Rocky Mountain NDIA
Mission & Leadership
Share:
Click here to go to the NDIA website and join as a corporate, government, individual or academic member.
IMPORTANT: Under Interests/Email Preferences, check NDIA Chapters to receive emails from Rocky Mountain NDIA about local industry news and events. (You can unsubscribe at any time.)
Rocky Mountain NDIA is an independent chapter of National Defense Industrial Association. We support a defense community that employs thousands of skilled professionals in (and contributes billions of dollars to) the metro areas of Colorado Springs and Denver.
Rocky Mountain NDIA provides valuable tools for military, government, civilian and academic professionals to improve their skills, advance their careers, and further the mission of national security. We support the community through networking events such as happy hours and Brown Bag lunches; continuing education through seminars, webinars and panel discussions; fundraising events such as the NDIA IMAGE Golf Tournament and the Annual NDIA Rocky Mountain Ball; recognition programs like the annual Hartinger and Patriot Awards; and volunteer/funding support for elementary school STEM education efforts like The Edge of Space and Rocket Day.
We support critical industry and military organizations & facilities:
- United States Space Command (USSPACECOM)
- National Space Defense Center (NSDC)
- United States Space Force (USSF) Space Operations Command (SPOC) and its operating bases at Peterson SFB, Schriever SFB, Buckley SFB, and Cheyenne Mountain SFS
- USSF Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM)
- North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)/United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM)
- Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC)
- Army Strategic Command (ARSTRAT)/Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC)
- Missile Defense Integration Operations Center (MDIOC)
- Fort Carson and its Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site
- 10th Special Forces Group
- US Air Force Academy
- Colorado National Guard the High Altitude Army Training Facility
- USAF Initial Flight Training
- Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) sites in northeastern Colorado
Rocky Mountain NDIA Mission Statement: The Rocky Mountain Chapter NDIA promotes a strong, diverse Colorado security ecosystem through education, awareness, and advocacy. We exist to provide value to our community by improving national security and warfighter support and enhancing the region’s economic base. We are a catalyst for the formation of meaningful connections regionally, nationally, and globally.
AERETI provides consulting services for business leadership, management, and strategic planning, focusing on business growth. AERETI also supports executives in their unique organizational roles and interactions with a board of directors. As CEO, Doc provides the strategy and leads the development of the people and capabilities of AERETI to provide the services, and products companies need to successfully grow their business.
An accomplished professional with more than 30 years of senior-level financial and accounting experience, Carter embraces new situations, establishes trust and develops workable game plans. To produce results, Carter leads his clients through their challenges by assessing a set of circumstances and “cutting to the chase.”
Karri Palmetier
Secretary
Palmetier Law
303-697-8914
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.
Scott “Scooter” Gilson
Gilson Consulting
719-684-6632
Scott “Scooter” Gilson is the President/CEO of Gilson Consulting Group, LLC where he provides support to Large and Small Businesses in pursuit of work for the Department of Defense and Federal Agencies. He is skilled in Executive Management, Business Operations, Business Development, Capture management, and Proposal Support. His Military experience focused on Nuclear and Space programs.
He spent 26 years in the USAF with operational experience in Space and ICBM operations. He commanded at the Flight, Squadron and Operations Group levels leading organizations of diverse career fields in excess of 600 personnel. His staff assignments include depth in Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution (PPBE); Joint Requirements (JROC); 4-Star Executive support (CAG Director); and Command Inspector General (AFSPC).
Since his retirement in 2011, Scooter has served as Task Lead, Program Manager, Regional Executive, Vice President for Business Development, and Partner at firms both Large and Small. He has helped capture, propose, win and execute work well in excess of $1 Billion in total contract value. As a Partner at Guidehouse he helped launch their Space Account and developed the Space Strategic Plan.
He holds a Bachelors Degree in Information Systems from Robert Morris University, and Masters Degrees in Administration from Central Michigan University and Strategic Studies from Air University. He was inducted into the Center High School (Monaca, PA) Hall of Fame, Class of 2007.
Scooter is a member of the Board of Directors for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association where he served as Vice President of Workforce Development and now Co-Chairs the Events Committee.
He and Cathy have successfully raised three children and reside in Monument, Colorado.
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. 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.
Joe Kahoe
Business Development Director
UICGS and Bowhead Family of Companies, Colorado Springs
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.
Kent Traylor
President
Pikes Peak Round Table
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.
Veteran Engineering and Technology, LLC is a leading IT system, systems engineering, and technical management firm specializing in cost-effective, high-quality, and industry-leading support services for various government and commercial clients. VET was incorporated in 2003 as a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and built upon a commitment to excellence, duty, and honor. The company is headquartered in scenic Colorado Springs near four major military installations, including Fort Carson, Peterson AFB, Schriever AFB, and the Air Force Academy. VET’s mission is to be the most responsive SDVOSB west of the Mississippi, providing leading-edge solutions to our customers.
