Managing for the Long Game

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Description:

In a finite game, there is a clearly defined end point and there are winners and losers. In an infinite game, all parties are working to keep the game in play. There are no winners or losers, but rather those that drop out of the game due to a lack of will or resources to continue playing.  

                                                                                                                James P. Carse (1986) 

This event will provide multiple perspectives on what it means, from an acquisition management perspective, to play a long game with strategic adversaries like China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.  Learn ways we can plan for the future, adapt to change, and position ourselves to deal effectively with whatever challenges come up.

Competing to Win Series:

Attending these sessions will help you relate the work you do in defense acquisition to the Great Power Competition shaping our national security environment.  Learn how to meet the challenge and help the US maintain its competitive advantage!  Session format is curated conversation with thought leaders from across DoD, industry, academia and the acquisition workforce. No slides, followed by live Q&A.

Moderator:

Dr. Glenn Lamartin, Professor of Acquisition Management, DAU, DSMC

Dr. Lamartin is a professor at the Defense Systems Management College (DSMC), adjunct professor at Georgetown's McCourt School of Public Policy, and a certified executive coach. He is a seasoned acquisition professional with experience as a flight test manager, project engineer, program manager, strategic planner, and senior executive in DoD and industry. Inspiring the leader in each of us is one of his passions. His current work includes developing curricula, teaching defense policy making and leadership, and assisting practitioners in the acquisition community— to span boundaries, make change happen, innovate, accelerate acquisition, and improve outcomes.

Speakers:

Dr. Marv Langston, Principal, Langston Associates

As an independent consultant, Dr. Langston focuses on new technology adoption, enterprise architecture & engineering, organizational strategy, and acquisition leadership.

Dr. Langston began his Military career in Navy nuclear power and retired as an acquisition professional. As a Senior Executive Service public servant, Dr. Langston served as Department of Defense Deputy Chief Information Officer, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Navy for C4I, was the Navy's first Chief Information Officer, and Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Information Systems Office (ISO) working artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and related C2ISR research. During his career, Dr. Langston earned a Doctor of Public Administration from the University of Southern California, a Master of Science in Electronic Engineering from the Naval Post Graduate School, and a Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering from Purdue University.

Mr. Jim Smith, Acquisition Executive, USSOCOM

James H. Smith is the Acquisition Executive, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. He is responsible for all special operations forces acquisition, technology, and logistics.  

Mr. Smith graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1986 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the infantry. He served in various positions from Platoon Leader to Company Commander and at the U.S. Military Academy.  

His acquisition assignments include Chief, Firepower Division, Combat Developments Directorate, U.S. Army Infantry Center; Assistant Product Manager, Soldier Power; Deputy Technology Product Manager, Objective Force Warrior; Chief, Interoperability, Headquarters Department of the Army G8; Product Manager, Soldier Sensors and Lasers, Program Executive Office Soldier; and Program Executive Officer, Special Operations Forces Warrior Systems, followed by Military Deputy to the USSOCOM Acquisition Executive.  

Mr. Smith retired from active duty in 2013. Immediately upon his military retirement, he was appointed to the Senior Executive Service and selected to serve as the Deputy Director for Acquisition, Special Operations Research, Development and Acquisition Center, USSOCOM, MacDill AFB. 

LT. Col. Jake Sotiriadis, Ph.D., Global futurist and expert in intelligence and geopolitical risk

He is currently Director of the Center for Futures Intelligence at National Intelligence University (NIU), where he serves on the research faculty. Dr. Sotiriadis previously served as the US Air Force's senior futurist at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, where he founded the Service's Strategic Foresight and Futures Team.  At NIU, his research assists senior leaders in the Intelligence Community in developing anticipatory thinking and futures analytics. He has served nearly two decades as an Air Force intelligence officer and holds a Ph.D. in political science and geopolitical futures from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  He frequently speaks about strategic foresight and global affairs and his forthcoming book, "The Invisible Regime: How Ideology Will Shape 21st Century Geopolitical Competition" will be published in Winter 2022 by National Intelligence Press.