About the series
The Captains of Industry Series is a platform for senior defense executives to address the public interests their companies serve and the public policies that shape their markets. By engaging the perspective of business leaders about issues at the interface of defense ministries and industries, the series aims to cultivate a constituency for practical solutions to these challenges. Past events include a discussion on redefining leadership with SAIC CEO Nazzic Keene and an exploration of the unremarked story of the aerospace industry’s role in the Apollo program.
Upcoming & recent events
Innovating the business model of defense
Facing a rising China, the US Department of Defense must adapt quickly or lose its military competitive advantages. Within this context, Anduril Industries CEO Brian Schimpf and Maxar Technologies CEO Daniel Jablonsky join Atlantic Council Nonresident Senior Fellow Melissa Flagg to reimagine the model for public-private collaboration in responding to twenty-first century security challenges.
Redefining leadership: A conversation with SAIC CEO Nazzic Keene
As we enter a new decade, corporate leadership goes beyond shareholder returns, and requires delivering on commitments to customers and building an effective workforce. Leadership in today’s dynamic, complex, and high-stakes market has evolved tremendously int he last two years alone. Within this context, SAIC CEO Nazzic Keene discusses the ways in which SAIC is transforming its culture with a heightened focus on talent, innovation, and mission to be a better partner and industry leader.
The aerospace industry’s contributions to Apollo
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, the Scowcroft Center amplifies the acclaimed achievements of NASA and the astronauts with a focus on the unremarked story of the aerospace industry’s role in the Apollo program. Apollo holds a distinctive place in the heritage of technology, businesses, and people who make up the contemporary landscape of aersopace and defense.
Tue, Apr 13, 2021
The modern government services company: Innovating solutions to public challenges
Online Event The modern government services agency harnesses a spectrum of capabilities to respond to the toughest defense challenges. Siemens Government Technologies CEO Tina Dolph, Applied Research Associates CEO Robert Sues, and Professional Services Council CEO David Berteau join us for a Captains of Industry discussion on the innovation coming from this sector.
9:30am Defense Industry Defense Policy Defense Technologies United States and Canada
Wed, Feb 10, 2021
Innovating the business model of defense
Online Event The rise of China is resetting the Pentagon’s priorities and approach to sustaining military competitive advantages. Anduril CEO Brian Schimpf, Maxar CEO Dan Jablonsky, Atlantic Council Nonresident Senior Fellow Dr. Melissa Flagg, and NDIA Chairman MajGen Arnold Punaro join us for a Captains of Industry discussion on how the Department of Defense can adapt acquisition practices to improve its access to the US innovation base.
2:00pm Defense Industry Defense Policy Defense Technologies United States and Canada
Thu, Nov 7, 2019
Redefining leadership: A conversation with SAIC CEO Nazzic Keene
Public Event As we enter a new decade, corporate leadership goes beyond shareholder returns, and requires delivering on commitments to customers and building an effective workforce. Leadership in today’s dynamic, complex, and high-stakes market has evolved tremendously in the last two years alone. Within this context, SAIC CEO Nazzic Keene discusses the ways in which SAIC is transforming its culture with a heightened focus on talent, innovation, and mission to be a better partner and industry leader.
4:30pm Washington DC Defense Industry
Thu, Jul 18, 2019
The aerospace industry’s contributions to Apollo
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, this event will amplify the acclaimed achievements of NASA and the astronauts with a focus on the unremarked story of the aerospace industry’s role in the Apollo program. Apollo holds a distinctive place in the heritage of technology, businesses, and people who make up the contemporary landscape of aerospace and defense.
10:30am Washington DC Defense Industry Defense Technologies Space Space Security
Wed, Apr 4, 2018
Big Small Companies: How Size Matters in Defense Contracting
On April 4, the Atlantic Council hosted a public event on “Big Small Companies: How Size Matters in Defense Contracting.”
Captains of Industry Series by Joanna Jaworska
Series facilitator
Steven Grundman
Nonresident Senior Fellow
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More on defense industry
Sun, Apr 11, 2021
The future of security in space: A thirty-year US strategy
Outer space is rapidly transforming as new actors test new limits. This Atlantic Council Strategy Paper calls for the United States and its allies and partners to secure space over the next three decades or risk wasting the promise of this emerging domain.
Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series by Clementine G. Starling, Mark J. Massa, Lt Col Christopher P. Mulder, and Julia T. Siegel
Mon, Apr 5, 2021
The end of the Gulf rift may not signal the end of Turkey-Qatar relations
Early this year, changing regional power balances drove Qatar and the GCC bloc to a normalization agreement, almost four years after the imposition of an embargo on Qatar. During that time, Qatar and Turkey developed an increasingly close and multifaceted relationship. Although cutting military ties between Qatar and Turkey had been on the original list of demands issued by the Saudi led bloc, don’t expect any in Turkey-Qatar relations.
TURKEYSource by Meliha Benli Altunışık
Wed, Mar 31, 2021
Nurkin’s Deftech Scan report in Armasuisse
On April 12, Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Tate Nurkin published the latest issue of Deftech Scan.
In the News by Atlantic Council
Sat, Mar 27, 2021
Hu in the Hill on defense acquistion reform
Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Evanna Hu published an article in the Hill titled “Defense acquisition reform is critical going forward.”
In the News by Atlantic Council


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