Galvanizing a Whole of Nation Response
We are nonprofit, mission-driven partner accelerating the revitalization of the defense industrial base through non-traditional approaches that deliver speed, access and scale.
Our mission is to galvanize and uplift the defense industrial base by holistically increasing capability, capacity, and resiliency through the three pillars of advanced technology, supply chain optimization, and workforce development.
We align government, industry, and academia to drive coordinated, high-impact solutions that strengthen the defense industrial base and ensure long-term readiness.
Acting as a bridge between traditional government programs and private sector capabilities, our unique non-profit role drives transformational results across the defense industrial base.
We do everything with
the mission in mind
We act as a silent servant to the silent service so that we can collectively overcome the complex challenges facing national security and ensure a resilient manufacturing ecosystem.
We are the purpose-built partner that is 100% dedicated to answer the call and to execute the mission."
Every initiative is rooted in an unwavering commitment to sustaining and strengthening the defense industrial base, ensuring long-term national security and economic resilience.
Driving innovation, efficiency and scale by integrating and deploying advanced technologies such as additive manufacturing, non-destructive testing, and Industry 4.0 solutions. These cutting-edge advancements reinvigorate industrial processes, increase production capability and expand capacity.
With a network spanning all 50 states, we reinvigorate the backbone of manufacturing by fortifying the supply base to scale and innovate. Through targeted investments, strategic partnerships, and data-informed decision making, we work with suppliers to enhance capacity, refine processes and adopt cutting-edge technologies - ensuring resilience, economic competitiveness, and the capability to meet evolving production demands.
Cultivating a highly skilled workforce by attracting and recruiting new talent through targeted national and regional initiatives, developing and scaling training programs, and creating career pathways that enhance capacity within the defense industrial base.
The people that make it possible
Established with a clear purpose, BlueForge Alliance has embarked on a mission of generational significance that can only be accomplished by assembling a team of cross-industry partners and experts with unparalleled talent, all united by an unwavering passion for our cause.
BlueForge Alliance is led by a dedicated team of experienced executives who are all committed to operating at the highest level of integrity in the pursuit of our mission of strengthening the industrial base.
This team brings extensive experience and deep understanding of the complexities of the manufacturing and defense industry.
Rob is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of BlueForge Alliance, where he leads the organization’s efforts to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base through workforce development, supply chain expansion, and advanced manufacturing. Under his leadership, BlueForge Alliance has grown into an organization focused on addressing critical industrial capacity challenges, bringing together government and industry partners to develop practical solutions that support national defense requirements.
A central focus of BlueForge Alliance’s work is supporting the U.S. Navy’s submarine industrial base priorities, where the organization works in alignment with Navy requirements to expand manufacturing capacity, strengthen supplier capabilities, and develop the skilled workforce necessary to support submarine construction and sustainment.
Rob brings more than two decades of executive and technical leadership experience spanning aerospace, defense manufacturing, and nationally significant manufacturing initiatives. Throughout his career, he has led complex programs, built partnerships across government, industry, and academia, and advanced the development and adoption of manufacturing technologies that address critical industrial challenges.
Prior to founding BlueForge Alliance, Rob served as Senior Manager of Advanced Manufacturing at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, where he led the development and transition of affordable manufacturing technologies for more than a decade. He subsequently served as Executive Director of America Makes at the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), overseeing a $400 million Department of Defense-sponsored initiative focused on advancing additive manufacturing technologies and their adoption nationwide. He later served as Executive Director of Manufacturing Initiatives at the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES), where he led strategic manufacturing initiatives, including the SecureAmerica Institute.
His leadership reflects a career-long commitment to strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities, advancing collaboration between government and industry, and translating complex technical and industrial challenges into executable solutions that support national security.
Kimberly McGinty serves as Chief of Staff at BlueForge Alliance, where she is a trusted advisor to the President and CEO. She plays a critical role in advancing strategic priorities, strengthening enterprise-wide alignment, and driving disciplined execution of the organization’s mission. She works closely with senior leadership and key government and industry stakeholders to foster collaboration, translate strategy into action, and advance mission-critical initiatives.
