NATO’s Devin Pepper to Keynote 2025 GovCon International Summit
The Potomac Officers Club is elated to announce Maj. Gen. Devin Pepper, NATO deputy chief of staff for strategic plans and policy, as a keynote speaker for the 2025 GovCon International Summit. The October 16 GovCon event will bring together accomplished aerospace, defense and technology professionals to discuss the latest in global defense and collaboration. Secure your seat today for this prestigious GovCon conference specifically curated for international technology professionals!
In his capacity, Maj. Gen. Pepper is instrumental in formulating strategic planning, policy development and NATO’s participation in defense planning processes across the alliance. He blends deep operational experience in space systems with strategic leadership within NATO and joint defense organizations.
Let’s dive into Maj. Gen. Pepper’s background and experience
Who Is Devin Pepper?
For GovCons, understanding Maj. Gen. Pepper’s approach to capability needs, alliance interoperability and long-term policy planning can unlock opportunities to align solutions with emerging defense priorities—both within the U.S. and among international allies.
After more than three decades of service—including roles in the U.S. Air Force and a transfer to the Space Force in 2021—he rose to his current rank of major general in June 2024.
Some of Maj. Gen. Pepper’s key career milestones:
- Air Force Element Operations Squadron, Royal Air Force Menwith Hill [UK]
- Deputy commander / commander, 21st Operations Group
- Commander, 460th Space Wing
- Commander, Buckley Garrison
- Previously served as deputy director of strategy, plans and policy (DJ5) at U.S. Space Command
He’s worked in high-level policy and strategic capacities across major commands, including U.S. Strategic Command, U.S. Space Command, Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Combat Command and more. He also served in the Pentagon, including stints with the Office of the Deputy Secretary of Defense and the secretary of the Air Force.
What Might Pepper Discuss in His Keynote?
Maj. Gen. Pepper is highly relevant internationally because his current and past roles connect U.S. spacepower with global security frameworks. A few topics he may discuss include:
- NATO’s first commercial space strategy. NATO is developing a commercial space strategy to increase protection of commercial partners against threats.
- Better commercial and international partnerships. Pepper advocates for closer partnerships between NATO and the commercial space sector—satellite operators, launch providers, and space data firms—making his work directly relevant to international defense contractors.
- Spacepower as an allied domain. Space is now a recognized operational domain for NATO; alongside land, sea, air and cyber. Pepper’s long background in space operations and missile warning systems positions him as a leading voice in aligning U.S. Space Force priorities with allied needs.
For more on international space matters, the 2025 GovCon International Summit will also host a fascinating “Partner to Win: Designing Secure, Interoperable IT for Coalition Space Operations” panel discussion. This will feature Stacie Williams, the Space Force’s chief science officer.
What Has Pepper Been Up to Lately?
Maj. Gen. Pepper is a newsmaker with significant influence in the Pentagon. Here are some important stories he’s been involved in lately.
- Crafting NATO’s commercial space blueprint. Pepper wants to ensure NATO best leverages technologies developed by commercial firms, including Maxar’s commercial space imagery and SpaceX’s Starlink, to increase the alliance’s resiliency, according to Defense One.
- Organizing new Space Force “combat squadrons.” Senior Space Force leaders believe a shift to combat squadrons to provide forces to U.S. combatant commands will bolster readiness and day-to-day operations, Breaking Defense reported.
- Transition to space-based moving target indication. The Space Force, along with the National Reconnaissance Office, is moving toward allowing moving target indication capabilities to space-based assets instead of just aircraft, according to Air and Space Forces Magazine.
Don’t miss your chance to hear directly from Maj. Gen. Pepper at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 GovCon International Summit on October 16! Take advantage of having the general answer your questions during a Q&A session following his keynote. Register today to secure new GovCon business opportunities!
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