speakers – AITS Bremen

Rohit Beri

Consulting Director, Aerospace & Defense,Frost & Sullivan

Rohit Beri is the Consulting Director of the Aerospace & Defense practice at Frost & Sullivan. He has 25 years of experience in the industry with progressive assignments at Indian Air Force and Boeing Defense & Space. At Frost, his areas of responsibility include management consulting, and leading the aerospace and defense research program. An ex-fighter pilot with more than 3000 flying hours on combat aircraft, Rohit has handled several key roles in his career. He was head of operations of a fighter squadron, and also the Staff Officer at HQ Training Command where he handled the operational, administrative, and logistical requirements of two flying bases. He has managed capital and revenue procurement, PBL contracts, induction program for PC-7 MK II induction in IAF. He has assisted defense companies in areas of business strategy, preparing RFI/ RFP response, price and product bench marking, go-to-market strategy, and negotiating defense acquisition procedures.

Aman Pannu

Vice President- Aerospace, Defense & Security, Frost & Sullivan

Aman Pannu is the Global Practice Leader for Aerospace and Defence at Frost & Sullivan. With a diverse experience over two decades covering strategy and operations across the Aerospace, Space, Defence and Security, and Retail and Services sectors globally, Aman supports organisations in identifying growth opportunities and executing market positioning and entry strategies. As an Aerospace and Defence consultant he has delivered advisory services to leading industry participants and end-users covering strategic analysis on technology, supply chain and demand analysis to support clients in understanding the changing supply demand landscape. Recent engagements include analysis of unmanned aero mobility market, space access technologies, high speed travel and digitalisation in security, airports and airlines.

Juian Renz

Business Development & HyFlyer Project Management, ZeroAvia

Julian is responsible for the HyFlyer project and Business Development at ZeroAvia, the company developing the world's first practical zero emission powertrain. He has previously spent two years as a project manager at hybrid sustainable consulting and investment firm SYSTEMIQ, where he covered the hydrogen economy, sustainable aviation, and startups in the energy sector.

Prior to that, he started his career in startups and the large industrial gases companies working on digital energy systems and green hydrogen production. He holds a M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the Technical University of Munich as well as an Honours Degree in Technology Management from the Center for Digital Technology and Management.

Roland Sonsalla

Team Lead, Applied AI – Space, DFKI

Roland is Senior Consultant and Team Leader of the “Applied AI – Space” Team at the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) – Robotics Innovation Center, which he joined in 2012. He is responsible for the management and technical execution of projects in the context of space exploration, orbital robotics and AI supported mission operations. He has studied aerospace and space engineering at the Delft University of Technology and Berlin Institute of Technology. His main areas of work are dedicated to the development and test of rover and manipulation systems, multi-robot systems, space mission concept design and evaluation as well as space qualification.

Paul Adams

Director, Vendigital
Paul is an experienced leader specialising in the Aerospace, Defence & Space sectors and brings hands on experience having managed complex manufacturing businesses and major high technology delivery programmes. He loves working with industrial businesses to deliver real improvement and step changes in performance. Prior to Vendigital Paul held a number of senior industry roles most recently as Operations Director at a FTSE 100 industrial.

Duncan Kerr

CTO, Aeristech

Duncan has a career spanning venture capital fund management and operational executive management in a number of industries. While at Midven, a Birmingham-based venture capital fund manager, he led the first VC investment in Aeristech in 2010. He has since supported the company as a board observer, becoming a director in 2016. He joined in a full-time role as COO in 2017, moving on to CEO in 2020. Aeristech has recently moved into aerospace, adapting its compressors for fuel cells in aviation. We are very excited about other opportunities to exploit our technology in aerospace applications.

Anna M. Kretz

Regional Director - Global Supplier Development, Boeing Deutschland GmbH

Anna Kretz leads Boeing Supplier Development in Germany and Switzerland. She is based in Munich. In her current role, Anna is responsible for managing the supply chain development strategy across all Boeing business units. Her focus is new and emerging suppliers, industrial partnerships, and expansion of strategic opportunities with current suppliers.

