Special Events
AFCEA San Diego Chapter Small Business Development Program
Wednesday, January 31
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
John Whitecotton, Regional Director, Western Region, Defense Security Service (DSS)
General overview of DSS, Mission and Services
9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Angela Martin, and Jim O'Heron, Chief, Personnel Clearance Branch, DSS
Personnel Clearance Processing
11:00 a.m. - Noon
Chris Epstein, Federal Bureau of Intelligence (FBI)
Counter Intelligence
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Ruben Garcia, Regional Director, Small Business Administration (SBA)
What the SBA Can Do for You!
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Diane Thornwell, Program Manager, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR)
Developing a Winning Proposal
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
John Wester and the SBLO Office, SPAWAR
Seaporte - Admin, Updates, Rules - What You Need to Know
Thursday, February 1
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Judy Pennman, Department of Labor
Labor Law, Insurance, Retirement - Programs You Should Be Aware Of
9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Key Program Managers, CSC
Meet and Visit with PMs - Teaming & Sub-contracting Opportunities
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
SBLO Office, SPAWAR Headquarters
At a Glance Marketing
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Cliff Hudson, Program Manager, SPAWAR Robotics Office
UV Sentry Project and MPA Opportunities3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Eileen Goff, CAPT Barbette, Becky Vincent, Yvonne Rocco, Helen Lipka, and others
Women in Defense - Getting Together and Getting Ahead
General Overview, Programs, Initiatives, Mentorship, Sponsorship, Finances, etc.
Friday, February 2
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Steve Sullivan, CEO, Sullivan International Group
Mentor-Protege Agreements Importance/What You Should Know
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Mike Johnson, Lorimar Group
Small Business Challenges; Crossing the Abyss - Lessons Learned, CCR, Ways to Save Money, Cash Flow
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Marti Swartz, SPAWAR Systems Center
Getting to Know SPAWAR - Codes, Organizations - Who is the Customer and How Do I Get In?
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Jim Sexton, Office of Designated Approving Authority, DSS
Process for getting classified work computers approved through DSS
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Shirley Adams, Vice President of Small Business, AFCEA San Diego Chapter
Leadership Training - the Power of Influence!3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Chris Epstein, FBI
Security Issues/Community Awareness
Honors Reception and Dinner*
Wednesday, January 31
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Honors Reception*
San Diego Marriott and Marina
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Honors Dinner*
San Diego Marriott and Marina
Keynote Address
ADM Thad Allen, USCG
Commandant of the Coast Guard
* Ticket required. Click here to purchase tickets.
Honoring the following award winners:
- Copernicus
- Distinguished Young AFCEANs
- AFCEA Emerging Leadership
- Young AFCEAN Program
- Naval Intelligence Agency
- Battelle-Naval Institute Technology and Innovation Prize
- U.S. Naval Institute Enlisted Essay Contest
An evening of relaxed networking, fun music, and great food, plus the opportunity to congratulate these remarkable men and women on their achievements.
NIUSR Conference
AFCEA International and the U.S. Naval Institute welcome the National Institute for Urban Search and Rescue (NIUSR) to the San Diego Convention Center on Tuesday, January 30. For more information visit www.niusr.org.

