North Carolina Defense Summit

“Spouse Resilience”

Cary, NC // April 28 – 30, 2025

As North Carolina continues to lead in military innovation and community partnerships, the 2025 North Carolina Defense Summit (NCDS) offers a pivotal opportunity to focus on a topic at the forefront of many defense communities across the state—strengthening military spouse resilience. Hosted by the North Carolina Military Affairs Commission (NCMAC) in partnership with the Association of Defense Communities (ADC), this event will bring together military installations, host communities, and defense leaders to drive meaningful change.

Taking place in Cary, North Carolina, from April 28-30, 2025, the summit will feature dynamic panels, inspiring keynote speakers, a networking reception, spouse recognition awards, and so much more. Dive into critical discussions on housing, education, child care, employment, and other key issues shaping the lives of military families and enhancing mission readiness. Don’t miss this chance to connect, collaborate, and champion initiatives that make a real difference in North Carolina’s military communities.

ADC will discuss government spending cuts, DoD infrastructure changes, and potential BRAC-like decisions, the future of North Carolina military installations. As the military faces growing demands on infrastructure, resources, and readiness, the need for a more efficient and strategic approach to installation management has never been greater.

As North Carolina continues to lead in military innovation and community partnerships, the 2025 North Carolina Defense Summit (NCDS) offers a pivotal opportunity to focus on a topic at the forefront of many defense communities across the state—strengthening military spouse resilience. Hosted by the North Carolina Military Affairs Commission (NCMAC) in partnership with the Association of Defense Communities (ADC), this event will bring together military installations, host communities, and defense leaders to drive meaningful change.

Taking place in Cary, North Carolina, from April 28-30, 2025, the summit will feature dynamic panels, inspiring keynote speakers, a networking reception, spouse recognition awards, and so much more. Dive into critical discussions on housing, education, child care, employment, and other key issues shaping the lives of military families and enhancing mission readiness. Don’t miss this chance to connect, collaborate, and champion initiatives that make a real difference in North Carolina’s military communities.

ADC will discuss government spending cuts, DoD infrastructure changes, and potential BRAC-like decisions, the future of North Carolina military installations. As the military faces growing demands on infrastructure, resources, and readiness, the need for a more efficient and strategic approach to installation management has never been greater.

NORTH CAROLINA DEFENSE SUMMIT // APRIL 28 – 30, 2025

AGENDA

Monday, April 28

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Early Registration

Tuesday, April 29

7:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Registration Open

7:45 AM – 8:30 AM

Breakfast

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM

Welcome & Opening

9:00 AM – 9:30 AM

Macro and Micro Impact of Force Restructuring

Speakers:

Chad Sydnor, Senior Vice President, Cassidy Associates
Honorable Charles Gaylor, IV., Mayor, City of Goldsboro, North Carolina
Jack Veit, Craven County Manager
Moderator: Commissioner Etteinne “ET” Mitchell

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM

Effective Advocacy at the Federal, State and Local Levels – Allies for Cherry Point Tomorrow (ACT)

Speakers:

Honorable William L. Lewis Jr., Mayor, City of Havelock, North Carolina
Colonel Brenden Burk, USMC, Commanding Officer, MCAS Cherry Pt
Captain Randy Berti, USN, Commanding Officer, Fleet Readiness Center East
Daniel Sheehan, Strategic Government Affairs, ACT
Moderator: Marc Finlayson, Executive Director, ACT

10:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Networking Break

10:15 AM – 11:00 AM

Workforce Development Priorities During Force Restructuring

Speakers:

Dr. Gery Boucher, Director of Development, Craven Community College
Captain Carrie Hasbrouck, USN (Ret.), NC4ME
Trey Goodson, NC East Alliance
Brandi Bragg, NENC Career Pathways
Moderator: Captain Keith Wheeler, USN (Ret.), Executive Director, Office of National Security and Industry Initiatives, ECU

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Military Housing Best Practices

Speakers:

