Mission & Leadership

Dr. Tom Walker is the Colorado Springs Corporate Lead for Lockheed Martin Government Affairs. In this  capacity, Dr. Walker supports all Lockheed Martin business activities in the Rocky Mountain region.

Dr. Walker served over 30 years in the US Air Force (USAF), both active duty and civil service. He retired as a Colonel with over 20 years of operational, technical, staff, and executive experience serving in various assignments, including the Chief of Staff’s Action Group, Headquarters (HQ) USAF; Operations Officer, 2nd Space Launch Squadron; and then as Commander, 30th Operations Support Squadron, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.

Before joining Lockheed Martin, Dr. Walker was the Chief of the Global Warning and Defense Division within the Directorate of Requirements, HQ AFSPC. Dr. Walker graduated from Texas A&M University with a BS in Industrial Engineering, a Master’s degree in Engineering Administration from George Washington University, and Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Public Administration from the University of Southern California.

Roger Vincent is the Corporate Lead Executive – Colorado for Northrop Grumman Corporation, a leader in global security. In this role, Roger focuses on the NG relationship with United States Space Command, United States Northern Command, United States Space Force Space Operations Command, Space Training and Readiness Command, and Department of Defense Facilities on the Front Range. Roger retired from the USAF in 2016, where he played a key role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of warfighting technologies for our nation’s air, space, and cyberspace forces.

Karri Palmetier brings over two decades of experience in government contracting, aerospace, and defense industries. She started as a U.S. Air Force judge advocate supporting major defense programs, operational contracting, and international/joint war operations. Karri gained breadth at a major law firm working on various matters. She worked for United Launch Alliance, enabling the company’s operations through major government and commercial contracts, business system compliance, subcontract administration, and many others. Now, she uses her unique and diverse background to advise companies on all aspects of government contracting. Palmetier Law is a woman-owned small business and certified service-disabled veteran-owned small business.

As Director for Obsidian HR, Kathy Vinson serves as a trusted HR advisor to our clients by providing strategic and tactical HR guidance as to regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, and employee relations.

Before joining Obsidian HR, Kathy was Vice President – Operations for the Space Foundation in Colorado Springs, Colorado, responsible for the direction and leadership of all operational areas, including customer service, IT, web services, HR, and facilities and infrastructure. During Kathy’s 10+ years at the Foundation, it was repeatedly designated as one of the “Best Nonprofits to Work For” by The Nonprofit Times and Best Companies Group.

Kathy received the 2019 Tourism Leadership Award presented by the Colorado Springs visitor and tourism organization, VisitCOS, recognizing her leadership of the annual Space Symposium and her contributions to the resilience and growth of the Pikes Peak region.

Fred Gaudlip has supported America’s space programs for more than 30 years and is currently responsible for developing and executing programs which push the leading edge of technology for Kratos|RT Logic customers. Prior to joining Kratos|RT Logic, he led all aspects of business development for a business segment dedicated to new technology creation. As a military officer, Fred led multiple space operations organizations. He also earned a B.S. in Human Factors Engineering from the US Air Force Academy, an M.A. in International Relations from Creighton University, and an M.A. in Military Arts and Sciences from the School of Advanced Airpower Studies, Air University.

William O’Brien is a Senior Capture Manager with American Systems Corporation, an NDIA member company responsible for developing and winning new business, primarily focused on the I-25 Corridor from Wyoming to New Mexico. Before his position with American Systems Corporation, Mr. O’Brien was Vice President, Business Development for Northrop Grumman IT, SAIC as Vice President, reporting directly to the CEO and as a Senior Business Development Director for Artic Slope Regional Company. Mr. O’Brien holds an Associate Degree in Administration of Criminal Justice and served as a Police officer from 1979 to 1999. Retiring as a Sergeant with numerous commendations from local, State, and Federal Law Enforcement Agencies, Mr. O’Brien coordinated efforts with multiple federal agencies involved in counterintelligence and counternarcotics. Mr. O’Brien is an Ambassador for the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council. Mr. O’Brien is also a member of the Military Affairs Council for the Colorado Spring Chamber & EDC.

Ms. Tracey Hayes is a Business Development Leader with IBM Consulting, developing business strategies and solutions for the US Space Force and US Air Force. Ms. Hayes served as a space and missile operator in the US Air Force for over 26 years, retiring in May 2017. She possesses significant program management, strategic planning, and major weapon systems upgrades and development experience. Ms. Hayes also has a proven ability to lead personnel through vast mission and organizational changes. Her US Air Force career includes extensive experience on the Joint Staff J3, serving as a foreign exchange officer in Canada’s Department of National Defense and command positions including vice wing commander and wing commander.

