Symposium Home // Event Speakers & Panelists
Dr. Benjamin Jorns is the co-founder and CEO of A3 Technologies, a spin-off from the University of Michigan specializes in fuel-flexible electric propulsion solutions. Dr. Jorns is also an associate professor in the Aerospace Engineering department at the University of Michigan where he oversees the Plasmadynamics and Electric Propulsion Laboratory. He is director of the USSF SSTI #3 institute, Space Power and Propulsion for Agility, Responsiveness, and Resilience (SPAR), that is dedicated to developing high-power, multimode space propulsion and space nuclear technologies.
Chandra Raman is a physicist, inventor, and technology entrepreneur whose work is shaping the future of quantum sensing. He earned his Ph.D. in applied physics from the University of Michigan, completed postdoctoral research at MIT, and is now the Dunn Family Professor of Physics at the Georgia Institute of Technology. His research focuses on the behavior of atoms at ultralow temperatures and applies those insights to create exceptionally precise measurement technologies.
Raman is a coinventor of chip-scale atomic beam technology, a breakthrough enabling compact, robust quantum sensors for navigation and timing in GPS-denied environments, with applications spanning aerospace, autonomous systems, and national security. He founded 8Seven8, Inc., Georgia’s first quantum hardware startup, to bring these technologies from the lab to real-world deployment. His work has earned recognition as a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors and a Fellow of the American Physical Society, and he is a frequent advisor and speaker on national and space-based quantum initiatives.
Charlene Jacka, the Chief Engineer of SpaceWERX, is a visionary leader and a respected figure in the commercial exploration of national security space. Charlene’s expertise is rooted in leading complex initiatives that advance the future of United States Space Force. Previously, Charlene, served as System Director at The Aerospace Corporation, a prominent leader within the Commercial Space Futures (CSF) team and supported the Space Systems Command (SSC) Front Door, specializing in developing and advancing screening solutions for commercial space capabilities and services. Her expertise includes establishing critical capability need statements, bridging gaps, and fostering integration with the commercial space industry and investor community. Charlene actively collaborates with commercial space providers and technology experts, contributing thought leadership pieces in technical forums, enhancing industry knowledge, and nurturing valuable relationships. Her career highlights encompass pivotal roles such as the lead Test Engineer for the Commercially Hosted Infrared Payload, lead Systems Engineer for the Satellite for High Accuracy Radar Calibration Mission, and Branch Chief Engineer for the Small Satellite Portfolio. Charlene also served as the Project Arrangement Lead for the Micro-Satellite Military Utility, engaging with international defense departments and ministries with more than 10 other nations. Her multifaceted background positions her as a strategic thinker equipped to address intricate challenges within the space domain.
Maj. Gen. Robert W. Claude serves as the Director of Task Force – Futures, United States Space Force, where he leads the strategic evolution of future force design, integration and execution necessary for long-term space competitiveness. In this role, he supports long-term planning and investments into wargaming, modeling and experimentation, and science and technology pipelines to protect America’s interest in space for years to come. Maj. Gen. Claude also serves as the Mobilization Assistant to the Chief of Space Operations, Headquarters United States Space Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. In this position, he assists the CSO with the responsibility to organize, train and equip space forces; develop and acquire space forces; and conduct space operations to advance and protect U.S. and allied interests. Finally, Maj. Gen. Claude serves as the USSF lead for Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control, and the Advanced Battle Management System. He is the senior Reserve officer on the Headquarter Space Force staff and serves as the CSO’s principal advisor on planning, coordination and employment of Reserve forces.
Eric Felt is a space technology strategist with 20+ years of defense aerospace experience, leading laboratory, program office, and Pentagon organizations to transition emerging technologies into operational space capabilities. Felt is an expert in systems engineering, architecture, operations analysis, and portfolio and budget management, with a proven track record securing funding and delivering impact across space control, communications, PNT, remote sensing/GEOINT, and space mobility. He is also retired from the U.S. Space Force in May 2025 as Director of Systems Engineering for Space Acquisition and Integration (SAF/SQ), with prior leadership as Director of the AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate; now advising private equity, space startups, defense contractors, and think tanks as an independent space technology strategist.
Janice Makinen serves as an International Space Station Research Portfolio Manager in the Research Integration Office at NASA Johnson Space Center. In this role, she enables payload developers to utilize the International Space Station to demonstrate technologies and perform science. During her 19 year career at NASA, she has served as the Orion Assistant Chief Engineer, Orion Crew Module active thermal control subsystem manager, exploration space suit life support thermal system manager, and technology development engineer and analyst. Janice earned her Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio and her Master of Science in Systems Engineering from the University of Houston, Clear Lake.
Kathy Steen is the Innovation Program Manager for the Pathways to the Stars program at NewSpace Nexus and serves as New Mexico’s primary workforce development liaison for high-tech employers. She is responsible for the strategic execution of industry-driven solutions that address the state’s skilled labor shortage in the technology sector.
With extensive experience in business ownership, startup incubation, and workforce initiatives, Kathy has played a key role in supporting AFRL NM Tech Engagement programs, including the Hyperspace Challenge and AFRL Scholars. Her leadership drives impactful workforce solutions, fostering innovation and talent growth within New Mexico’s tech ecosystem.
