Washington, D.C. | July 24, 2025

The defense landscape is evolving rapidly—and staying ahead requires insight, access, and collaboration. ADC Connect is the Association of Defense Communities’ summer policy event, bringing together community and military leaders to focus on the fast-changing priorities emerging from Washington.

Grounded in ADC’s belief that National Security Starts at Home, this year’s program features high-level interviews with Department of Defense leaders, updates from Capitol Hill, and interactive discussions on the challenges and opportunities facing defense communities.

Now more than ever, we need stronger interagency coordination, smarter partnerships between installations and communities, and forward-looking strategies to build resilience. This work demands collaboration across defense, government, and industry to share insights, align efforts, and protect our people and critical infrastructure.

Defense communities are central to this effort—and we must clearly understand our role and the opportunities to lead. Join us at ADC Connect to help shape the conversation. Hear directly from decision-makers, gain critical insight into national security trends, and help guide ADC’s policy direction during this pivotal time.

Featured Speakers

Honorable

Dale Marks

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment

Dr. Jeff Waksman

Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment

Peter S. Lynch, P.E., PMP

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy, (Safety)

Michael E. Saunders

Acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations and Environment

Agenda

(Subject to change, check back for updates)

8:00 – 8:30 AM

Registration Opens/Networking Breakfast

8:30 – 8:45 AM

Welcome and Opening Remarks

8:45 – 9:30 AM

Leadership Interview: Honorable Dale Marks, Assistant Secretary of
Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment

9:30 – 10:15 AM

 PANEL: The Partnership Imperative, Pt. 1: No Longer Just a Nice to Have

Installation-community partnerships have become increasingly crucial, evolving from a potentially beneficial endeavor to a necessity for both the military and the surrounding communities. From P3s, EULs, and IGSAs to NEPA reform and emerging energy innovations, partnerships will play a key role in how installations and defense communities must evolve to support ever-changing threats and mission requirements.

Speakers:

  • Tom Ford, County Administrator, Grand Forks, ND; ADC President (Moderator)
  • Michael Saunders, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations and Environment
  • Pete Lynch, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations & Environment
  • Dr. Jeff Waksman, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy, and Environment

10:15 – 10:30 AM

Break

10:30 – 11:00 AM

 PANEL: The Partnership Imperative, Pt. 2: The Homeland is No Longer a Sanctuary

This panel will dive into the key issues keeping installation and community managers up at night, including quickly evolving UAV tech and capabilities, as well as cyber threats to critical infrastructure.

Speakers:

  • Matt Borron, ADC Executive Director (Moderator)
  • LTC Paul Lushenko, Ph.D., Chief Strategy Branch, Joint C-sUAS Office (JCO)
  • Sal Nodjomian, CEO & President, Matrix Design Group; ADC Board of Directors
  • Claire Reynolds, Director, Converge Strategies

11:00 – 12:00 PM

Small Group Discussions: What More Needs to Be Done?

Attendees will break into facilitated small groups to share perspectives and help shape ADC’s evolving policy priorities, focused on collaborative solutions to address the growing complexity of challenges facing installations and defense communities.

12:00 PM

END

Registration

This event has reached its capacity. For more information please contact info@defensecommuinities.org.

Event Location – University Club

1135 16th St. NW | Washington, DC 20036

Nearby Hotel Options

Canopy by Hilton ($$)
1600 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036
4-minute walk (0.2 mile)

The Mayflower Hotel ($$$$)
1127 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036
5-minute walk (0.2 mile)

Hyatt Place ($$)
1522 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005
6-minute walk (0.2 mile)

Kimpton Banneker Hotel ($$$$)
1315 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
7-minute walk (0.3 mile)

Courtyard Washington (Marriott) ($$)
1733 N St NW, Washington, DC 20036
8-minute walk (0.3 mile)

This is a list of hotel options ADC has provided for your convenience. Please contact the hotel to check rates/availability.