# Panel discussions to explore aspects of defense industrial strategy at annual supply chain conference

/ Published April 2, 2024
COLUMBUS, Ohio, 
*Editor’s note: This is the fourth article in a six-part series as Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime prepares for the 2024 DLA Supply Chain Alliance Conference and Exhibition. The first three articles can be found on the**conference page**under the ‘in the news’ tab.*

Shared insights and perspectives on strengthening the defense industrial ecosystem will be on tap during two panel discussions at the annual Defense Logistics Agency Supply Chain Alliance Conference and Exhibition, hosted by the DLA Land, Maritime and Aviation supply chains, April 23-24, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in downtown Columbus, Ohio.

The panels will explore the critical role Program Executive Offices and innovation play in the implementation of the National Defense Industrial Strategy, said David Koch, DLA’s chief of Research and Development.

“Both the innovators and the PEOs are driving to implement the NDIS,” Koch said. “The innovators are focused on making manufacturing and supply chain process better to enable the PEOs to be successful in transitioning the capabilities to the warfighter.”

The panels really go together and complement each other, said Jeremy Swonger, an industry engagement manager for DLA Land and Maritime.

The PEO panel will bring together acquisition experts from across the Services while the Innovation panel will have leaders from across the defense research and development landscape to explore how rapid innovation and deployment will modernize and fortify the defense industrial ecosystem.

The PEO panel on April 23 will be moderated by Navy Rear Adm. Matt Ott, who serves as commander for the Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support. Koch will serve as the moderator of the Innovation panel to be held on April 24.

“DLA plays a critical role in the ability to sustain the warfighter’s current systems while quickly responding to new technologies and acquisition challenges,” Swonger said of the importance of these discussions.

After the moderated portion, the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions of the panelists for about 20 minutes through the conference app, which will be available for download closer to the start of the event.

Program Executive Office Perspective panel participants include:

**Timothy Goddette, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for Sustainment, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology).** Goddette is responsible for the formation, implementation and execution of Army acquisition, life cycle logistics, industrial base policies, processes and procedures providing oversight to manage supply chain risk for Army weapon systems. Additionally, Goddette serves as the lead for the Army’s Corrosion Protection Program.

**Dennis D’Angelo, executive director, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.**  D’Angelo leads the single center responsible for total life cycle management covering all aircraft, engines, munitions and electronic systems. The center is responsible for more than 28,000 AFLCMC Airmen, civilian and contractor employees performing center missions from 77 locations.

**Navy Rear Adm. Matthew Ott III, Commander, Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support.** Ott leads NAVSUP WSS, formerly known as Naval Inventory Control Point, which provides weapon systems supply support to the Navy, Marine Corps, Joint and Allied Forces program. Ott will serve as moderator of the PEO Perspective panel.

Innovation panel participants include:

**Charles Ormsby, chief, Manufacturing and Industrial Technologies Division, Air Force Research Laboratory.** Ormsby leads a team responsible for defining and executing Air Force Manufacturing Technology research. Additionally, Ormsby leads the Defense Production Act Title III Executive Agent Program Office and is the Air Force principal member of the DOD Joint Defense Manufacturing Technology Development Panel.

**Ben Richardson, chief commercial officer at Gambit.** Richardson recently transitioned from an advisory role to CCO at the venture backed defense startup. Richardson previously built a team of 40 energy professionals and started nearly 30 projects while serving as an activated reservist at the Defense Innovation Unit. Additionally, Richardson served in several senior acquisition and technology roles at the Pentagon.

**David Koch, chief, DLA Research and Development.** Koch leads the Research and Development program at DLA. He maintains oversight of programs focused on Castings, Forgings, Batteries, Additive Manufacturing, Military Uniforms, Combat Rations, Micro-electronics, Energy, Storage and Distribution, and other areas charged with fostering innovation in logistics and supply chain management. Koch will serve as moderator of the Innovation panel.

More information on the 2024 DLA Supply Chain Alliance Conference and Exhibition can be found here. To register, visit https://www.ndia.org/events/2024/4/23/4780---dla