Henry Baird is the President of Baird & Associates, LLC, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Baird & Associates, LLC is a consulting company specializing in advice for space system requirements, launch vehicle development, and launch and flight testing of advanced aircraft.
Mr. Baird served in the United States Air Force for 28 years. While in the Air Force, he had assignments in the United Kingdom and across the United States. His assignments have included duty as an F-111A/D/E weapon system officer; test navigator on the B-2 strategic bomber; DoD liaison to the U.S. State Department, Delta II Program Manager, and Deputy Director for Launch Programs at the Space and Missile Systems Center. He has also held leadership positions as the Secretary of the Air Force Space Acquisition Directorate and Headquarters Air Force Space Command. Mr. Baird’s Air Force responsibilities have included managing research and development and production of all heritage launch vehicles including the Delta II, Atlas II, and Titan II and IV, developing concepts and defining requirements for future space and missile systems, testing the first of its kind strategic bomber, the B-2, and advocating funding for current and future Air Force space systems.
Maj Gen Wesley Clark USAF (Ret)
Wesley “Wes” Clark has a long-term association with NDIA, having served on the Boards of both the Los Angeles and Colorado Springs Chapters, and as a member of the NDIA Space Division. Following his retirement from the Air Force as Vice Commander of AF Space Command, and as one of the founders of AFSPC, he worked for the Grumman Corp in Southern California and later formed his own company, Parsec. Upon returning to Colorado Springs, he became the lead executive (“Mayor”) for SAIC operations in Colorado Springs and retired after 8 years in that position. He formerly served as a Board member on the Peak Military Care Network and formerly served as Chairman of the MAC. He is also a recipient of both the NDIA Rocky Mountain Chapter’s Hartinger Award and NDIA’s Gold Medal.
Richard “Doc” Klodnicki, Ph.D., PMP
Executive Vice President
CEO, President
Aereti, Inc.
AERETI provides consulting services for business leadership, management, and strategic planning, focusing on business growth. AERETI also supports executives in their unique organizational roles and interactions with a board of directors. As CEO, Doc provides the strategy and leads the development of the people and capabilities of AERETI to provide the services, and products companies need to successfully grow their business.
Kevin “Morty” Mortensen
Vice President, Space, and Cyberspace Initiatives
BAE Systems, Inc.
Kevin “Morty” Mortensen is the Vice President, Space and Cyberspace Initiatives at BAE Systems, Inc. In this role, he consults and collaborates with customers across the US Space Force and US Air Force enterprise on their required capabilities to meet emerging threats and future mission needs. Mr. Mortensen is a retired U.S. Air Force Officer, having served 29+ years in various national security space-related and leadership roles. Mr. Mortensen serves on the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) National Board of Directors. He is also the Chair of the NDIA Space Division and Director Emeritus with the NDIA Rocky Mountain Chapter. Mr. Mortensen also serves as Chair of the Colorado Springs Military Affairs Council and serves on the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corporation’s Board of Directors. In addition, Mr. Mortensen is a Member of the National Space Club and Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Kent Traylor
President
Pikes Peak Round Table
Thomas C. Walker
Director Emeritus
Director, Colorado Springs
Lockheed Martin Government Affairs
719-466-7919
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.
Gayle White
Director Emeritus
Colorado Aerospace Consultants, LLC
Gayle White is the President of Colorado Aerospace Consultants, LLC. He has been an operations and business development director in the aerospace contractor community for the past 31 years following a 20-year Air Force career. Gayle’s years in the industry include Director-level positions at CSC and The Boeing Company, with roles in business development for IT, space, and missile defense programs. Operations positions include Global Positioning System (GPS) technical assistant and Maui Space Surveillance Site manager. His military experience includes configuration control of NORAD’s Integrated Tactical Warning and Attack Assessment (ITW/AA) System, management of Cheyenne Mountain computer operations, command of one of Air Force Space Command’s missile warning and space surveillance sites, ICBM logistics systems software development and NATO forces database management. Gayle was President of the NDIA Rocky Mountain Chapter (1997-99), Chairman of the NDIA Space Division (2000-2002), and Executive Secretary of the Space Division (2010-2018).
Chuck Zimkas retired as President of the Space Foundation after completing a distinguished 27-year career with the organization. He played a key role in the continued success of the annual Space Symposium, the Space Foundation’s relocation to its current world headquarters, and the creation of the Space Foundation Discovery Center. The Space Foundation established the Chuck and Ursula Zimkas Space Library at its world headquarters in 2013 to recognize their long-time service and volunteer contributions.
