Day 1: Agenda - Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Posting of the Colors – Guam National Guard
National Anthem – A1C Kamille A.T. Morrison
Guam Hymn/Inifresi – Sarah Guzman
Welcome Remarks: Honorable Lourdes Leon Guerrero, Governor of Guam
Keynote Address: Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command
“Guam’s Role in the Indo-Pacific Strategy”
This opening panel brings together government, military, and community to establish a shared understanding of Guam’s civil–military environment. Panelists will highlight recent lessons, alignment on priorities for readiness and resilience, and identify areas where community and mission needs intersect.
Panelists: Ms. Vera Topasna, Executive Director, Community Defense Liaison Office • Ms. Carlotta Leon Guerrero, Chief Advisor, Military and Regional Affairs, Office of the Governor • Mr. Randy Sablan, Senior Advisor Political Military Affairs, Joint Region Marianas / Joint Task Force Micronesia • Honorable Jesse Alig, President, Mayors Council of Guam • Mr. Tae Oh, Chairman, Guam Chamber of Commerce
Moderator: Clifford Guzman, President, Galaide Group LLC
Lunch and Keynote Address: Honorable Dale Marks, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment
Briefing will feature updates on current and planned military expansion initiatives in Guam, including projects and timelines, construction impacts, and opportunities for dual-use infrastructure and the island’s growing role in strategic mobility and regional logistics.
Presenters: Col Chris Wehri, Army Senior Strategist (FA59), INDOPACOM, Chief of Strategy & Campaigns, Defense Policy & Posture • Mr. Mario DiBenedetto, INDOPACOM Intel Director’s Action Group
Examines Guam’s vulnerability in the evolving threat landscape from China and North Korea to include emerging domains such as cyber, space, and missile warfare. Exploration of potential “gray zone” and hybrid conflict scenarios, as well as mitigation efforts such as proactive civil preparations to bolster the island’s resilience and uphold regional deterrence credibility.
Panelists: Brig. Gen. William Parker, Commanding General, 94th Army Air & Missile Defense Command • Rear Admiral Brett Mietus, Commander, Joint Region Marianas • Col Daniel Mendoza, Deputy Commander, 36th Wing, AAFB • Col Nikki Harris, Deputy Director INDOPACOM Information Operations
Alt Panelist: Maj Gen Frenchy Faurot, INDOPACOM Mobilization Assistance
Moderator: Col Edmund “Trey” Guy, Deputy Director, INDOPACOM Requirements & Resource
Strategic roles of narrative and perception in deterrence – building public trust and civil unity during contested or crisis periods. Discussion includes training and empowerment of leaders, media and community trusted voices, leveraging regional and allied communication support capabilities for information operations.
Panelists: Rear Admiral Josh Lasky, Commander, Joint Task Force Micronesia • Col Chris Wehri, Army Senior Strategist (FA59), INDOPACOM, Chief of Strategy & Campaigns, Defense Policy & Posture • Col Keolani Bailey, PACAF, Director Air National Guard Forces • Col Edmund “Trey” Guy, Deputy Director, INDOPACOM Requirements & Resource • Rear Admiral Brett Mietus, Commander, Joint Region Marianas
Alt Panelist: Rear Admiral Brett Mietus, Commander, Joint Region Marianas
Moderator: Col Nichole Harris, Chief Information Operations Division, INDOPACOM
Enhancing national partnerships through coordinated diplomacy, and seamless interoperability across both military and civilian sectors, including collaboration in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, strategic health initiatives, and joint exercises. Partnership programs between regional partners play a vital role in deepening regional collaboration, strengthening integration, and advancing mutual support throughout the Indo-Pacific.
Panelists: Honorable Lou Leon Guerrero, Governor of Guam • Honorable David M. Apatang, Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands • Mr. Leonito Bacalando Jr., Secretary, Department of Justice, Federated States of Micronesia
Moderator: Dr. Elizabeth Kunce, Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies
Day 2: Agenda - Thursday, September 18, 2025
Opening Remarks: Honorable Joshua Tenorio, Lt. Governor of Guam
Watch Video
Panel examines the critical role of local leaders in crisis and conflict scenarios, focusing on legal authorities, emergency powers, and civil-military command relationships. Discussions on best practices in continuity of government, mechanisms for local input in federal planning, and the importance of training and role clarity to ensure effective civic leadership during emergencies.
Panelists: Mr. Jeff Moots, Legal Counsel, Office of the Governor of Guam • CAPT Harry Elliott, Commander Navy Reserve Defense Coordinating Element West • Col Deric Holbrook, US Army Pacific Defense Coordinating Officer • Honorable Robert Hofmann, Vice President, Mayor’s Council of Guam • Dr. Andre Stridiron, INDOPACOM Pacific Multi-Domain Training and Experimentation Capability Program Manager • CAPT Jessica Worst, Commanding Officer, Coast Guard Sector Guam
Moderator: Mr. Andrew Grant, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region 9
This panel brings together policy makers and university experts to examine how Guam can shape its security future through informed and proactive governance. Panelists will explore the intersection of defense policy, local legislation, and academic – highlighting both opportunities and challenges facing Guam as a strategic hub. Topics include implications of defense initiatives on local communities, the balance between security needs and economic development, and the importance of fostering local expertise and leadership in defense-related policy making.
