Directors & Advisors

Term Expires Fall 2024

David Miller is the Business Development Director representing the Detroit Arsenal community for BAE Systems Platforms and Services Sector. In this role, he is responsible for customer advocacy, cultivating and maintaining relationships with key customers as well as developing new markets.

Before joining BAE Systems, David was the Business Development executive for Endeavor Robotics, responsible in capture management for the company’s Army and Marine Corps programs of record. Prior to Endeavor Robotics, David held the position of Business Development manager for iRobot Corporation and supported the XM-1216 Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle (SUGV) team in the Future Combat Systems (FCS) program. David later transitioned to Foreign Military Sales and continued business development for emerging post-FCS robotic programs of record.

David served as an acquisition officer in both PM Light Armored vehicles and Robotic Systems Joint Program Office. In the latter, he was responsible for the acquisition and fielding of a portfolio of robotic systems for both the Marine Corps and Army. Prior to the acquisition corps, David served in the Marine Corps infantry.

David received his Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce with Academic Distinction from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va., and a Master of Business Administration from the from the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey Calif.

Term Expires Fall 2025

Mr. Dunn is the Division Head for the Power and Energy Division comprised of over 80 engineers, scientists, and technicians conducting research and development on a wide variety of energy-related projects including alternative energy solutions, microgrids, aircraft power systems, intelligent power solutions, thermal generation systems, combustion, hypersonic combustion, bio fuels, fuel solutions and energetic materials. He has over 25 years of experience leading military research, development, testing and transition. His first 21 years were as an active duty Air Force Officer where he worked assignments in Intel, Flight test, the National Reconnaissance office, rapid capability office and the Holloman High Speed Test Track.

Since his retirement from the US Air Force, Mr. Dunn has supported a wide range of projects transitioning technology for UDRI. These projects included transitioning new technology in support of advanced, energy efficient industrial process projects, energy portfolio support, war gaming and simulations, and sustainment technologies.

Term Expires Fall 2026

Sean has served as a NAMC Director since 2022 and is currently the Technical Director for Applied Technology and Advance Programs (ATAP) at Textron Systems. He is responsible for driving technology development at Textron Systems across air, land, sea, and weapon system domains. Since 2006, Sean has been leading advanced multi-domain uncrewed product development initiatives, transitioning key technologies into existing and new product lines, executing key program captures, and working with business area leadership teams to develop technology-oriented strategies.

Formerly, Sean was a Graduate Research Assistant within the Mechanical Engineering Department at Virginia Tech focused on applied research related to autonomous systems, intelligent perception technologies, and advanced instrumentation. Work included the development and demonstration of multiple autonomous fixed and rotor wing aircraft, intelligent mobility platforms, and human machine interfaces. Work also includes field robotic applications including the 2004, 2005, and 2007 DARPA Grand and Urban Challenges. Sean has been recognized with the prestigious Textron Chairman's Award for Innovation, appeared on the Discovery Channel, and holds multiple U.S. patents.

Term Expires Fall 2024

Michael D. Bolon established MD&B Enterprises in 2013 after serving in leadership positions in Fortune 500 companies for more than 40 years. Michael’s professional experience includes engineering management for Chrysler Corporation and General Dynamics Land Systems.

Mr. Bolon joined Chrysler Corporation in 1968 as a power train engineer. Within five years he advanced to a management position where he led the design and development of the propulsion system for the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank which included the integration of a turbine engine.

After General Dynamics acquired Chrysler Defense in 1982, Mr. Bolon was named Deputy Program Manager for Tank Programs, with progression in 1986 to General Manager of Armored Vehicle Technologies Associated, a joint venture between GD and FMC Corporation. In 1992, he was appointed Director of Advanced Programs for General Dynamics, and was named Vice President for Amphibious Systems in 1996. Just three years later, Mr. Bolon became the Vice President of Production and Delivery, responsible for all manufacturing.

