ORWG Wing Conference Guests
VERY SPECIAL GUEST
Dr Anita Dr. Anita Sengupta is a rocket scientist, aerospace engineer, professor, and instrument rated pilot who for over 20 years has been developing technologies that have enabled the exploration of Mars, Asteroids, and Deep Space. She started her career working on the launch vehicles and communications satellites at Boeing Space and Communications. Next her journey took her to the forefront of the US space program. At NASA her doctoral research focused the developing the ion engines that powered the Dawn spacecraft to reach Vesta and Ceres in the main asteroid belt launched in 2006. Next she worked on the supersonic parachute system and skycrane that was integral to the landing of the Curiosity Rover on Mars in 2012. From 2012 to 2017 she led the development of the Cold Atom Laboratory, a laser-cooling quantum physics facility which is now on board the International Space Station.
The Future of Transportation
Her next engineering role took her to the private sector as a senior executive leading the development of an in-vacuum, magnetically levitating, electrically propelled high-speed transportation system known as the Hyperloop. She led the product planning, systems architecture, regulatory compliance, and human safety certification as Senior Vice President of Systems Engineering at Virgin Hyperloop.
Her current venture is leading the development of hydrogen fuel cell powered aircraft as CEO and founder of Hydroplane Ltd. Her research focus is in supersonic boom mitigation technology, sustainable aviation and Mars EDL technologies
TEDTALK How Complexity Arises in the Universe | Dr. Anita Sengupta https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM92f_kr2q8
OREGON AIR NATIONAL GUARD COMMANDER
Brig Gen Donna M. Prigmore is the Commander, Oregon Air National Guard. She is responsible for the mission readiness and operational effectiveness of more than 2400 military and civilian personnel assigned to the 142d Fighter Wing in Portland, Ore., the 173d Fighter Wing in Klamath Falls, Ore. and Joint Forces Headquarters (Air) in Salem, Ore.
In this role, General Prigmore oversees development and deployment of operationally trained, equipped and mission-ready forces in support of Federal mission requirements, to include a 24/7 Aerospace Control Alert posture in support of North American Aerospace Defense Command, the 125th Special Tactics Squadron, an F-15 training school-house responsible for producing approximately 30 pilots each year, and the 270th Air Traffic Control Squadron. She also oversees State missions related to emergency response operations and support to civil authorities throughout Oregon.
Prior to her current assignment, General Donna M. Prigmore was the Assistant Adjutant General - Air for the Oregon National Guard and served as the Executive Officer to the Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau at the Pentagon in 2017. As the Executive Officer, she provided support to the Vice Chief and helped ensure 447,000 Army and Air National Guard members were ready to fight and win America's wars, protect the homeland, and build enduring partnerships as an integral part of the Joint Force and the primary combat reserve of the Army and Air Force.
OREGON AIR NATIONAL GUARD 142ND FIGHTER WING COMMANDER
Colonel Todd A. Hofford is assigned as the Commander of the 142nd Wing, Portland Air National Guard Base, Portland, Oregon. He leads over 1,400 personnel with the execution, support, and maintenance of the F-15C Eagle Air Superiority Mission, Special Tactics Operations, Aerospace Control, and Expeditionary Weather for worldwide deployments in support of national objectives and domestic operations activities as directed by the Governor.
Colonel Hofford enlisted in the Air National Guard in 1993 as a Munitions Systems Specialist with the 173rd Fighter Wing where he served as a Staff Sergeant. He attended Southern Oregon University graduating in 1997 with honors in two degrees. He received his officer commission from the Academy of Military Science in 1998 earning the top Honor Graduate award. He attended Undergraduate Pilot Training in 1999 graduating #1 in the primary phase. In 2000, he attended the F-15C Basic Course.
He transferred to the 142nd Fighter Wing where he flew as a Combat- Ready Instructor/Evaluator and Alert Pilot. While assigned to the 142nd Fighter Wing, he deployed seven times and served as the Multi- Stage Improvement Program Security Manager, Chief of Scheduling, Chief of Training, Chief of Standardization & Evaluation and a Flight Commander. In addition, he served from 2011-12 as a qualified Fighter Officer for AFNORTH/1st Air Force, Western Air Defense Sector, Mc Chord AFB, Tacoma, Washington. As the chief evaluator of the 142nd Operations Group, Col Hofford led the group through an “Outstanding”
rated inspection. He then spent two years working as the Deputy Director of Staff, Joint Force Headquarters, Oregon. He next led the 142nd Maintenance Squadron and Group, where he also deployed as an aviator/commander in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve in Europe. He then served a two year tour as the Vice Wing Commander prior to his role as the Director of Staff-Air Component. Col Hofford is an active member of the Washington County community and serves as a volunteer for his local church.
CIVIL AIR PATROL NATIONAL HEAD QUARTERS DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Mr. John W. Desmarais, Sr. is the Director of Operations at Civil Air Patrol (CAP) National Headquarters. CAP, the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, is Congressionally-chartered to perform Homeland Security and Emergency Services missions, Aerospace Education, and Cadet Programs for America. In his current position, John is responsible for all operations matters nationally and supervises senior program managers for communications, the CAP national operations center, standardization, evaluation and flight operations, operations training and support, health services, small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) and special missions. Mr. Desmarais interfaces with federal, state, and local personnel on operations issues, and assists CAP leaders in formulating the policies, program goals and objectives for CAP with the USAF and counterpart agencies at the national level. John joined Civil Air Patrol as a cadet in November of 1987, and came to National Headquarters as an employee in May of 1995. I have progressively worked my way up since, and continue to seek out education and experience to continue upward. My goal is to gain additional experience and knowledge while serving as the Director of Operations, and eventually become the Chief Operating Officer of Civil Air Patrol.
CAP-USAF PACIFIC LIAISON
USAF Major Slottje Commander CAP-USAF Pacific Liaison Region
USAF Lt Col Dean Richardson
Regional Operations Director,
CAP-USAF Pacific Liaison Region.