Defense Policy

On Thursday (January 11, 2024), the Department of Defense (DoD) released its inaugural National Defense Industrial Strategy (NDIS), which can be found HERE. In response, NDIA put out the following press statement from CEO David Norquist, which expresses our appreciation for the focus DoD is placing on U.S. DIB resiliency and expresses our intention to focus on ensuring the strategy is adequately resourced and that the implementation plan, including any classified annex, is done in collaboration with industry:

ARLINGTON, VA – NDIA strongly supports the increased attention the Department of Defense (DoD) is placing on restoring a strong U.S. defense industrial base (DIB) through its inaugural National Defense Industrial Strategy (NDIS). The U.S. DIB is a major contributor to our economic and national security and supports our warfighters, allies, and partners. To ensure the future health and resiliency of the DIB, DoD will need to balance the unique role played by traditional companies in fulfilling the nation’s warfighting needs while simultaneously working to integrate non-traditional companies more effectively. NDIA is proud to be the voice of businesses of all sizes and sectors of the defense ecosystem and will continue to work with DoD to ensure the strategy is implemented in partnership with industry and adequately resourced.

In addition, OSD confirmed with NDIA Assistant Secretary Taylor-Kale joined the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) for a webcast to discuss the new strategy. The webcast can be viewed here. OSD has also shared it intends to bring in trade association representatives in the January/February timeframe to discuss the implementation plan. Due to the importance of this strategy to our members, we anticipate its implementation will remain an active priority for NDIA’s Strategy and Policy team in 2024. To that end, NDIA will be releasing a summary of the strategy highlighting its impacts for industry soon.

More Information

DAU Midwest and the NDIA Michigan Chapter present:

Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) Process Panel Discussion

This discussion will help answer your questions!

DAU, with the help of APEO Business Managers from PEO GCS and PEO CS&CSS, and Industry leaders, will provide insights and perspectives on how the PPBE process affects:

• Industry’s planning
• Program Resourcing
• Contracting

The Panel discussion will focus on the PPBE process, with emphasis on how to allocate resources within the Department of Defense. Within the acquisition community, it is important to be aware of the nature and timing of the events in the PPBE process since they may provide information important to program funding and success Planners must also demonstrate their ability to plan and execute funding consistent with DOD policy. Additionally, since the acquisition process is “event driven”, and the PPBE process is “calendar driven”; the difference can result in timing issues for the acquisition community.

Moderators:

Dr. Jennifer Hitchcock

Industry. Dr. Hitchcock currently serves as a member of the Michigan Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Associate. Prior to that she was a professor for program management for the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) and former member of the Army’s Senior Executive Service, where she led the systems engineering and science and technology programs for the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development, and Engineering Center (TARDEC), now Ground Vehicles Systems Center (GVSC)

Dr. Tom Bagwell

Dr. Bagwell currently serves as a Professor of Program Management and executive coach for the Defense Acquisition University (Government). He is a former member of the Army’s Senior Executive Service. Dr. Bagwell worked for 37+ years with the Army in a variety of program management and engineering positions. His last assignment was as the Deputy Program Executive Officer for PEO Ground Combat Systems.

Panelists:

Professor Chris Merkel

Defense Acquisition University (Government)

Mr. Merkel has served as a Professor of Financial Management at DAU for the past 13 years. Prior to that, he worked as a Business Finance Manager where he bought aircraft for the Joint Primary Air Training System (JPATS) program office at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. Professor Merkel also completed 28 years as a Naval Aviator in the U.S. Navy Reserves where he flew with multiple squadrons, served with OPNAV N8 and N9 in the Pentagon, and with the Joint Special Operations Command.

Scott Davis

Vice President, Programs and Technology, Combat Mission Systems, BAE Systems (Industry)

Prior to his current position at BAE, Mr. Davis served as the vice president for Combat Vehicles and Armaments at Cypress International, Inc. Additionally, he worked as an Army civilian for 31 years including two past assignments as a Program Executive Officer for Ground Combat Systems and the PEO for Combat Support and Combat Service Support. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserve retiring at the rank of Colonel

Antonio Cushman

Assistant Program Executive Officer for Business Management – PEO Ground Combat Systems (Government)

Prior to accepting his position as the APEO for Business Management, Mr. Cushman served as the business manager for PL Future Battle Platforms (FBP), which manages the Army’s M10 Booker and Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) program.

Anisah Zeghir

Assistant Program Executive Officer for Business Management - PEO Combat Support and Combat Service Support (Government)

Prior to accepting her position as the APEO for Business Management, Mrs. Zeghir served as the Director of Business Management for JPO JLTV, which managed the Army's Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, Light Tactical Vehicle and Ground Mobility Vehicle programs.

Phil Wills

Director of Business Development, VES LLC (Industry)

Mr. Phil Wills is the local Director of Business Development, for Vidovich Engineering Services (VES) LLC based out of Troy, Michigan and a newly elected Board of Director supporting the Michigan Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA). VES is a small business headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. Established in 2014, VES’ core competencies are the development of custom Government off the Shelf (GOTS) infrastructure software, integrating tactical Command and Control (C2) systems, and rapidly building prototypes demonstrating emerging technologies solving Army tactical architecture challenges. Phil has over 25 years of Air Force, Army acquisition, program management, and executive leadership experience, including four years of active duty as a systems acquisition officer in the United States Air Force and 20 years at Booz Allen supporting major Air Force and Army acquisition programs

If you have any questions, comments or concerns regarding this new DAU partnership, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.