In 2000, Mr. Bolon was appointed Senior Vice President of Engineering Design and Development, leading General Dynamics Land Systems’ team for technology, product design and development, logistics engineering and technical support. His leadership role continued to evolve after being named Senior Vice President of Enterprise Strategy and Chief Technical Officer. In that role, Mr. Bolon had enterprise-wide responsibility for Advanced Programs, Business Development, Business Planning and Alliances, Planning Control and Analysis, and Innovation and Technology Planning. Mr. Bolon’s most recent role was the Senior Vice President and Business Sector Executive for United States Marine Corps and United States Navy programs.

Mr. Bolon’s professional experience includes responsibility as Chairman of the General Dynamics Corporate Engineering and Technology Council from 2005 to 2013. He also serves on Oakland University’s School of Engineering and Computer Science (SECS) Advisory Board, the Engineering Society of Detroit Board of Directors and the National Advanced Mobility Consortium Board of Directors.

Term Expires Fall 2025

Kurt Bruck is a seasoned executive with over 22 years of experience in the robotics industry. His leadership has been instrumental in growing Neya’s business in the North American market. 

Term Expires Fall 2025

Term Expires Fall 2024

LTC (Retired) Matt Dooley is the President and CEO of Fidelium, LLC, a Veteran Owned small business concentrating its services in Advanced Technologies Mission Engineering.   Matt attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant of Armor in May 1994.  Matt served in numerous armor and cavalry assignments over the course of his 21 years of service, which provides a unique operational perspective on combined arms, technology integrated maneuver warfare.  He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and holds a Masters Degree in Military Art and Science.  Matt served in several forward deployed assignments over the course of his career and is a veteran of six operational and combat tours.  Matt’s last active duty position in the Army was as the Chief of Lethality and Robotics Branch for the U.S. Army Capabilities Integration Center.   In this position, he acted as the primary level-three integrator in support of the U.S. Army’s pursuit of robotics programs.   Matt served as the Principal Coordinating Author for the Army’s Robotics and Autonomous Systems Strategy, published in 2017.   In his recent work, Matt has developed several robotic concepts of operation and employment for the government.  Many of these projects include operational autonomy Whitepapers and various autonomous behavior task decompositions.   Matt is also the Chairman for NDIA’s Robotics Division.  

Term Expires Fall 2026

Trish began her career with GD as the Business Development Manager for tracked combat vehicles, robotics and autonomous systems.  Her contributions were integral for the capture of two significant Army programs of record - Mobile Protected Firepower and Small Multi-purpose Equipment Transport.

Trish is a native of Aynor, SC and is a graduate of Newberry College where she was commissioned into the U.S. Army as an Ordnance officer. Over her 28-year Army career, she served in a variety of operational units in the United States, Germany, Korea, and Iraq.

While serving as the Brigade Special Troops Battalion Commander in 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division, she also served as the Contingency Operating Site Warrior Installation Commander for 7,000 personnel from various Department of Defense and Department of State entities, along with host nation and multi-national governmental and non-governmental agencies based in Kirkuk, Iraq. While serving as the 101st Sustainment Brigade Support Operations Officer, she led a 150 Soldier team/staff providing logistics support to two division size commands in northern Iraq spanning an area the size of Louisiana. Other assignments include service at the Department of the Army Staff, G-3 Force Management and G4 Logistics. She retired from the Army in 2015 at the rank of Colonel and as the Chief of Staff, U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command. 

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Newberry College, a Master of Science degree in Logistics Management from Florida Institute of Technology and a Master of Business Administration from Indiana University. She is also a graduate of the US Army’s Command and General Staff College and Force Management School.

Her military awards/decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medals, Meritorious Service Medals, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medals, Global War on Terror Expeditionary and Service Medals, Korean Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Army Staff Identification Badge, Meritorious Unit Commendations and a Presidential Unit Citation. She has also received the Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharpe honorary award.

Other notable honors include being the recipient of Daughters of the American Revolution Distinguished Citizen Award and Women in Defense-Michigan Chapter Excellence in Leadership Award.

Term Expires Fall 2026

Traci has dedicated her career to DoD vehicle engineering in multiple capacities, both as a contractor and, proudly, a former Army Civilian. Her strategic vision, collaborative approach to program management, and extensive working knowledge of Army procurement has resulted in significant growth for GS Engineering.

