GDIT Emerge: Protect the Homeland

The Schuyler at the Hamilton Hotel

November 12, 2026
8:00 AM-1:30 PM

Event Overview

As transnational threats grow more sophisticated and targeted, protecting our homeland demands greater coordination across agencies and mission domains. Facing advanced cyberattacks on our nation’s critical infrastructure and increased threats from unmanned aircraft, our national security missions demand solutions that harness greater innovation across federal government, state and local government, and industry.

At the GDIT Emerge: Protect the Homeland event, hear from senior agency leaders, government decision makers, and industry experts on the technologies, strategies, and partnerships needed to strengthen national security today, and into the future.

  • Building and protecting resilient critical infrastructure
  • National security events and preparedness
  • Cyber information sharing and zero trust strategies
  • Countering unmanned aircraft systems threats
  • Public-private partnerships and technology innovation
  • ​Securing medical systems and community preparedness 

Speakers

Matt Hayden

Vice President, Cyber and Emerging Threats
GDIT

Aaron Bedrowsky

Senior Vice President, Intelligence and Homeland Security
GDIT

Luke McCormack

Former Chief Information Officer
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Ralph Tursi

Senior Director
GDIT
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Aaron Bishop

Chief Information Security Officer
Department of War
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Richard Dye

Chief, CHART Systems Division, Office of Transportation Mobility and Operations
Maryland State Highway Association
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[Pending Approval] Ennis Elvord

Chief of Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Department of State
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Peter Hatch

Assistant Director, Office of Intelligence
Homeland Security Investigations, Department of Homeland Security
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[Pending Approval] Amy Szestak

Special Agent in Charge, Office of Enterprise Readiness
U.S. Secret Service

[Pending Approval] Jason Stewart

Program Specialist, UAS Security Branch, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Manny Morales

Former Chief of Police
Miami Police Department
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Nisa Moore

Business Area Vice President, Diplomacy, Enforcement & Space
GDIT
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Arash Farazdaghi

Head of Solutions Architecture, Global Defense Partners
AWS

Partners

Amazon Web Services logo
Homeland Security & Defense Forum
MeriTalk company Logo

Event Details

When

November 12, 2026
8:00 AM-1:30 PM

Where

The Schuyler at the Hamilton Hotel

1001 14th St NW
Washington, DC 20005

Contact

Event Inquiries

gdithomeland@meritalk.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of event will this be?

GDIT Emerge: Protect the Homeland is scheduled to be an in-person event, at The Schuyler at The Hamilton Hotel - 1001 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005.

Is the Hamilton Hotel the same as The Hamilton restaurant?

The event is taking place at the Hamilton Hotel, which is located directly across from Franklin Park in Washington, D.C.

Will there be a hybrid/virtual component?

No, this event will be in-person only.

What is the dress code?  

The attire is business attire or commensurate military uniform.

Are industry registrations accepted?

Yes, pending review by the event organizers.

I registered but didn’t receive a confirmation email. What do I do?

Thank you for registering. The confirmation may be in your spam filter. Please reach out to gdithomeland@meritalk.com to confirm your registration status.

How do I contact the event organizers?

If you have additional questions, please contact gdithomeland@meritalk.com.

921 King St., Alexandria, Virginia 22314
info@meritalk.com

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