LMI Ronald Fizer, U.S. Army Colonel (retired) lends his technical and analytical expertise to solve complex problems related to countering weapons of mass destruction (CWMD) and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) defense. A highly regarded technical expert,Col. Fizer is sought by a wide range of clients to rapidly develop integrated capabilities and implement those solutions into their operations to improve readiness and reduce risk. Prior to joining LMI, he spent 30 years in active duty, serving in various command, staff, and leadership positions across the Army, Joint Staff, and Secretary of Defense staff in tactical, strategic, and institutional support organizations within the United States, Germany, South Korea, and Iraq. His final assignment was as Principal Director to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Chemical and Biological Defense Programs. Col. Fizer is a distinguished graduate of the National Defense University’s Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, where he received a Master of Science degree. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in general science and a master’s degree in public administration with emphasis in environmental science management. He has received numerous awards, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Bronze Star. He also earned the Secretary of Defense, Joint Staff, and Army Staff Identification Badges.

BIG, LLC John Wheeler has been involved in the CBRNE industry supporting the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) and Joint Program Executive Office (JPEO) for over 25 years. He has overseen numerous contracts that resulted in the successful delivery of over $1B of services and products throughout the world in support of national defense. In 2005, John co-founded Veteran Corps of America (VCA) intending to hire military veterans and their families to support CBRNE and technology requirements. VCA’s motto, “We Are Veteran Enabled!” reflects a family legacy of military service that includes General Earl G. Wheeler, 46-year Army veteran and longest-serving Chairman of the Joint Chiefs (1964-1970). In 2013, John was awarded the Order of the Dragon by the Chemical Corps Regimental Association for his ongoing patronage and support. Prior to being acquired by INTERFUZE Corporation in 2017, VCA provided over $1M to numerous veteran charities and support events and was named to the Inc 500 four times, including #30. In 2020, John left VCA to form Bullock Island Group (www.goBIG.llc) to support strategic relationship development, public policy, and natural resources conservation. In addition, he is President of the Jefferson Islands Club (www.theJIC.org), a 501c non-profit formed in 1931 whose mission is to support bipartisanship and compromise in Government leadership. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Virginia and resides in Clifton, Virginia with his wife Jennifer.

Jeff Lesho, Secretary

jeffl@dasystemsinc.com | 
Phone: (240) 300-3765

Defense Architecture Systems Dr. Lesho is a Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Defense Architecture Systems specializing in Systems Architecture and Engineering, Chem-Bio sensor integration and satellite instrumentation production. Previously a Principal Professional Staff Engineer in the National Security Analysis Department at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory with 32 years of technical experience, 10 years in line management and 6 years of program management experience, including writing proposals, technical guidance and producing contract deliverables. At APL, Dr. Lesho was the Group Supervisor of the Systems and Software Engineering Group which focuses on national security issues including communications, networking, health care and intelligence technology. Manager of 35 engineers working on enterprise architectures, software integration, special mission networks, assured communications and systems optimization. Previously, he was the chief engineer leading the Development Cell for the Global Combatting WMD Awareness System. Dr. Lesho has expertise in electrical and biomedical engineering, intelligence analysis, counter WMD and counter IED engineering, data analysis, software design, materials science and engineering, organizational development and leadership. In the biomedical area, his work involved ingestible and implantable biomedical telemetry devices, prosthetics, human robot interaction and catheter launched diagnostic devices, with 14 US Patents. In the intelligence area, he invented a method that maps insurgent activities which is included in the CENTCOM campaign plan. He led the effort to deploy defense in depth Chem-Bio sensors to border crossings and has a practical understanding of chemical and biological based sensors. He has grown a 20 person organization to a 55 person organization and then reorganized it into two groups and then into a new department. He has experience as the lead engineer in the design and deployment of space-qualified hardware with over 10 years of on-orbit operations and has taken instruments from the conceptual stage through flight qualification testing, launch, on-orbit operations, data analysis and publication of results in peer-review journals. He teaches 3 graduate-level classes for the Johns Hopkins University, in Human Robotics Interactions, Sensor Systems Engineering and Sensors and Systems for Homeland Security. He has been Secretary of the Group for several years.

Carolanne O'Neil, Executive Director

carolanne@caoneil.com | contact@cbrneig.com

Phone:  (703) 989-8789

First Line Technology  Michael Corle, SGT (WVARNG), DeconTech product line manager at First Line Technology, LLC – FLT designs and manufacturers disaster preparedness and response equipment. FLT works with first responders and the military to develop innovative products that make their jobs easier and their lives – and the lives of the people they serve – safer. In addition to working with First Line Technology, Michael is also a Fire Direction Center Chief with B Battery 1/201st FA located in Morgantown, WV. The 1st Battalion 201st Field Artillery is the longest continuously serving unit in the history of United States, dating back to 17 February 1735. Prior to that, the Decon NCOIC with the West Virginia CBRN Enhanced Response Force – Package (CERF-P) team. Michael brings over 10 years of operational experience to the community training and educating stakeholders on decontamination Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs). Michael has been awarded numerous Army Achievement Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Medal, and numerous state medals. Michael currently resides in Bealeton, Virginia with his family.

Neil Cohen, Director

ncohen@dynamis.com | 

Phone:  (703) 229-3438

Dynamis, Inc. Neil Cohen has served on the NBC board since 2009 and has led new membership recruitment as well as current member outreach efforts via conferences and the NBC Group Member LinkedIn page. Neil has been actively involved within the CBRN industry since 2002. Neil currently supports Corporate Growth and Strategic Capture at Dynamis Inc., a Fairfax, VA based Federal Contracting and IT firm.  Prior, he worked for Defense Group Inc. where he served as Director of Business Development for the COBRA CBRN software division, which was acquired by Dynamis in 2016.  Neil has over 30 years’ experience in sales and business development and earned his B.A. from The College of New Jersey in 1989 and his M.B.A from Marymount University in 2000. Neil also has written four published fiction and non-fiction books.  He is married with two daughters.