liaison
Officer for F/A-18 Hornet, Super Hornet and EA-18G
Growler Capabilities. Located in Patuxent River,
Maryland USA, he is responsible for the oversight of
weapon system support provided via Foreign Military
Sales by the US Navy Naval Air Systems Command, PMA-265
Program Office.
Wing Commander Winterford is an Aeronautical Engineer
graduate with Honours from the University of Sydney and
also attained a Masters of Business Administration with
Distinction from the University of Newcastle. He and his
wife Gillian have two school age children. His interests
include cycling, hiking, windsurfing and snowboarding. |
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Michael A. Battaglia
Mission Integration Special Programs Office (PMA
-298) International Programs
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A former U.S. Navy Aviation Fire Control Technician from
1981-1988, Mike Battaglia, managed airborne radar,
communication and navigation systems on the F-14 Tomcat
and was later an instructor for these systems. He
graduated from the University of Phoenix in 2002 with a
Bachelor of Science in business management.
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Mike Battaglia became a U.S. Navy civil servant in 1988
supporting the Harpoon missile program at the Pacific
Missile Test Range, Point Mugu, California. He installed
five Harpoon weapon stations and was the technical
expert in weapon station matters as well as logistics
for Harpoon Foreign Military Sales.
In 2006, he moved to Naval Air Station Patuxent River,
Maryland, accepting a position as the Assistant Program
Manager for Logistics (APML) in International Programs
supporting the Standoff Missiles Program Office
(PMA-258) and Precision Strike Weapons Program Office
(PMA-201). He served this role until 2008 when he became
the Product Support Team Lead (Logistics) for all
International Programs within PMA-201. In addition to
supporting the Harpoon program, he also became the lead
in JSOW logistics for international sales.
While in PMA-201, Mike Battaglia also served as
acting-APML for Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR),
acting-case manager and Assistant Deputy Program Manager
(ADPM) for international programs. As ADPM he managed a
staff of over 80 people and 275 active cases, with a
total executable case value of $2.8 billion dollars.
He went on to support NAVAIR International Programs as
the Strategic Planning lead providing oversight as a
senior consultant on all new international business for
NAVAIR, Program Executive Offices (PEO’s) and Navy
International Programs Office (NAVIPO) as well as the
new business contact for the MQ-8 Fire Scout program.
Mike Battaglia accepted a position as Navy and Marine
Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems (PMA-263)
Deputy Program Manager (International Programs) in May
2014. During his time at PMA-263, he managed a staff of
21 people and over 80 active cases, with a total
executable case value of over $800 million dollars. This
was an 80% increase in value. He was instrumental in
establishing the first FMS Case for RQ-21 Blackjack, the
Marine Corp Program of record for Small Unmanned
systems.
In 2019, Mike Battaglia accepted a position as the
Deputy Program Manger supporting PMA-298 Mission
Integration Special Programs Office while also assisting
PMA-207, 231 and 261 Program Offices in capturing new
and returning International Partners business. Current
role in support of PMA-298 is working across multiple
program offices identifying capability gaps within the
International community and providing solutions and
recommendation for the release and fielding of advance
capabilities. |
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Lynsey Johnstone
Counsellor Defense Materiel
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Lynsey Johnstone is the Counsellor Defence Materiel –
Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG).
Lynsey commenced in this role in March 2020 and supports
Australian Department of Defence – CASG business in
North America. Her key responsibilities include
supporting procurement of Defence Materiel into
Australia from the US and supporting Australian Defence
Industry interests in North America.
Prior to this appointment, Ms Johnstone was the Director
of Commercial for the Joint Strike Fighter F-35 Program.
As the Director of Commercial, Lynsey was responsible
for the procurement, contracting and commercial aspects
relating to Australia’s acquisition of the F-35
including Joint Program Office procurement, sovereign
sustainment contracting and export controls.
Ms Johnstone has been in the Capability Acquisition and
Sustainment Group (CASG) for over 15 years. During this
time she has held a number high profile positions
including as a representative in the United States
working within the Heavyweight Torpedo Joint Project
Office and the Director of Business Management for
Communication Systems Division in CASG. Ms Johnstone’s
career in CASG has allowed her the privilege of working
with a diverse range of projects, including Army and
Navy Communications projects, Satellite programs,
Submarines and the Joint Strike Fighter.
Lynsey holds a Bachelor of Laws and a number of relevant
vocational qualifications. She is married to Iain and
they have two boys, 5 and 7. |
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Mr. Ron Weinberger
Director, Security Cooperation Programs Office
Program Executive Office (Aviation Common Systems
& Commercial Services) Naval Air Systems Command
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Mr. Ronald (Ron) Weinberger is the Director of the
Security Cooperation Programs Office where is he
responsible for the program execution of products and
services in support of an international portfolio that
exceeds $60 Billion while overseeing a workforce of over
400 Government and Contractor Support personnel
worldwide.
Mr. Ronald Weinberger is a recipient of the U.S. Navy
Meritorious Civilian Service Award, as well as several
internationally recognized citations while serving on
Federal and Statewide Task Forces. His leadership has
led to numerous initiatives to expand and strengthen the
network of partnerships with other U.S. Services,
agencies, industry, and international allies and
partners.
The following are several but not all of the initiatives
implemented by Mr. Ronald Weinberger:
• Developed the first
Department of State pre-approved blanket Third Party
Re-Transfer Assurance among Department of Defense
agencies to encourage the United States
and Allied
collaborative efforts.
• Procured and
successfully established a logistics support structure
for Soviet-era aircraft for the Afghan Army Air Corps
while delivering aircraft ahead of schedule and
under budget.
• Established the NAVAIR
Foreign Military Sales Transportation Team, ensuring
dedicated shipments to and from overseas locations.
• Established a Regional
International Logistics Sustainment Center that provides
cost-effective, comprehensive support of repairs,
training, staging, and transportation
services by
leveraging partnerships with Federal and State Agencies,
as well as industry partners.
• Successfully led the
development of a new business logistics strategy, which
resulted in the first sale of F/A-18F aircraft to the
Government of Australia. This successful
process established
an agile Strategic Logistics Development Team, which is
used today supporting multiple aviation campaigns.
Mr. Ronald Weinberger is a regular guest speaker with
the Defense Acquisition University, as well as various
symposiums. His prior assignment was 17 years with the
F/A-18 program office as the overall International
Logistics Principal Lead as well as the Finland F-18
Logistics Manager.
Mr. Ronald Weinberger is a graduate of the University of
Southern Mississippi, is an active high school football
coach, who is involved with several non-profit civic
programs, and is the father of three children.
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