James Kirby is the Founder and CEO of Saxa Innovation. His work focuses on dual-use technology, homeland security, and expanding access to DoD and civilian agency programs. He advises American manufacturers and emerging technology companies scaling through SBIR/STTR and broader SLED market entry, aligning technical capabilities with public-sector demand.

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James specializes in structuring government engagement strategies that connect innovation to national security priorities, including partnerships with state economic development offices, validation pilots, and long-term ecosystem development. A core component of his practice is federal appropriations strategy, where he works across House and Senate committees to advance defense and civilian funding requests.

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James serves as Sr. Advisor to the Alliance for Commercial Technology in Government, supporting policy efforts including SBIR/STTR reauthorization. He previously led government affairs at LG NOVA and spent over a decade at the U.S. Conference of Mayors advancing federal initiatives tied to major legislation such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, and the American Rescue Plan Act. He has also spent over a decade advocating on behalf of the American Fire Services Industry. He holds an MBA from Georgetown University and a BA from the University of California, Merced.

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The Honorable Dennis A. Cardoza serves as Sr. Advisor for Government Affairs & Economic Development at Saxa Innovation. He is Founder & CEO of Dennis Cardoza Consulting Services LLC, Managing Partner at Ainsley Health, and a Board Member at Cerevia Neurosciences. Most recently, he served as Co-Chair of the Federal Public Affairs Practice and Chair of the California Public Affairs Practice at Foley & Lardner LLP. Dennis was named as one of Washington’s “Top Lobbyist” by The Hill News for the last 4 years.

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Dennis advises clients on legislative, regulatory, and public policy strategy across water, banking, housing, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, education, foreign affairs, and health care.

Dennis served five terms in the U.S. House of Representatives in California’s 18th District, where he was a senior member of Democratic leadership. His committee service included the House Rules Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee, Natural Resources Committee,and Agriculture Committee, where he chaired the Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture. He also served as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry. He played a direct role in shaping the Affordable Care Act and advancing the establishment of the University of California, Merced.

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During his time in Congress, Dennis Co-Chaired the Blue Dog Coalition, leading efforts on fiscal discipline and accountability. He also advanced housing policy in response to the mortgage crisis, including authoring a modified Housing Opportunity & Mortgage Equity Act and establishing a congressional task force on housing stabilization.

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Prior to his time in Congress, Dennis served six years in the California State Assembly, where he chaired the Rules Committee and co-founded the Moderate Democratic Caucus. He also served as a City Council Member in both Merced and Atwater, California.

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Dr. Trevor Albertson serves as a Trustee of Norwich University, America’s oldest military college, and as a Trustee of the University of California, Merced, Foundation. Trevor has served in several key roles: as the President and Superintendent of Lassen College and Lassen College District in California; was a senior gubernatorial appointee as the Deputy Secretary for Veterans Services at the California Department of Veterans Affairs; and was the Vice Chancellor for Educational Support Services at the Yosemite Multi-College District, where heserved as the Chief Academic Officer, Chief Information Officer, and ChiefHuman Resources Officer.

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Trevor spent two years as Congressional staffer for a Member of the House of Representatives. Trevor also served his country in uniform and is an honorably discharged U.S. Air Force Intelligence Officer. Trevor earned his Ph.D. in Political-Diplomatic History from the University of California, Merced, and taught in the Departmentof Political Science at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as an active-duty officer.

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Additionally, Trevor was a civilian Assistant Professor and Course Director at the Department of Defense’s Air Command and Staff College. Trevor’s other accolades include his selection as the University of California Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation (IGCC) Dissertation Fellow in Foreign Policy Studies, receipt of a Hildebrand Fellowship, and is a graduate of the IGCC Public Policy and Nuclear Threats program.

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Trevor is the author of multiplescholarly publications, including the acclaimed book, Winning Armageddon:Curtis LeMay and Strategic Air Command, 1948- 1957, and is the final stages ofcompleting his second book, Arson: Diplomats, Officers, and the Great Burningof Japan, 1944-1945.