Prior to her current role, Anna was the program manager leading functional excellence for Boeing Supplier Management. She previously was a procurement agent and supported Commercial Aviation Services, Research and Technology and Product Development. Anna started at the company working in Boeing Defense, Space and Security Business Operations, supporting the V22 program.

Anna holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Purdue University and an MSc in International Strategy and Diplomacy from the London School of Economics.

Kristina Vogt

Minister of Economic Affairs, Labour and Europe,

• Since 2008              Member of the political party “DIE LINKE”
• 2010 to 2011         Member of the executive council “DIE LINKE Bremen”
• 2011 to 2019         Member of the Bremen Parliament, “DIE LINKE”
• 2011 to 2019         Chairwoman of the parliamentary group “DIE LINKE”
• 2011 to 2019         Speaker on Education and Interior Affairs, Bremen Parliament
• 2015 to 2016         Member of the Commission of Inquiry on Anti-Terror Operations, Bremen Parliament

Natalia Lemarquis

Technical Project Manager, In-Space Missions ltd, and Space4Women Mentor
Natalia Lemarquis is an aerospace engineer by background who worked for many years in leadership positions for global companies such as Rolls-Royce. Currently, she works for In-Space Missions, delivering Earth Observation Satellites. Natalia is alumna of International Space University where she explored the commercial feasibility of a cis-lunar Cycler.

Natalia is a mentor at Space4Women network (initiative by UNOOSA - United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs). Her goal is to support women to join the space industry and share advice on smart approaches to business and innovations.

Dr.-Ing. Hubertus Lohner

Chemical Engineering TU Berlin and TU Graz
PhD University of Bremen
Airbus Operation
R&T Surface Technology
R&T AM Powder Bed Technology incl. Post-Treatment
Airbus Company AM Plateau Bremen Leader
Leader Techno Centre EcoMaT

Guido Schwartz

Strategy & Innovation Lead, Airbus Operations GmbH
Guido Schwartz has a background in Business Development, Strategy and Innovation. He worked in AIRBUS in various roles in Space & Aeronautics. Today he looks after Strategy, Innovation & Environmental aspects in a cross-divisional approach. In the past he did active technology transfer of space technologies into terrestrial industries. Further he built up an incubator for space technology within the Space Transportation engineering center and drove the implementation of the Airbus DS Innovation department. He co-launched the first aerospace startup call in Africa and worked in various cross-divisional projects in an international environment. He holds an M.B.A. in Strategic Management and a Masters in International Relations.

David Pile

Regional Director - UK, Europe and MENA, Northrop Grumman
Regional Director - UK, Europe and MENA, Northrop Grumman

Thorsten Groene

Managing Director & Co-Founder, Cevotec GmbH
Thorsten Groene is the Managing Director of Cevotec GmbH. As co-founder of the company, he acquired a deep expertise in automated composites processes early on and focuses on their applications to create value for manufacturers. Prior to Cevotec, he worked as a strategy consultant for international clients in the chemical industry. Thorsten holds an MBA from IESE Business School and has built up a worldwide network through his international projects and engagements.

Dr.-Ing. Jens Telgkamp

Professor of Production Technology / Additive Manufacturing, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences
After his diploma in mechanical engineering (Braunschweig University of Technology, Germany), Jens Telgkamp did a PhD with a scholarship by DFG graduate college “Kontinuumsmechanik Inelastischer Festkörper” (Continuum mechanics of inelastic solid bodies). From 2001 on, he worked in Airbus Operations in Hamburg and Toulouse, in different work areas, including static and fatigue stress and research, acting as “Head of Fuselage Structure Design” and “Head of Additive Manufacturing Research & Technology”. Since September 2019, he is professor for manufacturing technology and Additive Manufacturing at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg).

