Symposium Speakers

Symposium speakers play a pivotal role in shaping the overall experience and success of an event. The PGCS organising committee aims to choose individuals based on their experience, expertise, knowledge and ability to engage and inspire the audience.  

Speakers are chosen from various backgrounds, including industry leaders, academics, thought leaders and experts in the project and program management field.

Please view all our confirmed speakers below. Information on their presentations can be found on the program page once available.

Click to see our:
Keynote Speakers
Concurrent Speakers
Masterclass Presenters

Keynote Speakers

Profile


 
Mr Chris Deeble AO, CSC
  Deputy Secretary | Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG)

Chris has extensive experience spanning the defence, industry and commercial sectors and working with Government. He also served for 37 years in the Australian Defence Force, most notably as an Air Vice-Marshal.

His most recent appointment was Chief Executive at Northrop Grumman Australia. Prior to that he worked for Airservices Australia as the program executive for OneSKY, responsible for delivering the Civil Military Air Traffic Management System for Australia.

Chris returns to CASG after previously holding the role of Senior Program Manager where he managed more than $25 billion of complex acquisition and sustainment programs including the Joint Strike Fighter, Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control, Multi Role Tanker Transport and Collins Class Submarine.

Chris has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Sydney. He was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) in 2007, and recognized in 2016 as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO).





 
Dr Keith Joiner, CSC, CPEng, CPPD
  Senior Lecturer Test, Evaluation and Aircraft Design | University of New South Wales

Dr Keith Joiner, CSC, was an Air Force aeronautical engineer, project manager and teacher for 30 years before joining the University of New South Wales to teach and research test and evaluation. As Defence’s Director-General of Test and Evaluation for four years, he was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross and for doing drawdown plans for the Multi-National Force in Iraq, he was awarded a U.S. Meritorious Service Medal. He is a Certified Practising Engineer, a Certified Practising Project Director, and has over 100 published research articles on assuring engineered systems. His research is diverse, for example:

1)      assuring cyberworthiness, AI-enabled systems, and robotic autonomous systems, 
2)      using high throughput test design and complex systems governance, and 
3)      developing air-sea hybrid vehicles and the electrification of aircraft.





 
Dr Dallas Rosson, PMP
  Principal Engineer for the Digital Transformation Division | Naval Undersea Warfare Center

Dr Dallas Rosson is the Principal Engineer for the Digital Transformation Division at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Keyport, Washington USA. His responsibilities include engineering and technical oversight for 150 cross-functional personnel supporting ten US Department of Defense programs, engineering process and policy planning and management, digital transformations, and Agile oversight and training.

Dr Rosson is a Professor of Practice teaching Systems Engineering at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. He holds a Doctor of Engineering in Systems Engineering from Colorado State University, a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from George Washington University, a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Systems from the University of Washington. His professional certifications include the Project Management Professional (PMP), Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner, Advanced Certified Scrum Master, Defense Acquisition Workforce Level 2 Engineer, Defense Acquisition Workforce Level 1 Information Technology, Defense Acquisition Workforce Engineering & Technical Management Practitioner, DoD Cybersecurity Workforce (621/Software Development) Level 3/Advanced, and Six Sigma Yellow Belt.

He served 12 years Active Duty in the U.S. Navy Submarine Force as an Electronic Technician (Communications) First Class Petty Officer. He was awarded the Submarine Warfare Device and the SSBN Deterrent Patrol Insignia for participating in 6 Strategic Deterrent Patrols on the USS Alaska.





 
Mrs Kelli Houston, MSCS, SPC, RTE, CSM, ICP-ACC, ICP-ATF
  Lockheed Martin Fellow | Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control

Kelli is a Lockheed Martin Fellow and the Technical Lead of the Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control (MFC) Agility Transformation Office (AXO). She is responsible for driving the adoption of lean and agile practices across programs and functional areas, defining transformation strategies, coaching teams, and capturing successful patterns to accelerate the delivery of business outcomes and ensure knowledge continuity.

