R. Scott Erwin is the Chief Scientist for the Space Vehicles Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/RV), located at Kirtland AFB, NM.  Dr. Erwin has been an employee of AFRL/RV since 1997, during which time he was the Principal Investigator or Co-PI for six on-orbit flight experiments, most recently the EAGLE-Mycroft mission (2019-2020).  Dr. Erwin is the author or co-author of over 120 technical publications in the areas of autonomy, spacecraft communications, dynamics & controls.   He is a Fellow of AIAA and IEEE.  He has been selected as an AFRL Fellow (class of 2023) for his contributions to spacecraft dynamics and control as well as his work in vibration mitigation technology for large flexible space structures. 

Colonel Max W. “Rowdy” Yates is the Senior Program Director and Chief, Space Electro-Optics Division, Directed Energy Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Kirtland AFB, New Mexico.  He leads a team of over 450 military, civilian, and contractor personnel conducting research in space domain awareness, space security, and directed energy applications. Col Yates' division includes the Starfire Optical Range and Satellite Assessment Center (SatAC) on Kirtland AFB and the Air Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing Site (AMOS) on Maui, Hawaii.  During his career, Colonel Yates has led technology development for the Air Force, Space Force, and NASA through all stages of maturation from basic and applied research at AFRL to flight testing at the Air Force Test Center and NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. Recognized for his work in rapid acquisitions, he has led multiple programs at AFRL and the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (Space RCO) to develop and deploy operational capabilities that solve urgent warfighter needs in the air and space domain. He previously served as a senior policy advisor in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy and as an operational squadron commander at the Air Force Technical Applications Center, where he was responsible for monitoring nuclear weapon test ban treaties using a worldwide network of more than 300 space-based, seismic, and hydroacoustic sensors. His education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering, three Master’s Degrees in Astronautical Engineering/Defense and Strategic Studies/National Security Strategy, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Space Systems Engineering.

Dr. Jaime Stearns is the Director of Strategic Communications for the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SpRCO), a unique Space Force acquisition organization delivering combat-credible space warfighting capabilities through proven streamlined acquisition. Dr. Stearns is responsible for directing and executing the branding and messaging strategies for the organization as a whole and for its approximately dozen programs spanning public to highly classified efforts. Previously, she spent 16 years at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Space Vehicles Directorate in a variety of technical and leadership roles, most recently successfully advocating for AFRL and Space Force investment in science and technology for cislunar space. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry and a PhD in Physical Chemistry and has authored or co-authored over 20 peer-reviewed publications. She completed Air War College by correspondence and received a Civilian Meritorious Service Medal.

Associate Vice President National Security Programs and Classified Research 

Joseph “Joe” Roth serves as Associate Vice President for National Security Programs and Classified Research at The University of Texas at El Paso. He leads efforts to grow a world-class research and innovation enterprise focused on space, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and national security. His expertise includes disruptive innovation, executive leadership, defense strategy, program management, systems development, and building impactful public-private-academic partnerships.

A retired U.S. Space Force Colonel, Roth concluded his 28-year career as Director of the Innovation and Prototyping Acquisition Delta and Commander of Space Systems Command Detachment 1 at Kirtland Air Force Base. He led over 740 personnel across four sites and managed a $3.8 billion portfolio delivering advanced capabilities to the Space Force and national security community.

His leadership experience spans the Pentagon, National Reconnaissance Office, NATO, Air Force Research Laboratory and Space Systems Command. He holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati, Regis University and the Naval Postgraduate School.