Preston Dunlap has over 20 years of executive leadership experience across technology, national security, and private investment. He is the founder of Arkenstone Ventures and Arkenstone Capital, serves on Boards and as Lead Preferred Director of Pixxel Space Technologies, and advises Fortune 100 companies, startups, private equity, venture capital firms, and RAND. He is a Senior External Advisor at Bain & Company.

He led the Department of Defense Nuclear Enterprise Review with the Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Agency. He also led the Investment Committee strategy, analysis, and diligence for the Secretary of Defense – allocating and deploying $750B+ annually in industry sectors supporting national security, such as infrastructure, services, space, cybersecurity and software, AI, communications, transportation and logistics, ships, aircraft, vehicles, and weapons.

Mr. Dunlap started $250B+ of new programs with 4 Secretaries of Defense, including the newly unveiled B-21 bomber, Hypersonic Prompt Strike,
classified space and intelligence, and Joint All-Domain Command and Control programs.

He led initiatives with the Vice President of the United States and Cabinet on the future of commercial, civil, and national security space, transformed federal Venture Capital investment, was the first Chief Technology Officer of the Space Force and Air Force with $75B of products, and served on the ground floor of successful software and infrastructure companies.

He holds a Master of Science in Operations Research and Management Science from George Mason University, a Bachelor’s degree in both Computer Science and Political Science from Duke University, and was a Harvard National Security Executive Fellow.

Mr. Dunlap is frequently cited as an authority in international media and as an expert witness for the United States Congress. His awards include the Secretary of Defense Medal for Meritorious Civilian Service, Secretary of the Air Force Medal for Meritorious Civilian Service, and Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service.

Jeff Chiow is Co-Chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Government Contracts Group and has deep experience in space, aerospace, defense, and national security matters. His prior service as a U.S. Marine Corps weapons and sensors officer in the F/A-18D Hornet informs Jeff’s work with cutting-edge technology: aerospace systems, cloud computing, drones, satellites, defense platforms, IT and AI/ML systems and more. His practice is a mix of litigation, investigations and regulatory and transactional advice. On complex and time-sensitive matters, Jeff communicates directly and efficiently with clients to achieve cost-effective solutions. His analysis and guidance are based upon substantial experience supporting “can’t fail” missions.

Jeff helps companies to understand and navigate federally funded research and development opportunities as well as Space Act Agreements and other transaction agreements with Department of Defense agencies and NASA, among others. His work is often cross-disciplinary allowing him to work with space-knowledgeable colleagues who specialize in intellectual property, export controls, licensing and policy. Jeff is an elected member of the International Institute of Space Law.

Fletcher Franklin is the Deputy Director of Analytics at BryceTech, driving business development and client engagement. BryceTech provides industry-leading research, data analytics, and forecasting of space industry developments and trends. He also worked at Blue Origin, developing strategy for the company’s Blue Ring platform and national security portfolio. Prior to those roles, Mr. Franklin was a government affairs consultant representing companies before Congress and the executive branch on space policy issues. Mr. Franklin holds extensive experience analyzing the intersection of the government and commercial space sectors, and has demonstrated expertise in the federal budget and procurement processes. He holds a BA from Kenyon College and an MA in Global Security Studies from Johns Hopkins University.

Rayfe Gaspar-Asaoka is a Partner at Geodesic’s Alliance Fund, focused on leading early-stage companies in AI, space, cybersecurity, autonomy, and dual-use deep technologies. He was previously a partner at Canaan, where he led investments in AI, robotics, space, and enterprise software. Rayfe began his career as an electrical engineer at Raytheon, and a management consultant at Keystone Strategy.

He holds a B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California, and Stanford University, respectively, where his research focused on signal processing and chip design.