With over 40 years of experience in software engineering, solution architecture, project management, and business transformation consulting, Kelli has worked across the defense, federal, and commercial sectors. She has a proven track record of transforming organizations and building high-performing teams through lean and agile principles, resulting in measurable project and program performance improvements. 

Kelli has led 19 agile transformations, achieving “double-digit” performance gains. Her efforts have earned her multiple awards, including a Program Management Review (PMR) Customer Recognition award for driving radical transparency.

Kelli was instrumental in developing MFC's agile playbook, enabling the company to scale agility adoption and earning her team the prestigious MFC Excellence Award. She also contributed to corporate guidance on Program Performance Management (PPM) for agile programs, providing a practical approach to tracking performance in an agile context.

An active participant in multiple professional organizations, Kelli is part of the leadership team for the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Systems Engineering Division (SED) Agile Delivery for Agencies, Programs and Teams (ADAPT) Committee, where she helps facilitate industry-government collaboration to continuously improve the implementation of agile practices to meet business and mission outcomes.

Kelli holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in engineering, has earned numerous agile and coaching certifications, is the author of several books and articles, and has spoken at over 70 events.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Kelli enjoys practicing yoga, cycling, reading, and spending quality time with her two grown children and her husband of 36 years.





 
Mr Brent Johnstone
  Lockheed Martin Fellow | Lockheed Martin Aeronautics

Brent Johnstone is a Lockheed Martin Fellow and cost estimator at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Fort Worth, Texas. He has 37 years’ experience in the military aircraft industry, including 34 years as a cost estimator where he worked on the F-16, F-35 and Advanced Development programs. He is a member of the International Cost Estimating and Analysis Association (ICEAA) and served on the board of directors as regional director. He is a three-time best paper winner at the annual ICEAA workshop and has published multiple articles in the Journal of Cost Analysis and Parametrics. He has a Master of Science from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin.





 
MAJGEN Anthony Rawlins AO, DSC (Retd)
  Director of Strategy | KBR

Anthony (Tony) Rawlins recently joined KBR as Director of Strategy, following 39 years of service as a senior leader in the Australian Defence Force.

Tony began his career with the Australian Army in 1986, progressing through the wider Defence organisation in a number of key command, staff and representational appointments.

As a Cavalry Officer in the Army, he commanded at all levels culminating in his role as Commander of the 7th Combat Brigade. He has deployed on coalition operations to Iraq and Afghanistan and participated in United Nations Peacekeeping missions in the Middle East.

In his most recent strategic appointments, Tony spent three years as Deputy Chief of the Australian Army and then three years as Head of Force Design, within the Vice Chief of Defence Force Group. As Head of Force Design, he led the development of the 2024 Integrated Investment Plan for Defence, the capability acquisition plan to implement government direction following the 2023 Defence Strategic Review and the 2024 National Defence Strategy.

Tony was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2019 Australia Day Honours. He was later advanced to an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2024 King's Birthday Honours for distinguished service in responsible positions as the Deputy Chief of Army and Head of Force Design Division.

KBR helps ensure mission success on land, air, sea, space and cyberspace for its customers. KBR’s areas of expertise include engineering, logistics, operations, science, program management, mission IT and cybersecurity. For more than 60 years, KBR has successfully supported delivery of some of Australia’s most complex and largest nation building projects.





 
Mrs Stacey Wehmeier
  Executive Director | Synergy Group

As an Executive Director with Synergy Group, I am pleased to be part of a team providing quality services to Government. I have 9 years Industry experience in the Banking, Insurance and Electricity sectors, followed by over 25 years' experience in the Government sector.  Before joining Synergy in September 2018, I led a team implementing major reform in Project Controls (Cost Estimation and Forecasting, Schedule Management, Risk Management and Workforce Planning and Estimation) for a large Government department.  As a leader, I believe in being a positive advocate for my team, enabling their success in delivery, and also encouraging their personal development. The work we do is very important, but the people are more important.