Dr. Lawrence M. “Robbie” Robertson, III, is a member of the scientific and technical cadre of senior executives, and the Lead Space Experimentalist, Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Air Force Materiel Command, Kirtland Air Force Base (AFB), New Mexico. Dr. Robertson serves as the principal scientific authority and independent researcher in the field of space satellite systems, integrates state-of-the-art scientific advances with military technology requirements and guides space experimentation research and development efforts across the AFRL enterprise.
Dr. Robertson began his career as a consultant to Teledesic Corporation and worked as a Member of Technical Staff at SVS Inc and Nichols Research – both small high-tech companies – before joining the AFRL.
He joined the AFRL in 1998 and has contributed to a wide range of technologies in space and directed energy. Robbie’s first position was the Beam Control Lead for the highly successful Airborne Laser Advanced Concept Testbed highlighted in the September 5, 2000 front-page article in the Wall Street Journal. He has been a leader in science and technology transition supporting Space Control, Space Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, and Space Command and Control.
Dr. Robertson has published over 40 papers in national and international journals or conferences and has one US patent. He has also served as an advisor to several national committees including one AF Scientific Advisory Board position.
Maria Berishaj serves as the Head of Science at Kall Morris Inc (KMI), where she leads the integration of advanced mathematics and orbital mechanics for the mission planning and software development of the Laelaps servicer spacecraft. This mission features REACCH, an ISS-tested end effector prototype licensed from the University of Southern California (USC). Maria earned her M.S. in Mathematics from Wayne State University and supports strategy, technical, and local regional outcomes for KMI.
Myrriah Tomar is the Director for Innovation and Commercialization at the University of North Texas, where she bridges the gap between academic discovery and market-ready innovation. With over a decade of leadership spanning startups, state government, and higher education, she provides the multi-sector perspective necessary to align early-stage research with industry needs. Myrriah specializes in identifying technologies with high commercial potential and navigating the complex transition from lab to market. By prioritizing intentional listening and strategic translation, she ensures university-born ideas become the foundation for successful industry partnerships and scalable real-world impact.
Dr. Stacie Williams, a Senior Level executive, is the Chief Science Officer of the United States Space Force (USSF). She serves as the central lead for all science and technology matters for an organization that comprises approximately 14,000 space professionals worldwide. In this role, she develops long-term military requirements for the USSF and interacts with other principals, operational commanders, combatant commands, acquisition organizations, and international communities to address cross-organizational science and technical issues and solutions. Dr. Williams represents the USSF science and technology community across the U.S. government, industry, academia, the international community, and other scientific and technology organizations.
Dr. Williams joins Headquarters, USSF from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), where she was the Space Science Architect for the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR). At AFOSR, Dr. Williams led the basic research investment strategy for space, ensuring that basic science investments effectively met USSF mission needs. In prior assignments, she led AFOSR’s remote sensing research portfolio as well as AFRL’s space imaging portfolio. Dr. Williams served as a program manager at the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) Tactical Technology Office, where she led a portfolio focusing on remote sensing, small satellite technologies, and high-energy laser detection.
Dr. Williams entered government service in 2011 at AFRL’s Directed Energy Directorate, and spent several years as the Technical Advisor at the Air Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing Site, leading researchers and operators in developing and transitioning the world’s only 24-hour resolved imaging capability, in addition to other space domain awareness technologies.
Mr. Stanley Straight is the Vice President for Spacecraft Engineering for BlackVe, Inc. He serves this innovative, new space startup as the lead engineering manager; bringing true full space system solutions to our outstanding customers. Previously, he held many positions within the US government as a Civil Servant, a Reserve USAF Officer and an Active Duty USAF officer. Most recently he served as the Technical Director for the Innovation and Prototyping Acquisition Delta, Space and Missiles System Center at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. He oversaw Delta integration initiatives and is responsible for the strategic vision implementation and direction on behalf of the Director. In addition to managing and supervising an AFRL branch and an USSF branch, he has directly performed engineering and program management duties for 6 distinct satellite programs, including the Student Nitric Oxide Explorer (SNOE), Tactical Satellite-2 (TacSat-2), Tactical Satellite-3 (TacSat-3), Demonstration and Science Experiment (DSX), Operationally Responsive Space-1 (ORS-1), and EELV Augmented GEO Laboratory Experiment (EAGLE). He has served as the Technical Director for the Innovation Prototyping Directorate, Space and Missile Systems Center overseeing 80+ programs/projects. He has also served as the Chief Engineer for the Integrated Experiments and Evaluation Division for the Air Force Research Laboratory overseeing the technical execution of 28 space programs.
Mr. Straight retired from the Reserves in 2019 after completing 22 years of military service. Mr. Straight started his military career when he was commissioned from the University of Colorado-Boulder ROTC program in 1998. He has served as an IMA at the 25 th Space Range Squadron as well as the Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Director, Space Test Program. He has authored and co-authored 10 papers primarily on space systems engineering and orbital dynamics.
