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Third Regional Symposium in Engineering Management for Space and Defense in Washington, DC

21 May 2027     ~     Washington, DC

Registration is available at https://asem.org/event-6823159

  • Professional Registration – $125.00

    The rate for Professionals. This designation may be listed on the name badges.

  • Student Registration – $75.00

    The rate for Student Attendees. This designation may be listed on the name badges.



Third Space and Defense Engineering Management Symposium

May 21, 2027 | 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Hosted by The George Washington University Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering
Venue: Science and Engineering Hall (SEH)
800 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20052
Rooms: FB-SEH-B1167, FB-SEH-B1220, and FB-SEH-B1270

Engineering Management for the Future Space and Defense Enterprise
Leading Across Sectors for Security, Exploration, and Sustainable Growth

The Third Space and Defense Engineering Management Symposium will bring together high-profile panelists and leaders from the space and defense sectors and academia for a focused half-day conversation on how engineering organizations must evolve to meet the demands of the next decade. Panelists and speakers will be announced soon.

Artificial intelligence, digital engineering, commercial space, evolving security challenges, and increasingly interconnected organizations are changing how critical systems are developed and how the people and organizations behind them are led. Four panel discussions will examine the tensions engineering leaders must navigate:

Innovation vs. Mission Assurance: How can organizations move faster while preserving the reliability, safety, quality, and engineering discipline required for mission-critical systems?

Competition vs. Collaboration: How can leaders work effectively across government, industry, startups, suppliers, and academia while managing competing interests and protecting sensitive information?

Autonomy vs. Human Leadership: As AI becomes part of engineering work and decision-making, how should leadership, workforce roles, governance, and organizations evolve, and what remains uniquely human?

Stability vs. Adaptability: What will successful space and defense engineering organizations need over the next decade, and what should engineering leaders begin preparing for today?

Who Should Attend: Engineering managers and executives, technical and systems leaders, government and defense professionals, aerospace and space industry professionals, engineering management researchers, educators, and others involved in leading complex engineering organizations.

From Discussion to Action: Key ideas and perspectives from the symposium will inform the Engineering Management for the Future Space and Defense Enterprise: 2027 Symposium Insights Report, focused on four questions: How do we innovate responsibly? How do we work together? How do we manage differently? Where are we heading?

Join the space and defense engineering management community in Washington, DC, for a timely exchange of ideas, perspectives, and practical insights on leading the future space and defense enterprise.

Symposium Leadership Team:

  • Yesim Sireli, PhD, CPEM, F-ASEM, IAB Chair, UNC Charlotte (contact: ysireli@charlotte.edu)
  • Mike Holman, PE, CPEM, F-ASEM, Kratos Defense
  • Carl Ise, Col (ret), PhD, CPEM, F-ASEM, Analytical Mechanics Associates
  • Roberto Montañez, D.Eng., Northrop Grumman
Seats are limited, please register early!


PAST REGIONAL EVENTS 

ASEM REGIONAL SYMPOSIUM | Huntsville, AL


Register at http://asem.org/event-6460885

Download Agenda HERE.



The 2nd Regional Symposium in Engineering Management for Space and Defense

Leading Through Complexity: Engineering Management for Emerging Defense and

Space Era

April 3rd, 2026
at the
Huntsville Botanical Garden, Carriage House, Huntsville, AL

Description:

The Engineering Leadership for Space & Defense Symposium brings together leaders from industry, government, and academia to discuss the evolving skills today’s engineering managers need. As aerospace, defense, and civil sectors become increasingly interconnected, engineering leaders are expected to manage complex, cross-cultural, multi-organization programs; make sound, ethical decisions under uncertainty; and guide teams through digital transformation, applied AI, and rapid innovation. This symposium focuses on the emerging leadership capabilities that matter most, including communication, collaboration, systems thinking, strategic foresight, and accountability.

Sessions focus on practical lessons drawn from real engineering settings, from leading cross-sector projects to working effectively in diverse, global teams, and managing the organizational challenges that come with today’s technology-driven programs.

Topics:

  • From Engineer to Leader: Developing communication and influence skills to lead multidisciplinary teams while translating technical work into business, mission, and operational terms, and understanding how sub-elements interact within the broader organizational picture.
  • Managing Complexity Across Sectors: Applying systems thinking and program leadership to coordinate across space, defense, and civil environments while designing and executing cross-sector projects that bring together industry, government, and academia.
  • Risk-Informed Decision Making: Leading under uncertainty and making sound, high-stakes decisions.
  • Strategic Foresight, Innovation & Digital Transformation: Combining scenario planning and emerging technology insights with the use of AI and digital engineering tools to provide long-range engineering leadership and guide teams through technological change.
  • Legal Leadership: Navigating personnel issues, unions, and customer/vendor disputes with professionalism and accountability.
  • Ethical, Inclusive & Global Leadership: Cross-cultural teamwork, inclusive practices, and building resilient teams.