Prior to joining BlueForge Alliance, Kimberly supported executive leadership at Texas A&M University, building a strong foundation in executive operations and stakeholder engagement. Known for her exceptional judgment, discretion, and ability to build trusted relationships, she brings strategic insight, operational discipline, and people-centered leadership to BlueForge Alliance’s continued growth and success.
Josh Cramer serves as the Chief Strategy, Planning, and Integration Officer and an Education and Workforce Fellow at BlueForge Alliance. He directs enterprise-level strategy and organizational alignment to strengthen the industrial base and national manufacturing sectors. Known for bridging complex organizational boundaries, he integrates customer directives and boardroom strategy directly with shop-floor execution to ensure operational readiness, supply chain resilience, and workforce scaling across the industrial base.
Prior to BlueForge Alliance, Josh served as Education and Workforce Director for NCDMM and America Makes, he architected national "K to Grey" initiatives. He served as Interim Executive Director and Director of Educational Programs at the SME Education Foundation, where he partnered directly with national manufacturing leaders to close critical skills gaps. Throughout his career, he has actively collaborated with the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the White House Workforce Coalition to drive systemic industrial base solutions.
David Ganci, Captain, USN (ret.), serves as the Chief External Affairs and Development Officer at BlueForge Alliance. In this role, he leads the Washington, DC, office and develops and executes strategic government affairs and industry efforts to advance the BFA mission, strengthen relationships with stakeholders, and drive outcomes that support national defense.
Captain Ganci commissioned in the United States Navy in 1999 and earned his Naval Flight Officer wings. He flew combat missions supporting Operations Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, New Dawn, and Inherent Resolve. He earned a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College and served in the Offices of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs and the 77th Secretary of the Navy in the Pentagon.
Cletus Glasener serves as the EVP and Chief Financial Officer at BlueForge Alliance. Cletus also serves as a member of the BFA Board of Directors. Cletus is a seasoned C-level executive with more than 35 years of experience within the aerospace, defense, and technology industries.
Prior to BFA, Cletus served as the Chief Financial Officer of Elbit Systems for 13 years. Earlier in his career, Cletus served for more than 20 years at Vought Aircraft Industries. Cletus has also served on several Boards, the most recent being the Chairman of the Board of Emcore Corporation, a publicly traded A&D Electronics company.
Todd Leger serves as Chief Operating Officer at BlueForge Alliance, where he leads enterprise operations and oversees program execution, governance, performance, and compliance. He works across the organization to align operations with strategic priorities, strengthen delivery, and support scalable growth.
Before joining BlueForge Alliance, Todd held senior leadership roles at KBR, Leidos, and Lockheed Martin. He brings nearly 35 years of leadership experience in operations, program management, engineering, and federal contracting. Prior to serving as COO, he was Vice President of Programs at BlueForge Alliance, where he helped strengthen the company’s delivery and execution capabilities.
Damon Slaydon serves as the Chief People Officer at BlueForge Alliance. Damon manages the recruitment, development and overall well-being of employees. He also implements programs and initiatives to attract and retain talent, fostering a supporting and engaging work environment.
Prior to BlueForge Alliance, Damon was Vice President for the Division of Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness at Texas A&M University. He served as the Chief Human Resources Officer and senior-level advisor to the President in providing strategic and operational guidance on human resource and organization effectiveness matters. He also stimulated effective organizational structures and employee development through programs that fostered collaboration, customer excellence, and functional development.
Mark Whitson, Colonel, USMC (ret.), serves as Chief Legal Officer, Compliance Officer, and Secretary at BlueForge Alliance. Mark brings his leadership experience to provide rigorous general counsel and trade compliance to the organization.
Prior to BlueForge, Mark was the Deputy Chief Counsel at Axiom Space. He Served as General Counsel at FlightAware and Satcom Direct. Mark also served as Judge Advocate and Naval Flight Officer in the United State Marine Corps.
The purpose of the Strategic Advisory Council (SAC) is to guide and advise BFA’s leadership team on strategic matters with expertise, objective insights, and long-term focus.