In her former role at GVSC’s Product Integration Facility (PIF), Traci led integration efforts for many PM offices at the Detroit Arsenal, developed a wide network of contacts that she engages with regularly, and won multiple commander’s coins for her efforts. In her current role as Engineering Manager at GS Engineering, Traci is responsible for oversight of project management and workforce management, including the execution of all the company’s projects to budget and schedule. As part of GS Engineering’s management team, she contributes to strategy development in the areas of Government business execution and development of new markets.

Term Expires Fall 2024

Patrick leads the Corporate Development & Strategy Advanced Technology portfolio across all Polaris platforms, and directs corporate strategy in mergers and acquisitions of key technologies from startups to equity investments, partnerships, and internal research and development.  In his role as principal advisor to the corporate development staff, CEO, and Board of Directors Technology Committee, Patrick is responsible for technologies meeting macro industry trends impacting the Polaris powersports brands.

Patrick holds several patents and serves on multiple industry boards.  He is a veteran of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.  In his off time, Patrick enjoys anything outdoors.   He is an avid rider of snowmobiles and off-road vehicles and when not at work, he can be found at his cabin in northern Minnesota.

Term Expires Fall 2024

Louay M. Chamra, Ph.D., is Dean of the School of Engineering and Computer Science at Oakland University. He is responsible for shaping academic priorities and programs, attracting and supporting outstanding faculty, recruiting undergraduate and graduate students, and providing global education for students. He oversees the development of collaborations with industry through research initiatives, technology transfer and commercialization.

Dr. Chamra promotes a diverse and enriching culture within the School of Engineering. Dr. Chamra leads an ambitious strategic plan, which resulted in increased student enrollment, faculty, and student advisors. Additionally, female student enrollment has more than doubled in the last five years increasing from 8 percent to 17 percent in Engineering and Computer Science.

Dr. Chamra was featured in DBusiness journal “The Faces of Detroit” recognizing the School of Engineering and Computer Science for their efforts to advance the economic strength of Southeast Michigan and to grow businesses, accelerate innovation, and prepare tomorrow’s leaders through leveraging resources and building relationships. He is a strong advocate of the community, and he believes that higher education should contribute to the prosperity of the communities it serves. He is a member of the American Society of Engineering Education, Engineering Society of Detroit, and the Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society. He initiated robust outreach opportunities that encourage young children of all backgrounds to pursue college study in the STEM fields.

Prior to joining Oakland University, He was the PACCAR Chair and Head of the Mechanical Engineering department at Mississippi State University (MSU) where he also served as the Director of the Micro-CHP and Bio-Fuel Center and Co-Director for the Southeast CHP Application Center.

Dr. Chamra has been deeply involved in teaching, research, and service activities focused on the enhancement of engineering education. Throughout his career, he received numerous awards such as the Pi Tau Sigma award, which recognizes excellence in higher education. He has also been recognized for outstanding leadership and contribution to promoting diversity in higher education. Additionally, Dr. Chamra received the 2013 Oakland University International Service Award for his efforts to recruit international students. He has done extensive research in heat exchanger design and enhanced heat transfer, and has led efforts in energy utilization and efficiency. He was Principal Investigator on several projects funded by the Department of Energy, American Society of Heating, refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, and private industries in many of the above areas. He has been PI, co-PI or co-investigator of projects totaling over $10 million. He is the author of more than 70 archival journal articles and conference papers, a book, and 5 textbook chapters.

Dr. Chamra earned his bachelor of science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 1982. Later he received his Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Portland in 1988 and Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University in 1992.

Term Expires Fall 2025

Bill is an Army Veteran who has been Senior Mobility Engineer at Nevada Automotive Test Center for the last decade. Prior to this, he spent 39 years as Department of the Army Civilian at TACOM. He has contributed to several innovative projects including XM860 PATRIOT semitrailer, M551 Product Improvement Program, A ACAT I Amphibious Combat Vehicle, the HMMWV Sustainment Modification Initiative, Stryker NBCRS and MGS survivability, FMTV A1P2 upgrade, the USMC Marine Personnel Carrier program, and much more. 

