The inaugural Velocity Summit, scheduled for November 17, 2026, in Wilmington, North Carolina, has announced its first wave of speakers, signaling a major push to address one of the most critical challenges in U.S. national security: the slow and often fragmented process of turning military requirements into manufactured capability at scale. The summit, organized by the North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) and The Protocase Companies, aims to foster practical collaboration among industry, the military, government, academia, and workforce leaders to accelerate production, reduce barriers across the defense industrial base, strengthen critical supply chains, and expand capacity for building and sustaining ships, aircraft, munitions, and other mission-critical systems.
The first confirmed speakers span a wide range of expertise: 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. Their collective experience covers military logistics and sustainment, defense manufacturing, aerospace production, additive manufacturing, local government, and the companies working to accelerate the development and production of mission-critical hardware.
“This is exactly the kind of intersectional pedigree we envisioned when we began building Velocity Summit,” said Dr. Doug Milburn, Chairman of The Protocase Companies. “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.”
The implications of this announcement extend beyond the speaker list. North Carolina’s role in advanced manufacturing and aerospace is growing, with 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. 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. By convening leaders from these sectors, the Velocity Summit seeks to catalyze a more responsive and integrated defense industrial base—one that can innovate and produce at the speed required by modern threats.
Organizers plan to announce additional speakers and distinguished attendees, including senior elected and government leaders from across North Carolina, in the coming weeks. The event’s focus on accelerating defense manufacturing capacity comes at a time when global security challenges demand faster and more resilient production capabilities. For those interested in participating, registration and more information are available at https://www.ncmbc.us/event/velocity-summit/.
The Velocity Summit represents a strategic effort to bridge the gap between military requirements and industrial output, ensuring that the United States can maintain its technological edge and national security. As the first speakers are confirmed, the summit is poised to become a key forum for shaping the future of defense manufacturing.
