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Leadership & Advisors
The Defense Alliance Foundation’s leadership team is a powerhouse of expertise and innovation.
Our directors and advisors include:
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Experienced serial entrepreneurs who have launched and scaled successful ventures.
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Senior executives from the technology industry with deep operational and strategic insight.
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Ph.D.-level researchers and innovators driving breakthroughs in science and technology.
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Legal and intellectual property experts safeguarding innovation and facilitating commercialization.
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Defense researchers contributing cutting-edge solutions to national security challenges.
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Former special operations personnel bringing unique perspectives and leadership skills.
Together, this diverse team of leaders propels DAF’s mission forward, ensuring impactful contributions to both the defense and commercial sectors.
Leadership
Brandon Conover
Richard Spangler
Phil Williams
Advisors
Ladson Brearley, PE, SE
Structural Engineer
Ladson, a licensed structural engineer, is currently the co-founder of a startup developing computer vision technology to automate 3D concrete printing through a real-time digital twin of the printing process. He strongly believes in the value of the North Carolina entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Prior to starting ARtx, Ladson spent over thirty years in engineering and leadership roles serving government and private companies in the building, infrastructure, and communications industries. His experience includes engineering services, customer engagement, business development, product commercialization, technology R&D, and operations. He has gained valuable insight into the sales process as a service provider, infrastructure owner, and product developer.
Ladson co-founded his company, ARtx, with Rakesh Khan because of a shared vision that innovative technology is the best hope for extending the life of our critical infrastructure and preserving our environment for future generations. ARtx is a bootstrapped startup with initial funding from SBIR and other non-dilutive grants. Since 3D concrete printing is an innovative technology in the highly regulated building industry, our approach includes active participation in multiple industry groups that are writing the standards for this emerging technology.
A Carolinas native, Ladson earned a B.S. in Physics from Davidson College and a Master of Civil Engineering from North Carolina State University.
Ladson, a licensed structural engineer, is currently the co-founder of a startup developing computer vision technology to automate 3D concrete printing through a real-time digital twin of the printing process. He strongly believes in the value of the North Carolina entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Prior to starting ARtx, Ladson spent over thirty years in engineering and leadership roles serving government and private companies in the building, infrastructure, and communications industries. His experience includes engineering services, customer engagement, business development, product commercialization, technology R&D, and operations. He has gained valuable insight into the sales process as a service provider, infrastructure owner, and product developer.
Ladson co-founded his company, ARtx, with Rakesh Khan because of a shared vision that innovative technology is the best hope for extending the life of our critical infrastructure and preserving our environment for future generations. ARtx is a bootstrapped startup with initial funding from SBIR and other non-dilutive grants. Since 3D concrete printing is an innovative technology in the highly regulated building industry, our approach includes active participation in multiple industry groups that are writing the standards for this emerging technology.
A Carolinas native, Ladson earned a B.S. in Physics from Davidson College and a Master of Civil Engineering from North Carolina State University.
W. Lyle Gravatt
Michael Best Law Firm
Lyle focuses his practice in the area of intellectual property and transactional law. He provides end-to-end counsel to help clients identify, protect, and commercialize IP assets including trademarks, patents, and trade secrets. He works closely with his clients to understand their business priorities and help them align their IP, contractual, and government procurement needs to support those goals.
Lyle is also a member of the firm’s Unmanned Technology team, the Defense & National Security group, and often works alongside the Best Autonomous Insights group.
Lyle focuses his practice in the area of intellectual property and transactional law. He provides end-to-end counsel to help clients identify, protect, and commercialize IP assets including trademarks, patents, and trade secrets. He works closely with his clients to understand their business priorities and help them align their IP, contractual, and government procurement needs to support those goals.
Lyle is also a member of the firm’s Unmanned Technology team, the Defense & National Security group, and often works alongside the Best Autonomous Insights group.
David Hayden
Smith Anderson Law Firm
David Hayden joined Smith Anderson in 2011, after serving as the general counsel and board secretary
for USfalcon, Inc. David has extensive experience in government contracting, corporate investigations
(internal and government) and employment law. He regularly advises companies and their directors and
officers on corporate governance matters and other general corporate and business matters. He also represents a variety of defense contractors, advising on a broad range of federal contracting issues such
as bid protests, teaming agreements, subcontract agreements, joint ventures, the Small Business
Administration 8(a) Business Development program, International Trafficking in Arms Regulations (ITAR),
Corporate Ethics, and organizational conflicts of interest (OCI) compliance issues. He has a high level
government security clearance.
David previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina,
investigating and prosecuting federal crimes as well as supervising all military attorneys authorized to
practice in federal court in eastern North Carolina. He also conducted federal procurement fraud
investigations in government contracting as a member of the Department of Justice Procurement Fraud
Task Force for the Southeast.
Military Service
Colonel, United States Army retired, Corps of Engineers and the Judge Advocate General Corps
David Hayden joined Smith Anderson in 2011, after serving as the general counsel and board secretary
for USfalcon, Inc. David has extensive experience in government contracting, corporate investigations
(internal and government) and employment law. He regularly advises companies and their directors and
officers on corporate governance matters and other general corporate and business matters. He also represents a variety of defense contractors, advising on a broad range of federal contracting issues such
as bid protests, teaming agreements, subcontract agreements, joint ventures, the Small Business
Administration 8(a) Business Development program, International Trafficking in Arms Regulations (ITAR),
Corporate Ethics, and organizational conflicts of interest (OCI) compliance issues. He has a high level
government security clearance.
David previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina,
investigating and prosecuting federal crimes as well as supervising all military attorneys authorized to
practice in federal court in eastern North Carolina. He also conducted federal procurement fraud
investigations in government contracting as a member of the Department of Justice Procurement Fraud
Task Force for the Southeast.
Military Service
Colonel, United States Army retired, Corps of Engineers and the Judge Advocate General Corps
Dean Hoffman, Col. (ret.)
President and Co-Founder
Accel Innovation Corporation
Dean is the President and Co-founder of AIC. Dean brings 20+ years of government acquisition experience supporting Army Joint and Special Operations. Key positions included Project Management for supporting Rapid Equipping Force, Project Manager for Medium Altitude Reconnaissance & Surveillance Systems, and Project Manager for Soldier Protection & Individual Equipment. Additionally, Dean served as the Joint Special Operations J8, overseeing a $13.9B dollar portfolio.
While serving in these executive level positions, Dean identified several challenges between government and small innovative business. Thus, he founded AIC to bridge the gap between innovative technology and government entities.Â
Dean is a member of the Defense Innovation Network and a Technology scout for several Venture Capital and Private Equity firms.
Dean's education includes a MS in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University, a MS in System Acquisition Management from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a BA in Business Administration and Economics from Lycoming College.
Accel Innovation Corporation
Dean is the President and Co-founder of AIC. Dean brings 20+ years of government acquisition experience supporting Army Joint and Special Operations. Key positions included Project Management for supporting Rapid Equipping Force, Project Manager for Medium Altitude Reconnaissance & Surveillance Systems, and Project Manager for Soldier Protection & Individual Equipment. Additionally, Dean served as the Joint Special Operations J8, overseeing a $13.9B dollar portfolio.
While serving in these executive level positions, Dean identified several challenges between government and small innovative business. Thus, he founded AIC to bridge the gap between innovative technology and government entities.Â
Dean is a member of the Defense Innovation Network and a Technology scout for several Venture Capital and Private Equity firms.
Dean's education includes a MS in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University, a MS in System Acquisition Management from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a BA in Business Administration and Economics from Lycoming College.
Rakesh Khan, PE, CWI
Civil Engineer
Rakesh, a licensed civil engineer, is currently the co-founder of a startup developing computer vision technology to automate 3D concrete printing through a real-time digital twin of the printing process. He has a strong history of providing technology development for U.S. Department of Defense clients.
Before starting ARtx, Rakesh focused on civil engineering work involving geotechnical evaluation, construction materials, special inspections, nondestructive testing, and structural health monitoring. He is an active member of ACI committees on 3D printing with cementitious materials and nondestructive testing. He is also a member of the NIST-sponsored ACE Consortium and the ASTM subcommittee on Additive Construction.