Jeff Engler

CEO and Co-Founder, Wright Electric

Jeff Engler is cofounder of Wright Electric, an aviation company developing electric airplanes for short regional flights. Jeff Engler was cofounder of Podimetrics, a medical device startup that aims to keep diabetic feet healthy. Previously, Jeff cofounded MatchLend, a financial services startup. Engler worked for Unitus, a microfinance nonprofit, and Lehman Brothers. He has a BA in history from Columbia College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Alex Weaner

AddWorks Design Manager, GE Additive
Alex Weaner has over 18 years of mechanical engineering experience with seven years of additive manufacturing experience and 12 years in the aerospace industry. He is currently GE Additive’s AddWorks Space and DoD Consulting Design team leader. From 2008 to 2013 he worked for 3D printing company Morris Technologies, Inc. After Morris Tech was acquired by GE he joined the GE Aviation engine test team before ultimately moving to GE Additive. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University and an MBA from the University of Dayton.

Luigi Scatteia

Partner - Space Practice Leader, PwC Advisory

Luigi is a Partner in PwC Advisory France. He leads the global PwC Space Practice, and its core strategy and policy consulting team in Paris and Toulouse, dedicated to serving institutional and commercial stakeholders in the space sector, as well as non-space companies with specific commercial interest in space products and applications.
He has over ~20 years of experience in the space sector along the wider value chain and 8+ years in consulting in the sector. Prior to PwC, Luigi has worked for: the university of Naples “Federico II” as a engineering teaching associate; the Italian Aerospace Research Centre in Capua, Italy, as a scientists and as a programme manager; for the European Space Agency European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, as course developer and coordinator for the basic training in microgravity material science research; for Booz and Company as strategy consultant in the space systems practice in Amsterdam.
Luigi is a trusted advisor in space market assessments, industrial policy, and regulatory matters, and he has extensively supported the European Space Agency, the European Commission, Space Agencies in Europe and Worldwide, and the space industry on market assessments, market entry strategies and new business models.
His recent extensive activity in governance and economics led him to consolidate a solid understanding of the space policy environment and of the space economy and of its wider knock-on effects: recent work has focused on the best schemes at country level to maximize returns from space activities. Work targeting the space downstream also allowed him to develop extensive insights on the impact of space imaging data within the general data economy and the role it can play in new digital products and services based on advanced analytics and data fusion.
Luigi holds a Ph.D in Material Science from the University of Naples “Federico II” and a MBA with honors from IE Business School in Madrid. He has 13 publications on peer-reviewed journals and books, and 100+ publications at international conferences. He is a member of the International Astronautical Federation Programme Committee, and a regular keynote and panel speaker at space-related events worldwide.

Efe Egborge

Global EHS Manager, Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine

As Global EHS Manager at Northrop Grunman Sperry Marine, Efe ensures EHS risk minimisation, compliance and continuous improvements through the implementation of strategic plans that consider the external business environment and organisation's capabilities. She previously worked in the Oil and Gas / Subsea Engineering, Aviation and Chemical Manufacturing industries. Efe applies lean manufacturing principles to bring about effective change management, cost saving and efficiency in operations.

Efe is NEBOSH certified in Fire Safety and Occupational Health and Safety and a qualified QMS / EMS Lead Auditor. She graduated with a Masters degree in Environment and Sustainable Development from the University College London (UCL) and is currently undertaking an MBA programme in Strategic Leadership at the University of Portsmouth, where she is conducting research into business strategy, innovation, organisational change and people management.

Dr. Thomas Bielefeld

Senior Expert Additive Manufacturing, Premium AEROTEC

In 1993 he started his professional career as research engineer at the LEIBNIZ Institute for Material-Oriented Technologies (IWT). He managed national and international research projects and headed an engineering team focussed on process innovation and process chain reductions. After an outstanding PhD on short-time metallurgical effects in metals Thomas was awarded the international CIRP Taylor Medal in 2000.