Panelists: Honorable Frank Blas, Speaker, 38th Guam Legislature • Honorable Jesse Lujan, Majority Leader & Chairman, Committee on Transportation, Tourism, Customs, Utilities, and Federal and Foreign Affairs, 38th Guam Legislature • Honorable Tina Muna Barnes, Minority Ranking Member 38th Guam Legislature • Ms. Rikki Orsini, Policy Director. Office of the Governor • Dr. Anita Borja-Enriquez, President, University of Guam
Moderator: Mr. Clifford Guzman, President Galaide Group LLC
This panel explores how defense actions - such as military infrastructure development, strategic presence, and procurement - can serve as powerful catalysts for economic growth. Focusing on regions like the Western Pacific, presenters will examine how defense spending creates jobs, builds dual-use infrastructure, stimulates small business supply chains, and fosters innovation through technology spillovers. The panel will highlight ways that communities can align defense-driven development with local economic priorities to ensure sustainable, inclusive growth.
Panelists: Dr. Anita Borja-Enriquez, President, University of Guam • Mr. Tae Oh, Chairperson, Guam Chamber of Commerce • Ms. Christina Garcia, Administrator, Guam Economic Development Authority • Dr. Mary Okada, President, Guam Community College
Moderator: Ms. Melanie Mendiola, Director of Investor Education and Guidance, BG Investment Services
Panel will focus on energy resilience and redundancy in Guam and across the Indo-Pacific, including all energy sources as well as opportunities for public-private partnerships as a tool to address these issues. Highlights will include benefits of energy upgrades and the need for community support.
Panelists: Mr. John Benevente P.E., General Manager Guam Power Authority • CAPT Alan Eichelman, Commanding Officer, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Marianas • Mr. Kirby Smith, BlueOcean H2 • Ms. Brittany Smart, Senior Advisor for Defense, University of Alaska
Moderator: Ms. Tricee Limtiaco, Deputy General Manager, Administration, Guam Power Authority
Guam’s resilience depends on the strength of its transportation networks, water systems, and healthcare facilities. These lifelines are vital for daily civilian needs and play an equally critical role in supporting military readiness. Panel will examine vulnerabilities, interdependencies, and emerging threats that could disrupt operations, including strategies to reinforce dual-use infrastructure against natural disasters, cyberattacks, and potential conflict. Discussion will highlight the dual-use value of these systems, from evacuation routes to medical surge capacity.
Panelists: Mr. Vince Arriola, Director, Department of Public Works • Mr. Miguel C. Bordallo, General Manager, Guam Waterworks Authority • Ms. Lillian Perez Posadas, Administrator, Guam Memorial Hospital Authority • Ms. Theresa Arriola, Director, Department of Public Health and Social Services • Mr. Noah Smith, Executive Director, INDOPACOM Cyber Operations Integrated Planning Element
Moderator: Mr. Christian Dietz, V.P. Pacific Region Programs, Tetra Tech
This panel examines the role of Guam as a logistics hub in the Indo-Pacific, focusing on strengthening supply chain resilience for military and civilian needs. Topics include secure sourcing of critical materials, local manufacturing capabilities, port modernization, and public-private partnerships to mitigate vulnerabilities in contested scenarios. The session will explore industry innovations in logistics automation, secure transport, and inventory management.
Panelists: Mr. Joe Cruz, Past President, Cabras Marine • Mr. Rory Respicio, General Manager, Port Authority of Guam • Mr. Patrick Bulaon, Vice President and General Manager, Matson, Inc. • CAPT Patrick Brown, Commander Defense Logistics Agency Pacific • Mr. John Quinata, Executive Manager, Guam Airport Authority • Mr. Andrew Winternitz, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Defense Continuity and Mission Assurance
Moderator: CAPT Alan Eichelman, Commanding Officer, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Marianas
This panel brings together experts to explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing cybersecurity measures for Guam's strategic defense infrastructure. Discussions include emerging threats in the Indo-Pacific region, AI applications for threat detection and response, regulatory challenges, and collaborative strategies to build resilient digital defenses.
Panelists: Ms. Rachel Manglona, Information Security Systems Manager, GTA • Ms. Esther Aguigui, Advisor, Department of Homeland Security • Mr. Geoff Pease, Lead Planner, INDOPACOM Cyber Operations Integrated Planning Element • Mr. Noah Smith, Executive Director, INDOPACOM Cyber Operations Integrated Planning Element • Dr. Leslie J.C. Aquino, Associate Professor and Chair for the Division of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Guam
Moderator: LTC Christina Knight, Program Manager, INDOPACOM Cyber Operations
This panel will explore Guam’s ongoing efforts to establish opportunities for innovation and economic growth through additive and advanced manufacturing for both the Department of Defense and commercial/civilian applications. The panel will also address the critical need to attract and develop a skilled workforce to sustain this emerging sector. This initiative is a strong example of how Guam can organically create economic opportunities that also align with the operational needs of the DoD within the INDOPACOM Area of Responsibility.
Panelists: Mr. Melvin Tabilas, Guam Economic Development Authority • Dr. Anita Borja-Enriquez, President, University of Guam • Ms. Doyon Morato, Director Strategic Development, Marunda Defense Services • Mr. Alex Benham, Director and General Manager, Guam Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Accelerator (GAMMA), Astro America • Mr. Benjamin Worrell, Strategic Advisor to the OSD Industrial Base Analysis & Sustainment Program • Mr. Matthew Herrmann, Principal, The Roosevelt Group
Moderator: Ms. Debbie Holton, Astro America
This session aims to reaffirm Guam’s strategic role in the Indo-Pacific and underscores the importance of whole-of-government coordination in addressing regional security and resilience. It will emphasize commitments to follow-up actions, sustained collaboration, and shared ownership while expressing appreciation for the partnerships, civic leadership, and collective engagement that will help shape the forum’s success.
Speakers - Maj Gen Faurot, INDOPACOM Mobilization Assistance and Ms. Vera Topasna, Guam CDLO.
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