Description

Join us for a focus on

National Security in Space

As competition between nations escalates, space has become the new arena for global power and technological dominance. Once a realm of exploration, space is now essential to military readiness, secure communications, critical infrastructure and economic resilience.

This fireside chat will feature new and exciting UA research as well as local defense and space industry initiatives that connect to what’s happening today and in the future.

Reserve your seat today. 

Panelists Bios:

Jim Cantrell - Co-founder & CEO, Phantom Space

A pioneering American entrepreneur, mechanical engineer and author, Jim has over 35 years of experience revolutionizing the space industry. He began his career at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the French Space Agency (CNES), contributing to Mars exploration technologies and international space programs. In the early 2000s, he served as a key consultant and industry mentor to Elon Musk, playing a pivotal role in the founding of SpaceX—where he acted as the first Vice President of Business Development on its founding team—helping launch the New Space era that has transformed access to orbit.  Cantrell has co-founded multiple innovative companies including Phantom Space Corporation, a Tucson-based company creating a revolutionary digital platform to enable mass access to space.

Dan Geraci - President & CEO, Critical Infrastructure Investments (CII)

Critical Infrastructure Investments (CII) is a growing consortium of technology companies focused on the 16 critical infrastructure segments as defined by DHS. CII aims to accelerate the delivery of bleeding edge technologies for the benefit of the U.S. and its allies. Prior to CII, Dan was the President & CEO of FreeFall Aerospace, a developer of antennas for ground and space communications in Tucson.  Prior to FreeFall, Dan was President of Voyager Space Services, a provider of business operating services to emerging space companies under Voyager Technologies.  Dan has more than 40 years of operating experience as a C-suite executive in the securities and asset management industries. He has served as President and CEO of various investment firms, including President of Fidelity Investments Private Wealth Management Group, and other such roles in Boston, Toronto, and NYC. He has led a number of startups and turnarounds.

Dr. Erika Hamden, Director, UA Space Institute

The UA Space Institute creates opportunities for researchers and industry partners to work alongside UA experts, driving innovation and expanding the university's impact in space exploration. A world expert in space sciences, including space mission development and ultraviolet technology, Erika specializes in building space and stratospheric telescopes and developing technology to make telescopes better. Erika will speak to her efforts (at the UA, in Arizona and beyond), as well as those of the UA Space Institute.

Dr. Mark Spencer - Professor of Optical Sciences, Robert M. Edmund Endowed Chair in Optical Sciences, James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona

Mark is leader of the Beam Control and Propagation (BC&P) Laboratory and brings a wealth of experience from both government and defense sectors, having most recently served as Principal Director for Directed Energy at the Pentagon within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. Mark is an internationally recognized expert in directed energy (specifically, beam control and propagation for laser systems) and currently conducts research in unconventional imaging, sensing, and adaptive optics for defense and commercial applications.

Photo Policy
By registering and attending, you consent to the possibility of being photographed. Photos may be used in Chamber promotional materials or shared on social media. Your participation signifies permission for such use.

Refund Policy
The Chamber of Southern Arizona is honored to host businesses and civic leaders at events throughout the year. To ensure a high-quality experience for all attendees, please review our refund policy below:

• 7 or more days prior to the event: Full refund upon written cancellation request
• 6 days or fewer prior to the event: Registration fees are non-refundable

In the event that a refund cannot be issued, registration fees may be applied toward a future Good Morning Tucson event.