Since 1999 he took leading positions in different industries. For ASTRIUM Space he served as Head of Production Center Tanks & Components with responsibility for satellite propulsion equipments like tanks, valves, thrusters, tubings and insulation. Joining AIRBUS in 2006 he get in charge of the competence center for production systems, an annual 65 M€ business on developing and producing advanced jigs & tools for carbon fiber placement and aircraft assembly lines. With foundation of Premium AEROTEC 2009 Thomas served on several strategic improvement projects. As Head of Supply Management Detail Parts and Aerostructures he implemented new order and operational supplier management processes. 2015 PAG decided to industrialize Additive Manufacturing for aerospace serial production and Thomas as Head of AM leads the activities on technology development, process maturity and reproducibility, qualification and serial production. As Senior Expert AM he is currently in charge of all R&D, technological optimisation and continuous improvements along the process chain.

His scientific and technological background is mainly in the field of short-time metallurgical effects in material removal and thermal processes, electron-beam welding and heat treatment of titanium alloys, laser welding and heat treatment of aluminium alloys and PBF-LBM of titanium/aluminium.

He lives in North Germany, is married and has 5 children.

Christoph Doerr

Founder, Innoteque Solutions
Director European Office, Alabama Department of Commerce
Founder, Innoteque Solutions
Head of the European Office, Alabama Department of Commerce
More than 20 years’ experience in machine tool building, die casting and the mechanical engineering industry. Round about 15 years as Managing Director. The experience includes startup and operation of companies in America as well as in Europe.
In 2017 I started "Innoteque Solutions". Our goal is to bring great engineering developments on the market. An important part of our work is Additive Manufacturing. We worked among others for TRUMPF, the world market leader in laser technology.
Since August 2019 I am also the Head of the European Office for the Alabama Department of Commerce.

Alan Thompson

Head of Government Affairs, Skyrora

Alan Thompson is head of Government Affairs in Skyrora supporting the launch vehicle manufacture to achieve its ambition of providing regular access to Space, launching from the UK.
Alan is responsible for managing and engaging with all key stakeholders across industry and Government. This includes Skyrora’s involvement in Parliamentary Space Committee, industry associations such as UK Space, Scottish Space Leadership Council and others, and direct engagement with all government authorities, including the Space flight regulators - UKSA and CAA.
Alan’s background in international trade and development gives a new perspective the Space industry development in UK, in particular the ambition to challenge the current economic paradigm and the shift that the New Space economy will necessitate.

Yann Barbaux

Executive President, Aerospace Valley
Senior Vice-President, Airbus

Yann Barbaux, born on 24 August 1958, is since 2017 the Executive President of Aerospace Valley, a cluster of more than 800 members, OEMs, SMEs, Universities & Research Centers, from the Aerospace sector. He is Senior Vice-President at Airbus. He is married and has 3 children.
From 2013 to 2017 he was Chief Innovation Officer for Airbus Commercial Aircraft. Prior to assuming this position, Yann Barbaux created in 2007, and served as SVP Head of Airbus Group Innovations (former EADS Innovation Work), the Corporate Research Organization of AIRBUS.
Yann Barbaux began his career in 1982 at Aerospatiale, in the Corporate Quality Organization. He was associated to the development of new programs, such as the Airbus A320, as an expert in metallic materials. In 1987 he was appointed as head of the Metallic and Thermo-structural Materials Department in the Aerospatiale Common Research Centre. In 1996, he was promoted as Head of Strategy, Research Coordination and Cooperation of the CRC.

Beginning of 2000, Yann Barbaux was appointed as Vice President in charge of R&T and Defence in the Corporate Merger Integration team, tasked to prepare and accompany the creation of EADS. In 2004, he was appointed as Vice President – Chief Executive Officer of GIE EADS CCR.

Yann Barbaux published and contributed to a high number of technical publications in International Scientific Reviews and hold a patent on Structural Concepts for a Supersonic Aircraft. He has been a member of various engineering and technology societies, and of the Advisory Group for Aerospace Research and Development (AGARD) of NATO; in acknowledgement to his contribution as chairman of the Materials Panel of the French Association for Aeronautics & Space (AAAF), he has been elected to the rank of Emeritus Fellow of this Society.

Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur et de l’Ordre National du Mérite, Yann Barbaux is member of the French Association for R & T (ANRT), of the board of the Ecole Normale Superieure de Paris Saclay and of the board of the Federal University of Toulouse.