Kevin “Morty” Mortensen is the Vice President, Space and Cyberspace Initiatives at BAE Systems, Inc. In this role, he consults and collaborates with customers across the US Space Force and US Air Force enterprise on their required capabilities to meet emerging threats and future mission needs. Mr. Mortensen is a retired U.S. Air Force Officer, having served 29+ years in various national security space-related and leadership roles. Mr. Mortensen serves on the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) National Board of Directors. He is also the Chair of the NDIA Space Division and Director Emeritus with the NDIA Rocky Mountain Chapter. Mr. Mortensen also serves as Chair of the Colorado Springs Military Affairs Council and serves on the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corporation’s Board of Directors. In addition, Mr. Mortensen is a Member of the National Space Club and Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Thomas C. Walker
President (2023-2024)
719-466-7919
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.
Phil was previously the Deputy then Program Manager for the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System (JWICS) and the Chief and Founder of the Defense Intelligence VSAT Network (DIVN), the Defense Intelligence Agency’s Global Satellite Communication Program. He served over 20 years in the Army in various capacities, including: as an Armored Cavalry Tank Platoon Leader during OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD/STORM, a Tactical and Strategic Military Intelligence Officer, Army Staff during 9/11, and numerous overseas assignments, including Iraq, Korea, and Afghanistan. He is a member of NDIA, AFCEA, AUSA, and MOAA and is active in youth development in our community, including Cubmaster with Cub Scouts, Assistant Scoutmaster, and TKD instructor.
AERETI provides consulting services for business leadership, management, and strategic planning, focusing on business growth. AERETI also supports executives in their unique organizational roles and interactions with a board of directors. As CEO, Doc provides the strategy and leads the development of the people and capabilities of AERETI to provide the services, and products companies need to successfully grow their business.
James “Jim” Painter
President (2015-2016)
Debbie McCarthy
President (2014-2015)
Henry Baird is the President of Baird & Associates, LLC, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Baird & Associates, LLC is a consulting company specializing in advice for space system requirements, launch vehicle development, and launch and flight testing of advanced aircraft.
Mr. Baird served in the United States Air Force for 28 years. While in the Air Force, he had assignments in the United Kingdom and across the United States. His assignments have included duty as an F-111A/D/E weapon system officer; test navigator on the B-2 strategic bomber; DoD liaison to the U.S. State Department, Delta II Program Manager, and Deputy Director for Launch Programs at the Space and Missile Systems Center. He has also held leadership positions as the Secretary of the Air Force Space Acquisition Directorate and Headquarters Air Force Space Command. Mr. Baird’s Air Force responsibilities have included managing research and development and production of all heritage launch vehicles including the Delta II, Atlas II, and Titan II and IV, developing concepts and defining requirements for future space and missile systems, testing the first of its kind strategic bomber, the B-2, and advocating funding for current and future Air Force space systems.
T.I. Weintraub
President (2009-2011)
Lamberth Blalock
President (2007-2009)
Robert G. Peterson
President (2005-2007)
Bob Peterson served as President of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of NDIA from October 2005 to September 2007. This followed his stint as President of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of NDIA during his Lockheed Martin assignment in Los Angeles from 1999 to 2004. Mr. Peterson served as Vice President of Space Programs, Lockheed Martin Corporate Business Development, from January 2004 until his retirement in February 2009. Before joining Lockheed in 2003, he served as a meteorologist, missileer, and space requirements officer in the Air Force for 26 years. He retired in the grade of Colonel on January 1, 1993. Following his retirement from Lockheed Martin, he established RG Peterson Consulting, LLC. He continues active in many groups, including NDIA, AFA, Pikes Peak Round Table, Colorado Thirty Group, The Home Front Cares, and the Colorado Consortium of Earth and Space Studie
Joan Sell
President (2003-2005)
Larry Hungerford
President (2001-2003)
Larry Fortner
President (1999-2001)
Gayle White
President (1997-1999)
Gayle White is the President of Colorado Aerospace Consultants, LLC. He has been an operations and business development director in the aerospace contractor community for the past 31 years following a 20-year Air Force career. Gayle’s years in the industry include Director-level positions at CSC and The Boeing Company, with roles in business development for IT, space, and missile defense programs. Operations positions include Global Positioning System (GPS) technical assistant and Maui Space Surveillance Site manager. His military experience includes configuration control of NORAD’s Integrated Tactical Warning and Attack Assessment (ITW/AA) System, management of Cheyenne Mountain computer operations, command of one of Air Force Space Command’s missile warning and space surveillance sites, ICBM logistics systems software development and NATO forces database management. Gayle was President of the NDIA Rocky Mountain Chapter (1997-99), Chairman of the NDIA Space Division (2000-2002), and Executive Secretary of the Space Division (2010-2018).
