
Conference 2025
Navigating Tomorrow's Challeneges
** Please note that speaker biographies are currently being finalized
Keynote Speakers:

David H. Berger
38th Commadant of the United States Marine Corps
A native of Woodbine, Maryland, General Berger graduated from Tulane University and was commissioned in 1981. He commanded at every level – including a Reconnaissance Company; 3d Battalion, 8th Marines in Haiti during Operation SECURE TOMORROW; Regimental Combat Team 8 in Fallujah, Iraq during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.
As a General Officer, he commanded 1st Marine Division (Forward) in Afghanistan during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM; I Marine Expeditionary Force; U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific/Fleet Marine Forces Pacific; and Marine Corps Combat Development Command.
General Berger’s staff and joint assignments include serving as Assistant Division Commander of 2d Marine Division; policy planner in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, J-5; Chief of Staff for Kosovo Force (KFOR) Headquarters in Pristina, Kosovo; and Director of Operations in Plans, Policies, and Operations, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps; Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration.
General Berger’s formal military education includes the U.S. Army Infantry Officer Advanced Course, U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and U.S. Marine Corps School of Advanced Warfighting. He holds multiple advanced degrees including a Master of International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.
Retired General David H. Berger served as the 38th Commandant of the Marine Corps from July 11, 2019 to July 10, 2023.
RDML Craig T. Mattingly
Commander, Naval Service Training Command
Rear Admiral Mattingly, a native of Austin, Kentucky, departed the family dairy farm in 1987 to enlist in the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Anti-Submarine Warfare Operator. He is a 1995 U.S. Naval Academy graduate and designated as a Naval Flight Officer (NFO). He holds a Master of Science degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College.
Mattingly’s Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force (MPRF) operational assignments include Patrol Squadron (VP) 50, Naval Air Station (NAS) Moffett Field, CA; VP-8, NAS Brunswick, ME; and VP-26, NAS Brunswick, ME. He served as the Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of VP-9, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, HI. He led his squadron on deployment supporting EUCOM, AFRICOM, and CENTCOM Areas of Responsibility (AOR) as Commander of multiple Task Groups (CTG). His major command tour was Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Eleven (CPRW-11), NAS Jacksonville, FL.
Mattingly’s overseas tours include U.S. SIXTH Fleet N5 Theater Security Cooperation Officer, Gaeta, Italy; Flag Aide to Commander, U.S. SIXTH Fleet/Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO/Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Lisbon; Special Assistant/Aide de Camp to the Commander, Naval Forces Europe and Africa/Commander, Allied Joint Force Command, Naples; and N3 Operations Officer/Chief Staff Officer for Commander, Task Force 72, Misawa, Japan where he conducted MPRF operations including support of Operation Damayan, a humanitarian response to the aftermath of Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Republic of the Philippines.
He has accumulated more than 3,900 flight hours in the P-3C Orion and P-8A Poseidon aircraft and served on teams that have received various awards and recognition.