Bill's areas of expertise include military ground vehicle mobility and performance metrics, DoD program management, and several other specialties.

Joe Anderson is a visionary leader with unparalleled global experience. Following a successful 38 year career in the US Army where he commanded Infantry units from company through Corps-level and endured multiple deployments, he became President of J Anderson Consulting Group where he advised over 30 clients to include Renaissance Strategic Advisors, McKinsey & Company, A2 Global Electronics, MW Group (Sweden), Logistik Unicorp (Canada) and SOS International. Joe gained additional business and management experience as a Board Director for 4C Strategies North America, Defense Logistics, Zasti, REV, Sequoia Holdings and the DC Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association. He also serves as a Board Advisor for Wynnchurch Capital, Beacon Global Strategies, Saildrone and the Chairman of the Board of Advisors for the National Advanced Mobility Consortium. He recently served as a Board Advisor for Dataminr and Big Bear AI and a Board Director for Sixgen. He has a well-earned reputation for driving results and managing complexity while building teams and networks along the way.

A graduate of the United States Military Academy, Joe also earned a Master of Science degree in Administration from Central Michigan University and a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the US Naval War College. Additionally, he attended the Senior Executive Education Course at the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. He was also a visiting professor at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and the George Washington Library Leadership Institute. He continues to serve as a senior mentor for the Combined Joint Force Land Component Commander Course at the Army War College and the Swedish Defence University.

Joe's situational adaptability was evident as he served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans and Training for four years in the Pentagon. He managed a 1.2 million Soldier Army in 182 countries and controlled a $26B training budget. His leadership experience is recognized internationally for honor, merit, service, peacekeeping and defense cooperation. His selfless service continues as a Director for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Patton Veterans Project, Feherty’s Troops First Foundation and Our Community Salutes. He also currently serves as a member of the Board on Army Research and Development at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Federal Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans; and Co-Chair of the Chief of Staff of the Army’s Retired Soldier Council.

Arlissa Vaughn is CEO of Aegis Power Systems, Inc., a company in North Carolina serving the defense industry with the design and manufacturing of power electronics. Her role as CEO involves the oversight and management of many aspects of the business using skillsets in strategy, ethics, financial analysis, marketing, and team development. The syndication and application of these skills also supports the important objectives of the Advisory Board of the NAMC. She believes that OTAs are a strong mechanism to achieve new systems and advanced capabilities for the Warfighter. Arlissa welcomes the opportunity to share her insights as a small business leader with the NAMC community.

Jason Toepfer serves as the Director for Business Development & Marketing for Caterpillar Defense within Caterpillar’s Industrial Power Systems Division. In this role, Jason leads a team of Business Development, Marketing, and Capture professionals. He uses his government and defense industry experience to bring Caterpillar’s commercial excellence to ground vehicle, power generation, and engineering & construction machine programs within the US Army, US Marine Corp, and US Special Operations Command.

Prior to this current role, Jason served as the Ground Applications Lead for Caterpillar Defense. Before Caterpillar, he was a program manager and business development director for Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace (KDA). As the first US-based program manager, he led the XM914 Remote Weapon Station program to be used on the US Marine Corps’ Ground-Based Air Defense (GBAD) platform. He was also the business development director responsible for all remote weapon station products to the US Army. Before KDA, he was the business development manager for sensors and tactical missiles, as well as the Detroit Office Site Manager, for Raytheon Missile Systems.

Jason served as an active duty officer in the United States Army for 21 years prior to his defense industry career. He was commissioned through ROTC as an Infantry Officer for the first 10 years, where he served in a variety of leadership and staff roles including Platoon Leader, Battalion Maintenance Officer, Rifle Company Commander, and Brigade Chief of Training. Jason transition to the Army Acquisition Corps, serving in multiple roles including AMPV & Bradley Department of the Army Systems Coordinator (DASC), Acquisition Director for the 401st AFSBde (Bagram), and Product Manager for Stryker Future Operations under PM SBCT.

