Greetings, Rocky Mountain Chapter members! Wishing you and your families the very best and hope you’re staying warm. It’s been 4-weeks since being elected the President of NDIA Rocky Mountain Chapter (NDIA-RMC) and I’m very excited and honored to serve you. For those who know me, you know member value is the highest priority for me.
What I Bring to NDIA-RMC: I have been a NDIA member since 2013. After 29 years of service in the Air Force, I worked for Universal Space Network (a small company), Swedish Space Corporation (a medium size company), and then BAE Systems, Inc. (a large size company). When I joined Universal Space Network, my CEO, John Williams, directly told me… “Morty, join your local NDIA Chapter’s leadership Board. Our customers respect NDIA and so do we.” Since then, I’ve served the NDIA-RMC and was previously its Chapter President from 2018-2020. I also volunteered with the NDIA Space Division, just completed a two-year term as their Division Chair. In addition, I completed a term as Chair for NDIA’s Member Leadership Council and I’m currently on the NDIA National Board of Directors. I mention these volunteer efforts because I bring a NDIA-wide perspective to the NDIA-RMC leadership team and, more importantly, bringing greater value to our members.
Member Communications: The NDIA-RMC has 2,138 members. Our members come from small, medium, and large size companies, as well as government and military members. Our members deliver capabilities across the defense and military enterprise. Furthermore, the demographics of members denotes broad and wide-ranging communication preferences. As a result, we have expanded our communications strategy to provide several channels from which members can receive their NDIA information. We will leverage social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X), email, and our NDIA-RMC website. Unlike most NDIA Chapters who support one government or military organization, the NDIA-RMC has several. Follow your NDIA-RMC’s progress on:
- Facebook: Link: NDIA-RMC on Facebook
- Instagram: Link: NDIA-RMC on Instagram
- LinkedIn: Link: NDIA-RMC on LinkedIn
- X: Link: NDIA-RMC on X
Member Events: Your NDIA-RMC leadership team is working hard to provide you member value, to include member events and other support. There are many events being planned. Our goal is to provide monthly gatherings. Today, I wanted to provide Save-the-Date information on a few key events:
NDIA Space Division Breakfast: The NDIA-RMC is teaming with the Space Division on its April 8th, 2025, Space Division Breakfast (this will be held during the Space Symposium). Our guest speaker will be Lt Gen David Miller, Commander of the Space Operations Command. Here’s a link to Lt Gen Miller’s bio: Lt Gen David N. Miller, Jr. Bio NDIA National is in the process of updating their website events page with event details, registration information, and sponsorship opportunities. NDIA-RMC members will also send out an email to NDIA-RMC members with event information.
42nd Annual NDIA-RMC Rocky Mountain Ball: The 2025 NDIA Rocky Mountain Chapter Ball will be held on May 30th, 2025 at the DoubleTree Hotel. During this Ball, NDIA will present its General James V. Hartinger Award for Excellence in the Military Space Program of the United States to its 2025 recipient, General B. Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations, United States Space Force. Here’s a link to General Saltzman’s bio: General B. Chance Saltzman Bio. The NDIA-RMC will also present Patriot Awards to several servicemembers from the 4th Infantry Division / Ft Carson, NORAD / USNORTHCOM, US Air Force Academy, US Space Command, and the US Space Force. The NDIA-RMC is updating their website with event information, to include registration and sponsorship opportunities.
Membership Event with NDIA President/CEO: The Honorable David Norquist will visit Colorado Springs on June 10th to meet with NDIA-RMC members. Here is a link to Honorable Norquest’s Bio: Hon David Norquist Bio. The NDIA-RMC is updating their website with event information.
25th Annual Industry, Military, Government Golf Event (IMAGE): On August 26th, 2025, NDIA-RMC in partnership with the local chapters of AFCEA and the AFA, will host the IMAGE at the Air Force Academy golf course. This golf event raises money for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) scholarships and other related STEM activities for local middle/high school and college students. The NDIA-RMC will send out additional event information via email and our website.
Space Warfighting Forum (SWF): This is a one-of-a-kind event that specifically supports U.S. Space Command’s warfighting mission. The SWF will be held on August 27-28, 2025. The first day, August 27th, will provide unclassified information, and the second day will provide TS/SCI information. NDIA National is updating its website events page with event details, including registration and sponsorship opportunities.
Thank You’s: Thank you, Dr. Tom Walker, our previous NDIA-RMC President, for his leadership of the NDIA-RMC Chapter over the last two years. Tom collaborated with NDIA National and the NDIA Space Division to help facilitate the NDIA Space Warfighting Forum. Volunteering takes a lot of time and energy, and Tom has definitely provided that. In their first vote of 2025, the NDIA-RMC Board of Directors recognized Tom’s contribution by selecting him to receive the Director Emeritus recognition. We look forward to Tom’s continued support of the NDIA-RMC and its members.
