Peter Cappiello -

Chief Executive Officer, Future Technologies Venture LLC

Peter Cappiello is the CEO of Future Technologies Venture, LLC, a leading systems integrator with more than 20+ years of experience connecting and securing mission-critical industrial infrastructure. Having designed, implemented, and supported networks in some of the most challenging Manufacturing, Energy, Transportation, Utility, and Government environments, Peter brings a pragmatic, process-driven perspective to navigating today’s overwhelming mix of connectivity options—5G, Wi-Fi, fixed wireless, fiber, satellite, and legacy systems. He understands how a “one-size-fits-all” approach, over-engineering, or “good enough” decisions can quietly undermine reliability, security, and ROI. Peter’s Living Lab–based engagement model helps customers quickly see where their current path may be sub-optimal and how right-sized architectures can safely and efficiently support modernization initiatives such as automation, robotics, AI, and edge computing. Known as a collaborative, business-first problem solver, Peter has guided hundreds of customers toward secure, scalable networks that genuinely match their operational realities. A brief conversation with Peter often surfaces risks—and opportunities—leaders didn’t realize were shaping their future.

Richard Johanning -

Vice President of Government Solutions, Future Technologies Venture LLC

Marlan Macklin -

Deputy Director for the FutureG Office, Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Science and Technology (OASW(S&T))

Mr. Marlan Macklin is the Deputy Principal Director for FutureG within the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (OUSW(R&E)). The FutureG Office guides U.S. Department of War (DoW) research, funding, and execution of programs that develop capabilities leveraging 5G and future generation wireless technologies. In his current position, Mr. Macklin is responsible for ensuring the office’s strategic alignment, providing program execution oversight, and overseeing budget execution. Prior to joining OUSW(R&E), Mr. Macklin served in the U.S. Mission to NATO as Chief of the Communications & Electronics Division and Deputy to the Director for Armaments, Communications & Electronics. The directorate provided technical and political-military advice to the U.S. Ambassador to NATO, the Secretary of Defense Representative in Europe, and DoW leadership for equities including acquisition, C3, innovation, and emerging technologies. Mr. Macklin served as a Country Programs Manager in the International Cooperation Directorate of the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSW(A&S)) and former Office of the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics. He worked closely with DoW, interagency, defense industry, and foreign governments to advance complex cooperative acquisition programs, negotiate international research and development agreements, and address Congressional reporting requirements for activities with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific and Middle East. During the pandemic, Mr. Macklin served as the OUSW(A&S) representative on the Secretary of Defense’s COVID-19 Task Force supporting DoW’s contributions to domestic and international COVID-19 response activities. During his time in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Defense Exports & Cooperation, Mr. Macklin oversaw and advised on international security cooperation activities including Foreign Military Sales, security assistance policy, armaments cooperation, and defense technology transfers. Throughout his career, he held positions in other U.S. Army acquisition organizations including the Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications-Tactical; the Communications-Electronics Command Life Cycle Management Command; and the Army Materiel Command.