Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82565406071

Meet the Navy Systems Commands

Join us to meet representatives from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR).

Date:

Tuesday, August 15th, 2023

Time:

1 - 2pm PST

Description:

Through a partnership with the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, NIWC Pac, SBIR@Connect hopes to promote economic growth in our region by fostering connections between government, industry, and academia.

SBIR@Connect is excited to highlight the different Navy commands through a series of workshops. During these workshops, small businesses can learn about the commands and their respective areas of responsibility, with an emphasis on their SBIR/STTR programs. This workshop will highlight the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR).

ONR, Office of Naval Research, is an executive branch agency within the Department of Defense. ONR’s mission is to plan, foster, and encourage scientific research in recognition of its paramount importance as related to the maintenance of future naval power, and the preservation of national security. ONR is tasked with discovering, developing and delivering new technology and capability for the Navy and Marine Corps.

NAVWAR, Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, is a Navy SYSCOMS located in San Diego. Its mission is to identify, develop, deliver and sustain information warfare capabilities and services that enable naval, joint, coalition and other national missions operating in warfighting domains from seabed to space; and to perform such other functions and tasks as directed. NAVWAR’s area of responsibility is information dominance, and focuses on capable and secure communications and networks that span platforms and facilities. NAVWAR’s products and services transform ships, aircraft, and vehicles from individual platforms into integrated battle forces.

Join us to meet representatives from ONR and NAVWAR, and learn more about their commands!

Speakers:

Lore-Anne Ponirakis

Position: Program Manager, Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), Office of Naval Research (ONR)

Ms. Lore-Anne Ponirakis is the Program Manager of the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. Ms. Ponirakis is responsible for creating and maintaining critical processes and systems to support the organizational mission and goals of the congressionally mandated program. She plans and executes the $80M ONR SBIR program based on Navy and ONR requirements while providing oversight to more than 300 active contracts with hundreds of small businesses.

Prior to her current assignment, Ms. Ponirakis was the Operations Manager for the Department of Navy Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs. The Navy's SBIR/STTR Programs are primarily mission oriented, providing companies the opportunity to become part of the national technology base that can feed both the military and private sectors of the nation. Ms. Ponirakis also held various positions in the private sector and was responsible for program and process management as well as personnel operations. Ms. Ponirakis is a graduate of Virginia Tech.

Shadi Azoum

Position: NAVWAR SBIR/STTR Program Manager

Mr. Shadi Azoum is the current Program Manager for the NAVWAR Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), and Rapid Innovation Fund (RIF) Program Management Offices. He has served in this position since June 2016. Prior to this position, Mr. Azoum led the Science and Technology (S&T) portfolio for PEO C4I, PMW 130 (Information Assurance and Cyber Security Program Office) as the Assistant Program Manager (APM) for Science and Technology (S&T) since May 2011. Mr. Azoum has a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science and Master of Science (MS) in Information Security from Florida State University.

Gretel von Son

Position: Connect SBIR/STTR Director

Gretel von Son is the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Director at Connect, a position created to support the SBIR/STTR Program by helping make connections between government, industry and academia, more accessible. Gretel previously supported the NAVWAR SBIR/STTR Program Office, and has experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. She has published work in Advanced Materials, ACS Nano and Nature Communications. Gretel has earned a Bachelor’s in Chemistry, and a Master’s in Business Administration.

Workshop Agenda:

1300-1305: Intro

1305-1325: NAVWAR presentation, Shadi Azoum

1325-1345: ONR Presentation, Lore-Anne Ponirakis

1345-1400: Q&A

We look forward to your participation in this event, and future ones! For more information, please visit our website connect.org/sbir

Learning Objectives:

NAVWAR vs ONR - What are their areas of responsibility?

DoN SBIR - What systems command (SYSCOM) is the best fit for my technology?

SBIR@Connect: Meet the Navy Systems Commands