Graduated from Ecole Centrale de Paris in 1981, he also earned a Master’s degree in Metallurgy at the University Paris VI Pierre & Marie Curie.

Matthias Biniok

Leader MVP Team DACH, IBM
Matthias leads the Space Tech Division at IBM in Germany. He is an expert in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and was the Lead Architect for IBM Watson in the DACH region, building innovative solutions with natural language processing, image recognition, anomaly detection, speech recognition, and other AI technologies.
Matthias drives innovation by applying an entrepreneurial spirit to complex problems and trying new approaches in technology, architecture, and design. He is the project lead and AI architect of Project CIMON (sending an autonomously free-flying robot with AI powered by IBM Watson to the International Space Station).

Mateusz Lentner

Operations Manager at Project Sparrow, DARE

Mateusz is the Operations Manager at Project Sparrow which is part of Delft Aerospace Rocketry Engineering (DARE), one of the foremost student rocket societies. He started as a part-time Structures Engineer in his first year of studies.
After finishing his Bachelors he took a year out of his studies to work on Project Sparrow. DARE is a student society that has been around for 20 years. It gives students a unique hands-on experience in rocketry and cutting-edge technology.
In Project Sparrow, he is part of the team who is set to develop a thrust vector controlled liquid rocket engine, establishing a new foundation for future DARE rockets.

Dr. Jens Lassmann

Head of Sites Germany and Head of Launcher Environments and Control, ArianeGroup

More than 25 years of experience in Space Launcher Development in ArianeGroup and its originating companies.
Following a PhD in Space Technology at the University of Technology in Berlin, Jens Lassmann started his career in launcher pre-projects. He then took over the development of the Ariane 5 cryogenic upper stage as Project Manager. This stage is today still delivering reliably large Satellites into space as part of the European space transportation work horse Ariane 5.
In 2005 he took over the Ariane5 Development Program Management in Paris. During the last 12 years Jens Lassmann lead several Launcher Engineering teams in Bremen, Turin, Paris and Bordeaux in the fields of System Engineering, Mechanics, Electrics, Propulsion and GNC.

Heiko Witte

Business Development Manager, Rolls Royce

Extensive professional experience and leadership in Aerospace Engineering, Project Management, Business Transformation and Industry 4.0 implementation.

Proven industry leader, having worked in different positions within Aerospace Engineering.

Excellent networking skills and experience to negotiate with senior leaders across different functions. Proven record of delivering projects. Experienced in Continuous improvement, Quality management, Six Sigma, Lean and Agile methodologies and Industry 4.0 / Digitization.

Since 1997 at BMW Rolls-Royce / Rolls-Royce Deutschland in various business areas, i.e. Engine test, project management, product development, continuous improvement and digitization. Project Manager at Rolls-Royce for product introduction of V2500Select series. Between 2009 and 2020 Head of Engineering Improvement and Quality, since 2017 including coordination and management of digitization and Industrie 4.0 projects.

Since 2020 Business Development Manager Digital within Rolls-Royce, developing strategic digital opportunities.

Gaby Soehner

ME Industrial Architect, AIRBUS

Degree in industrial engineering.
Multi- Program experiences in Aircraft Industry; Qualification & industrialisation of new technologies, e.g. Laserbeamcutting, Thermoplastics Pressforming; Dry Fibre Composites.
Industrial Lead for Wing Moveables in several Research Programs.
Well connected to a transnational industrial & institution partner landscape.
Today, as an Industrial Architect, focusing on the Industrial System of the Future, e.g. Collaborative Robotic; Industrie 4.0, Digital Continuity.

Enrico Casale

Advanced Technology Operations – EU Programs & Research Network, Avio Aero

Leader of the Avio Aero New Technology Introduction portfolio, related external funding and research network. Avio Aero representative in Clean Sky, EIMG (Engine Industry Management Group), EFFRA (European Factory of the Future Research Association), EIT Manufacturing, ASD (AeroSpace and Defense) and ACARE (Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe). 15+ years of experience in the Aviation research field at National and European level.