Mr. Rob Henderson is the Vice President of Operations at The Space Foundation. Rob plays a pivotal role within the organization that ties multiple departments of Space Foundation together. He is responsible for overall logistical support to all headquarters personnel and functions and operational support to ensure the success of the two organizational divisions. The VP of Operations also plays a critical role in leadership within the organization’s emergency management plans. Before joining Space Foundation, Rob served as an Air Force officer for 27 years, retiring in 2022.

Mr. Hollenbach is the President and CEO at DSoft Technology, a Colorado SDVOSB. He has worked on a variety of systems engineering and information technology projects. His domain experience ranges from working on military, civil, and commercial sector space-related projects as an engineer/analyst and operator to commercial and government application development projects as a systems engineer and project manager.  David graduated with military and academic distinction from the US Air Force Academy in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Mechanics. He later received his Master of Science in Systems Engineering (emphasis on Reliability and Maintainability, Operations Research, mechanical engineering, and systems integration) from the Air Force Institute of Technology.

Joe Kahoe, Col USAF (ret) is a member of the Board of Directors and Vice President for Awards and Recognition, Rocky Mountain Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association. Joe currently serves as the Business Development Director for UICGS and Bowhead Family of Companies in Colorado Springs. He serves on the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, Aerospace Defense Team and Military Affairs Council. Since 2004, Joe has led (or co-led) the annual IMAGE golf tournament, which raises funds for STEM scholarships and related STEM activities for our local chapters of NDIA, AFCEA, and AFA. Joe has been an RMC NDIA BOD member since 2004 and served as Treasurer and head of the Finance Committee in past tours.

Mike is the Executive Director of Space Field Engagement at Boeing where he leads personnel that serve as an essential link between Boeing and its customers. In this role, he is responsible for understanding warfighter requirements, and policy and acquisition trends in support of company leadership.

Mike is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel whose career spans more than 27 years; he commanded a space operations squadron and an air operations center and held various other positions at the squadron, directorate, numbered air force, major command, and Joint Staff levels.  Before his retirement, he was the Director of the Commander’s Action Group for the U.S. Space Force, Chief of Space Operations, and Commander of U.S. Space Command, helping create the U.S. Space Force and re-establishing the U.S. Space Command. Mike received the prestigious General Jerome F. O’Malley Distinguished Space Leadership Award.

In her current role as a Senior Community Investment Specialist, she supports BAE’s Electronic System’s Community Investment team by leading STEM Tech Power grant partner efforts from the grants process to employee volunteer engagement opportunities. She also supports all BAE Electronic Systems sites in their local philanthropy and volunteers engagement efforts. Before joining BAE Electronic Systems’ community investment team, Kelly served as the Development Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) for the Air Force Academy Foundation, where she led CFR strategy and relations, including stewardship, retention, and acquisition of corporate and foundation partners. Kelly is a Certified Fundraising Executive with 13 years of nonprofit, fundraising, and relationship management experience. Before the Air Force Academy Foundation, she served as the Senior Manager of Engagement and Outreach at Space Foundation.

Matt McGuire brings more than 35 years of professional experience working DoD technology strategy, planning and execution to include: engineering and technology solutions, operational planning, and strategic planning. He is the Booz Allen Hamilton site lead for Colorado Springs and is responsible for the defense space market in Colorado and New Mexico with a focus on engineering and solutions. He holds a MA in Business Management as well as Certifications in Program Management and Agile.

Matt leads large portions of Booz Allen Hamilton’s space strategy and was responsible for spearheading a presence with space-focused organizations in Albuquerque, N.M. His team develops solutions for PNT; RF Resiliency; Cyber Resiliency; Modern, Cloud-Based Ground Systems; Electronic Warfare; Advanced Analytics; and Immersive Space Training.  His team also supports large Systems Engineering and Integration efforts with U.S. Space Force organizations and corporate responsibilities include market strategy and development, merger and acquisition strategy, staff development, and community outreach.  He has been a program manager on numerous contracts supporting DoD clients and leads several Booz Allen activities to include university partnerships, Catalyst Campus engagement, and small business relationship building.  Matt also brings over 13 years of Air Force experience in the DoD acquisition and requirements processes, appropriation law, and DoD Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution.

Experienced Project Planner with a demonstrated history of working in the Aerospace and Aviation industries. Highly skilled in Excel, Financial Modeling, Data Analysis, Public Speaking, and Project Management. Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) focused in Finance, from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Mr. Daniel (Dan) Jaworowski is Infinity’s President and responsible for the short- and long-term vision of the company to encompass managing the executive team, controlling budgets, establishing policies and strategies, and fulfilling Infinity’s mission. Dan has extensive experience in aerospace and defense as a major portfolio manager and business leader. In the executive role, Dan has a proven record of successful program execution including major ground system sustainment and space system development, all while delivering outstanding business results.