Brig. Gen. Ralph Rizzo, Commander MCIE/MCBCL
Mila Rizzo, Senior Active-Duty Military Spouse
Mary Anderson, Director, Family Housing, Camp Lejeune
Moderator: Colonel (Ret.) David Myers, Chairman, NCMAC BSC

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Keynote Luncheon

Keynote Introduction:

Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Rodney Anderson, Chairman, NCMAC

Speaker:

Secretary Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette, NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

1:00 PM– 2:00 PM

K-12 Education Best Practices

Speakers:

Howard Lattimore, NC Department of Public Instruction
Julie Fulton, Marine Corps Community Services
Heather Winstead, Wayne County Public Schools
Valerie Williams, NC Department of Public Instruction
Moderator: Jamie Livengood, NC Military Affairs Commission

2:00 PM – 2:10 PM

Break

2:10 PM – 3:10 PM

Military Childcare Best Practices

Speakers:

Honorable Rachel Hunt, NC Lieutenant Governor
Colonel Garth Burnett, Commander, MCAS New River
Lorie Pugh, NC Department of Health and Human Services
Ariel Ford, Childcare Aware
Kim Gipson, Marine Corps Community Services
Moderator: Colonel (Ret.) Kelly Jackson, NC Military Affairs Commission

3:10 PM –3:20 PM

Break

3:20 PM – 4:30 PM

Healthcare Best Practices

Speakers:

Robin Kelleher, Hope for the Warriors
Liz McCoy, Hope for the Warriors
Debra Rhodes, Stephen A. Cohen Military Family Clinic
Kayreen Gucciardo, Department of Health and Human Services
Moderator: Howard Lattimore, NC Department of Public Instruction

4:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Networking Reception

Wednesday, April 30

7:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Registration Open

7:45 AM – 8:30 AM

Breakfast

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM

Spouse Awards Ceremony

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Higher Education Best Practices

Speakers:

Dr. Raymond Staats, President, Craven Community College
Dr. Mitchell Seal, Associate Vice Chancellor, Military Academic & Support Services, Fayetteville State University
Dr. Stanley Wearden, President, Methodist University
Moderator: Bradley Wrenn, Program Manager, Military & Veterans Education, The UNC System Office

10:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Break

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM

Employment & Financial Resilience

Speakers:

Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Mike Meese, President, Armed Forces Mutual
Colonel Todd Walker, 4th Mission Group, Seymour Johnson AFB
Katelyn Nixon, NC4ME, Active-Duty Spouse
Gisselle Hassan Curnutt, ACP
Kaycee Denny, Active Duty Spouse
Moderator: Lynn Kinney, NC4ME

10:15 AM – 11:30 AM

Closing Remarks

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Registration

Pre-registration has closed. You may register onsite.

Event Location

Embassy Suites by Hilton Raleigh Durham Research Triangle
201 Harrison Oaks Boulevard
Cary, NC 27513

The Reservation Cutoff Date Has Passed

The deadline to reserve accommodations has officially passed, however we may be able to secure a discounted room for you. If you still need accommodations at the Embassy Suites, please email info@defensecommunities.org to reserve a room.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Raleigh Durham Research Triangle

Sponsorship

Sponsoring the 2025 North Carolina Defense Summit (NCDS) is a great way to promote your brand’s visibility. Sponsorships include levels ranging from Platinum ($10k) to Community ($1k) and include benefits such as complimentary registrations, your logo on the event website, the opportunity to be involved in one of the panels and more.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

For more information, please contact Emma Kelly Saunders at ekelly@defensecommunities.org.

Sponsorship

Sponsoring the 2025 North Carolina Defense Summit (NCDS) is a great way to promote your brand’s visibility. Sponsorships include levels ranging from Platinum ($10k) to Community ($1k) and include benefits such as complimentary registrations, your logo on the event website, the opportunity to be involved in one of the panels and more.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

For more information, please contact Emma Kelly Saunders at ekelly@defensecommunities.org.

NC4ME Hiring event

Tuesday, April 29 · 10am – 2pm

Register now