The board provides critical perspectives to help navigate complex challenges, identify opportunities, and reinforce the long-term resilience of the defense industrial base.
Admiral James Foggo is an accomplished executive with more than 30 years of experience leading operations across diverse environments. He currently serves as the dean for the Center for Maritime Strategy, a nonprofit think tank partnered with the Navy League of the U.S. During his decorated career in the U.S. Navy, Adm. Foggo served in numerous high-profile roles, including commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Africa and Allied Joint Force Command in Italy, commander of the U.S. 6th Fleet, director of U.S. Navy Staff, and deputy director of Operations for Strategy, Plans & Policy, among others. Today, he serves as a trusted advisor to several organizations, including the American Academy of Diplomacy, Olmstead Foundation, U.S. Institute of Peace, Center for European Policy Analysis, Council on Foreign Relations and the Center for Naval Analysis. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Adm. Foggo also holds graduate degrees from Harvard University and the University of Strasbourg, France.
Stephen Rodriguez is the managing partner of One Defense. This strategic advisory firm leverages machine learning to identify advanced software and hardware commercial capabilities and accelerate their transition into the defense industrial base. He is also an investor at Refinery Ventures, a Midwest fund investing in hypergrowth entrepreneurs across the U.S. Stephen began his career in management consulting in 2001, working in the national security sector. He later became a senior leader at an AI tech company and an international defense corporation. Throughout his career, he has been in and out of government to include service in Colombia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Afghanistan. Stephen currently serves as a director or advisor to 11 venture-backed companies. He is also a commission director at the Atlantic Council and a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Stephen holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas A&M University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, respectively.
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The Honorable Kenneth J. Braithwaite served as secretary of the Navy from 2020-2021, as well as U.S. ambassador to Norway. Under his leadership in the Navy, he orchestrated the first tri-service maritime strategy which aligned the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard with the national defense strategy. Other naval career highlights include commanding Navy Combat Camera Atlantic (for Operation Iraqi Freedom); becoming first commander of Joint Public Affairs Support Element-Joint Forces Command (for disaster relief in Pakistan); serving as chief of public affairs at the Philadelphia naval base, and more. In the private sector, Amb. Braithwaite has held executive roles in the healthcare and petroleum industries. He also is a fellow of the NATO School in Germany, an adjunct professor at Kristiania University in Norway and member of the American Academy of Diplomacy. Amb. Braithwaite graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and holds a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
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Frank Finelli is a senior advisor to The Carlyle Group, a global private equity firm that he served for more than 25 years (ultimately as partner and managing director). He also worked as legislative assistant for former Senator Dan Coats (R-IN). A former field artillery master gunner in the U.S. Army, Frank served in the 82nd Airborne, 1st Armored, and 3rd Infantry Divisions. Other Army highlights include special assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for the first Quadrennial Defense Review, as well as working for the vice chairman in restructuring the Joint Requirements Oversight Council. Today, Frank is a Chartered Financial Analyst and member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Lexington Institute and Atlantic Council. He also serves as a director for Army Emergency Relief, Business Executives for National Security and the MIT Sloan School Executive Board. Frank graduated from the U.S. Military Academy. He holds master’s degrees from MIT and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
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Jeffery “Scott” Baum is the Chief Operating Officer of Sempre AI, an edge infrastructure company supporting government and commercial customers. Previously, Scott was the vice president of strategy and growth for Elbit Systems of America, a leading provider of products and systems solutions for the U.S. military and the homeland security, medical instrumentation and commercial aviation sectors. Scott also served as the principal director at the Office of Industrial Policy for the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment. There, he led multiple initiatives to ensure robust, secure and innovative capabilities for both current and future warfighting requirements. He also headed a strategic initiative to invest in and expand manufacturing capacity and capability in the U.S. In addition to his civilian experience, Scott is currently serving as a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves where he has operational experience in Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, China and Tanzania. Scott holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas and master’s degrees from Texas Christian University and the National Defense University.
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