StraCon has a professional acquisition staff that has developed an extensive network of subject matter experts and support capabilities that are immediately accessible.
Debbie Paris
Chairman of the Board
Debbie Paris founded StraCon in 2008 as its sole employee. Over the last 18 years, she has led the organization to become a premier provider in naval aviation, and under her leadership, StraCon has grown to nearly 400 employees. She has also established a significant national presence in Fort Worth, Texas; Lexington Park, Maryland; and Orlando, Florida.
On 1 May 2026, Debbie transitioned to the role of Chairman of the Board. In this capacity, she focuses on developing a Board of Directors to define and implement strategies for StraCon’s next chapter of growth. As Chairman, she provides overarching strategic insight, serves as the primary liaison to the CEO, and maintains active oversight of business development and operations. She remains dedicated to ensuring StraCon upholds the highest ethical standards while continuing to build high-performance teams that deliver “Excellence in Execution.” Her extensive expertise in resource planning, acquisition support, and program management continues to support StraCon’s expansion in delivering complex solutions, specifically within Digital Engineering and AI initiatives.
Ken Fancher
Chief Executive and Strategy Officer
Ken has been responsible for shaping and implementing StraCon’s strategic vision over the last 14 years and continues to provide enterprise-level leadership spanning strategy through execution.
He is experienced in all phases of government acquisition activities, including planning, organizing, staffing, leading team efforts, and managing the integration of multiple highly complex weapon system components. Over the years, he has helped develop, design, and implement numerous transformational aviation training system concepts.
On May 1, 2026, he assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of StraCon while continuing to serve as Chief Strategy Officer (CSO). In this capacity, he ensures StraCon remains focused on maintaining a corporate capability aligned to provide an exceptional level of support to StraCon’s existing and future NAVAIR clients. He also guides the company’s strategic roadmap to support the timely execution of critical naval aviation readiness goals.
Ken is a retired Marine Officer, Naval Aviator, and Level III Certified Acquisition Professional. He has spent the last 28 years in acquisition-specific assignments supporting NAVAIR as both a contractor and an active-duty Marine. He holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, a Master of Science in Management from Troy University, and a Bachelor of Science from the United States Naval Academy.
Austin Craig
Chief Financial and Operating Officer
Austin Craig serves as CFOO and is responsible for the strategic financial planning and financial management for the organization. His direct duties include forecasting, budgeting, risk mitigation, government cost submissions, and rate agreements along with management of credit and financial agreements. He is also responsible for cost control within all departments to meet the organizations overall profit and competitive objectives. In addition, Austin represents the company in its interaction with external audit agencies such as DCAA, DCMA and third-party independent auditors. Furthermore, Austin maintains oversight of the company-wide internal operations to include Accounting, Human Resources, Quality Assurance, and Information Systems. Austin reports directly to the CEO and has proven to be a critical component of the management team by ensuring that StraCon remains both sustainable and profitable during multiple substantial stages of growth. Austin has developed a strong operational foundation by creating many of the company’s policies and procedures and still plays a major role in this process.
Prior to joining StraCon in 2010, Austin progressed through a wide range of leadership roles within the supply chain industry where he assisted multiple clients in the successful launch of new business units. His Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma certifications along with his extensive knowledge in Procurement, Forward and Reverse Logistics, Operations Management and Information Systems enabled Austin to lead cross-functional teams in the successful launch of many new startups. To enhance StraCon’s scalability and agility, Austin maintains a vigilant commitment to continuous improvement. He is a proven leader with tremendous success in both strategic and operational roles. Austin holds a Master of Business Administration degree from The University of Texas at Arlington.
Doug Mederos
Chief Customer Officer
Doug serves as StraCon’s Chief Customer Officer, responsible for leading daily contract performance management and quality oversight of all StraCon’s security and contract efforts. He joined the StraCon team in October 2015, bringing over 30 years of DoD professional experience, including 14 years in Navy Acquisition Program/Project and Logistics management. Doug has held multiple management and technical leadership roles with progressively increasing responsibility across major weapons systems program offices within NAVAIR, including PMA-201, 213, 242, 273, 274, 266, 268 & 275, and the NAVAIR DAiTA Group.
Prior to joining StraCon, Doug served as Deputy Program Manager for Logistics, both as an active-duty Marine and as a Navy civilian. He supported Crew Served Weapons Systems, Advanced Precision Kill Weapons Systems (APKWS)/Digital Rocket Launcher, In-Service Presidential Helicopters, and the OE-120/UPX-29 shipboard antenna system. In addition to Doug’s management experience, he has provided subject-matter expertise in systems acquisition processes, milestone development, aircraft training systems requirements, and has actively participated in the test and evaluation of CH-53E, VH-3D, and VH-60N aircraft and training-related products. His background in the design, development, and delivery of multiple aircraft/weapon system upgrades and modernized digital integration solutions has directly improved the warfighters’ ability to maximize the capability, sustainment, and lethality of those weapon systems.
