Reviews

Dr. Brian Kent currently serves as a Senior Advisor to the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) for the Defense Innovation OnRamp HUBs, a pioneering initiative aimed at addressing national security challenges through innovative solutions. This network fosters collaboration among defense, academic, and entrepreneurs, enabling agile responses to evolving national security needs.

Prior to his current role, Dr. Kent held significant leadership positions at Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), where he managed the Global Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and Science & Technology (S&T) Directorate. In this capacity, he supported global operations for four of the geographical commands and USSOCOM while actively engaging with research institutions and emerging technology companies.  While a Transition Program Manager at the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA), Dr Kent initiated seven capabilities for transition to USSOCOM and JSOC for immediate use on the battlefield.  These integrations included synthetic radar, social media exploitation tools, cyber tools and persistent overhead surveillance systems.  

While supporting three different Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) programs, he was essential in evaluating and testing emerging technologies while documenting the policy, accreditation and certification challenges new capabilities bring into the military arsenal.  These programs included digital situational awareness of disparate units with combat operations, technical enhancement to tracking and monitoring Human Intelligence (HUMINT) operations and working with Low Probability of Intersect/Detect (LPI/D) radio wave for their capabilities along with international policy and frequency deconfliction.

As a Government Acquisition Officer, he was pivotal in the 117F Radio advancement to place data on the battlefield.  This enhancement allows tactical radios to connect to data devices in tactical situations increasing the knowledge of the leaders on the ground for rapid decision making.  As the first USSOCOM Program Manager for the Remote Optical Enhanced Video Receiver (ROVER), this allowed delivery of video to the soldier’s rucksack from overhead moving platforms.  This capability allowed overhead support to accelerate the time to close on a target or provide immediate support to under one minute from previous delays of 12 to 15 minutes. These programs have resulted in fielding across the DoD in all branches.

Dr. Kent is a distinguished global leader and senior advisor specializing in both international and domestic operations. With over three decades of experience, he has built a robust career as a Senior Advisor and Leader collaborating with DoD, DHS, DoS, and the IC to enhance partner capacity and develop integration strategies to speed and streamline operations. His expertise spans key areas such as technology transfer and commercialization, entrepreneurship, and advanced technologies, reflecting his comprehensive involvement in DoD Acquisition, ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), Data Analytics, Biometrics, and Logistics.

Dr. Kent’s educational credentials include a Master’s Degree in Management Technology from Murray State University and a PhD in Business from Trident University, where his research focused on Technology Acceptance. He is committed to lifelong learning, having completed professional development courses at Harvard in Financial Technology (FINTECH), Innovation and Strategy, and Corporate Restructuring, Mergers, and Acquisitions.  He also holds ISO 9001 Lead Auditor certifications and DAU Certified Acquisition Professional.

LesaMarie Silva is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Serilda LLC, a defense-focused technology firm committed to delivering mission-critical innovations to the U.S. government and national security sectors. With over a decade of experience supporting the U.S. Navy, DARPA, the Office of Naval Research (ONR), and other key defense institutions, she has built a distinguished career leading complex engineering programs, managing enterprise risk, and guiding multidisciplinary teams in delivering secure and scalable technology solutions.

‍

Throughout her career, LesaMarie has specialized in systems engineering, data analytics, and defense program management, leveraging her expertise to oversee technical execution, lifecycle optimization, and programmatic alignment across high-priority initiatives. She has provided change oversight and lifecycle systems engineering support for major naval programs, including IWS10 and CVN 79/80/81, contributing to the modernization of critical maritime platforms and infrastructure.

‍

Her foundation in embedded operational support aboard naval vessels uniquely positions her to develop solutions grounded in tactical realities and end-user requirements. Her work integrates agile methodologies, cybersecurity best practices, and advanced data-driven strategies to enhance readiness and decision-making across joint domains.

‍

Since founding Serilda LLC in 2021—named after the Germanic word meaning “Armored Battle Maiden”—LesaMarie has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to resilience, precision, and excellence in defense contracting. Under her direction, Serilda continues to support innovation pipelines, digital transformation efforts, and strategic modernization initiatives across the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and other federal agencies.

‍

LesaMarie holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Stratford University and has pursued additional education in systems thinking, strategic execution, and governance. Her fluency in English, Spanish, and Tagalog enhances her ability to lead diverse teams and foster an inclusive, high-performance organizational culture. This multilingual capability also enables global collaboration, positioning Serilda LLC as an adaptable and forward-thinking enterprise. With an unwavering focus on cybersecurity, cost-efficiency, and mission readiness, LesaMarie continues to lead Serilda LLC in delivering cutting-edge solutions that redefine industry standards and elevate national security capabilities.