Rakesh co-founded his company, ARtx, with Ladson Brearley because of a shared vision that innovative technology is the best hope for extending the life of our critical infrastructure and preserving our environment for future generations. As a startup, the SBIR/STTR program offered ARtx a path to early funding. In 2023, ARtx was awarded a SBIR Phase I grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop our core technology. This was followed by a Phase II grant in 2024.
Rakesh earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech and an MBA from James Madison University.
Rakesh, a licensed civil engineer, is currently the co-founder of a startup developing computer vision technology to automate 3D concrete printing through a real-time digital twin of the printing process. He has a strong history of providing technology development for U.S. Department of Defense clients.
Before starting ARtx, Rakesh focused on civil engineering work involving geotechnical evaluation, construction materials, special inspections, nondestructive testing, and structural health monitoring. He is an active member of ACI committees on 3D printing with cementitious materials and nondestructive testing. He is also a member of the NIST-sponsored ACE Consortium and the ASTM subcommittee on Additive Construction.
Rakesh co-founded his company, ARtx, with Ladson Brearley because of a shared vision that innovative technology is the best hope for extending the life of our critical infrastructure and preserving our environment for future generations. As a startup, the SBIR/STTR program offered ARtx a path to early funding. In 2023, ARtx was awarded a SBIR Phase I grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop our core technology. This was followed by a Phase II grant in 2024.
Rakesh earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech and an MBA from James Madison University.
Dr. Stephen Lee
Chief Technical Officer, Founder
AdvisorLee, LLC
Dr. Stephen Lee served 26 years as the U.S. Army Research Office Senior Scientist for Interdisciplinary Science, which includes planning and developing the future vision of basic research for the Army Research Office while maintaining an active research program. The position involves coordination of the individual extramural programs within the Army Research Office with the needs of the Soldier and Army intramural laboratories.
Dr. Lee received a Bachelor of Science from Millsaps College, Jackson, Mississippi, in Chemistry and Biology and a Doctorate of Philosophy from Emory University in Physical Organic Chemistry.
Dr. Lee has served as the ARL Chief Scientist and the ARO Chief Scientist over his career. His work at the Army Research Office included basic research directed towards hazardous materials management, including studies in decontamination, detection, and protection. He coordinated and managed the research programs in the Army focused on basic and applied research needs for Military Working Dogs (MWDs). Dr.Lee in this role led the Army S&T Enterprise with his research for Military Working Dogs and biomimicry. The MWD research includes science and technology to supplement the capability of the canine as well as veterinary needs and overall conditioning. Dr. Lee has been involved in the fielding and transition of many technologies and capabilities to the Soldier including decontaminants, detectors and sensors, field protection equipment, and overall MWD gear. Ultimately, Dr. Lee has support the commercial success and transition of technology to national security capability with 100’s of new capabilities.
He has been awarded the Army’s Greatest Invention twice for his work in the development of sensors. In 2008, Dr. Lee was awarded the Ten Outstanding Young Americans Award from the U.S. Jaycees and in 2011 a Presidential Rank Meritorious Award. Dr. Lee won the 2020 Tibbets Small Business Award for his support of small businesses and their transition of their capability to commercial products. Also, in 2020 he won the Theodore Roosevelt Leadership award for his commitment and success supporting national security of the United States of America.
AdvisorLee, LLC
Dr. Stephen Lee served 26 years as the U.S. Army Research Office Senior Scientist for Interdisciplinary Science, which includes planning and developing the future vision of basic research for the Army Research Office while maintaining an active research program. The position involves coordination of the individual extramural programs within the Army Research Office with the needs of the Soldier and Army intramural laboratories.
Dr. Lee received a Bachelor of Science from Millsaps College, Jackson, Mississippi, in Chemistry and Biology and a Doctorate of Philosophy from Emory University in Physical Organic Chemistry.
Dr. Lee has served as the ARL Chief Scientist and the ARO Chief Scientist over his career. His work at the Army Research Office included basic research directed towards hazardous materials management, including studies in decontamination, detection, and protection. He coordinated and managed the research programs in the Army focused on basic and applied research needs for Military Working Dogs (MWDs). Dr.Lee in this role led the Army S&T Enterprise with his research for Military Working Dogs and biomimicry. The MWD research includes science and technology to supplement the capability of the canine as well as veterinary needs and overall conditioning. Dr. Lee has been involved in the fielding and transition of many technologies and capabilities to the Soldier including decontaminants, detectors and sensors, field protection equipment, and overall MWD gear. Ultimately, Dr. Lee has support the commercial success and transition of technology to national security capability with 100’s of new capabilities.
