Senior Executives from North America’s Leading Aerospace and Defense Organizations to Convene in San Diego for Two Days of Strategic Peer Exchange
San Diego, CA | November 2026 — Marcus Evans, a global leader in premium business intelligence and executive events, will host the Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing & R&D Summit 2026 on November 16–17, at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa in San Diego, California. The invitation-only Summit will bring together senior manufacturing and engineering executives from across North America’s most prominent aerospace and defense organizations to address the complex challenges and transformative opportunities defining the sector today.
As the aerospace and defense industry navigates unprecedented levels of production demand, accelerating digital transformation, and increasing supply chain complexity, the need for focused, high-level dialogue has never been greater. The Summit is designed to meet that need, offering a curated environment where executives can benchmark priorities, examine real-world strategies, and build the trusted relationships that drive organizational performance.
A Program Built Around What Matters Most
The 2026 agenda reflects the most pressing priorities facing aerospace and defense manufacturing leaders. Discussions will span mission assurance in space and defense, examining how organizations are enhancing readiness, resilience, and security in an increasingly contested environment. AI-enabled operations will be a central theme, with sessions exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming decision-making, optimizing production, and driving enterprise-wide performance improvements.
Delegates will also engage in substantive dialogue on resilient supply networks, addressing how leading organizations are building agility and adaptability into their procurement and logistics frameworks in the face of persistent global disruption. Sessions on next-generation autonomy will look at the technologies shaping the future of defense systems, while dedicated discussions on workforce continuity will tackle the critical challenge of knowledge retention and accelerated talent development across the sector.
An Exceptional Speaker Faculty
The Summit will feature an outstanding faculty of senior practitioners drawn from the industry’s most respected organizations. Nargis Atamy, Director of Strategic Programs for Space Exploration, Environment and Earth Intelligence at Leidos, will bring a forward-looking perspective on mission-critical program management and strategic innovation. Ryan Udell, Technical Program Manager at Boeing, will contribute expertise on the integration of artificial intelligence within large-scale aerospace programs. Sunita Vij, Sr. Director of Supply Chain at Teledyne Technologies, will address the operational realities of managing complex supply networks under pressure.
Further insight will be provided by Mark Lemke, Vice President of Supply Chain and Operations at Radia, Inc., Matthew Dzielo, Director of Operations and Manufacturing at Woodward, Justin Craun, Director of Supply Chain at Raytheon, Christi Tomaselli, Director of Supply Chain at Moog Aircraft Group’s Military Division, Srinivas Suresh, Head of Supply Chain at Joby Aviation, Robert Yancey, Business Development Director at Hexcel Corporation, Zachary Kues, Sr. Manager of Procurement at Raytheon, and Jake Irwin, Program Manager at Boeing.
An Invitation-Only Experience
The Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing & R&D Summit is structured as an intimate, invitation-only gathering, ensuring that every interaction is purposeful and every conversation is conducted among genuine peers. Unlike traditional industry conferences, the Summit prioritizes depth over breadth, enabling executives to move beyond surface-level discussion and engage with the practical strategies and emerging intelligence that can drive real organizational change.
The Summit will be held at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa, one of Southern California’s most distinguished venues, providing a setting that reflects the caliber of the event and the seniority of its attendees.
Senior executives wishing to explore participation are encouraged to submit an inquiry at the earliest opportunity, as attendance is strictly limited.
About Marcus Evans
Marcus Evans is a global, multifaceted media, corporate marketing and information company with over 40 years of experience producing premium business events. Operating across 59 locations worldwide and employing more than 3,000 professionals, the organization is recognized for its unwavering commitment to quality, relevance, and executive-level intelligence across a broad range of industries and sectors.
For further information, please contact: Christophoros Ioannou, Marketing Director at christophorosi@marcusevanscy.com or submit you online enquiry here: https://www.marcusevans.com/summit/aerospacedefense/nov26?utm_source=media&utm_medium=pressrelease&utm_campaign=ICONMedia