I am proud to support the professionalisation of project controls through my role as a Director of the Program Governance and Controls Symposium (PGCS), as the President of the ICEAA Canberra Chapter, and a vocal supporter of, and participant in the Project Controls Expo.

Together with my husband, I also successfully breed and exhibit purebred Bullmastiffs (GrizzMuffley Bullmastiffs https://www.facebook.com/grizzmuffley.bullmastiffs).





 
Mr Harshil Shah
  Deputy Director of Systems Engineering | Department of Defence

Harshil is the Deputy Director of Systems Engineering within CASG currently focused on the implementation of Model Based Systems Engineering practices within Defence.

Previously he has worked within the Defence and Civilian Aviation domain for the last 12 years.

Defence roles included Deputy Chief Engineer for Aviation Support and Test Equipment within a CASG Systems Program Office and Aviation Safety Officer within the Defence Aviation Safety Authority.

In the Civilian Aviation sector, he has worked as a Design and Certification Engineer for Australia’s highest manufactured aircraft type the GA8 Airvan.

For fun, Harshil enjoys camping and handy work around the house.



Concurrent Speakers



 
Mr Andrew Lawson
  Senior Account Manager | Defence and National Security

Andrew joined the British Army in 1996, serving in several campaigns where he provided logistic and equipment support for the Paras, Royal Marines, US Marines, EU Naval Force, and Australian Defence Force. After retiring in 2018, he transitioned to a successful consulting career with EY, focusing on defence capability and acquisition in both the UK and Australia. Currently, Andrew heads up the Lumivero Defence and National Security account, delivering risk management solutions to defence customers. His extensive experience in both the British and Australian militaries, combined with his consulting expertise, makes him a valuable asset in the field of defence project management.

Sponsored by: 





 
Mr Daniel Bartlett
  Senior Manager | Accenture

Daniel Bartlett is a Senior Manager in Accenture's strategy and consulting practice in Canberra. He has 26 years’ experience in program, project management and procurement, principally for Australian Federal Government departments. He has led program management and governance functions in some of the most important reforms to Health, Aged Care and Disability services over the past ten years. He volunteers with Scouting, and as Deputy Chief Commissioner is responsible for strategic planning, budget management, adult training and development, personnel and governance. This includes ensuring there are effective governance structures in place and operating effectively to ensure it can continue to deliver the evolving Scouting Program to the 2,000 youth members in the ACT. He has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Bath, UK, a Bachelor of Information Technology (Information Systems from the University of Technology, Sydney as well as an Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management and Diploma of Project Management from the Scouts Australia Institute of Training.





 
Mr Ryan Darby
  AI Lead | Sensei Project Solutions

Ryan is a project management professional and consultant focussing on implementing project management solutions. Ryan focusses on helping clients understand the big picture of what they need now and into the future, as well as research and development into AI approaches to project management.

Ryan has a Masters in Project Management, an MSc in Computer Science, and advanced certificates in PMO's.

Ryan is currently working on a PhD looking at how AI can enhance project management information systems.





 
Mr Kareem Khattab, PE, PMP, PSP, MCIarb, NER, BTEC lvl 7
  Planning & Interface Manager | Ventia

Planning Manager with 15 years of hands on experience preparing and maintaining project schedules, plans and procedures across various complex construction projects spanning mixed-use development and infrastructure fields. Highly adept at creating design schedules, master schedules and milestone plans combined with expertise in Extension of Time (EOT) claims, cost control and tender planning. Proven ability to build strong relationships with project leadership and resources to meet project objectives. Fluent in English and Arabic.