Doug is a United States Marine Corps retiree with over 20 years of experience in aircrew training management, aviation aircraft system development and integration, and aviation ordnance weapons system sustainment. His background in acquisition, integration, and sustainment of multiple aircraft platforms, aviation training systems, aviation ordnance systems, and program development provides customers with extensive technical and leadership expertise in program and product support solutions.
Doug holds advanced certification in Life Cycle Logistics and practitioner certification in Program Management through the Warfighting Acquisition University. He is a former member of the Defense Acquisition Corps and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Excelsior College.
Anne Welfare
Vice President of Contracts
Anne Welfare joined StraCon in 2015 and has over 25 years of experience in providing cradle to grave contract administration in support of federal contracts. Prior to moving to the United States in 1998, Anne’s British career was spent working for the Ministry of Defence with more than 20 years’ experience specifically in the logistic support of military aircraft and associated equipment. Anne has worked for both large and small businesses and held leadership positions in several defense companies. The Contract department, under Anne’s supervision is responsible for proposal preparation, cost and price proposals, negotiations, and post-award contract administration. Anne is also the point of contact for StraCon’s Ethics and Compliance Program.
Ryan Morning
Vice President of Strategy and Partnerships
Ryan joined StraCon in October 2018 brings over 20 years of leadership, operational, technical, and acquisition related aviation experience to the team. He has flown over 2,700 mishap-free flight hours in 18 Type/Model/Series (T/M/S) aircraft and a possesses a unique combination of fixed and rotary-wing experience coupled with an intimate knowledge of the DoD acquisition life cycle, systems engineering, and program management. He is a school trained Aviation Safety Officer, Operational Risk Management Instructor, and Crew Resource Management Instructor and has served as Standardization/Instructor Pilot as well as a Director of Safety and Standardization. Outside of the cockpit, he has managed programs and projects with annual budgets in excess of $850M.
Ryan is a retired Marine Officer (Pilot/Acquisition Professional), a member of the Defense Acquisition Corps, and is DAWIA Level III certified in Program Management. Through the Scrum Alliance, he is a Certified Scrum Professional (CSP) and a Certified Scrum Master (CSM). Through the Project Management Institute (PMI), he is a Project Management Professional (PMP) and a PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP). Ryan holds BA degrees in Political Science and Economics from the University of Rochester, a Master of Business Administration from Boston University, a Master of Arts in Leadership Studies from Marshall University, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Systems Engineering from Naval Postgraduate School. He is a graduate of Marine Corps University Command and Staff College.
Ryan has supported NAVAIR Programs for the past nine years. He served as the Assistant Program Manager for Systems Engineering (APMSE) for Presidential Helicopters Program Office (PMA-274), the Program Manager for Electronic Flight Clearances (eFC) supporting NAVAIR Airworthiness and CYBERSAFE Directorate (AIR-4.0P), and as the Program Manager for Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) and Project Janus/Impact Next-Generation Open Mission Services (NOMS) for the Strike Planning and Execution Systems Program Office (PMA-281). He has successfully led software development efforts through CMMI Level III certification via Agile/Scrum methodologies. He currently serves as the Vice President of Strategy and Partnerships for StraCon.
Sharon Harp
Vice President of Proposals
Sharon Harp joined StraCon in 2021. She is a senior proposal professional with more than 25 years of experience in Federal contracting including proposal development, opportunity analysis, and technical editing/writing. Her proposal experience includes managing bids to U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, Department of War (DoW), General Services Administration (GSA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and others. Sharon currently serves as the Vice President of Proposals for StraCon and is responsible for proposal process management, pre-RFP planning, preparing outlines and compliance matrices, facilitating kickoff meetings and review teams, writing sections as required, and managing production efforts. Prior to joining StraCon, Sharon held proposal leadership positions at Zenetex, LLC and Imagine One Technology and Management, LLC. She has successfully worked with large and small businesses and has more than 15 years of experience working with small businesses to develop right-sized proposal processes to meet the needs of a growing business. Sharon holds a BA degree in English from the University of Georgia.
