Officers of the board
Directors
Communications
Alexandra Poirier
Business Development Representative
QRC Technologies
dEPUTY DIRECTORS
Deputy Military Outreach
Vacant
Deputy Community Outreach
Vacant
Military Outreach
Vacant
ADVISORS
Edward Spenceley
Senior Vice President
Bank of America
Janel Brown
DOD Account Executive
Microsoft
MA Yourchisin
CEO
SOFtact Solutions
Danny Kelley
Sales & Marketing Director
Boeing Global
Holley Harris
Customer Success Manager
Skopenow
Administrators
Jennifer Metz
Managing Partner
SE2S
Reinier Cruz
oFFICERS OF THE BOARD bios
President, Jessica Gronert
Jessica Gronert is a Senior Business Development Manager for Leidos, leading the company’s growth in support of SOCOM. She began her career in Defense after graduating from the Air Force Academy and served on active duty until 2016. She still serves in uniform as an Intelligence officer in the US Air Force Reserve, assigned to the USAF Special Operations School as an international affairs instructor.
Before joining Leidos, Jessica supported SOCOM’s enterprise wide exercise and training program as the lead instructional systems designer. Prior to moving to Tampa in 2020, she and her husband lived in Fort Walton Beach, FL for seven years, during which time she educated Air Force Special Operations air commandos in preparation for operations in the CENTCOM AOR as the Director of the CENTCOM Theater for Special Operations course. She also served as the Senior Intelligence Officer for AF Special Tactics and paved the way for women’s inclusion into the Battlefield Airmen career fields by completing all physical requirements in the 2015 SECDEF-directed Women in Service Review.
Jessica has a deeply rooted passion for service to her fellow mankind, being raised in a household that prioritized service projects year round. Moved by the collapse of Afghanistan, she founded a non-profit to assist with evacuation efforts of at-risk women Afghans in 2021. She continues to champion humanitarian causes whenever possible, and strives to inspire her stepdaughter to always be on the lookout for ways to serve others.
Vice President, Kati Hippleheuser
Kati Hippleheuser is a distinguished leader in military intelligence, with 19 years of comprehensive experience in strategic planning and analysis. As the CEO of Seaside Innovations, she spearheads a dynamic Military Intelligence and Data Science Services Company, driving innovation and excellence in the field.
Her career encompasses pivotal roles such as senior project engineer and space program analyst for the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command and military equipment intelligence analyst for the Defense Intelligence Agency as a Department of Defense contractor.
Kati’s military tenure is marked by over 12 years of dedicated service as a Captain of Military Intelligence in the U.S. Army. Her diverse roles have included J2 Watch Officer, Senior Intelligence Advisor, Space Support Crew Manager, Company Commander, and Operations Analyst, with commendable service in Afghanistan, South Korea, and Japan.
A proud alumna of the University of Central Florida, Kati holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She furthered her expertise by earning a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business, where she honed her skills in business strategy, leadership development, and innovation. Kati’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cross-cultural collaboration is evident in her leadership style and vision for Seaside Innovations, aligning with the geocentric global integration model and local responsiveness.
secretary, Tatem Fischer
Tatem Fischer is a seasoned professional with extensive experience and a dynamic role in the industry. A Tampa native, she is the owner of TEF Services, a successful defense consulting company that specializes in proposal writing, opportunity identification, and marketing, including social media services. Tatem holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida, equipping her with a diverse skill set that includes policy analysis, data analytics, and strategic planning. These skills allow her to offer innovative insights into marketing strategies and decision-making processes.
With a proven track record of success, Tatem has consistently achieved exceptional results, leveraging her expertise in prospect list validation and customer relationship management to meet and exceed organizational goals. Backed by certifications in Marketing Software, Digital Advertising, and Inbound Marketing, she brings a strong skill set in pipeline development, critical thinking, and compassionate leadership to Women in Defense.
Outside of her professional life, Tatem enjoys working out and participating in Spartan races. She also loves spending time with her dog, Kirby.
Treasurer, Zach hodros
Zach Hodros, CPA joined Warren Averett LLC in 2018 and is a Supervisor in the Firm’s Tax Department. He has more than 10 years of experience in Public Accounting serving clients in the manufacturing and distribution, government contracting and various other service industries. He specializes in federal and state tax compliance and planning among other various tax services. Before moving to Warren Averett, Zach worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for over six years as a Tax Manager.
Prior to working in Public Accounting, Zach served in the US Army for over five years. Joining the Army in 2002, he was stationed in Fort Drum, New York as an Infantry Platoon Sergeant. Zach completed three deployments to Iraq before leaving the Army in 2008.
