Leadership

Dave Allen is the Chief Executive Officer for Liquid Robotics, a Boeing company based in Sunnyvale California. Liquid Robotics designs, manufactures and sells the most experienced autonomous ocean robot, the Wave Glider. Powered by waves and sun, the Wave Glider completes long-duration missions for defense, commercial and science customers around the world. The Wave Glider revolutionizes the way we understand and protect our ocean by collecting and transmitting real-time ocean information.

Prior to this role, Dave led Acoustics and International Programs in Autonomous Systems, a business unit within Boeing Defense, Space & Security. In these roles, he was responsible for a portfolio business comprised of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) systems and for international focus in other program and capability areas including Unmanned Undersea Vehicles.

Before joining Boeing in 2013, Dave served as the Acoustics Integrated Product Team Lead within Naval Air Systems Command’s (NAVAIR) PMA-290 program office, where he led a multi-disciplined team of military and civilian employees and he guided strategy for Acoustic capabilities integrated on the P-3 and P-8 platforms.

Dave has an extensive background working with the Australian and UK military, having led multi-operator crews that flew intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; ASW; and search and rescue missions in the European, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East regions, including deployment during both Gulf Wars. He also worked in Defense and Nuclear industries providing engineering expertise and execution on a variety of government programs.

Dave holds master’s degrees in management studies and in systems engineering from the University of New South Wales in Australia. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family, watching American football, listening to music, and playing the bass guitar.

In his role as COO, Graham oversees Liquid Robotics’ day-to-day operations. As one of the founders of Liquid Robotics, Graham’s expertise in business, technology, and operations has played a major role helping to transform Liquid Robotics from a small start-up to an industry leader of autonomous ocean robots.

Prior to Liquid Robotics, Graham managed Software Engineering at Asyst Technologies, a manufacturer of robotics, control systems, and embedded applications. Earlier in his career Graham was President and CEO of Gibraltar Software, Inc., a security management enterprise application and President and CEO of Tuxtops, Inc., maker of Linux-based laptops and mobility software. He began his career as Software Engineering Manager at Hine Design, Inc., manufacturer of semiconductor automation systems.

Graham received a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management Engineering (Economics) from Claremont McKenna College.

Graham enjoys outdoor activities including skiing, scuba diving, fishing and kayaking.

As CTO, Jeff is responsible for steering the technological direction of Liquid Robotics, across software, mechanical, electrical, and systems engineering teams.

Jeff first joined The Boeing Company in 2000, and throughout his career has been extensively involved in the pursuit of new business and execution of development programs. Before joining Liquid Robotics, he served as the Chief Engineer for the capture of the New Zealand P-3K2 Under Water ISR program; the technical lead for various international customers; project manager / principal investigator for IRaD programs; and as product roadmap visionary and system architect for the Acoustic Programs organization.

Jeff brings deep experience in systems development, having served as Deputy Program Manager, Chief Engineer, and Chief Technologist for Acoustic Programs at Boeing, and as the Project Lead for the P-8 India Acoustic Subsystem.

Prior to joining Boeing, Jeff held software engineering leadership roles at Qualcomm, Ericsson, BONN Corporation, Systems Control Technology, and Lockheed’s Advanced Development Projects.

Jeff earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Computer Science from the University of Southern California. He holds patents in collaborative web browsing and a “virtual me” networked presence.

In his role as Vice President of Manufacturing, Jerome is responsible for all elements of production and supply chain management for Liquid Robotics.

He brings decades of expertise as a technical and business executive for small private and large public companies. Before joining Liquid Robotics, Jerome served as Vice President of Operations at Looxcie (aka Vidcie), the leading provider of enterprise grade live streaming video solutions over mobile networks. At Looxcie, he managed all aspects of manufacturing execution, supply chain, logistics and quality for the consumer electronics and enterprise products of the organization. He honed his manufacturing, operations, and engineering knowledge as General Manager at Automation Controls, a distributor of factory automation technology and manufacturer of specialty equipment. At Automation Controls, he led the turnaround of the ACES business unit from a loss to consistent double digit profitability in only six months.

Jerome held leadership positions in the semiconductor industry as Director of Engineering Services at ATMI, and Director of Operations at Microbar. In his early years as a mechanical engineer, Jerome worked for Purus on adsorption technologies used to treat polluted soil and water.

Jerome earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Santa Clara University.

In his spare time, he enjoys many outdoor activities and interests with his family. He is a volunteer assistant coach for his son’s youth competitive soccer program, a jazz musician (saxophone), and a home winemaker of many years and enjoys hiking, snow skiing, running, and mountain biking.

Robert Gelbard is an international business consultant specializing in project development and implementation, crisis management and risk analysis.

During his career in the United States Foreign Service, Ambassador Gelbard held senior foreign policy positions, including as President Clinton’s Special Representative for the Balkans, Ambassador to Indonesia and East Timor, Ambassador to Bolivia, Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (including responsibility for counter-terrorism), Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Inter-American Affairs, Deputy Assistant Secretary for South America, Director for Southern Africa and Deputy Director for Western Europe.

Ambassador Gelbard served as the U.S. Government representative to the Paris Club and as President George H.W. Bush’s Personal Representative for the 1992 San Antonio Summit. Other Foreign Service assignments included Paris, Manila and Porto Alegre, Brazil. Gelbard also was a staff member of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Gelbard was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Bolivia.