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John Bryant serves as Sr. Advisor for Defense, leading Saxa Innovation’s federal acquisition strategy and advisory services. Mr. Bryant is an accomplished senior executive and consultant with extensive expertise in defense contracting, federal budgeting, growth strategy, operations, and corporate financial analysis. Hecurrently advises clients on strategic initiatives across the defense sector.

In November 2022, Bryant retired as president of Oshkosh Defense, a $2B U.S. defense company. Serving in this position since 2016, Bryant led the company’s expansion into new markets including combat vehicles and United States Postal service deliveryvehicles. He also led the successful acquisition of Pratt Miller LLC. Prior to this, Mr. Bryant served as the Sr. VP of Defense Programs for Oshkosh Defense. He joined Oshkosh Defense in 2010 as Vice President and General Manager of Marine Corps programs.

Before his corporate career, Mr. Bryant was a professor of program management at the Defense Acquisition University (DAU), following a 28-year career in the United States Marine Corps. Before retiring as a Colonel, he served as a Program Manager overseeing major U.S. and Foreign Military Sales acquisition programs, including Tank Systems, Light Armored Vehicles, and the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle, and as a Tank Officer in leadership roles ranging from Platoon Commander to Battalion Commander.

Mr. Bryant holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Marquette University and is certified at Level III certification in program management.

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Lee Morris serves as Sr. Advisor for Federal Advocacy and Homeland Security at Saxa Innovation, bringing more than three decades of experience at the highest levels of Congress, the Executive Branch, and corporate government affairs.

Priorto his role with Saxa Innovation Lee served for 14 years as Director and Sr. Director of Government Operations for Oshkosh Corporation, where he led all legislative andregulatory strategy for the Fire & Emergency, Access, and Commercial business units. He managed engagement with Congress and all federal agencies related to Oshkosh’s portfolio. He also served in key leadership roles acrossmajor industry associations, including the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers Association and the Congressional Fire Services Institute’s National Advisory Board.

Lee served as Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), where he was the principal advisor to the Secretary on all congressional matters. He was the Department’s senior official for communication with 86 congressional committees and subcommittees. He managed a staff of 48 and oversaw all component legislative affairs offices within DHS. During his tenure, he was the Department’s lead communicator to Congress through major national emergencies, including the 2008 hurricanes Ike and Gustav, 2008 wildfires, and the 2008 Midwest floods. Lee played a central role in advancing major homeland security legislation such as the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act and comprehensive immigration reform.

Leespent over a decade in the United States Senate serving Senator Don Nickles inprogressively senior policy roles, ultimately becoming his Legislative Director. He also worked as a federal liaison for the National Rifle Association. Lee began his public service in the United States Army, where he provided security for Pershing II nuclear assetsin Europe. Lee holds a B.A. in Literature from American University.

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Mark Meservey is Sr. Advisor for Federal Advocacy & Defense at Saxa Innovation, where he supports the firm's defense appropriations and federal advocacy strategy. In this role, he helps clients build strategic relationships with congressional members and policy staff, navigate the federal budget, secure appropriations, and alignwith Department of Defense priorities.

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Mark previously served as VP of Government Operations for Oshkosh Defense, where he directed the company’s engagement with Congress and the federal government on tactical wheeled vehicles and other major defense programs. He joined Oshkosh Corporation in 2011 as Director of Government Operations and retired from the company after more than a decade of distinguished service.

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A former U.S. Army captain and retired U.S. Coast Guard captain, Mark brings over 25 years of combined domestic and international military experience to his advisory work, including serving as the Coast Guard’s chief liaison to the U.S. House of Representatives. His career spans the Departments of Defense, Transportation, and Homeland Security, giving him a deep understanding of interagency operations, policydevelopment, and federal budget processes.

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Mark holds a master’s degree inpublic administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University and abachelor’s degree from Norwich University.

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