Zach holds a Master’s degree in Accounting from University of South Florida and two Bachelor degrees. One in Accounting from USF and one in Education from Baldwin Wallace College. He is a Certified Public Accountant and Enrolled Agent. He currently lives in Wesley Chapel with his wife, Debra and their dog Barry.
dIRECTOR bios
communications, Alexandra Poirier
Alexandra is a Florida native who moved to Tampa just over three years ago. She began her career in new construction real estate before transitioning into the technology field nearly two years ago. Currently, Alexandra serves as a Business Development professional for QRC Technologies, a Parsons company. As a newcomer to the defense and technology sectors, Women in Defense played a key role in immersing her into the community.
Aside from her career, her passion for connecting with people and fostering positive change drives her both personally and professionally. She volunteers with a project dedicated to rehabilitating homeless women with children, aiming to make a meaningful impact in her community.
In her free time, Alexandra enjoys biking along Bayshore, spending quality time with family and friends, and has recently taken up golf as her newest hobby.
Military Outreach, Jennifer Davis
Jennifer Davis is the Office Manager and Information Security Specialist at Lukos in Tampa Bay. Jennifer joined the Army in 2002 and continues to serve in the Air Force Reserves.
Jennifer grew up in Michigan and Montana and went to the University of Texas for her Bachelors degree in Business Management with a Minor in Marketing, HOOK EM! She is currently enrolled in Cybersecurity Masters Program at Michigan State University. Jennifer lives in Tampa with her two cats and enjoys riding her motorcycle every chance she gets.
Community Outreach, Latrice Ham
LaTrice Ham, founder and CEO of ATALO Solutions, Inc., is a dynamic leader in the defense industry. With a career spanning nearly two decades, she transitioned from a project/systems engineer at the Department of Navy to leading her own SBA-certified Woman Owned Small Business. LaTrice's leadership style emphasizes empathy and team empowerment, focusing on customer satisfaction and mission success. Holding a Master's in Industrial and Systems Engineering and a Bachelor's in Computer Engineering, LaTrice combines technical expertise with a passion for mentoring. She actively encourages young women and underprivileged youth to explore technology careers. Based in Tampa with her family, LaTrice continues to drive innovation and inspire the next generation of defense professionals.
Marketing, Tatem Fischer
Tatem Fischer is a seasoned professional with extensive experience and a dynamic role in the industry. A Tampa native, she is the owner of TEF Services, a successful defense consulting company that specializes in proposal writing, opportunity identification, and marketing, including social media services. Tatem holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida, equipping her with a diverse skill set that includes policy analysis, data analytics, and strategic planning. These skills allow her to offer innovative insights into marketing strategies and decision-making processes.
With a proven track record of success, Tatem has consistently achieved exceptional results, leveraging her expertise in prospect list validation and customer relationship management to meet and exceed organizational goals. Backed by certifications in Marketing Software, Digital Advertising, and Inbound Marketing, she brings a strong skill set in pipeline development, critical thinking, and compassionate leadership to Women in Defense.
Outside of her professional life, Tatem enjoys working out and participating in Spartan races. She also loves spending time with her dog, Kirby.
Scholarship, Trudy Daniels
Trudy Daniels, an executive management professional, excels in guiding and leading teams, particularly in environments that foster creativity and autonomy. Her extensive experience has honed her ability to discern and meet customer requirements within budget and schedule constraints, resulting in the successful execution of over 15 major programs and 300 projects, driving business growth and customer referrals. Trudy's strengths include public speaking, team leadership, and operational and program management. She also actively contributes to community service through event planning and volunteering, reflecting her passion for helping others.
Deputy DIRECTOR bios
DEPUTY Scholarship, SARAH SPRADLIN
Dr. Sarah Spradlin is an Industrial Organizational Psychologist, Certified Emotional Intelligence Coach, Marine Corps veteran and mother of four. After transitioning off active duty, Dr. Spradlin served the first Director of Administration and Manpower Planning for U.S. Marine Forces Special Operations Command, Marine Raider Training Center from 2009-2012. Currently, she serves as the CEO of Vitruvian Advantage, a Tampa based consulting firm dedicated to helping clients establish organizational resilience through the study, application, and synthesis of human behavior in the workplace. Dr. Spradlin is a published author, served on the Forbes Coaches Council, and active member of Society of Industrial Organizational Psychology (SIOP), International Society of Emotional Intelligence (SoEI), the Emotional Intelligence Training and Research Institute (EITRI).
