About this Event
Session 2: Defense Acquisition ReformPresented by the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland (USMSM). The defense acquisition landscape is undergoing unprecedented transformation. As the Department of Defense accelerates innovation, modernizes procurement practices, and strengthens industry partnerships, organizations that support the federal government must understand the shifting acquisition environment and prepare for the future of defense contracting.Join the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland (USMSM) for the second session of our Doing Business with Government Agencies Speaker Series, featuring Mr. Stephen E. Cricchi, Deputy Commander, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). This engaging session is designed for business owners, government contractors, defense industry partners, entrepreneurs, researchers, faculty, students, nonprofit organizations, and economic development professionals interested in the future of defense acquisition—and the opportunities it brings for innovation and collaboration.
What You’ll LearnDuring this interactive presentation, participants will explore:
- Key trends in defense acquisition and procurement reform
- How the Department of Defense is accelerating the delivery of warfighting capabilities
- Emerging strategies that foster innovation and collaboration
- Opportunities for small businesses and non-traditional defense contractors
- The critical role of digital transformation, engineering innovation, and technology integration in defense acquisition
- Best practices for forging successful partnerships with the Department of Defense
- Workforce trends and the evolving future of acquisition, engineering, and program management careers
- How industry, academia, and government can collaborate to advance national security and technology
Event Schedule5:00 p.m. – Doors Open & NetworkingNetwork with fellow business leaders, entrepreneurs, government representatives, defense professionals, faculty, students, and community partners before the presentation begins. 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Featured Presentation Defense Acquisition Reform
Event DetailsDate: October 21, 2026
Time:
Doors Open: 5:00 p.m.
Presentation: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Location:
University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland (USMSM)
SMART Building44219 Airport Road
California, Maryland 20619
Classroom 2303
Meet the Speaker
Mr. Stephen E. Cricchi
Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)This program is ideal for:
Mr. Stephen E. Cricchi currently serves as the Deputy Commander of the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). As the senior civilian reporting directly to the Commander, he acts as the principal authority and advisor on corporate planning and management, strategic direction, resource management, and program support for the delivery and sustainment of integrated warfighting capability. NAVAIR’s workforce—comprising 30,000 military and civilian personnel across eight primary sites — supports Naval Aviation and the Program Executive Offices in research and development, engineering, test and evaluation, acquisition, in-service support, and the repair and modification of aircraft, weapons, and related systems.
From July 2021 to February 2026, Mr. Cricchi served as Executive Director of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), providing comprehensive leadership to more than 10,000 civilian and military personnel across four geographic sites. He oversaw research, development, test and evaluation, acquisition, and sustainment products delivering capability for Naval Aviation, other services, and allied partners. Mr. Cricchi provided personnel and infrastructure to Naval Aviation Program Executive Officers, advancing warfighting capabilities through program execution across all phases of the acquisition lifecycle. He also delivered innovative capability directly to the Fleet inside traditional acquisition timelines by leveraging NAWCAD’s technical expertise, business flexibility, and partnerships with industry. His responsibilities included operations, sustainment, and modernization of over 400 laboratories and facilities, as well as safe operation of more than 200 manned and unmanned RDT&E aircraft. He was accountable for successful business and financial results across a total annual revenue exceeding $5 billion.
From September 2019 to July 2021, Mr. Cricchi served as Director, Engineering & Cyber Warfare Group,
NAVAIR. He provided engineering planning, policy, standards, and oversight for science and technology, systems acquisition, and product support of all Naval Aviation aircraft, weapons, and support systems. He was responsible for digital and information technologies across the enterprise, including airworthiness, CyberSafe, cybersecurity and anti-tamper programs, cost and schedule analysis, and mission engineering and analysis.
From June 2015 to August 2019, Mr. Cricchi served as Assistant Commander for Corporate Operations and Total Force, NAVAIR. In this role, he led all command business operations, including command administration, total force management, military and civilian human resources, information technology, security, public affairs, financial management, and infrastructure operations.
From November 2005 to May 2015, Mr. Cricchi served as Director, Integrated Systems Evaluation, Experimentation, and Test, NAVAIR. He led over 3,000 flight test engineers, military test pilots and project officers, aircraft maintainers, and acquisition professionals performing flight test and experimentation. His responsibilities included oversight of two test air wings with approximately 200 aircraft and the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School.
In March 2005, he was promoted to the Senior Executive Service and appointed as the first Director for Flight Test Engineering, serving as Chief Flight Test Engineer for Naval Aviation
Earlier in his career, Mr. Cricchi held several key positions, including Deputy Director for the Test and Evaluation Engineering Department, Chief Test Engineer for the Strike Aircraft Test Squadron (VX-23), T-45 Project and Platform Coordinator, and flight test engineer on the T-45A Goshawk, AV-8B, and T/AV-8B Harrier II aircraft. Mr. Cricchi earned a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Virginia in 1985 and is a Distinguished Graduate of the United States Naval Test Pilot School (Class of ‘97).
Who Should Attend?Southern Maryland is home to one of the nation’s premier defense innovation ecosystems. With organizations like NAVAIR, NAWCAD, Naval Air Station Patuxent River, and hundreds of defense contractors driving technological advancement, understanding defense acquisition is more important than ever.This session provides a unique opportunity to hear directly from one of the Department of Defense’s senior acquisition leaders about the future of defense procurement, innovation, and industry partnerships. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how acquisition reform is transforming the defense enterprise and what it means for businesses, researchers, students, and professionals seeking to work with government agencies. Registration is free; however, advance registration is encouraged as seating is limited.
- Small businesses and entrepreneurs
- Government contractors and subcontractors
- Defense industry professionals
- Technology and engineering companies
- Business leaders and executives
- Economic development professionals
- Federal, state, and local government employees
- Faculty, students, and researchers
- Workforce development professionals
- Acquisition and program management professionals
- Anyone interested in doing business with the Department of Defense
If you have any questions, please contact us at [[email protected]].
Event venue & nearby stays
44219 Airport Rd, 44219 Airport Road, California, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.