DaytonDefense June Luncheon
Fireside Chat with Col. Marcus Starks and Col. Kenneth Stremmel
Moderated by Lt. Gen. (Retired) John F. "JT" Thompson
Colonel Marcus D. Starks is the Commander for the National Space Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH. The National Space Intelligence Center (NSIC) delivers foundational scientific and technical space intelligence empowering national leaders, joint force warfighters, and acquisition professionals to dominate in the space domain. The focus of the organization is evaluating capabilities, performance, limitations, and vulnerabilities of foreign space and counter-space systems.
Col Starks was commissioned through the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. He is a career Intelligence Officer with numerous staff and operational assignments supporting airborne, afloat, and expeditionary Naval units. Recent milestone and leadership assignments include Officer in Charge of the Maritime Liaison Unit, Latin America in Miami, FL and Officer in Charge of the Naval Information Forces Reserve Region, Mid Atlantic in Norfolk, VA. Colonel Starks also served as the Director of Intelligence, CARRIER STRIKE GROUP TEN in Norfolk, VA and the Director of Intelligence and Information Operations, for Navy Expeditionary Combat Command in Little Creek, VA. Col Starks’ final assignment in the Navy was the Director of Intelligence and Information Operations, at Commander Navy Reserve Forces Command in Norfolk, VA. Prior to his current assignment, Col Starks served as the Chief of Staff for Intelligence (SF/S2), Headquarters U.S. Space Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia.
Col. Kenneth A. Stremmel is the Commander, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He commands the U.S. Air Force’s sole service intelligence center, comprised of four operational groups, five directorates, 17 squadrons, and nearly 3,800 military, civilians, and contractors globally. He executes a $747 million operational budget and oversees a $1.8 billion center responsible for producing scientific and technical intelligence to inform policymakers, acquisition programs, and operational warfighters.
Col. Stremmel received his commission in 2000 from the United States Air Force Academy. A career intelligence officer, he commanded at the group and squadron levels, served as the Deputy Director of the White House Situation Room, and was a distinguished graduate and instructor at the United States Air Force Weapons School. Col. Stremmel deployed during initial phases of both Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn and Unified Protector.
Prior to his current position, Col. Stremmel was the Director of Intelligence, Ninth Air Force, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.
June 25, 2026
Doors open at 11:00am
Lunch Served at 11:30am
Speaker Remarks from 12:00-1:00pm
IMPORTANT: This event is closed to the media.
Thank you to our 2026 DaytonDefense Sponsors!
