Sector Spotlights events feature industry leaders who will share the latest in innovation and collaboration, while providing partnership opportunities through in-person connections.
Defense technology is the research, development, and application of advanced tools, systems, and innovations – advanced materials, AI, cybersecurity, drones, and robotics – used by armed forces and national security agencies for everything from combat gear and weapons to command systems, surveillance, and intelligence. Many innovations start in defense but have commercial applications, and vice versa (e.g., GPS, internet, and thermal imaging).
Networking
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
4:00 – 6:00 PM
(Optional tour begins at 2:30 PM – see below)
Mason’s Brewing Company
15 Hardy Street, Brewer, ME 04412
Enjoy bites and beverages, network with fellow business professionals, and gain valuable insights into innovations and opportunities in Maine’s defense tech sector.
MITC members $10 / Non-members $25
Hors d’oeuvres and cash bar
Tour UMaine's Advanced Manufacturing Center
2:30 – 3:30 PM
Join us for an insider’s tour of UMaine’s Advanced Manufacturing Center including the BOT Loft (B.O.T. = Build, Optimize, Train) on the Orono campus. Within this facility, individuals can earn Factory Authorized Training on multiple brands of robotics and machine tools, earn micro credentials, and receive training.
SPONSORED BY
Lunch & Learn
Thursday, February 10, 2026
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
(Optional tour begins at 1:30 PM)
The Roux Institute at Northeastern University
100 Fore Street, Portland, ME 04101
Event Schedule
11:30 – Networking
12:00 – Program Presentation
Maine’s Expanding Role in Global Defense and Maritime Innovation
12:45 – Q&A
1:00 – Networking
1:30 – Tour of The Roux Institute at Northeastern University (optional)
Members-only event / No cost to attend
Lunch provided
Maine is at the center of a rapidly evolving defense and maritime ecosystem where traditional shipbuilding meets cutting-edge technologies like robotics, composites, energy systems, and advanced manufacturing. With over 19,000 Mainers employed in defense and billions in projected investments over the next decade, opportunities are growing across land, sea, air, and even space.
Beyond shipbuilding, Maine’s industry supports land and air forces, while research hubs like UMaine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center (3D-printed Navy prototypes) and The Roux Institute (national security tech incubator launching in 2026) drive innovation and organizations such as Maine Space Corporation, Maine Defense Industry Alliance, and the Manufacturing Association of Maine are building a regional defense and tech cluster for New England.
Why attend?
- Learn how Maine companies and institutions are shaping the future of defense
- Explore global partnerships and investment trends
- Discover workforce and technology opportunities in a sector poised for growth
Lunch & Learn Featured Speakers
Angela Gillespie, Chief Operating Officer, Howell Laboratories ,Inc.
Angela Gillespie serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Howell Laboratories, Inc. (HLI), a 100% employee-owned company with a 60-year legacy of manufacturing excellence for the U.S. Navy. Over her 23-year tenure at HLI, Angela has built a comprehensive understanding of the business from the ground up, beginning in drafting and design before spending a decade driving international sales for the Shively Broadcast division.
Today, Angela oversees HLI’s complex operations, including the recent strategic acquisitions of GDL Powder Coating and ODAT Machine—a Level 1, SUBSAFE certified manufacturer. Her leadership is central to HLI’s mission of delivering mission-critical fluid processing equipment to the surface and submarine fleet. Angela holds both a B.S. and an M.A. in Leadership and Organizational Studies from the University of Southern Maine. Beyond her executive role, she serves on the Board of Directors for Howell Laboratories, Inc., Howell CleanTech, and is a dedicated mentor for the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute, fostering the next generation of female leaders.
Michael Smith, Senior Wealth Advisor, M&T Bank/Wilmington Trust
Michael is responsible for providing comprehensive wealth management advice to high-net-worth individuals and families, entrepreneurs, and business owners throughout the New England region. He works closely with clients and their advisors to develop financial strategies that seek to help clients meet their current needs and plan for their long-term objectives. Michael also coordinates the various services his clients require based on their unique needs, including investment management, planning, trust, private banking, and family office services.
Throughout his 30+ year international wealth management career, Michael has served clients in Washington, DC, London and Edinburgh UK, Europe, and the Middle East. Prior roles have been with JP Morgan Private Bank, Société Générale Hambros, Dresdner Kleinwort, and Merrill Lynch International Bank, Ltd. His experience includes a focus on technology and life sciences, government contractors, and the defense and aerospace sectors, as well as private capital and alternative investments. Philanthropic planning, including impact investing, for individuals and family offices remains a particular focus area.
Michael is engaged with numerous philanthropic organizations. He currently serves as a veteran transition mentor with the Station Foundation and as an ambassador with the Allied Forces Foundation. He is a board member and chair of the finance committee for Housing Unlimited, a mental health housing charity in Montgomery County, Maryland, and a member of the finance committee for the University of Hartford Board of Regents. He continues his US-UK focus as a trustee and secretary for the Entrepreneurial Scotland Foundation and is a member of the GlobalScot network. He is co-chair of the finance committee of the British American Business Association of Washington.
Chris Torina, Director of Entrepreneurship, The Roux Institute at Northeastern University
Chris Torina is the Director of Entrepreneurship at Northeastern University’s Roux Institute where he scales programs that support founders, strengthen regional innovation, and accelerate venture creation. He also leads the Roux Institute’s National Security Innovation Hub, advancing mission-driven innovation and building partnerships across defense, industry, government, and academia.
With more than 25 years of experience spanning entrepreneurship, executive leadership, and public service, Chris brings a multidisciplinary perspective to Maine. He founded and led DeepStacks, a global gaming entertainment brand acquired by the World Poker Tour (WPT) and later served as WPT’s Executive Director overseeing domestic and international growth. Prior to joining the Roux Institute, he was COO of Blue Fusion Capital, a private equity real estate firm.
Earlier in his career, Chris spent over a decade in law enforcement, serving as an undercover narcotics task force agent, OCDETF agent in coordination with the DEA, and SWAT operator. He was deployed to Ground Zero following 9/11 and received commendations from Florida Governor Jeb Bush and the NYPD Detectives Endowment Association.
Chris is deeply engaged in Maine’s entrepreneurial and civic ecosystem, serves on his town’s economic development advisory board, and coaches youth sports. He lives in Yarmouth with his wife and son.