About the Alliance

Established in 2011, the Central New York Defense Alliance is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit organization dedicated to protecting and expanding the region’s federal and defense assets: FRL Information Directorate (AFRL/RI), Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), Eastern Air Defense Sector (EADS) and the FAA Designated Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Test Site. Representing a range of local members and regional stakeholders, the Alliance advocates for forward-looking policies in Washington and Albany to strengthen Central New York’s high-tech ecosystem, attract strategic investments, and drive workforce development.

Mr. Nick Stewart is the Executive Director and Secretary of the organization.

The CNY Defense Alliance Board of Directors includes representatives from industry and academia. The Board of Directors are:

  • Ms. Cheryl Haritatos – Chairperson [Former Director of Operations, BAE Sys]
  • Dr. William Jemison – Vice Chairperson [Clarkson University’s Vice Provost for Research while also serving as the Professor and Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering Department.]
  • Mr. Mark Pfisterer – Treasurer [Former CEO, AmeriCU Credit Union]
  • Mr. Evan DeGennaro [Engineer, Lockheed Martin RMS]
  • Dr. Donald Hanson [Former AFRL/RI Director]

Director Emeritus:

  • Mr. John Graniero [Former AFRL/RI Chief Scientist, Director of the AFRL Information Institute, Board Chair of the NYS Cyber Research Institute]
  • Mr. John Zogby [Zogby Analytics]

Events Committee: supports events of interest to the membership and the community, including “lunch and learns,” conferences, workshops/seminars and meetings with our representatives in Albany and Washington D.C.

Marketing Team: promotes the CNY region’s federal assets, AFRL/RI, DFAS, EADS and the UAS Test Site, and the high tech eco-system they enable.

Membership Committee: brings new members to the CNY Defense Alliance to assure we reach out to and engage every organizations whose growth directly or indirectly depends on AFRL/RI, DFAS, EADS, and the UAS Test Site.