Requirements for Readiness

Army Applications Laboratory Executive Director Dr. Casey Perley leads Army Futures Command's mission to put the world’s best technology in the hands of Soldiers and help the Army learn to ingest commercial innovation. Dr. Perley’s unique blend of expertise includes a background in molecular genetics and microbiology, a PhD from Duke University and BS from Yale University, and a postdoctoral fellowship at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, where she researched some of the most dangerous viruses and designed DNA vaccines. Dr. Perley is a talented harpist, featured on over 120 recordings, including one Grammy-nominated album.

Col Aneel "Cramden" Alvares is AFWERX’s Military Deputy Director. His background includes experience as a B-1 pilot, terminal attack controller, and operational test and evaluation leader, with service in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In his current role, he leads AFWERX’s squadron-sized military contingent, while also, while also building and executing a strategy to focus AFWERX’s $1.5 billion SBIR budget on the Department of the Air Force’s highest priority needs.

Colonel Christopher Chase serves as a Marine Corps Liaison Officer to Army Futures Command in Austin, TX. This assignment entails foraging and building greater ties in science and technology between the Marine Corps and Army Futures Command, and larger innovation community. Colonel Chase exercises authority and direction to identify and pursue technology capabilities and advancements that will support the Marine Corps's innovation efforts. He parent organizations are Marine Innovation Command and Marine Corps Warfighting Lab. These two commands are dedicated to pursuing operating concepts and capabilities and provides analytically-supported recommendations to inform subsequent modernization efforts and development activities. Colonel Chase's 25+ professional career includes serving in Senior Leadership positions throughout the Dept of Defense in active duty, reserve, and civilian roles. He has spent a majority of his career in Intelligence assignments, with additional job specializations in logistics and Foreign Security Advisor. As a civilian, Colonel Chase worked for various government agencies in the National Capital Region in federal service.

Clay Duarte works for FedTech where he serves as the Austin Tech Hub Director for NavalX. In this role he conducts outreach and collaboration with members of the Austin and greater Texas defense innovation ecosystem – startups and other businesses (commercial and DoD-related), academia, investment communities, and research institutions - to identify cutting edge solutions that address Navy operational and sustainment needs. Previously, Clay has served as a U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer and also provided support as a contractor to the Navy Staff (OPNAV N81), OSD R&E (the Strategic Intelligence and Analysis Cell), and OSD A&S (Industry and International Engagement). He has also worked in the wine industry and as a ranch hand of rather dubious utility and competence.