NYLT Leadership Academy
Washington D.C.

The Academy has outstanding guest speakers every evening who share their personal lessons of leadership .  Here is a brief bio of the 2011 speakers.

Major Christine Rabaja

United States Marine Corps

Major Rabaja is a Naval Aviator, has piloted the largest helicopter in the US military, and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Astronomy from the University of Iowa, a Master of Business Administration from Webster University, and has studied Space Systems Operations at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.  She is currently assigned to the office of the Under Secretary of the Navy.

Michael Pocalyko

CEO, Monticello Capital

Investment banker and venture capitalist Michael Pocalyko founded Monticello Capital in 1997 and is the firm’s managing director and chief executive officer.  He is an entrepreneur, an international economist, and an experienced executive leader of high-performance teams.  He also advises clients worldwide on financial structures, mergers and acquisitions, and capital investments.

Major General Edward L. "Ed" Bolton Jr.

United States Air Force

Maj. Gen. Bolton is the Director, Space and Cyber Operations at Headquarters, U.S. Air Force.  He is responsible for establishing and  advocating policy, guidance and resources for space, cyber and information operations and oversees the creation and development of both the Air Force cyber career field and the management of space professionals.  As the 45^th Space Wing Commander, he oversaw 24 successful space lift, shuttle, test and range missions.  He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of New Mexico, a Master of Science degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California, and a Master of Science degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College, Washington, D.C.  

Colonel Patrick H. Rayermann

Chief of Staff, DoD Executive Agent for Space Staff

Colonel Rayermann is currently the Chief of Staff for the Secretary of the Air Force in his responsibility as the DoD Executive Agent for Space.  Colonel Rayermann is a US Army Signal Corps officer as well as a Space Operations expert.  He has been bringing space capabilities to Army warfighters for over 25 years.  He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from UCLA, a Master’s Degree in Computer Resources and Information Management, and a Master’s Degree in  Strategic Studies.

David Bulova

Virginia House of Delegates

David was first elected to the General Assembly in November 2005. He currently serves on the General Laws, Education, and Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources committees and is a member of the State Water Commission, Housing Commission, and the Joint Commission on Health Care.  Professionally, David is a Senior Planner at AMEC Earth & Environmental, Inc. and works to help local governments comply with state and federal environmental regulations.  He has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the College of William and Mary, a Master’s in Public Administration from Virginia Tech, and is a graduate of the Sorenson Institute of Political Leadership at the University of Virginia.

Major General (Ret) Curtis M. Bedke

United States Air Force

Maj. Gen. Bedke was Commander, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.  He was responsible for managing 10,800 people and the Air Force's $2.2 billion science and technology program as well as additional customer funded research and development of $2.2 billion.  He is an experimental test pilot with more than 4,300 flying hours in 80 different aircraft and is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom.  He graduated from the US Air Force Academy with a Bachelor’s Degree in Astronautical Engineering and Theoretical Mathematics, has a Master of Science in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Stanford, and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.


 

Rebecca Cowen-Hirsch

Senior Vice President, Government Policy, Strategy & Outreach

Inmarsat Government Services, Inc.

 
Ms Cowen-Hirsch has overall responsibility for leading the strategic direction, development, and execution of Inmarsat’s government business across key markets around the world.  Inmarsat Government Services Inc. is a U.S.-based subsidiary of Inmarsat plc of London, a leading provider of global mobile satellite communications. She is a rated experimental flight test engineer; and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Kentucky, a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the University of Dayton, and is also a graduate of the University of Tennessee Space Institute Experimental Flight Test Program.

Art Hurtado

President & Chief Executive Officer, Invertix Corporation