PNDC Staff
DENISE RYSER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Denise leads PNDC’s efforts to support member businesses, by developing sales growth opportunities in direct defense and security sales and building a strong and connected supply chain in these industries. Her background in government relations, partner support, and business development make her a trusted advisor to the PNDC community. With a keen focus on member needs, Denise’s recent projects include supporting the launch of the Pacific Northwest Mission Acceleration Center (PNW MAC), leading delegations to defense focused trade shows in London and Washington D.C., and supporting PNDC’s Advocacy Committee to connect Pacific Northwest businesses with their elected officials to communicate legislative needs and impacts.
Email: [email protected]
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DRADIN KREFT, Sr. Director of Government Capture
Dradin has a passion for the air and space industry, which is reflected in his impressive resume, including earning his law degree from University of Mississippi with a concentration in Air and Space Law and working as a Space Law Fellow for U.S. Representative Steven Palazzo. During his time working in the U.S. House of Representatives, Dradin managed stakeholders and maintained working groups for aerospace, science, and technology during the complex legal and political environment of 2020. While working for Seattle-based law firm, Stritmatter Kessler Koehler Moore, he conducted comprehensive review of policy, law and documents from many government entities.
As Sr. Director of Government Capture, Dradin enhances the defense connection within the Pacific Northwest by creating and maintaining high-value relationships with state and federal offices. This includes intelligence and access for defense companies in the region to better understand the strategic goals of representatives and federal agencies. Having spent 2023 supporting PNDC as Program Manager with the MAC, Dradin has an expanded understanding of the needs of industry. Additionally, in this role, Dradin supports the organization at large through opportunity identification and proposal responses for funding to better serve the defense industry.
Email: [email protected]
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SAM ZVIRZDYS, DIRECTOR OF MARKET DEVELOPMENT
Filling the roll of Director of Market Development, Sam Zvirzdys responsibilities include the growth of our organization through bridging member businesses, developing new relationships, growing our member network of DOD manufacturers, and expanding the supply chain network for everyone in the Pacific Northwest. Sam’s background in business to business manufacturing sales has helped him learn the in’s and out of manufacturing from both the B2B and B2C. Sam went to school in Caldwell, ID at the College of Idaho where he played left tackle for 4 years on the football team while earning his degree in Business Management with a focus in Marketing.
Email: [email protected]
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Chris GROVES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR oF the PNW MAC PROGRAM
Chris Groves connects innovative startups with National Security partners to enhance mission capabilities for front line operators.
His prior role with Oracle Government Defense and Intelligence fueled Chris’s passion for working with startups and expanded his knowledge of tech available to support National Security innovation. He built close partnerships with a portfolio of startups and applied Oracle’s cloud infrastructure and tactical edge hardware to develop pathways for National Security customers to onboard innovative, mission-relevant solutions.
Chris established a strong foundation in National Security during a 25-year career as an Operations Officer for the CIA. In a series of field command roles, he empowered teams to achieve significant results for the CIA's core mission objectives. He served in multiple war zones, applied cyber capabilities to intel operations, and enhanced relations, joint operations and/or training programs with foreign partners, US Military, and with US Intel and Law Enforcement Agencies.
Delivering effective leadership and providing a great work environment are important to Chris. He works hard to inspire teams to deliver their full potential, champions innovation and creativity to produce enhanced impact, and fosters a positive and inclusive team environment that keeps employees motivated, productive, and focused on the mission.
Chris holds an MBA from Thunderbird International Business School and enjoys developing new skills through executive education programs.
Email: [email protected]
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MITCH EHLKE, MISSION INNOVATION LEAD
Mitch is joining PNDC - MAC from the Idaho Department of Commerce where he had worked since January 2020, As an International Trade Specialist with the state of Idaho he planned, coordinated and executed several global trade activities. They include a state-led industry focused foreign trade mission, and trade shows in 5 continents. With a decade of prior experience working in the defense manufacturing sector of Idaho, he regularly provided consultations with businesses from various industries throughout the state with firsthand knowledge and an understanding of the many facets and challenges of growing a business. Mitch is married (with two good dogs), and has a BBA in International Business from Boise State University. Mitch's proudest background info is being a US Marine Corps OIF (2005) combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient.
Email: [email protected]
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Todd WOODS, PROGRAM DIRECTOR - NATO DIANA
Todd is a dynamic relationship builder with diverse experience and broad perspective guiding clients ranging from Fortune 500 enterprises to venture-backed startups, through the process of international market expansion. Creatively adept at navigating complex environments to deliver actionable results and sustainable growth.
Ideal team player skilled at internal and external cross functional collaboration and engaging key global customers, partners, vendors and influential government contacts. Highly motivated, detail oriented and passionate about creating meaningful connections.
Todd is a distinctive expatriate, in-country engagement experience in Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Russia and the EU.
Email: [email protected]
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JAKE TOZIER, MISSION INNOVATION LEAD
Jake Tozier served 14 years in the United States Army as both an enlisted artilleryman and as a Warrant Officer flying CH-47 Chinook Helicopters. During this time Jake had multiple deployments to include, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Honduras. After leaving the service Jake transitioned his military experience and applied it to working in and with the military-connected community, startups, entrepreneurs, federal and state agencies, and the nonprofit sector.
In 2016 Jake co-founded Bunker Labs Seattle in Washington state, setting out to build an entrepreneur ecosystem that supports the military connected community during transition from active duty to entrepreneurship. During this time Jake worked with and established lasting relationships with some of the most military supportive organizations in the PNW to include, the Schultz Family Foundation, Microsoft, Amazon, Boeing, Starbucks, Comcast, Business Impact NW, Hawk Transition Center, UW, Washington State Military Transition Council, WSVDA, and more.
After establishing Seattle’s Bunker Labs, Jake served as the West Regional Director for Bunker Labs National. During this time, he led efforts in launching and supporting 9 new chapters. Jake last served as the National Resource Director for Bunker Labs, supporting their flagship program Veteran in Residence. Over the last 5 years Jake has advised hundreds of companies many of who have gone on to be very successful.
Jake lives in beautiful Tacoma, Washington with his wife Janna and their two daughters Josephine and Aubree.
Email: [email protected]
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