Jordan Evans, NASA Rocket Scientist

Jordan Evans is a NASA Rocket Scientist, responsible for leading JPL’s engineering and science workforce in the development of advanced robotic systems for the exploration of our universe. For 7 years, in roles as both the Engineering Development and Operations Manager and Deputy Flight System Manager for the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) “Curiosity” rover project, Mr. Evans led the MSL team through the challenges of design, assembly, testing, and ultimately through early operations on the surface of Mars. For his work on the Mars Science Lab Curiosity Project, Mr. Evans received the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, one of our nation’s highest civilian honors.

Prior to and since landing, Mr. Evans has shared those challenges with the national and international media and as a keynote speaker at numerous conferences. Additionally, Mr. Evans serves as a science consultant for major motion pictures and television shows. An accomplished jazz musician, Mr. Evans regularly performs with big bands and small jazz ensembles in the Southern California area.

Patricia Buckley, Managing Director for Economic Policy and Analysis, Deloitte

The election of a new US president, particularly one of a different political party than their predecessor, comes with the expectation of a shift in policies. Among the changes that President Trump is advocating are the repeal/replacement of Obamacare, lower corporate and personal tax rates, increased federal infrastructure spending, a change in existing trade deals, increased immigration enforcement, and a reduction in regulation. The fact that the President’s party controls both houses of Congress increases the odds that some of these proposals will indeed become reality in some form, although the details and timing are unclear at this point. Also unknown is how these changes will be paid for.

Each of these possible policy shifts will shape the US economic outlook generally, and the manufacturing sector specifically, going forward. This keynote will discuss some of these proposals in the context of the existing trends that continue to shape the US manufacturing sector. Since the specific form and timing that these policy objectives will take have yet to be determined, there remains substantial uncertainty to the outlook in the near to mid-term. However, this discussion will give attendees a framework they can use to evaluate probable impact of any enacted policy changes on their businesses once the details are decided.