Biographies

Krystal Azelton (nee Wilson), with over 14 years of international and domestic space, public policy, and management experience, is the Director of Space Applications Programs at Secure World Foundation, a private, operating foundation dedicated to the secure and sustainable use of space. There, she focuses on the Human and Environmental Security initiative, which promotes improved…

Kevin M. O’Connell is the Director of the Office of Space Commerce at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Within this position, Mr. O’Connell leads an office with responsibility as a space industry advocate within the Executive Branch of the U.S. government. Mr. O’Connell brings over 35 years of experience in the U.S. government, in research…

Justin Porter is a city planner and transportation strategy expert with a mastery in GIS. He has previously served in transportation management and GIS advisory roles in local, state and federal government agencies, including NASA, the District of Columbia, City of Los Angeles, City of Baton Rouge, and States of Georgia, Florida, and California. He…

Mr. Dustin Gard-Weiss became the Deputy Director of National Intelligence (DDNI) for Policy and Capabilities (P&C) on August 16, 2020. In this role, he will work to ensure the Intelligence Community (IC) is well-positioned to anticipate and meet future mission requirements. Prior to this position, Mr. Gard-Weiss served as the Associate Deputy Director of National…

Brigadier General Steven J. Butow is the Space Portfolio Director for the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research & Engineering, located in Silicon Valley. Prior to joining DIU, he was the Vice Chief of the Joint Staff, California Military Department. Colonel Butow is a former Commander of the 129th…

Balan Ayyar is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of percipient.ai, a Silicon-Valley based artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer vision firm focused on intelligence and national security missions. Percipient.ai’s intelligence analysis platform Mirage is operationally deployed in the national security and Intelligence Community of the USG. Balan is a seasoned CEO and retired…