Pete Bruno
Vice President of AI Integration and Growth
Pete Bruno joined StraCon in 2025 and serves as the Vice President of AI Integration and Growth. Pete Bruno is a results-oriented executive and decorated U.S. Navy veteran with over 20 years of leadership experience in technical management, operations, and business development within the Federal contracting sector. As Vice President of AI Integration and Growth, Pete leads the strategic integration of Generative AI and ML capabilities to drive business transformation, streamline operational efficiency, and enhance executive decision-making for both the organization and government clients. He possesses deep expertise in leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs) to automate complex tasks and gain actionable market insights.
Throughout his career at firms including Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC), Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), and STI-TEC, Pete has consistently driven significant revenue growth, including a 10% year-over-year increase and the successful management of a $4.5 billion opportunity pipeline. His proven track record in capture strategy includes securing a $486 million contract with SOCOM J6 and an $18 million USCG Technical Data contract, while simultaneously improving proposal win rates by 20%. Pete is a skilled leader who has managed high-performing teams of up to 500 members across the defense and aerospace industries.
Before entering the private sector, Pete served 20 years as a Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy, where he managed the maintenance and operations of Lockheed P-3 aircraft and earned the Air Medal. He holds a B.S. in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Workforce Diversity Certificate from Northeastern Illinois University. Pete maintains an active Security Clearance.
Robert Smith
Vice President of Digital Engineering
Robert Smith serves as StraCon’s Vice President of Digital Engineering, leading the development and implementation of advanced analytics, digital transformation, and enterprise data integration solutions that enhance decision-making, operational readiness, and resource management across Naval Aviation. He is responsible for aligning technology investments, data strategies, and organizational transformation initiatives to accelerate mission outcomes and improve operational effectiveness.
With more than 30 years of leadership experience across the Department of War, Naval Aviation Enterprise, and industry, Robert has delivered strategic, operational, and technical solutions that support mission-critical programs and enterprise modernization efforts.
Prior to joining StraCon, he served as Director of Digital Solutions at Sierra Management & Technologies, where he led digital initiatives supporting the Joint Deficiency Reporting System (JDRS), Weapon System Planning Document automation, and Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Readiness & Fleet Analytics Division.
Before transitioning to industry, Robert held several senior leadership positions within NAWCAD and Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), including Branch Head, Department Head, Deputy for Research and Intelligence, Group Director for Research and Engineering, Business and Data Analytics, and Director of the Reliability Board’s Data Analytics Team. In these roles, he led multidisciplinary organizations, advanced enterprise modernization efforts, and developed innovative approaches to delivering capability to the fleet.
As the founding director of AIRWorks, NAVAIR’s innovation and rapid prototyping organization, Robert accelerated technology transition and helped deliver affordable solutions to warfighters. His expertise spans digital transformation, data analytics, systems engineering, acquisition management, strategic planning, and organizational modernization.
A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Robert holds a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy at the National Defense University. He holds practitioner certification in Engineering and Technical Management through the Warfighting Acquisition University and has completed PMT-401 Advanced Program Management.
Cereena Craig
Vice President of Human Resources
Cereena joined StraCon in 2015 and currently serves as Vice President of Human Resources. Cereena is responsible for directing all areas of Human Resources to include Talent Acquisition, Employee Engagement and Retention, Performance Management, Benefits and Compensation, Professional Training and Development, HR Information Systems, and HR Data and Analytics. As an integral part of StraCon’s leadership team, she provides strategic guidance and leadership by establishing a clear vision and direction for organizational development. Cereena holds a Bachelor of Science in Management and a Master of Science in Leadership and Management from Tarleton State University and maintains a Professional of Human Resources (PHR) certification.
Damian Bates
Vice President of Program Management
Damian currently serves as StraCon’s Vice President of Program Management. He has over 25 years of dedicated service and experience in support of the Department of War (DoW) and the defense contracting industry. Coming from a long history of family members who served in the military, he served as a United States Marine for over 20 years. Damian culminated a career in the Marine Corps having gained senior-level experience in building successful organizations, solving complex problems using creative solutions and following the disciplines of execution. He has worked with non-profit organizations across the country and has co-founded two non-profit organizations helping to communicate the needs and advance the well-being and vital social networks of the veteran community.
Damian is responsible for developing the strategy and leading the execution of StraCon’s internal and external communications to include social media, print, and online content design. He has a strong understanding of cultivating and managing relationships across a broad spectrum of fields and industries using communication best practices. He also uses his natural and learned leadership styles to successfully serve as a Senior Program Manager in the defense industry and is committed to talent development. His engaged and creative approach to management, outreach and organization consistently produces quality results and impactful change for those he serves.
