From October 9–11, 2025, Cherry Street Pier in Philadelphia became a hub of innovation, collaboration, and celebration as the U.S. Navy & Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Innovation Pavilion brought together leaders from defense, manufacturing, academia, and government. Hosted by DVIRC and partners across the Maritime Industrial Base, the three-day event showcased how collaboration and emerging technology are fueling the next generation of American industrial capability.
Day 1 – Small Business Day
The Pavilion opened Thursday with Small Business Day, an afternoon dedicated to connecting manufacturers, suppliers, and innovators with programs that drive growth and resilience.
Watch the full Day 1 recording
Chris Scafario, President and CEO of DVIRC, kicked off the day with opening remarks highlighting Philadelphia’s growing role as a launch pad for advanced manufacturing and innovation.
The day continued with Scale What Works, introduced by Josh Sturgill, Pennsylvania Workforce Lead for the Maritime Industrial Base, and Beth Deuermeyer, Director at BlueForge Alliance. Speakers Dave Rea, Managing Director of Organizational Development at Catalyst Connection; Aarin Clemons, Workforce Manager at Polaris; Kristen Goodell, Senior Consultant of Organizational Leadership Development at Polaris; Richard Hobbs, President and CEO of MRC; and Amber Morris, Workforce Initiatives Specialist, shared success stories from regional initiatives that have achieved measurable workforce impact—demonstrating what’s possible when proven solutions are scaled through collaboration.
Throughout the afternoon, speakers explored the technologies and partnerships advancing the Maritime Industrial Base. Sturgill and Deuermeyer presented Fueling Innovation: Partnerships for the Maritime Industrial Base Future, outlining the Navy’s approach to strengthening the defense supply chain through regional cooperation. Matt Bilsky, Ph.D., PE, Founder and CEO of Flx Solutions, and Mike Hiller, Director at Laboratory Testing, Inc., joined Deuermeyer to discuss practical tools and programs that help small and mid-sized manufacturers modernize their operations.
Vince Jordan, Chief of Workforce Success at TMG Inc. and Project Lead for the U.S. Navy Talent Pipeline Program, shared updates on the national workforce development model connecting skilled talent to the defense industrial base. The day concluded with The Future is Now: AI and Tech Insights from the AI Center of Excellence (AiCE), a discussion led by Brian Deal, Business Strategy Advisor at DVIRC, featuring Sylvia Wower, DVIRC Chief Operating Officer; Ken Jones, Co-Founder of Claritee AI; Sam Thevanayagam, CEO of Parts Life Inc. and Delval Lifecycle Support; Rob Crossett, DVIRC Regional Vice President of Business Development; and Nico de Soussa Serro, DVIRC Continuous Improvement Consultant, on how artificial intelligence and data-driven insights are transforming manufacturing competitiveness.
Day 2 – Supplier Development Day
Friday’s Supplier Development Day brought together senior leaders from the Navy, defense primes, and regional manufacturers for a full-day program focused on technology, innovation, and leadership.
Watch the full Day 2 recording
Jen Gilburg, Deputy Secretary of Technology and Innovation at the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development, and Antonio Merlo, President of Drexel University, opened the day by highlighting Pennsylvania’s leadership in fostering technology ecosystems that fuel industrial growth.
A morning panel on Advanced Maritime Manufacturing Technologies, moderated by Jonathan Spanier, Professor at Drexel University, featured Nigel Thijs, Technical Director at Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division; Yolanda Mack, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Industry Partnerships at Rowan University; Shari Sterling, Director of Advanced Manufacturing Technology at Lockheed Martin; and Don Hairston, Vice President for Submarines and Advanced Technologies at AUSTAL USA. Together, they examined the Navy’s modernization priorities and the role of public-private partnerships in advancing production capabilities.
The discussion continued with insights from Dr. Michael Winter, Chief Scientist at RTX; Matt Sermon, Executive Director of Programs for the Maritime Industrial Base; and David Kim, CEO of Hanwha Ocean USA, on global collaboration, supply-chain resilience, and innovation.
Jason Potter, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition, delivered a keynote address titled Charting the Navy’s Industrial Future, outlining the Navy’s priorities for a stronger, more agile industrial base.
Later, David Marquet, retired U.S. Navy Captain and best-selling author of Turn the Ship Around, shared lessons in leadership and empowerment, encouraging organizations to shift from a culture of control to one of collaboration and intent-based leadership.
The day concluded with a workforce development panel led by Sturgill, joined by Stephanie Montejano, Senior Workforce Development HR Representative at General Dynamics Electric Boat; Vince Jordan of TMG Inc.; and Joseph Welsh, Government Affairs Officer at the Community College of Philadelphia, underscoring how collaboration across education, government, and industry is essential to building tomorrow’s talent.
Day 3 – Workforce Development Day
Saturday’s Workforce Development Day opened the Pavilion’s doors to students, educators, and the public for a day of hands-on learning and inspiration. Visitors explored exhibits from FIRST Robotics, the Joe Williams Welding Foundation, NJMEP, and BuildSubmarines, which brought modern manufacturing to life through interactive demonstrations.
Carrie Curtis, Lead for Education and Workforce Systems for the Maritime Industrial Base, hosted Myth Busters: What’s Cool in the School, highlighting educational resources and career pathways in advanced manufacturing.
In the afternoon, Charles Lentz put on a STEM Shark Tank competition, where student teams pitched innovation ideas to industry professionals—showcasing the creativity and ingenuity of the next generation of makers and problem-solvers.
Across three days, the Innovation Pavilion demonstrated what’s possible when industry, government, and education come together to accelerate innovation and prepare America’s future workforce.
Through collaboration, DVIRC continues to help manufacturers innovate, grow, and thrive—strengthening the foundation of the U.S. defense industrial base and inspiring the workforce of tomorrow.