ACGSD January: San Diego’s Defense and Aerospace Industry

 

The ACG January 19, 2016 program will include a panel of Defense/Aerospace industry experts and focus on a recent transaction in the local industry. The panel will examine M&A and financing questions facing some of San Diego's hottest Defense/Aerospace technology companies, incubators and private equity firms. The Defense industry is an important part of the San Diego Economy. San Diego is home to (one of the) largest concentration of military in the world. The military sector is responsible for 328,000 (20-22%) of the region’s total jobs. Defense-related spending contributes 45 billion to the regional economy. Aerospace has a long history in San Diego, dating back to the early 1900s when Ryan Airlines built the Spirit of St. Louis and Reuben Fleet brought Consolidated Aircraft Corporation to Lindbergh Field. Since then, San Diego’s Aerospace cluster has been an integral part of the region’s innovation and defense economies. Home to some of the world’s largest aerospace, aircraft and research and development companies, San Diego is a North American aerospace hub. Approximately 60 percent of technology development in unmanned systems is performed in San Diego County. All of this industry and activity have made San Diego an ideal location for companies to start, finance and ultimately exit.  

 

PANEL: 

 

Moderator:

Doug Burke, President, Cognitive Medical Systems

Doug Burke is a serial entrepreneur with 26 years of experience, and has worked for three Fortune 500 companies and eight software start-ups. Currently, Mr. Burke is co-founder and President of Cognitive Medical Systems. From 2003 - 2011, Mr. Burke was the CEO of DefenseWeb Technologies, Inc. Under his leadership, the company experienced tremendous expansion growing more than 50 percent annually. Doug’s other ventures include: Prodesis, a technology consulting services firm, eHNC, an Internet electronic commerce start-up acquired by HNC Software for 72M and, Globeset, an electronic commerce start-up company. Prior to Globeset, Mr. Burke spent three years at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC).

 

Eric Basu, CEO, Sentek Global

Eric is an entrepreneur and corporate manager with specific expertise in cybersecurity, technology solutions, marketing to government and commercial executives, international business, and leadership of small to medium organizations . Sentek spearheads and supports government/commercial IT programs, qualified and experienced in C4ISR, Information Assurance, and Information Operations. Eric was previously the President of Global Entertainment Security, which provided security services to the entertainment industry, Managing Director of the leveraged buy – out firm Bradbury Capital Group, Chief Portal Architect at Alitum, and a consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers as well as KPMG Consulting. Eric is also a former SEAL Officer, U.S. Navy.

Ellen Chang, Managing Partner, LightSpeed Innovations

LightSpeed Innovations is an aerospace focused accelerator dedicated to fostering aerospace/robotics start-up growth. Ellen brings over 25 years of experience in strategy, finance, and product development in the technology and aerospace industries. Her career spans the U.S. Navy as an intelligence officer, to JP Morgan where she focused on exploring and facilitating investing in start-ups. She later founded her own aviation start-up where the team focused on building a B2B aviation part sourcing and brokerage with a focus on business jets.

John Lyons, Chief Executive Officer, Solute, Inc.

John serves as Chief Executive Officer of the company he founded in 2002. SOLUTE specializes in creating powerful solutions to aviation, engineering, training, and management challenges. With a depth of technical expertise, extensive operational military experience, and a successful history of contract support to the Department of Defense, the company provides a unique, trusted, and influential skill set to their customers and partners. Mr. Lyons was commissioned a Naval Officer in 1992 and served nine years in patrol planes including service aboard the USS Nimitz.

Alan Stewart, Managing Director, RA Capital Advisors

RA Capital Advisors is a private investment bank specializing in mergers and acquisitions, private financings, shareholder matters, restructurings and crisis management for clients ranging from the middle market to the Fortune 500. Alan is also President of FIT Advisors, a boutique consulting firm providing temporary CFO services. Previously, Mr. Stewart served as the CFO and Chief Development Officer of Epsilon Systems Solutions where he led the infrastructure development, financial affairs, and M&A activity. Alan served over 10 years as a nuclear engineer in the United States submarine force. Alan is the author of “Approved! An Insider’s Guide to Getting Your Bank Loan Approved.”

Bill Vandeweghe, Co-founder & CEO, RippleNami

Bill VanDeWeghe co-founded RippleNami and serves as chief executive officer. As an investment banker, attorney and advisor, VanDeWeghe has extensive experience guiding companies faced with challenging strategic and tactical issues across a wide variety of industries. He has been a member of Advisory Boards and Board of Directors for public and private companies. VanDeWeghe served as an artillery officer on active duty in the Army from 1983-1987 then, served in the Virginia National Guard as a Firing Battery Commander. VanDeWeghe was the Republican Party nominee for U.S. Congress, 53rd Congressional District, in 2002.
 

 

 

 

 

 

ACG Annual Sponsors & Members with Breakfast  Meetings Included :  0

ACG Members Pay as You Attend & Other Chapters: 65

Non-Members & Guests: 85

 

 

ACG Annual Sponsors & Members with Breakfast Meetings Included :  0
ACG Members Pay as You Attend & Other Chapters: 75
Non-Members & Guests: 95

 

 

Questions:  Contact Executive Director Judy Susser-Travis, CMP, CMM

at acgsandiego@acg.org or call 619-741-7247 for assistance.