 
Mr Arvind Ramana
  Director Space Programs | Australian Space Agency

As the Director of Space Programs, Arvind Ramana leads the Agency’s programs focussed on space technologies from early phase studies to operational readiness. Arvind’s portfolio of programs includes the Moon to Mars Program, international space investment India, National Student Space Challenge. Arvind is passionate about Space and its profound positive impacts on the quality of life on earth, space as an enabler for critical tech and as an international diplomacy tool. His professional experience spans across nationally critical operational missions to technology demonstration nanosats. Arvind loves transferring the knowledge and learnings to achieve balance between the different schools of technology.





 
Dr Teresa Lawrence
  President & Owner | International Deliverables LLC

Teresa Lawrence, PhD, PMP, is recognized as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the integration of CPS into Project Management. Known for her work as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and master facilitator of Creative Problem Solving (CPS), she provides consulting services in facilitation and engagement, project management, organizational analysis and development, change management, leadership and improving team synergy and productivity. Teresa is a certified facilitator of FourSight, the leading assessment on how individuals and teams approach problem solving and innovation. Since 2017, Teresa has worked in person or virtually with over 90K individuals and 100+ organizations. In 2019, International Deliverables, LLC was recognized by the Small Business Administration as a Home-based Business of the Year. She currently holds the position of Director of the Creative Leadership for Innovation and Change (CLIC) PhD program at the University of the Virgin Islands.





 
Mr Nico Riquelme-Ramirez
  Cyber Security Consultant | QinetiQ

Meet Nico, a dedicated explorer in the dynamic fields of technology, engineering, and critical thinking. With a career rooted in Defence, Nico has led projects ranging from radar deployment across Australia to navigating the complexities of Information Warfare. Now with QinetiQ, Nico is leveraging expertise in Cyber and Information Security to help clients safeguard their critical assets and people. Before pursuing a Master's in Project Management at ANU, Nico played a key role at Seeing Machines, where he helped develop advanced driver and occupant monitoring systems designed to keep roads safer. Nico’s career also spans global experience with Procter & Gamble, where his Industrial Engineering acumen ensured the safe, and efficient production of diapers… millions of them.





 
Mr Sanjiv Parekh
  Director | Zerofloat Pty Ltd

Sanjiv Parekh is a seasoned project consultant and advisor with over three decades of experience in transforming complex projects, programs, and portfolios across the public and private sectors. As Director of Zerofloat, he leads with a hands-on, outcomes-focused approach to delivering value through integrated project controls, PMO governance, and performance assurance frameworks.

He is well known for successfully transforming projects, programs, and portfolios by implementing people, processes, and tools for end-to-end project delivery and brings industry practitioner experience gained in the team of owner, EPC/EPCM, consulting, and contractor organisations for their projects, function, and department at the regional, national, and global levels working with industry leaders like Defence CASG, Bechtel, Jacobs, Amentum, Ausenco, Downer, Thiess, GHD, UGL, Rio Tinto and Reliance.

He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical), a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, and a Certificate IV in Project Complexity from ICCPM and regular speaker, judge and volunteer at Project Controls Expo events and supports capability uplift initiatives across government and industry.

He integrates a wide spectrum of processes and practices from a variety of public and private industry sectors such as Mining and Metals, Oil and Gas, LNG, Chemical and Petrochemical, Coal, Power, and Defence.

His key value add is in the field of Project Management Office (PMO), Project Controls, Schedule, Cost, Earned Value, Project Systems, Change, and Risk Management along with reporting, governance, assurance, audit, and training within all aspects of transforming the projects, programs, portfolios.

From Defence reforms to megaproject delivery, Sanjiv Parekh consistently delivers outcomes that matter.





 
Ms Elyse Taylor
  Cost Estimator | Department of Defence

Elyse is joined the world of project governance in 2022 after a 14 year career as a secondary school English teacher in Melbourne. She now works as a cost estimator for the Department of Defence in Force Design Division. In this role she creates probabilistic parametric cost models to provide advice about the magnitude of project costs.