Damian has a known reputation for building cohesive teams through servant-based leadership, stewardship, trust, and communication. He has managed a diverse portfolio to include major weapon systems and helicopter-based program offices within NAVAIR and strategic communication teams within NAVSEA and SURFPAC. Damian holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work with a focus on military veterans from the University of Southern California and a BA in Psychology from National University in San Diego.
Matt Wilcox
Director of Enterprise Operations and Readiness
Matt Wilcox serves as StraCon’s Director of Enterprise Operations and Readiness, driving initiatives that strengthen reliability, maintainability, and data‑driven decision‑making across the Naval Aviation Enterprise. He brings together people, processes, and analytics to improve transparency, reduce sustainment burden, and convert strategic readiness priorities into measurable outcomes for the Warfighter.
With nearly three decades of leadership experience in Naval Aviation, acquisition, and sustainment, Matt has led large‑scale aviation, logistics, and modernization efforts at both the operational and enterprise levels. His expertise includes lifecycle sustainment, reliability‑centered maintenance, program management, acquisition strategy, and readiness analytics.
Prior to joining StraCon, Matt served as Major Program Manager for Common Aviation Support Equipment at Naval Air Systems Command, or NAVAIR, where he led modernization and sustainment initiatives supporting hundreds of commands worldwide. He integrated AI‑enabled analytics to improve predictive maintenance, identify readiness degraders, and accelerate enterprise decision‑making in support of naval airborne weapons systems and support equipment.
Matt also served as Director of the Fleet Readiness Center Aviation Support Equipment and as Executive Director of Product Support Management Integration for NAVAIR Sustainment Group. In these roles, he advanced workforce development, infrastructure modernization, lifecycle logistics integration, and sustainment planning across program offices, warfare centers, and fleet readiness centers, strengthening the maintainability and repair capabilities essential to weapon system readiness.
A retired U.S. Navy Captain, Matt completed seven combat deployments and held aviation maintenance leadership roles at the organizational and intermediate levels, gaining firsthand operator insight into fleet readiness, safety, and sustainment. His career reflects a commitment to reliability, maintainability, and empowering Sailors and Marines at the point of need, priorities he continues to advance in industry.
Matt holds a Master of Arts in National Decision Making and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, a Master of Science in Aviation Safety, and a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Technology from the University of Central Missouri. He also completed advanced certifications in Program Management and Life Cycle Logistics through Warfighting Acquisition University and holds credentials in aviation industrial readiness and Lean Six Sigma.
Russ Bergeman
Director of Navy Operations, Orlando
Russ Bergeman joined StraCon in 2021 and serves as the Director of Navy Operations Orlando. Russ brings more than 30 years of military and civilian experience to the team. Russ was a Marine Corps CH-46E pilot with over 3,000 hours of flight time. During his time in the military, he attended and graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School with a degree in Defense Systems Analysis. After completing his graduate degree, Russ served in the Studies and Analysis Division of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command where he conducted and managed Marine Corps and Navy sponsored studies.
After 9/11, Russ returned to the operational Marine forces and completed two combat tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Russ is an organizational development expert and supported several programs within NAVAIR as a consultant. Russ recently sold a business he successfully grew from the ground up and has returned to supporting the Navy / Marine Corps team. Some of the government clients Russ has worked with include; Office of Personnel Management, Federal Executive Institute, Department of Transportation, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Labor and Naval Air Systems Command. Russ is a retired Lieutenant Colonel with 23 year of active military service.
Russ holds a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology and Aviation from Metropolitan State University of Denver, a Master of Science in Management from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma.
Charina Scoggins
Director of Finance
Charina joined the StraCon Team in February 2021 bringing 26 years of financial accounting experience to include international business finance, large inventory management, job costing and project account systems. Prior to joining StraCon, Charina was deployed for almost a decade serving the US military and our allies as a civilian contractor. She effectively organized and led teams handling all accounting and finance functions for a multi-billion-dollar program. She provided leadership and guidance to the site finance teams to ensure efficiencies in compliance with corporate, government contractual, and legal requirements while meeting program’s missions and initiatives. Her success operating on foreign soil is attributed to her understanding of different cultures and willingness to learn and transfer knowledge. The first contract she was a part of was INL (International Narcotics and Law Enforcement) that assisted different countries on planning, implementing, and oversees international narcotics and crime control programs of different countries. She then moved on to other US government contracts that were operating in the Middle East and Pacific Islands Region. Charina was an integral part of several business system integrations that led to cost reduction and increased competitive advantages. She also assisted with establishing an ecommerce for one of the premier suppliers of industrial tools in the Midwest. Charina is responsible for all direct supervision of all corporate finance functions. Charina holds a Bachelor of Science in Business degree and a Master of Business Administration degree from Louisiana State University.