DEPUTY mEMBERSHIP, sARAH lEDUC
Sarah LeDuc is the Director for Data Analytics & Integration at Amentum. Ms. LeDuc also serves as the Chair of Amentum’s inaugural Employee Resource Network – the Women in Search of Excellence. Since its establishment in August of 2022, Ms. LeDuc and her leadership team have grown the community to almost 500 members and have created and implemented an ongoing engagement and professional development plan for its members.
Ms. LeDuc brings over 15 years progressive experience in both public and private sectors. Prior to the Amentum acquisition, she served as Director under PAE and Vice President under METIS in the Training and Education Division. Ms. LeDuc is a certified Project Management Professional and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with concentration in business management and Master’s in Business Administration both from the University of Florida, Hough Graduate School of Business. Ms. LeDuc resides in Tampa with her husband Tim.
DEPUTY military outreach, vacant
DEPUTY community outreach, vacant
Events Committee, Victoria Jolly
Victoria received two bachelor's degrees from the University of South Florida in 2023: Economics and International Studies. During her studies, she interned with HCP Associates, The Mosaic Company, and the Institute of Applied Engineering (IAE) and was a chair member of International Trade with USF's John Quincy Adams Society. Post graduation, Victoria accepted a full-time position as a project coordinator with IAE and regularly volunteers for Habitat for Humanity in East Tampa. From coordinating surprise birthday parties for her family to planning partnered fund-raising events at Mosaic, Victoria has formed a passion for bringing people together over food, conversation, and mutual interests. In joining WID, she hopes to expand her skill set, invest in her community, and network within the Defense Industry as she begins her career.
Deputy programs, Billie JO Lockard
Billie Jo Lockard is a seasoned Project Manager whose professional journey reflects a remarkable tapestry of experiences. Commencing her career in higher education administration, Billie Jo swiftly transitioned into overseeing operations for market research labs at nationally scaled research institutions. Since then, Billie Jo has pivoted her career into federal contracting working with federal agencies nationwide with complex services within the military intelligence, engineering, and Information Technology (IT) fields.
Billie Jo obtained her BA in Business Administration from Rosemont College in PA, has an active PMP certification from the Program Management Institute, and is a Federal Contracting Cleared Space super-networker. She is an avid dog lover and seeks to improve every day through physical and mind fitness!
Deputy Sponsorhip, Kaitlyn SHIRO
Katie Schiro is a Program Manager at Belcan Government Solutions supporting Special Programs. Katie has been working within the government sector for over five years and loves the mission she’s able to support. Katie has a background in Government Recruiting, HR, Administration, and Client Support.
Katie grew up in Tampa and went to the University of Central Florida for her Bachelor’s degree in Communication, Go Knights! After college she decided she wanted to move back home to be closer to family. She lives in Tampa with her husband and adorable pup’s Goose & Duck.
Programs, Abigale Maloney
Kati Hippleheuser is a distinguished leader in military intelligence, with 19 years of comprehensive experience in strategic planning and analysis. As the CEO of Seaside Innovations, she spearheads a dynamic Military Intelligence and Data Science Services Company, driving innovation and excellence in the field.
Her career encompasses pivotal roles such as senior project engineer and space program analyst for the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command and military equipment intelligence analyst for the Defense Intelligence Agency as a Department of Defense contractor.
Kati’s military tenure is marked by over 12 years of dedicated service as a Captain of Military Intelligence in the U.S. Army. Her diverse roles have included J2 Watch Officer, Senior Intelligence Advisor, Space Support Crew Manager, Company Commander, and Operations Analyst, with commendable service in Afghanistan, South Korea, and Japan.
A proud alumna of the University of Central Florida, Kati holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She furthered her expertise by earning a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business, where she honed her skills in business strategy, leadership development, and innovation. Kati’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cross-cultural collaboration is evident in her leadership style and vision for Seaside Innovations, aligning with the geocentric global integration model and local responsiveness.
sponsorship, Rick m. roman, arm
Mr. Roman is a life long resident of the Tampa Bay area of West Central Florida and currently resides in St. Petersburg, Florida. He is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a degree in Finance. He has just completed his 25th year in the insurance industry and specializes in risks specific to the Defense Industry. Those risks include Defense Base Act coverage, Kidnap & Ransom and Global Health Insurance for those companies engaged in International work. Rick’s clients benefit from direct relationships with the key underwriters and Insurance Companies in this space. That often times results in access to preferred coverage and pricing. Rick is very active and a founding Board Member of the Florida Defense Contractors Association. Rick can be reached directly at 813-376-3838 or Rick@gcuins.com.