Coming from an education background, Elyse is an advocate for multi-disciplinary teams in project and program governance. She believes including unique perspectives can provide insights that improve the breadth and quality of our advice. In particular she promotes the importance of 'soft skills' for technical professionals as critical element of delivering outputs that are accessible to the broad range of stakeholders for our work.

In 2023 Elyse became Secretary on the Canberra chapter of the International Cost Estimating and Analysis Association (ICEAA).





 
Mr Stephen Richards
  Founder | TimeCostCurves

International experience in project planning and management, successfully completed a range of projects valued upwards of US$100 million.

Held project roles in planning and managing site teams and design teams for the project owner, including end-to-end project management from conceptual design to handover and opening. Developed project programmes then trained site staff in monitoring and reporting progress to completion. 

Tutored undergraduates in project planning at Melbourne University. Developed expertise in scheduling tools since working as a planner for the main contractor on the Burnley Tunnel Project. 

Proposes that the great potential within the critical path method fundamentals should be revitalised in a user-friendly workflow.





 
Mr Jason Evans
  Business Development Manager | TimeCostCurves

Jason Evans is the Business Development Manager at TimeCostCurves, a specialist provider of innovative tools for project management professionals. With over two decades of experience across project controls, business development, and client engagement, Jason plays a pivotal role in expanding the reach of TimeCostCurves' flagship product—a dynamic embedded file for Microsoft Project that enables users to generate visual time-cost curves with ease and precision.

Jason’s approach combines technical understanding with a genuine passion for helping project teams improve their planning and decision-making processes. He works closely with project managers, schedulers, and PMO leaders to demonstrate how TimeCostCurves can enhance project planning, align teams around key milestones, and support more effective risk and performance management.

Beyond product sales, Jason leads strategic partnerships, product education initiatives, and customer success efforts. He is developing the company's presence on online learning platforms.

Prior to joining TimeCostCurves, Jason held senior roles in the medical manufacturing industry, gaining first hand insight into the challenges of project delivery and the gaps in existing toolsets. His hands-on experience enables him to relate to the practical needs of his clients and offer solutions that make a meaningful difference. Jason is driven by a continuous improvement mindset and a commitment to helping organisations achieve better project outcomes through smarter tools and data-driven insights.





 
Mr Kym Henderson
  Chair | PGCS Ltd

Kym Henderson has extensive experience which spans project and program management, PMOs, software quality assurance, and project planning and control across multiple industry sectors including defence, government, ICT, and utilities.

He is the Chair of PGCS Ltd, which was established in 2019 to more effectively manage the activities of the PGCS, which become the premier annual event focused on project and program management, governance and controls, in Canberra since 2013.

Kym also serves as the Chair of the Standards Australia MB-012 Committee (project, programme and portfolio management - P3M) as also as Australia’s Head of Delegation to the ISO/TC258 P3M mirror committee.

He is also Convenor of ISO/TC 258/WG12, which was responsible for developing the ISO Earned Value Management (EVM) Implementation Guidance standard (ISO 21512:2024) published in 2024 and is currently updating the 21508:2018 ISO EVM and 21511:2018 ISO WBS standards.

Kym was previously a core writing team contributor to ISO/TC 258/WG7, which developed the ISO 21508:2018 EVM standard and was instrumental in the adoption of ISO 21508:2018 (with modifications) as Australia’s national EVM standard, AS 4817:2019.





 
Mr Collin Smith
  Managing Director & CEO | ICCPM

Collin has over 23 years of commercial and management experience in a variety of senior roles across various industry sectors.  Before moving to Australia, Collin spent 8 years as a Director and Principle Consultant for a boutique business transformation management consultancy in South Africa with a particular focus on strategy development and change management.  Collin’s Australian experience includes working for Queensland University of Technology where his responsibilities included the program management of QUT’s Executive MBA in Complex Project Management in Canberra as well as a series of customised customer specific and public executive education courses.  More recently, he was a Principle Consultant and business transformation practice lead for a local Canberra based consulting firm before joining ICCPM. Collin holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree (Marketing Management) and a Master of Business Administration degree (General Strategic Management) and is a past member of the Institute of Directors Southern Africa (IoDSA), The Southern African Institute of Management Scientists (SAIMS) – Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, The Institute of Management Consultants and Master Coaches of Southern Africa (IMCSA).





