Speakers: S

John Schierling

As Director of Advanced Programs at Lockheed Martin Space, Mr. Schierling leads the development and integration of disruptive, multi-domain, end-to-end solutions for military, intelligence, and commercial missions.  He previously served as the Engineering Director for LM’s Space Ground Solutions (SGS) business, and as a Program Manager and Chief Architect for LM’s Systems Integration (SI) business, developing solutions for NSA, NRO, NGA, DHS, and DoD programs.  Prior to joining Lockheed Martin, Mr. Schierling served in the United States Navy at the NRO, SPAWAR, aboard ships, and in submarines, including service during the First and Second Gulf Conflicts.  He holds both a BSE and MSE in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.  

Gen. William L. Shelton, USAF (Ret.)

General Shelton retired as Commander, Air Force Space Command, in September 2014. During his career, he commanded space operations units at every level and held staff positions in a wide range of Air Force and Department of Defense organizations. In his final assignment, he led a team of over 40,000 at Air Force Space Command to provide space and cyberspace operational forces as well as acquisition of space systems. In this role, he was responsible for a budget of over $10 billion. During his career, General Shelton was a Space Shuttle controller for the first 18 missions, commander of Global Positioning System operations during the initial deployment of the constellation, and commander of the largest ballistic missile wing. He also commanded all Department of Defense space operations during internationally significant events such as the Chinese anti-satellite test and the North Korean Taepo Dong launch. He served as the CIO of the Air Force and the director of the Air Force headquarters staff during one of the most turbulent periods in the Air Force’s history. General Shelton earned a bachelor of science degree in astronautical engineering from the United States Air Force Academy, a master of science degree in astronautical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology, and a master of science degree in national security studies from the National War College. 

Dr. John Stopher

Dr. John P. Stopher is the Director, Principal Department of Defense Space Advisor Staff, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. In this role, he is responsible for integrating and overseeing all national security space capabilities and activities, in coordination with the intelligence community, and providing support to the Secretary of Defense on space portfolio decisions. 

Dr. Stopher's career began in 1988 with Eastman Kodak in Rochester, New York, where he worked as a systems engineer on advanced imaging systems, including optics and image processing in the Hawkeye facility. Dr. Stopher worked in industry for several years as a senior engineer, then joined the U.S. House of Representatives staff in August 1998. As a professional staff member for the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence, he focused on authorization and oversight of technical programs in the intelligence community. Prior to leaving Capitol Hill, he served as the Budget Director for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence from January 2003 to January 2007, where he was responsible for the preparation and presentation of the annual Intelligence Authorization Bill for all U.S. intelligence activities.  

Most recently, Dr. Stopher was the president of 377 Omega, Inc., a consulting services company focused on national security, space and intelligence community technology and policy requirements.