The North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) and The Protocase Companies have revealed the initial lineup of speakers for the first-ever Velocity Summit, scheduled for November 17 in Wilmington, North Carolina. The announcement signals a concerted effort to bridge the gap between military requirements and the industrial capacity to produce mission-critical systems quickly and at scale.
The speaker roster includes Lieutenant General (Ret.) Christopher O. Mohan, former Commanding General of U.S. Army Materiel Command; Bill Saffo, Mayor of Wilmington; Scott Lampe, President of Hendrick Technical Solutions; Chelsea Lloyd, Director of Supplier Quality Engineering at Archer Aviation; Brad Garris, Business Manager at Phillips Additive Solutions; Dr. Douglas Milburn, Chairman of The Protocase Companies; and Martin J. “Jimmy” Hendrix III, Executive Director of the North Carolina Military Business Center. This diverse group represents military logistics, defense manufacturing, aerospace production, additive manufacturing, local government, and the companies working to accelerate hardware development.
The significance of this speaker slate lies in its cross-sector composition. By convening leaders who understand requirements, production, supply chains, technology, and policy, the summit aims to foster practical collaboration that can cut through bureaucratic and industrial barriers. As Dr. Doug Milburn, Chairman of The Protocase Companies, explained, “The challenge is bigger than any single company, military organization or level of government. We need the people who understand requirements, production, supply chains, technology and policy in the same room, focused on what it will actually take to move faster.”
North Carolina’s role in this effort is substantial. The Department of Defense has an estimated $79.7 billion annual economic impact in the state, where the military is the second-largest economic sector. The state is also home to approximately 459,000 manufacturing jobs, more than 400 aerospace manufacturers, over 100,000 aerospace, aviation, and engineering professionals, six major military installations, and two deep-water ports. This industrial and military footprint makes North Carolina a natural host for discussions on accelerating defense production.
The inaugural Velocity Summit, first announced in September, is designed as a forum for industry, military, government, academia, and workforce leaders to examine how the United States can reduce barriers across the defense industrial base, strengthen critical supply chains, and expand capacity to build and sustain ships, aircraft, munitions, and other mission-critical systems. The first wave of speakers reflects that mission, with Hendrick Technical Solutions bringing race-derived manufacturing speed and precision to defense programs, Archer Aviation developing next-generation electric aircraft, and Phillips Additive Solutions helping manufacturers deploy industrial additive manufacturing.
Organizers plan to announce additional speakers and distinguished attendees in the coming weeks, including senior elected and government leaders from across North Carolina. Those interested in attending the November 17 event can find more information and register at https://www.ncmbc.us/event/velocity-summit/. The summit’s focus on actionable collaboration could mark a pivotal step in aligning military needs with industrial innovation, with implications for national security and the broader defense manufacturing ecosystem.