 
Mr John Al Khateeb
  PhD Candidate | University of Adelaide

John is a project and strategic management consultant, university lecturer, and trainer with 20+ years of experience. His expertise includes large-scale project management, industrial engineering, and digital transformation. With over a decade in training and coaching, he has worked with accredited providers and universities, delivering management and technical programs. He has contributed to project management best practices, including reviewing PMI’s Body of Knowledge and leading organisations to achieve PMI-authorised training partner status.

John holds a Master’s in Strategic Planning, a Master’s in Applied Project Management, and five PMI credentials. He is an active member of professional bodies such as the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the International Centre of Complex Project Management, and PMI.

Currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Adelaide, his research focuses on complex project management and governance, applying systems thinking, complex systems governance, and management cybernetics to large-scale projects.





 
Asst Prof Dr Syed Shahzad
  Asst Professor, Cybersecurity Lead, Federal Government & Space Engineering Researcher |            UNSW Canberra Space

Dr Shahzad is an Assistant Professor and cybersecurity specialist with expertise in critical infrastructure and space system resilience. He graduated from the Australian Defence Force Academy with a focus on threat pattern recognition and alert systems, later earning a postgraduate degree in Finance from the University of Oxford (St Hugh’s) and a PhD from UNSW Canberra on the cyber resilience of complex space systems.

He currently leads a federal cybersecurity team delivering critical national projects. Originally from Canberra, Dr Shahzad spent many years in the UK, where he held roles with the Ministry of Defence and Metropolitan Police. He has advised government agencies and the financial sector across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East on securing digital infrastructure.





 
Mr Mark van Zomeren
  PhD Student | ADFA UNSW

Mark van Zomeren is a PhD student at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), University of New South Wales, Australia. He has received his postgraduate degree in Systems Engineering from the University of New South Wales. He is a systems engineering practitioner and works in the Australian Defence industry. Mark's primary research areas are cyberworthiess and complex systems governance for cyber-physical systems utilised in defence industry and critical infrastructure.





 
Mr Drew Nugent
  Director - Master Planning and Estimation | Saab Australia

Drew is an accomplished executive leader with 24 years of experience in complex program delivery across both Australia and the United Kingdom. Drew has held technical, management, and strategic leadership roles at major organisations across defence industry with a portfolio including Shipbuilding, System Design, Combat Systems, Software, Maritime Sustainment, and Aerospace.

Drew holds extensive experience in complex project controls, integrated risk management, PMO, system engineering, software development and data science. Drew is deeply passionate about right-sized and appropriate project governance and control and always maintains his focus on pragmatic methods to support successful project delivery.

Drew lives in Adelaide with his wife, adult children, and unusually intelligent cat!  In his spare time Drew studies Data Science and Data Strategy and is in the late stages of completing a Master of Data Science.



Masterclass Presenters



 Dr Keith Joiner, CSC, CPEng, CPPD

  Senior Lecturer Test, Evaluation and Aircraft Design | University of New South Wales

Dr Keith Joiner, CSC, was an Air Force aeronautical engineer, project manager and teacher for 30 years before joining the University of New South Wales to teach and research test and evaluation. As Defence’s Director-General of Test and Evaluation for four years, he was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross and for doing drawdown plans for the Multi-National Force in Iraq, he was awarded a U.S. Meritorious Service Medal. He is a Certified Practising Engineer, a Certified Practising Project Director, and has over 100 published research articles on assuring engineered systems. His research is diverse, for example:

1)      assuring cyberworthiness, AI-enabled systems, and robotic autonomous systems, 
2)      using high throughput test design and complex systems governance, and 
3)      developing air-sea hybrid vehicles and the electrification of aircraft.