Student Registration: $75
Professional Registration: $100

Confirmed symposium speakers include (in alphabetical order):

      • Lisa Bates, MSFC Engineering Director; Jeremy Kenny, Program Manager / Deputy GO Domain Formulation Lead, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
      • Ron Duren Jr., Associate Professor – University of Colorado Boulder; Author; Public Speaker
      • Dayna Ise, Director, Mars Campaign Office, Moon to Mars Program, NASA
      • Erkan Kaplanoglu, Department Head and Professor – Department of Engineering Technology and Management, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
      • Bryan Mesmer, Department Chair, Associate Professor – Industrial & Systems Engineering and Engineering Management, University of Alabama in Huntsville
      • Steve F. Pierce, Chief Technology Officer, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command
      • Greg Praino, Director of Quality, Mainstream Engineering Corporation
      • Yesim Sireli, ASEM Industry Advisory Board Chair; Associate Professor – Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Co-Founder, Carolina-AI
      • Danley Tommasini, Director, Site Operations, Missile Solutions, L3Harris Technologies
      • Lisa Watson-Morgan, Vice President – Civilian Space Operations, Astrion
    Additional speakers may be added to this list. The symposium program will be available soon.


    Organizing Committee:

    • Yesim Sireli, PhD, CPEM, F-ASEM, IAB Chair
    • Carl Ise, Col (ret), PhD, CPEM, F-ASEM, Analytical Mechanics Associates, IAB member
    • Mike Holman, PE, CPEM, F-ASEM, Kratos Defense, IAB member
    • James M. Harrington, Col, U.S. Special Operations Command, IAB member

    A block of rooms has been reserved at Drury Inn & Suites Huntsville at the Space & Rocket Center, 93 Wynn Dr NW, Huntsville, AL 35805 at a reduced rate. Room block information is included on the registration confirmation email that paid registrants will receive.



    This event will feature prominent speakers from leading space and defense organizations in the Southeast region and beyond, including:

    Col. Rob Fabian

    COO, Vaya Space

    Danley Tommasini

    Director of Programs, L3 Harris / Aerojet Rocketdyne

    Dr. Carl Ise, CPEM

    Formulation Manager, NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center

    Dr. Greg Praino

    Principal Systems Engineer, Sierra Space

    Zach Sears

    System Engineer, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control

    Twila Johnson

    Talent Acquisition Manager, Kratos Defense

    Col. Mark Stephen

    Strategic Technology Development, Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control

    Shawn Brougham

    Vice President of Engineering at Altec & ASEM Secretary

    Dr. Patricia Anzalone

    Anchor Speaker, Professor of Instruction and MSEM Program Director, University of South Florida; ASEM Professional Society Outreach Director

    Dr. Yesim Sireli

    Anchor Speaker, Founder and Chair - ASEM Industry Advisory Board; Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

    The goal of this meeting is to facilitate networking between regional industry and academia to address how engineering management is utilized in space and defense projects of the participating companies; up-to-date research areas the industry is interested in; and skills engineering management graduates must be equipped with to meet industry needs. The event also features promotional tables by industry and academic institutions. Registration is open to related industry professionals, academic professionals, researchers and students.

    Program:

    • 8:30 – 9:00 am: Continental breakfast provided
    • 9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Speaking sessions with a networking break
    • 12:00 – 1:00 pm: Buffet lunch provided
    • 1:00 – 3:00 pm: Speaking sessions
    • 3:00 – 4:30: Networking social with drinks and snacks

    Event Venue, Lodging and Attractions:

    The event will be held in the Space Coast Convention Center, adjacent to Holiday Inn Express & Suites at 301 Tucker Ln, Cocoa, FL 32926. 

    The venue is located within 30 minutes to the Orlando International Airport; 20 minutes to the Kennedy Space Center; and 25 minutes to the Cocoa Beach Pier.

    10 rooms have been blocked for the event at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites.

    For reservations, call 1-888-465-4329 or Hotel front desk 1-321-635-9975. Use code “KRD” for discounted room prices:

    • Standard room: $194.95 + tax
    • Suite: $204.95 + tax

    We also offer discounted prices for entry to the Kennedy Space Center the next day on February 25th, 2025, 9 am to 5 pm:

    • $70.50 for adults
    • $60.50 for children ages 3 to 11

    Please check the related box to add the discounted price to your registration fee on the registration page.

    Conference Registration is open at https://asem.org/event-5978419

    • Early Bird (before January 12th): $75 per attendee
    • Regular (January 12th – February 3rd): $100 per attendee


    The conference registration will include the following meals on February 24th, 2025:

    • Breakfast with coffee and pastries
    • Lunch buffet
    • Networking social with drinks and snacks



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