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The University of North Texas
National Security & Economic Strategy Summit
May 8, 2025
Circle T Ranch
TX-114 Westlake, Texas 76262
By Invitation
Connect, Conceive, Collaborate
This summit brings together regional, national and international thought leaders and decision makers dedicated to powering our economy and protecting our national security through public/private collaboration, innovation in advanced technologies, strengthening infrastructure, enhancing supply chain resilience, wise investment and sound economic policy.
Host and Honoree
Dr. Harrison Keller
Dr. Keller is the 17th president of the University of North Texas committed to advancing student success and elevating UNT’s rich tradition of academic and research excellence.
Known as an innovator and leader with more than 25 years of experience in state educational budget and policy, university administration, fundraising, and building coalitions among higher education institutions, school districts, and policymakers to expand opportunities through education.
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Joe Lonsdale
Joe Lonsdale is the Founder and Managing Partner at 8VC, an early-stage venture capital firm managing over $6 billion in capital. In 2003, he founded Palantir Technologies (NYSE:PLTR), a global software company known for its work supporting US and its allies’ defense and intelligence.
Since then, he has founded more than a dozen prominent companies, including Addepar, a wealth management platform with about $5 trillion, and OpenGov, the leading cloud software provider for local governments. He continues to create and scale companies through the 8VC Build program.
Host Committee
G. Brint Ryan
Darcy Anderson
Sec. Gordon England
0800 to 0845:
Private Defense Executive Roundtable
Breakfast
Moderator
Maj Gen Lee Levy
The Roosevelt Group
Senior Advisor
9am to 4:30pm
Summit
0845 to 0900: Welcome, Overview, and Acknowledgements
Emcee:
Honorable Gordon England
Former Sec Nav, Deputy Secretary of Defense, and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security.
Welcome:
Dr. Harrison Keller
The University of North Texas
President
0900 to 1000: Panel 1: Cross-border: There are challenges, but the future is bright.
Moderator:
Chris Wallace
North Texas Commission
President & CEO
Caroline Mays
Texas Department of Transportation
Director, Planning and Modal Programs
Milton De La Paz
DFW Airport
VP Airline Relations and Cargo
John Moseley
Port of Houston
President & CEO
Roderick Hudson
U.S. Customs & Border Patrol
Area Port Director - Houston/Galveston
1015 to 1115: Panel 2: Logistics and supply chain capability: Key enabler of national and economic security
Moderator:
Chris Hewett
Grand Sky
Director, Project ULTRA.
Michael Loeffler
Bell Flight
VP Supply chain
Ajay Gupta
Cencora
SVP and CISO
Maj Gen Cameron Holt (Ret)
Exiger, Government Solutions
CEO
Dr. Terry Pohlen
UNT
Senior Associate Dean
1130 to 1230: Texas, National Security and the Global Space Economy
Harry D. Raduege Award Presentation for Contributions to Technological Innovation in National Security
Moderator:
Meredith Walker
America's Future Series
President / Global Economist
Honoree
Maj Gen Clint Crosier
AWS Aerospace and Satellite Solutions
Director
Lt Gen Harry Raduege
Elara Nova
Senior Partner
Preston Dunlap
Arkenstone Ventures
Founder
Brad Morrison
Texas Space Commision
CEO - Atlantis Industries
1230 to 1300: Keynote Lunch Address: Infrastructure the foundation of national and economic security.
Moderator:
Betsy Price
The City of Ft. Worth
Mayor
Bill Burton
Hillwood Development Company
EVP
1300 to 1345: Panel 3: Infrastructure the foundation of national and economic security
Moderator:
Bill Burton
Hillwood Development Company
EVP
Rob Lowe
FAA
Retired - Southwest Regional Administrator
Robert Hinkle
Cintra
North Texas Corporate Affairs & Communications
Jon Gabriel
BNSF
Vice President; Strategy and Optimization
1400 to 1500: Panel 4: Information, Cyber and AI Infrastructure
Moderator:
Jon Ford
Head of Cloud, AI, and Security Service Delivery Public Sector: State, Local and Education
Steve Roemerman
Lone Star Analytics
Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO
Nina Schick
Author
Deep Fakes
Val Mukherjee
Chairman & Founder
Cyber Future Foundation
Robert Harward
EVP, International Business and Strategy
Shield AI
1515 to 1615: Panel 5: Energy Security and Economic Strategy - National and economic security rests on high volume, resilient, and low-cost energy.
Moderator:
George P. Bush
Michael Best & Freidrich, LLP
Managing Partner
Tan Parker
Texas Senate
Senator
Arnold Kravitz
Blue Forge Alliance
CTO
Jeff "Skunk" Baxter
Potomac Institute
Music Hall of Fame Guitarist, Scientist and Defense Expert
VIP Reception & Award Presentation
5pm to 7:00pm
MoH Recipient Captain Florent Groberg
AE Industrial Partners
Vice President; Strategy and Optimization
(Confirmation Pending)
Pete Sessions
Congressman, Texas
U.S. Congress
Dr. Harrison Keller
The University of North Texas
President
G. Brint Ryan
Ryan LLC
Chairman & CEO
Honorable Gordon England
Former Sec Nav, Deputy Secretary of Defense, and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security.
Joe Lonsdale
8VC
Managing Partner
Stephen Rodriguez
One Defense
CEO
Darcy Anderson
Hillwood, a Perot Company
Vice Chairman