 
 Dr Dallas Rosson, PMP

  Principal Engineer for the Digital Transformation Division | Naval Undersea Warfare Center

Dr Dallas Rosson is the Principal Engineer for the Digital Transformation Division at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Keyport, Washington USA. His responsibilities include engineering and technical oversight for 150 cross-functional personnel supporting ten US Department of Defense programs, engineering process and policy planning and management, digital transformations, and Agile oversight and training.

Dr Rosson is a Professor of Practice teaching Systems Engineering at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. He holds a Doctor of Engineering in Systems Engineering from Colorado State University, a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from George Washington University, a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Systems from the University of Washington. His professional certifications include the Project Management Professional (PMP), Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner, Advanced Certified Scrum Master, Defense Acquisition Workforce Level 2 Engineer, Defense Acquisition Workforce Level 1 Information Technology, Defense Acquisition Workforce Engineering & Technical Management Practitioner, DoD Cybersecurity Workforce (621/Software Development) Level 3/Advanced, and Six Sigma Yellow Belt.

He served 12 years Active Duty in the U.S. Navy Submarine Force as an Electronic Technician (Communications) First Class Petty Officer. He was awarded the Submarine Warfare Device and the SSBN Deterrent Patrol Insignia for participating in 6 Strategic Deterrent Patrols on the USS Alaska.




 
 Mrs Kelli Houston, MSCS, SPC, RTE, CSM, ICP-ACC, ICP-ATF

  Lockheed Martin Fellow | Lockheed Martin

Kelli is a Lockheed Martin Fellow and the Technical Lead of the Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control (MFC) Agility Transformation Office (AXO). She is responsible for driving the adoption of lean and agile practices across programs and functional areas, defining transformation strategies, coaching teams, and capturing successful patterns to accelerate the delivery of business outcomes and ensure knowledge continuity.

With over 40 years of experience in software engineering, solution architecture, project management, and business transformation consulting, Kelli has worked across the defense, federal, and commercial sectors. She has a proven track record of transforming organizations and building high-performing teams through lean and agile principles, resulting in measurable project and program performance improvements. 

Kelli has led 19 agile transformations, achieving “double-digit” performance gains. Her efforts have earned her multiple awards, including a Program Management Review (PMR) Customer Recognition award for driving radical transparency.

Kelli was instrumental in developing MFC's agile playbook, enabling the company to scale agility adoption and earning her team the prestigious MFC Excellence Award. She also contributed to corporate guidance on Program Performance Management (PPM) for agile programs, providing a practical approach to tracking performance in an agile context.

An active participant in multiple professional organizations, Kelli is part of the leadership team for the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Systems Engineering Division (SED) Agile Delivery for Agencies, Programs and Teams (ADAPT) Committee, where she helps facilitate industry-government collaboration to continuously improve the implementation of agile practices to meet business and mission outcomes.

Kelli holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in engineering, has earned numerous agile and coaching certifications, is the author of several books and articles, and has spoken at over 70 events.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Kelli enjoys practicing yoga, cycling, reading, and spending quality time with her two grown children and her husband of 36 years.




 
 Mr Brent Johnstone

  Lockheed Martin Fellow | Lockheed Martin Aeronautics

Brent Johnstone is a Lockheed Martin Fellow and cost estimator at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Fort Worth, Texas. He has 37 years’ experience in the military aircraft industry, including 34 years as a cost estimator where he worked on the F-16, F-35 and Advanced Development programs. He is a member of the International Cost Estimating and Analysis Association (ICEAA) and served on the board of directors as regional director. He is a three-time best paper winner at the annual ICEAA workshop and has published multiple articles in the Journal of Cost Analysis and Parametrics. He has a Master of Science from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin.



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