Avascent's Stephen Ganyard and Christopher Meissner to Speak at the Twenty-Fourth U.S.-Japan Technology Forum at Vanderbilt University

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - May 8, 2013) - Stephen Ganyard and Christopher Meissner of Avascent will present on current trends in U.S.-Japan defense, aerospace and cyber cooperation. Mr. Ganyard, a Principle at Avascent and a leading voice on Japanese-American cooperation in Aerospace and Defense will speak on a panel covering implications of current and future cooperation for industry. "Recent Japanese policy changes have opened up unprecedented global opportunities for Japan's aerospace and defense companies. Finding the right paths, with the right partners, to the right markets will be critical," Ganyard commented.

Mr. Meissner's panel will discuss common cyber security threats that both countries face and seek to combat collaboratively. This year's conference will pay renewed attention to the area of cyber security, emerging area of concern for Japanese and American defense leaders. Mr. Meissner notes, "Japanese-American cooperation is crucial in the cyberspace domain given the deep interdependencies of our highly networked economies and the commonality of cyber adversaries. These two highly developed allies have much to learn from each other and much to gain from cooperation."

The conference will take place on May 14-15 at Vanderbilt University's Institute for Public Policy Studies in Nashville, TN. For more information about this event, visit https://my.vanderbilt.edu/usjc/

Stephen Ganyard directs international market strategy development and execution, political strategy and risk management, as well as business development and capture support for Avascent's clients. His primary focus is on Asian markets. He previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs where he was responsible for a budget of more than $5 billion related to global political-military programs, strategic political-military planning, and cross-cutting political-military policy issues. A former U.S. Marine Corps fighter pilot, Ganyard is a graduate of Northwestern University and the Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).

Christopher Meissner is an Associate at Avascent specializing in growth strategies for technology companies operating in government driven markets. Chris has deep expertise in a range of high technology markets, including: cyber, intelligence and classified markets, data analytics, cloud computing, data center consolidation, border security and related defense and homeland security markets. In over 75 projects with Avascent, Chris has advised systems integrators, technology companies and their financial sponsors on identifying and capturing opportunity in these highly distinct markets. Chris' work played a key role in developing the growth strategies of over a dozen leading cyber providers in the federal market. Chris is a graduate of Georgetown's Walsh School of Foreign Service and The George Washington University (summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa). 

ABOUT AVASCENT
Avascent (www.avascent.com) is the leading strategy and management consulting firm serving clients operating in government-driven markets. Working with corporate leaders and financial investors, Avascent delivers sophisticated, fact-based solutions in the areas of strategic growth, value capture, and mergers and acquisition support. With deep sector expertise, analytically rigorous consulting methodologies, and a uniquely flexible service model, Avascent provides clients with the insights and advice they need to succeed in dynamic customer environments.