Combining panel discussions along with networking opportunities, the Potomac Officers Club’s defense events are designed to give GovCon industry an insight into U.S. military priorities and the role of domestic industry to assist the Department of Defense in building an advantage across multiple operational domains.

Looking back: Notable POC Defense Events

• The International Military Programs forum in September 2016 aimed to explore the global arms trade’s environment and how defense contractors could support international armed forces via the foreign military sales program.
• In June 2017, the Unmanned Systems Forum highlighted emerging innovations and uses for uncrewed aircraft platforms on the battlefield.
• The Future of Algorithmic Warfare Forum in July 2018 focused on the military application of artificial intelligence and the challenge of bringing AI and other emerging technology into the defense realm.
• In August 2019, the Security Vetting Process Modernization Update event brought together GovCon executives and federal leaders in Falls Church, Virginia, to discuss the implementation of the National Security Presidential Memorandum-9 in connection with vetting management and governance processes.
• The 2020 Future Battlefield Series: Soldier Performance event tackled how the military could apply human performance expertise from both the public and private sectors to optimize the warfighter’s physical and cognitive wellbeing throughout the mission life cycle.

Notable POC Defense Event Speakers

• Joe Rixey

  served as director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency from September 2013 to August 2017 and led the DOD organization responsible for contacts between the U.S. and foreign governments under the FMS program. The retired U.S. Navy vice admiral joined Lockheed Martin in November 2017 as vice president of international program support.

• John N.T. "Jack" Shanahan

  was the director of defense intelligence (warfighter support) from April 2017 to December 2018. After that assignment, he became the inaugural director of the Pentagon’s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center and led JAIC until his retirement in August 2020. He achieved the rank of lieutenant general in the U.S. Air Force and was selected to Executive Mosaic’s Wash100 for 2019 and 2020.

• Monte Hawkins

  assumed the director post at the Customs and Border Protection's National Vetting Center in February 2018. He has served as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University since 2014. His federal career includes time at the National Security Council, National Counterterrorism Center, CIA, FBI and the U.S. Secret Service.

• Peter Gallagher

  became the first director of the network cross-functional team in late 2017 as part of the standup of Army Futures Command. He capped his 35-year Army career in May 2021 with the rank of major general.

Join POC to Attend Defense-Focused Events

Want to stay up-to-date on key investments, priorities and initiatives across the DOD? Become an exclusive member of the Potomac Officers Club and participate in 12 to 18 events each year for discussions on the defense sector’s headline topics.
Click here to view POC’s full calendar and sign up for upcoming defense events.

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