Ambassador Gelbard received the Presidential Meritorious Award, the Secretary of State’s Distinguished Service Award, the State Department’s Superior Honor Award and Meritorious Honor Award, and the U.S. Coast Guard’s Distinguished Public Service Award, as well as numerous other commendations. He was awarded the Condor of the Andes, Order of the Grand Cross, Bolivia’s highest decoration for a foreigner, and the Medalha do Gaucho from the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul.

Ambassador Gelbard is a graduate of Colby College (AB) and Harvard University (MA). He also studied at MIT. He holds honorary LL.D. degrees from Villanova University Law School and Colby College for his work on peacekeeping and international democracy building.

General Sharp graduated from West Point in 1974 and was commissioned an Armor officer. He has earned a Master of Science degree in Operations Research and System Analysis from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

General Sharp commanded the United Nations Command, Republic of Korea – United States Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea from 3 June 2008 to 14 July 2011. Earlier in his career, General Sharp’s command positions include; Squadron Commander 1st Squadron, 7th U.S. Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood Texas; Regimental Commander 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Polk, Louisiana; Assistant Division Commander for Maneuver 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Red Cloud, South Korea; and Division Commander, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia. He commanded troops in Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti, and SFOR’s Multinational Division (North) in Bosnia.

General Sharp had four assignments at the Pentagon on the Joint Staff. He was the Deputy Director, J5 for Western Hemisphere/Global Transnational Issues; the Vice Director, J8 for Force Structure, Resources, and Assessment; the Director for Strategic Plans and Policy, J5; and the Director of the Joint Staff.

General (Ret) and Mrs. Sharp live in the Washington, D.C. area. He is consulting for several U.S. and Korean companies, serves on the BOD for NEXEO Solutions, ARTIS, and The Korea Society and is involved in strategy and policy discussions at several D.C. area Think Tanks concerning strategy and policy for Northeast Asia and especially Korea.

Dr. Terrill is an oceanographer at Scripps Institution of Oceanography leading basic and applied research programs in a variety of marine and environmental disciplines. Under his leadership, he founded the Scripps’ Coastal Observing Research and Development Center (CORDC) in 2003 to focus on the development of new technologies, their application for basic and applied sciences, and the exploitation and fusion of data for improved decision-making.

He has extensive experience with the design, coordination, and implementation of complex field measurement programs that are executed globally, both in the ocean and on land. Sponsorship for these initiatives comes primarily from federal and state agencies; including USACE, NOAA, and Navy ocean observation, and Maritime Domain Awareness initiatives. Dr. Terrill was also one of the early leaders in establishing the Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System, one of the eleven U.S. Regional Associations that form the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS).

He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mechanics and Engineering Science from University of California San Diego (UCSD) and a Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography – Applied Ocean Sciences from Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

The Honorable John J. Young has almost 20 years of senior level legislative and executive branch experience working defense research, technology development, and procurement programs.

In April 2009, John completed service as the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, overseeing $200+ billion of DoD research, development, procurement, and logistics programs. He previously served as the Director of Defense Research and Engineering (DDR&E), leading the unprecedented Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicle program, and as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition. Mr. Young’s experience also includes ten years as a senior staff member with the U.S. Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.

After leaving public service, Mr. Young established JY Strategies, LLC, a Limited Liability Company specializing in providing strategic insight to firms on defense programs, the Department of Defense, the Congressional authorization and appropriations process and change management. Additionally, John served as Vice President for Business Development at E6 Partners, LLC.

Mr. Young is a member of the Board of SRI International, Morphotrak International, Saab-Sensis USA Corporation, Tenax Aerospace, HDT Global and the Georgia Tech Research Corporation, as well as a member of the Georgia Tech School of Aerospace Engineering Advisory Committee. He serves on the advisory board of Cubic Defense Systems, PIXIA, FedBid, Inc., Liquid Robotics, and SpaceX.

He is a fellow and a member of the Board of Regents of the Potomac Institute and a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. During his Pentagon tenure, he was awarded the DoD, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Army Distinguished Civilian Service Awards, as well as the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award.

Mr. Young has a Master’s in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University and a Bachelor’s in Aerospace Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Admiral Sir George Zambellas is a highly distinguished British Royal Navy officer, with an exemplary background in maritime, joint service and multinational command. In April of 2016, he completed a three-year appointment as First Sea Lord, a period that included the UK Strategic Defense and Security Review. During his tenure, his principal focus was on people, to ensure that, with significant quantities of new equipment being delivered to the British Royal Navy including two new carriers, new ballistic nuclear submarines, frigates and aircraft, the quality and quantity of technical expertise is ready.

He began his 36-year career as a helicopter pilot in frigates and carriers, before a series of sea commands, culminating in command of the UK Amphibious Force, the UK Maritime Force, NATO’s 4-star Maritime Command and Royal Navy Fleet Command. He has extensive operational experience, including as Chief of Staff in the UK Joint Headquarters for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, in Operation Highbrow in 2006 to evacuate multinational civilians from Lebanon, and in Operation Palliser in 2000 where, as Captain of HMS Chatham, he was deployed to Sierra Leone, earning the Distinguished Service Cross.

Zambellas achievements have earned many honors and awards. The most notable are: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Bath (GCB), 31 December 2015, Knight Commander of the Order of Bath (KCB), 16 June 2012, Distinguished Service Cross and Operational Service Medal for Sierra Leone in 2000, Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society in 2009, Deputy Lieutenant of Dorset, September 2013 and Honorary Doctorate in Science from Southampton University in 2014.

Sir George Zambellas was educated in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), and at Stowe School. He studied aeronautical and astronautical engineering at the University of Southampton and graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science (BSc Hons) degree.