BIO:

Omar is the founder of Inside the Beltway, a nonpartisan consulting and lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. With over 25 years of experience, he advises clients on trade, taxes, regulations, supply chains, and federal funding opportunities. He began his career in 1995 at the Office of Management and Budget and later worked at a major law firm before launching his own firm. Omar represents manufacturers, defense firms, and nonprofits before Congress and federal agencies. He holds a degree in Political Science and International Affairs from George Washington University.

BIO:

Caitlin is a senior principal at Bracewell LLP’s Policy Resolution Group, where she leads strategic communications for clients in manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and national security. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in message development, advocacy strategy, and digital brand management. Caitlin co-hosts The Lobby Shop podcast and regularly trains executives in media and spokesperson skills. She also serves as president of the board for Calvary Women’s Services, a D.C. nonprofit supporting women experiencing homelessness. A 2009 graduate of Marquette University, she was named the Diederich College of Communication’s Young Alumna of the Year in 2025.

BIO:

Jenny is an invigorating speaker and coach with a bold, funny style. An accomplished performance Improviser, instructional designer, and candid-yet-kind facilitator, she draws out courage and playfulness in her audiences and students. She delights in guiding people to break free of patterns that hold them back and liberate the powerful leader within.

Jenny has 15+ years of executive coaching and facilitation experience in workplaces, service agencies, and schools. Jenny’s work background includes sales, distribution, and account management. She has been a certified coach since 2007, bringing extensive knowledge about Emotional Intelligence, DiSC®, the ROI Methodology, and Adaptability AQai to help clients create real impact through their efforts.

BIO:

Mike is a Principal at EBITDA Growth Systems and co-host of the podcast Making Business Profitable. With over 30 years of senior executive experience spanning public companies and tech startups, he specializes in helping founder-led manufacturing businesses scale profitably and increase their enterprise value. Mike is the author of Scaling to Exit and a frequent speaker on topics like strategic planning, leadership, and operational efficiency. He holds a JD from the University of Maryland School of Law, an MBA in Finance from Hood College, and a BA in English from the University of Rochester. His mission is to transform small and mid-sized manufacturers into thriving, high-value enterprises.

BIO:

Ana is a senior economist at US Bank, based in Minneapolis. She works on the development and forecast of the US Bank economic outlook, and conducting research on a wide variety of topics related to the U.S. macroeconomic outlook. Prior to joining US Bank in mid 2023, Ana worked at J.P.Morgan Chase with top-down modeling, forecasting, and macroeconomic scenario development. Prior to join the private sector she was in academia, where she was affiliated to the University of Minnesota, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis and Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Ana holds a Ph.D. in Economics from UCLA and a B.A. in Economics from FGV-EPGE in Brazil

BIO:

Jenny Stupica is the Workforce Development Director at the National Tooling & Machining Association (NTMA), with over 20 years of experience in human resources and manufacturing workforce development. She played a key role in creating a Manufacturing Sector Partnership in Greater Akron, Ohio, focused on talent pipelines, training, and inclusive hiring practices. Jenny leads NTMA workforce initiatives like NTMA-U, Workforce Wins, and pre-apprenticeship programs, while also contributing to national advocacy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Stetson University. Jenny serves on the Board of Directors for the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS), helping shape industry standards and credentialing.

BIO:

Dave Capkovitz is a founding principal of EBITDA Growth Systems, where he leverages over 30 years of manufacturing leadership to help shops drive profitability and operational excellence. With a deep understanding of financial strategy, workforce development, and process improvement, Dave has become a trusted advisor to precision manufacturers across the country. His hands-on experience—from the shop floor to the executive suite—shapes his practical, results-driven approach. Passionate about helping business owners build sustainable growth, Dave is known for simplifying the complex and turning vision into action.

BIO:

Jacob Horne is the Chief Security Evangelist at Summit 7, specializing in DFARS, NIST, and CMMC compliance for contractors in the Defense Industrial Base . With over 18 years of experience in offensive and defensive cybersecurity operations, he began his career as an NSA intelligence analyst and U.S. Navy cryptologic technician . As a civilian, Jacob has led Governance, Risk, and Compliance teams at AT&T, Northrop Grumman, and the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership . He has developed and taught cybersecurity training programs for organizations including the NSA National Cryptologic School, UCLA, and UC Irvine . Jacob holds a master’s degree in cybersecurity risk and strategy from NYU and an MBA from the UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business .