General Atomics Supplier Day 2024 Panel

When: Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Where: Virtual

Supplier Day 2024 will feature GA informational videos, a leadership panel discussion, informative guest speaker presentations, and nine engaging breakout sessions covering various topics. Supplier Day offers a unique and exciting opportunity to network with our Suppliers and share the exciting developments at GA that they have been and could be a part of. Supplier Day is open to all Suppliers.

Will Cannon, Director of Business Operations

Will Cannon

Director of Business Operations
General Atomics' Contracts, Procurement and Proposals Management organizations

Will Cannon is the Director of Business Operations for General Atomics' Contracts, Procurement and Proposals Management organizations. Mr. Cannon is a dynamic professional with over 20 years of experience in Aerospace and Defense, with a particular focus on organization leadership and development, including pro-active compliance, innovative contracting and data driven decision making to support program outcomes. Mr. Cannon has been with GA since 2016 and has overseen the implementation of best-in-class compliance metrics and related procurement processes, and an overall upskilling of the organization's workforce. Under Mr. Cannon's guidance, GA has maintained a robust, approved Purchasing System even in the face of significant growth and technological adaptations.

Mr. Cannon previously held the role of Senior Manager Purchasing Compliance; and before joining GA he worked for Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems where he gained has extensive experience with government regulations, Contractor Purchasing System Reviews, Property Business System Reviews and Key Performance Indicator (KPI) management.

Mr. Cannon serves on Board of Advisors for the Center for Advanced Procurement Strategy (CAPS) and on the National Contract Management Association's (NCMA) Professional Development and Certification national committee.

Mr. Cannon holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism from Southern Methodist University (SMU) and a master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) concentrated on Strategic Leadership from the University of Dallas (UD). He holds a Graduate Certificate from UD in International Business, and a graduate certificate in Contracts Management from San Diego State University (SDSU), and is a Certified Subcontract Manager (CScM).

Connie Kama, Director of Purchasing, GA-EMS

Connie Kama

Director of Purchasing
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems Group

Ms. Kama has been with GA for 4 years. She is the Director of Purchasing with oversight over the Electromagnetic Systems Group's purchasing department.

Ms. Kama started her career by serving honorably in the United States Army in the Adjutant General Corps. During her 35+ career she has held positions such as Director of Contracts & Purchasing, Director of Subcontracts & Purchasing, Sr. Manager of Engineering & Technical Services, and Small Business Liaison Officer while working within the Environmental, Public Utilities, and Aerospace & Defense industries. Ms. Kama holds Master of Science in Supply Chain Management from the University of San Diego, a Master's Certificate in Supply Chain Management from the University of San Diego, and a Certificate in Purchasing and Materials Management from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Trinity Castro

Trinity Castro

Director of Procurement and Subcontracts
General Atomics' Contracts, Procurement and Proposals Management organizations

Mr. Castro has been at General Atomics (GA) for 16 years in various roles within the Contracts & Procurement Department, while also leading supplier activities such as the development and launch of General Atomics' Supplier Performance Program .

Mr. Castro earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Business Administration with a focus in Management from San Diego State University and started his career by serving honorably in the Marine Corps in Aviation Supply Chain & Logistics.

Jose Alatorre, Sr. Quality Manager of Supplier Quality, GA

Jose Alatorre

Sr. Quality Manager of Supplier Quality
General Atomics Quality Assurance

Jose Alatorre is a Senior Quality Manager of Supplier Quality for General Atomics Quality Assurance organization. Mr. Alatorre is a dynamic professional with over 30 years of experience in High Tech and Defense Industries, with a particular focus on supplier development and qualification and supplier performance management. Mr. Alatorre has been a member of the GA QA team since 2019 and has implemented and Supplier Quality Engineering team that ensure that GA"s Supply Chain produces and delivers defect free products.

Contact SupplierEngagement@ga.com for more information.