Ukraine and Innovation at the Edge

Ross Guieb is the Executive Director for the George H.W. Bush Combat Development Complex at the Texas A&M University System RELLIS Campus in Bryan, Texas. He is a husband, Aggie Dad, and a “Soldier for Life.” As Executive Director, Ross is responsible for strategic partnerships and business development for a unique ecosystem of state-of-the-art facilities, researchers, staff and faculty, organized and focused to accelerate priority Department of Defense technologies from the lab to the field. This includes developing relationships across DoD, academia, and the defense industrial base. BCDC represents a more than $300M combined investment from the Texas A&M University System, State of Texas, and Army Futures Command. A decorated combat Veteran, Ross retired in 2020 as a Colonel with 29 years of service in the U.S. Army. As a senior staff executive, Ross played an instrumental role in the development of Army Futures Command and the reorganization of the Army’s modernization enterprise and brings to the Texas A&M University System tremendous insight on how to best support national security research priorities. Ross holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of California, a Master of Arts in Business and Organizational Security Management from Websters University, a Master of Science in Adult Education from Kansas State University, and a Master of Science in National Security Policy and Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School at the National War College. He is also a graduate of the FBI Academy and received professional certification from the University of St Andrews (Scotland) Centre for the Study of Terrorism. Ross was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (x3), and Bronze Star (x3). He was also awarded the Key to the City of London. Ross is married to Kathleen a lifelong public educator and is the proud father of three sons. Ross’ twin sons are recent graduates of Texas A&M University and are serving as 2nd Lieutenants in the US Army. Ross’ oldest son is a proud graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles.

Major General Duane R. Miller currently serves as the Deputy Commanding General of the Security Assistance Group–Ukraine (SAG-U), where he is responsible for overseeing U.S. and allied efforts to provide military equipment, training, and operational support to Ukraine. In this role, he facilitates the integration of cutting-edge defense technologies, coordinates international industry partnerships, and ensures lessons learned from Ukraine’s battlefield are applied to strengthen U.S. and allied force readiness. Previously, General Miller served as the 19th Provost Marshal General of the U.S. Army and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, where he led global law enforcement, criminal investigation, and security operations. Across his career, he has commanded at every level, deployed extensively, and held key leadership positions in both operational and institutional Army organizations. General Miller is passionate about accelerating innovation through co-production and collaboration between defense industries and allied nations. He has engaged with U.S. startups, international firms, and Ukrainian defense companies, emphasizing the importance of providing soldiers with battle-tested capabilities before they face combat for the first time. His perspective combines operational experience with a commitment to fostering new industrial partnerships that directly impact the battlefield. He holds advanced degrees in Business and strategic studies, and his awards and decorations reflect almost four decades of distinguished service.