Jason graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from the Raymond J. Harbert College of Business at Auburn University. Jason is an NDIA Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Conference Board member, as well as a member of the inaugural NAMC Advisory Board. He is a member of the AUSA Arsenal of Democracy Chapter, the NDIA Michigan Chapter, and the Michigan Chapter for Women In Defense.

Jeffrey loves helping others with their problems and helping those in need to be encouraged to continue the everyday challenges everyone faces on a personal and business level. Relationships are a key to making things happen in the world. Customer service is still the heartbeat of business.

Michael Robbins is Chief Advocacy Officer at AUVSI where he leads all advocacy, strategic communication, and cybersecurity initiatives. He joined AUVSI in 2020.  

In 2015, he co-founded a business consulting firm, Intrepid, and serves as its Chief Operating Officer. Prior to starting Intrepid, Michael served as Managing Director of Government and Public Affairs at the Air Line Pilot Association, International (ALPA). Before ALPA, Michael spent a decade in the office of the late Congressman John Dingell (Michigan), where he served as the Chief of Staff.  

Michael serves on the board of the Greater Washington Aviation Open and the National Advanced Mobility Consortium. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree from Georgetown University and is an officer in the United States Navy (Reserve). 

Rich Wronski is Vice President of the Sensing, Perception, and Applied Robotics Division at Charles River Analytics Inc. In this role, he is responsible for managing a portfolio of AI/ML-based technologies, products, and services for autonomy applications across the land, sea, air, and space domains.

Rich has over 35 years of leadership experience working with a wide range of both commercial and government customers, including various agencies within both the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security, as well as numerous international clients. Before joining Charles River, Rich served as Director of Custom Products at American Science and Engineering, where he led development of x-ray based detection systems geared to combating terrorism and trade fraud. Earlier, he served as Director of Asia Pacific R&D for Comverse Network Systems, a global provider of enhanced telecommunications service platforms, after having served in various technical and program management roles at GE Aerospace.

Rich received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering for Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Babson College. He is also a graduate of GE's Edison Engineering Leadership Development Program.

Dr. Hitchcock is an independent consultant who specializes in the Defense sector. Prior to her retirement in Dec 2022, Dr. Hitchcock worked more than 33 years for the Department of Defense and the United States Army. She served as a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES) with the U.S. Army and led many efforts including the development of ground combat concepts for the OSD’s Third Offset Strategy and the realignment of $2.2B of ground vehicle technology programs to Army modernization priorities. Her organizational and leadership experience includes organizational change and transformation, military ground vehicle technologies, system engineering, acquisition, and program management. She has led organizations with more than 1000 associates, fiscal responsibility of more than $500 M, and the development and implementation of strategic efforts to meet U.S. Army and DoD needs. She also served as a Professor of Program Management at Defense Acquisition University (DAU) where she provided classroom instruction on Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition processes and policies and conducted mission assistance (consulting) with DoD agencies to aid in the development and implementation of key acquisition and leadership activities. She also taught an MBA semester long leadership class at Lawrence Technology University as part of a faculty exchange with DAU.

Dr. Hitchcock earned a Doctor of Management from Lawrence Technological University in An Exploration of Organizational Collective Motivation and the Influence of the SOAR Framework to Build Organizational Collective Motivation as applied to organizational transformation. She earned a Master of Science in Global Leadership and Management Lawrence Technological University, a Master of Science Mechanical Engineering from Oakland University, and a Bachelor of Science Mechanical Engineering from Lawrence Technological University. She is a licensed professional engineer, a certified executive coach, and is a member of the board for NDIA Michigan. Additionally, she serves on several advisory committees for profit and non-profit companies and on boards at Wayne State University and University of Michigan

Dr. Hitchcock is the honored recipient of the Meritorious Presidential Rank Award, Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology & Logistics) Award for Excellence, NDIA Silver Medal Award, Excellence in Leadership Award from the Women in Defense Michigan Chapter, Meritorious and Superior Civilian Service Award, Commander’s Award for Civilian Service, and is an inductee of the Military Order of Saint Christopher. She was an inaugural inductee into Lawrence Technological University Engineering Hall of Fame and received the Leaders and Innovators Award and Alumni Achievement Award from Lawrence Technological University