Membership, SARAH ORTIZ
Sarah Ortiz sits on the Board of Directors as the Membership Chair and is eager to bring her passion for networking and collaboration to the forefront of her role. She is actively focused on building relationships within the chapter and establishing strong connections among its members and the Tampa Bay community. With her background in marketing and community-building, Sarah is excited to contribute to the chapter’s growth, develop new initiatives to engage its membership, and support the chapter’s overall success as it continues to empower women in defense.
Sarah is a seasoned marketing professional with over 8 years of experience, specializing in creating impactful strategies that drive growth and engagement. As a Marketing Specialist at Spathe Systems, she leads innovative marketing initiatives that enhance brand visibility and support critical missions within the defense sector. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Public Relations and Advertising from the University of South Florida and is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Computer Information Systems, while working toward a Master’s in Artificial Intelligence.
Outside of her professional life, Sarah enjoys painting, art, and a good true crime book. Married to her high school sweetheart, she loves creating core memories with their little girl at Disney, balancing her dedication to both her career and family life.
ADVISORS BIOS
ADVISORS BIOS
ADVISORS BIOS
ADVISORS BIOS
ADVISORS BIOS
Edward Spenceley
Edward D. Spenceley is a Senior Vice President for Bank of America and the Government Contracting Specialist for Global Banking and Markets. He also leads our national initiative supporting Veteran Owned businesses. Edward joined Bank of America in 2000. After serving 13 plus years with the US Army as an intelligence and security specialist in over fifty countries, Edward now serves clients by integrating his understanding and knowledge of both the government contracting industry and the financial services industry.
Additionally, Edward has built within Bank of America, a strong team that supports the government contracting industry. In conjunction with local relationship managers and their teams, the government contracting client can depend on professional support, industry knowledge and commitment both within the United States and internationally to meet their various contracting needs.
Due to his vast network and insight, Edward has not only assisted several government agencies in determining requirements for future solicitations but has also been invited to speak at many industry events to include, PEO-STRI’s and NAWCTSD small business information forum initiative for getting access to working capital, the Defense Leadership forums’ Air force, Navy and Army Summits in 2018, 2019 and 2020 focusing on financial feasibility, and at Congressman Posey’s federal contractor’s summit in Melbourne, Florida, which was focused on obtaining financing for contractors. Edward was a member of the international panel for the 2016 GovCon I4 Summit, the “Maximizing Your Value for Exit” panel for the Florida GovCon 2018 Summit, and most recently was a panelist at the National 8(a) Association Small Business Conference to discuss the "Access to Capital: Resources for Scaling to Grow". As a veteran and key influencer within the industry, he has been featured in the Service Contractor magazine, the Augusta Chronicle and Forbes.
Edward serves the Tampa community as the Chair of the Tampa Chamber’s Military Council Veteran’s Employment Committee, as a founding Advisory Board member for the Greater Tampa Bay Chapter of Women in Defense, as a member of the Project Transition USA Advisory Board, the Florida Defense Contractors Association Board, and the Honorary Commander for the 6th Maintenance Group, MacDill, AFB. He is also the music director at his church.
ma yourchisin
Mary Allison, also known as MA, has been supporting the defense community since 2005. MA is known and respected for her intense work ethic, passion for her customers and exceptional reputation across the defense community from the Department of Defense to other Government Agencies. Additionally, MA has been supporting the public sector for the last 15 years and has served in a leadership capacity across multiple professional organizations in support of National Security and our veterans year after year in the defense industry. MA is the former Chairman at Large for the Greater Tampa Bay Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) chapter, former President of the Young AFCEANs for the St. Petersburg Tampa Bay chapter of the Armed Forces Communications Electronics Association (AFCEA), serves on the Board of Advisors for the Greater Tampa Bay Women In Defense (WID) Chapter, is a lifetime member and an active small business partner with the Global SOF Foundation, a small business partner of The Honor Foundation (THF) and is a founding member of SOFWERX. Mrs. Yourchisin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in both Business Management and Communications. Mary Allison is happily married and raising her 3 children while owning and operating SOFTACT Solutions, a certified HUBZone, Woman Owned Small Business.
Holley Harris, Past President
Holley Harris currently serves as a Customer Success Manager for Skopenow. Holley also serves as an Army Intelligence Officer with United States Special Operations Command Europe as a Reservist and has been in the Army for 19 years with a combination of active duty and reserve time reaching the grade of Major. Holley has spent much of her career serving in Special Operations units and in leadership roles that expand across military, law enforcement and tech fields. Holley has two combat rotations supporting Operation Enduring Freedom as an intelligence analyst for the elite unit Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). Holley possesses a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Criminal Justice. Mrs. Harris has spoken at several local and national level conferences, to include the Jordanian government on topics of social media, threat finance, Publicly Available Information exploitation and OSINT. She lives in Tampa with her husband Calem and their 5 dogs.
