Date: Thursday, February 26
Time: 12:00 – 12:45 pm ET
Multi-Domain Unmanned Systems: The New Backbone of Government Operations explores how unmanned systems (UxS) are revolutionizing public sector operations across federal, state, and local agencies. This webinar examines the transformative applications of drone technology in emergency response, infrastructure inspection, law enforcement, environmental monitoring, and disaster management.
Attendees will discover how government agencies are leveraging drones to enhance mission effectiveness, improve public safety, reduce operational costs, and access previously difficult-to-reach areas. The session addresses critical considerations including regulatory compliance, privacy concerns, workforce development, and best practices for successful drone program implementation.
Through real-world case studies and expert insights, participants will learn:
- Current and emerging drone applications across government sectors
- ROI and cost-benefit analysis of drone programs
- Navigating government regulations and airspace management
- Addressing privacy, security, and ethical considerations
- Strategies for building and scaling drone capabilities
- Future trends in autonomous systems and AI-integrated operations
This webinar is designed for government officials, program managers, and public sector technology professionals seeking to understand how drone technology can enhance their agency’s mission delivery and operational efficiency.
Speaker Bios:
Paul Williams
Vice President of Solutions, KGS
Paul Williams is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in Information Technology Leadership. He currently serves as the Vice President of Solutions for Koniag Government Services, where he plays a crucial role in driving innovation and delivering effective solutions to clients.
With a Master’s degree in Information Systems, Paul possesses a strong educational foundation to complement his extensive practical experience. His expertise lies in Cloud, Software Development, and DevSecOps, making him a valuable asset in today’s rapidly evolving technology landscape.
Driven by a passion for continuous learning and professional growth, Paul holds several certifications, including Service Oriented Architecture, SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework), Cloud Architect, ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library), and Security+.
Paul has a notable track record in implementing METOC (Meteorological and Oceanographic) systems, with over 6 years of experience developing METOC systems for NAVOCEANO and CNMOC. His deep understanding of METOC systems and their applications has allowed him to successfully deliver advanced solutions to clients.
James Fisher
James Fisher is a Marine Corps veteran and senior leader in unmanned and autonomous systems with extensive experience across defense, maritime, and dual-use technology sectors. He currently serves as Vice President at The Tech Vets Inc., where he supports the growth of America’s dual-use technology ecosystem by connecting founders, investors, and government partners.
In parallel, James is a Senior Technical Sales Manager and Business Development Lead at Maritime Robotics AS, supporting global adoption of advanced unmanned surface vehicle capabilities, and the CEO of Elisabeth James Enterprises, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business providing engineering, integration, and program support to the U.S. Government. His prior roles include senior program and engineering leadership positions at Raven Defense, MARTAC, and L3Harris, supporting high-stakes maritime, hypersonic, and subsea programs.
Val Tirman
Chief Technology Officer
Val Tirman is a technology strategist and advanced drone R&D innovator whose career bridges the worlds of unmanned systems engineering, enterprise cloud transformation, and AI-driven financial governance. With more than 15 years of experience advising Fortune 500 companies, leading modernization programs, and designing next-generation UAVs, he brings a rare combination of hands-on engineering depth and executive-level strategic insight. His work focuses on pushing the boundaries of intelligent flight systems while applying rigorous cost, compliance, and performance principles drawn from his enterprise technology background.
Val’s current focus is full-scale drone research, prototyping, and testing. His work spans the complete UAV lifecycle—from carbon-fiber airframe design and custom PCB development to advanced battery systems, flight controller architecture, and intelligent autonomy. As a chief R&D architect and lead test pilot, he has guided multiple commercial UAV platforms from concept to deployment, ensuring systems meet the demanding performance, reliability, and safety standards expected by industry leaders and defense partners.
Nelson Cantrell
Nelson Cantrell is the co-founder of Safe Harbor Maritime, a rapidly growing partner to the U.S. Navy, NIWC, NAVSEA, and leading USV and technology companies entering the maritime space. Safe Harbor provides agile support services for emerging technologies and government adopters, helping bridge the gap between innovation and operational deployment.
With deep expertise in uncrewed and crewed maritime operations, Nelson and his team served on the subcommittee for AUVSI’s UMS Trusted Operator certification program, helping develop standards and curriculum for safely operating uncrewed systems in real-world environments. Today, Safe Harbor is the first West Coast provider delivering hands-on training for uncrewed maritime systems out of San Diego, CA, enabling operators and organizations to safely integrate next-generation technology into their missions.
About the Emerging Technology Lunch and Learn Series: Emerging technologies are disrupting the established paradigms. Traditional lines are blurred within the governmental operational space. Technology can now be put directly into the hands of those who need it most, when they need it. Hear how Koniag Government Services’ Subject Matter Experts are utilizing these new technologies to predict and safeguard our nation’s top assets.