- Katie Thompson, deputy executive director of the Army Contracting Command will deliver a keynote address at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Army Summit
- Thompson brings extensive experience in Army acquisitions and contracting vehicles having served more than 14 years at one of the Army’s largest contracting commands.
- The 2026 Army Summit will gather government and industry leaders to examine how the service is reshaping their contracting strategy, driving modernization and evolving warfighting capabilities with emerging technologies.
The Potomac Officers Club, the nation’s premier GovCon events organization, is excited to announce that Katie Thompson, deputy executive director of the U.S. Army Contracting Command, will deliver a keynote address at the 2026 Army Summit on June 18 at the Hyatt Regency in Reston, Virginia.
Thompson will deliver the morning keynote, offering GovCon executives a critical perspective on Army contracting priorities, acquisition strategy and how industry can better align with mission requirements. Register today to secure your spot in front of Army buyers, like Thompson.
Who Is Katie Thompson?
Katie Thompson serves as deputy executive director of the U.S. Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground, or ACC-APG, a major contracting center responsible for supporting Army-wide research and development and mission-critical procurement.
In her role, she helps oversee an organization executing more than 32,000 contracting actions annually valued at over $20 billion, supporting program executive offices, institutional Army customers and the warfighter.
Thompson brings deep experience across the acquisition lifecycle. She previously led the Contracting Operations Division, where she supported policy, training compliance, audit readiness and competition advocacy across 13 buying divisions.
Her background also includes serving as chief of a contracting office supporting DEVCOM C5ISR, as well as leading execution of the $37 billion Responsive Strategic Sourcing for Services, or RS3, contract, a key vehicle widely used across the Department of War.
Why Is the 2026 Army Summit a Must-Attend Event for GovCon Executives?
The 2025 Army Transformation Initiative was a pivotal moment for the service, sparking a restructuring and retooling of how the largest service spends its resources, conducts contracting and modernizes legacy systems. The 2026 Army Summit will help the industrial base understand how to meet the needs of the newly revitalized Army and engage on the most pressing priorities facing the service.
For GovCon leaders, the event provides:
- Direct access to senior Army decision-makers and buyers
- Insights into acquisition trends and procurement priorities
- Opportunities to align capabilities with modernization initiatives
- Networking with Army officials and peers across the defense industrial base
With the Army continuing to prioritize speed, scalability and innovation, the summit offers actionable intelligence for companies seeking to compete, and win, in the evolving defense landscape.
What Thompson Will Discuss in Her Keynote?
Thompson’s keynote is expected to focus on the intersection of contracting, innovation and readiness, areas critical to both government and industry.
Key themes likely to resonate with GovCon attendees include:
- Accelerating procurement timelines to meet mission needs
- Leveraging contract vehicles like RS3 for scalable solutions
- Strengthening collaboration between government and industry
- Driving competition and cost efficiency in acquisitions
- Supporting emerging technologies within Army programs
Her perspective from ACC-APG, a hub for cutting-edge R&D contracting, positions her to provide valuable insight into how companies can better navigate Army acquisition pathways.
Why Katie Thompson’s Keynote Is Critical for GovCons
Katie Thompson’s keynote is particularly significant for government contractors navigating today’s complex and evolving Army acquisition environment. As a senior leader within one of the Army’s largest and most influential contracting organizations, Thompson brings direct insight into how procurement decisions are made and how industry can better position itself for success.
Her perspective is critical as GovCons adapt to:
- Evolving contracting requirements
- Greater emphasis on cybersecurity, interoperability and pre-build solutions
- The need to align innovative solutions with Army mission requirements
- Expanding use of large-scale contract vehicles
Together, her insights will reflect the Army’s broader push to modernize acquisition processes while strengthening collaboration with industry partners, making her keynote a must-hear for companies across the defense industrial base.
Why Should I Attend the 2026 Army Summit?
The 2026 Army Summit is designed to equip attendees with both strategic insight and tactical takeaways.
Attending offers the opportunity to:
- Understand the Army’s modernization roadmap
- Gain insight into upcoming contracting opportunities
- Learn how to scale commercial solutions for defense use
- Increase the visibility of your organization in front of buyers and peers
- Build relationships with key government stakeholders
For companies focused on growth in the defense sector, the summit serves as a critical touchpoint for aligning business strategy with Army priorities.
What’s the Agenda for the 2026 Army Summit?
The full-day event will feature keynotes, panel discussions and networking opportunities focused on innovation, acquisition and operational effectiveness.
Hear from our lineup of Army speakers (with additional speakers still to come):
- Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations Dr. Jeff Waksman
- Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research & Technology Christopher Manning (pending confirmation)
- Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Data, Engineering & Software Rocio Bauer
- Chief, Terrestrial Communications Division at Army DEVCOM C5ISR Center Dr. Tucker Swindell
- Senior Science & Technology Manager and Assistant Director of Network and Communications Daniel Duvak
- PM Robotic Control & Integration, CPE Mission Autonomy Robert Monto
- Additional senior Army and industry leaders
The 2026 Army Summit will include panel sessions featuring high-ranking government speakers on topics such as:
- Accelerating commercial capabilities from pilot to production
- Enabling a hyperconnected battlefield through next-generation tech stacks
- Scaling emerging technologies: reconfigurable air defense and cost-effective fires
- Advancing the tactical edge for future operations
- Applying artificial intelligence from data to decision-making
- Continuous modernization incorporating wireless spectrum, SD-WAN, open ecosystems and cybersecurity
The 2026 Army Summit offers an unmatched opportunity for GovCon executives to engage directly with the leaders driving Army transformation. With keynote insights from Katie Thompson and Dr. Jeff Waksman, and a robust agenda focused on innovation and acquisition, the event is positioned to deliver meaningful value across the defense industrial base. Secure your seat today!