Jennifer Metz, Past President
Jennifer Metz is the Managing Partner of SE2S, an SBA certified 8(a), Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) that provides Data Science and Analytics and Operations and Readiness Support services to USSOCOM / SOF Components, USMC, NGIC and Multiple Geographic Combatant Commands. Jennifer has also managed two business incubators in the Tampa Bay region. In these roles, Jennifer developed the state’s only federally funded/approved business vetting model. She co-authored a business evaluation model for USSOCOM that benchmarked the business health of more than 200 early stage technology developers.
Ms. Metz has a Masters of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Entrepreneurship, and the Certified Economic Development (CEcD) designation from the International Economic Development Council. She is also a Certified Incubator Manager and winner of the “30 Under 30” and “40 Under 40” community awards from the Tampa Bay Business Journal and Gulf Coast Business Review, respectively. She is the immediate Past President of WIDGTB and currently serves as a member of the organization’s Advisory Board.
Janel Brown, Past President
Janel Brown is Director, Joint DoD Account Executive at Microsoft.
Ms. Brown began her career as a Surface Warfare Officer and served afloat and ashore before transitioning to the Navy Reserves, retiring in December 2018. Her civilian career has centered on defense and government program management and business development with technology executive roles at DigitalGlobe, Radiant Solutions, and ReMilNet.
Ms. Brown earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1997, Masters of Business Administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 2003 and served as a Pacific Century Fellow in 2003. Ms. Brown won the 2014 Tampa Bay Business Journal Business Woman of the Year-Business Services award and was also selected as the “Judges Choice” award winner. She is a Past President and current Board of Advisor member of Women In Defense Greater Tampa Bay Chapter and board member on Senator Marco Rubio’s Service Academy Nominations Committee.
DANNY KELLeY
Danny Kelley is a Boeing Global Sales and Marketing director responsible for the US Special Operations portfolio of products for business development and product support. He started working for Boeing in Tampa in 2015 has over 35 years’ experience working in the Defense industry including 21 years as an Army special operations aviation officer and pilot with multiple combat deployments. Danny received his Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY and an MBA from the University of Tennessee. In Tampa, Danny volunteers as a Jiu Jitsu Coach at Gracie Trinity and is proud to support the Women in Defense Greater Tampa bay chapter as a volunteer and is passionate about helping people achieve their full potential.
Reinier Cruz
Reinier Cruz retired from the Department of Defense, in March 2021, after 33 years of service with 27 years at the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). He holds the distinction of serving as the Senior Leader in every Division within his Directorate. He is highly decorated for his achievements on the battle space during his multiple deployments to combat zones; and the development of innovative, technical capabilities.
The preponderance of his career was focused on strategic, operational, and tactical applications in the disciplines of analysis, targeting, systems, collection, acquisition, and management of global ISR capabilities.
He holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a minor in Aviation Applications. He’s a graduate of the Department of Defense Executive Leadership Development Program and possesses extensive multi-disciplinary training.
Crystal nedik
Crystal Nedik is a multifaceted professional who currently holds the position of Vice President of Operations at Valley IT Solutions. With over a year of experience in this role, she is based in Tampa, Florida, and plays a key leadership role within the organization. Crystal's impressive career also extends into academia, where she serves as an Adjunct Professor at American Military University, bringing her wealth of knowledge and expertise to the field of education for over 12 years. Her dedication to both the corporate and academic realms reflects her passion for leadership development and her commitment to the defense industry.
In addition to her professional and educational roles, Crystal actively contributes to the community as a member of the Women in Defense Board of Directors. Her affiliations with organizations like the Women In Defense - Greater Tampa Bay Chapter and the Global SOF Foundation highlight her involvement in supporting important causes within her field. Crystal's academic background includes a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Saint Leo University and a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Government from the University of South Florida, where she was a part of the Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society. Her diverse experiences and commitment to professional growth make her a well-rounded and influential individual in her various roles.
Administrators Bios
Nancy Fernandez is the Senior Executive Assistant at SOFtact Solutions (STS) and joined the company very early on in February of 2018. Nancy has worked in the Department of Defense contracting industry for almost two decades in marketing, communications, event management and senior executive support. She is known as a joyful giver with extensive community involvement, especially for Veteran Support Organizations. Nancy currently serves as a Board Advisor on the Women In Defense (WID) Tampa Bay Chapter, as a volunteer for NDIA, and received the AFCEA Central Florida Chapter Leadership Award for her 10 years of service to their chapter. Nancy is also very involved at her church and has proudly called Tampa Bay her home for over 20 years.
Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nico Cavanagh, U.S. Coast Guard District 11