He has been awarded the Army’s Greatest Invention twice for his work in the development of sensors. In 2008, Dr. Lee was awarded the Ten Outstanding Young Americans Award from the U.S. Jaycees and in 2011 a Presidential Rank Meritorious Award. Dr. Lee won the 2020 Tibbets Small Business Award for his support of small businesses and their transition of their capability to commercial products. Also, in 2020 he won the Theodore Roosevelt Leadership award for his commitment and success supporting national security of the United States of America.
Kyle T. Snyder
Principal, Founder
Flyabout Strategies, LLC
Flyabout Strategies, LLC
Blair Thompson
Sparta Wealth Partners
Blair Thompson serves as Founder and President of Sparta Wealth Partners. Employing his strategic background, Blair has assembled a wealth of business and financial resource specialists to meet the full spectrum of client needs all in one place. As both an adviser and leader of Sparta, helping others be successful is truly Blair's passion.
Formerly a Senior Vice President and HNW Relationship Manager with private banks, Blair delivered a full suite of private banking, investment management, wealth planning, trust, insurance and estate services to high net worth individuals and companies across the country. Prior to the private banking roles, Blair owned and operated his own firm, Thompson Financial Partners, that evolved from a career adviser to a fully independent model in the late 2000’s prior to being rolled into the bank channel. Blair is extremely bullish on the future of independent advisory and the customization and flexibility it offers sophisticated clients and fellow advisers. He brings a rare skillset for having demonstrated success in multiple approaches within the industry as a whole. This experience serves as a tremendous basis for helping successful business owners evaluate what banking products, offerings and services best meet their needs from an agnostic advocate or personal CFO type lens.
Blair holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Spanish from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a Million Dollar Round Table, MDRT®, qualifying member, holds the Certified Wealth Strategist, CWS®, Accredited Asset Management Specialist, AAMS, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor, CRPC, designations and is a perennial Chairman’s Council and Leaders Club qualifier with several institutions. Additionally, he qualified and was nominated for the Prestigious Top 100 Financial Advisers in the USA by Financial Planning magazine in 2017. He has also served on the boards of the Society of Financial Services Professionals, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisers, Special Operator Transition Foundation, The Rosie Network and the SEAL Naval Special Warfare Family Foundation and is a member of Forest Hill Church in Charlotte, NC
Blair Thompson serves as Founder and President of Sparta Wealth Partners. Employing his strategic background, Blair has assembled a wealth of business and financial resource specialists to meet the full spectrum of client needs all in one place. As both an adviser and leader of Sparta, helping others be successful is truly Blair's passion.
Formerly a Senior Vice President and HNW Relationship Manager with private banks, Blair delivered a full suite of private banking, investment management, wealth planning, trust, insurance and estate services to high net worth individuals and companies across the country. Prior to the private banking roles, Blair owned and operated his own firm, Thompson Financial Partners, that evolved from a career adviser to a fully independent model in the late 2000’s prior to being rolled into the bank channel. Blair is extremely bullish on the future of independent advisory and the customization and flexibility it offers sophisticated clients and fellow advisers. He brings a rare skillset for having demonstrated success in multiple approaches within the industry as a whole. This experience serves as a tremendous basis for helping successful business owners evaluate what banking products, offerings and services best meet their needs from an agnostic advocate or personal CFO type lens.
Blair holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Spanish from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a Million Dollar Round Table, MDRT®, qualifying member, holds the Certified Wealth Strategist, CWS®, Accredited Asset Management Specialist, AAMS, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor, CRPC, designations and is a perennial Chairman’s Council and Leaders Club qualifier with several institutions. Additionally, he qualified and was nominated for the Prestigious Top 100 Financial Advisers in the USA by Financial Planning magazine in 2017. He has also served on the boards of the Society of Financial Services Professionals, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisers, Special Operator Transition Foundation, The Rosie Network and the SEAL Naval Special Warfare Family Foundation and is a member of Forest Hill Church in Charlotte, NC
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