Our Team
We are a team of seasoned national security executives, government affairs experts, industry leaders, and technologists committed to building a thriving defense technology and manufacturing economy in North Carolina.
Julia Allen Ph.D.
Julia is the founder of Deep Tech Defense LLC. She was previously VP and CTO of Saab, Inc. Julia served as an officer in the U.S. Army National Guard. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Maryland and is a recognized expert on artificial intelligence, autonomy, and research & development.
Board of Directors
Senator Richard Burr
Senator Burr represented North Carolina in the U.S. Congress for nearly three decades in the House and Senate. He also served as Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Senator Burr is currently a Principal Policy Advisor at DLA Piper.
Board of Directors
Board of AdvisorsRyan Combs
Ryan is the Executive Director of the Research Triangle Regional Partnership and member of the Board of Trustees for North Carolina Central University.
Gia is the founder of GDH Comms, LLC, where she helps early-stage defense and deep tech companies tell their story. She was previously Director of Government Communications at Maxar Technologies and served as an officer in the U.S. Navy.
Board of AdvisorsGia DeHart
Nate is a Principal at EQV Strategic. He previously served as Deputy Secretary of Broadband and Digital Opportunity for the North Carolina Department of Information Technology. He also served on the Biden-Harris Transition Team and as Deputy Chief of Staff for the General Services Administration.
Board of AdvisorsNate Denny
Vice ChairBill Fields
Bill is a venture partner with Blu Ventures and the North Carolina market leader for venture debt at Bridge Bank. Bill previously served in the U.S. Navy and in the White House National Economic Council.
Board of DirectorsTim Greeff
Tim is Founder and President of the National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL). He previously led government affairs and advocacy campaigns for the sustainable energy industry.
Josh is the Founder of Holly Strategies, a government relations firm serving industry-leading national security and technology clients. He was previously a Principal with the Podesta Group and a communications director in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Board of AdvisorsJosh Holly
Jarrett is an adjunct with the Institute for Defense Analyses. He worked in government relations and built new business units at Amazon focused on AI, quantum, healthcare, and supply chain. He also served as Chief of Staff for the Section 809 Panel at the U.S. Department of Defense.
ChairJarrett Lane
David is the Founder and Principal of Powers Strategies and member of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors. David is a trusted government relations executive with over 25 years of experience in North Carolina politics.
Board of AdvisorsDavid Powers
Lt. Gen. Shanahan is a recognized expert and executive leader in technology, national security, and U.S. defense strategy. He served as the founding director of the Joint AI Center in the Department of Defense and Director of Project Maven. Jack retired from the U.S. Air Force after a distingued 36-year career.
Board of DirectorsLt. Gen. Jack Shanahan
VADM White is a recognized expert and executive leader in cyber, supply chain security, and critical infrastructure protection. He commanded U.S. Fleet Cyber Command and served as Director of Intelligence for US Indo-Pacific Command. He retired from the U.S. Navy after a distinguished 30+ year career.
Board of Directors