Save the Date for the 2025 EOD Technology and Bombing Prevention Summit
Join us at the premier gathering for professionals in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Public Safety Bomb Technicians, and Bombing Prevention communities. The EOD Technology and Bombing Prevention Summit offers an unparalleled opportunity to network, gain knowledge, and get hands on with state-of-the-art technologies.
December 2-4, 2025
Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center
National Harbor, MD
COLLABORATION
BREEDS INNOVATION
At the EOD Technology and Bombing Prevention Summit, our exhibitors and attendees experience:
Multiple networking and business-generating opportunities with military Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians, Public Safety Bomb Technicians, International Partners, government and industry technologists, and many more
State-of-the-art exhibit floor, linking customers directly to suppliers.
Professional development opportunities with the most up-to-date information regarding the current state of EOD, PSBT, and International Partners as well as their respective visions of the future.
Exceptional keynote speakers provide an open forum to discuss real-time threat information and paint a realistic picture of the future.
Strategic insight on accessing comprehensive IED incident risk management and preparedness through technical assistance programs to increase capabilities across partner jurisdictions.
Opportunities for participation in diverse training courses and access to a variety of awareness products and resources.
Counter-IED information sharing best practices and resources that increase awareness of evolving IED tactics, techniques, incident lessons learned and other related tools.
EOD Summit and Bombing Prevention Summit General Session Speakers
2025 General Session Speakers
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Captain Stephen C. Duba, Jr.
Commanding Officer
Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division
CAPT Steve Duba was born in Jacksonville, FL, and lived throughout the United States in a Navy family. He graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY in 2001, where he earned a B.S. in Marine Engineering and Shipyard Management and a U.S. Coast Guard Third Assistant Engineer’s License for vessels of unlimited tonnage. In 2019, he graduated from the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, RI, with an M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies.
CAPT Duba’s sea duty assignments include: First Lieutenant and Weapons Officer in USS SENTRY (MCM-3) and USS DEXTROUS (MCM-13); Officer in Charge, EOD Mobile Unit SIX Detachment TWO in Ingleside, TX; EOD Liaison Officer, Carrier Strike Group ELEVEN in Everett, WA; Officer in Charge, Expeditionary Exploitation Unit ONE in Indian Head, MD; and Commanding Officer, EOD Mobile Unit EIGHT in Rota, Spain. In these assignments, Duba conducted a wide array of EOD operations, surface and underwater mine countermeasures, and conventional ordnance and improvised explosive device exploitation and acquisition operations throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and East Asia.
His shore duty assignments include: Officer in Charge, EOD Detachment Kings Bay; Training Officer, Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center; and Executive Officer, Navy Experimental Diving Unit in Panama City, FL. During this time, Duba conducted nuclear weapons safety and security operations, oversight of high-risk special operations training, U.S. Secret Service support, and cutting-edge underwater equipment testing and human subject research. In his most recent assignment, CAPT Duba served on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations as lead weapons analyst in the OPNAV N80 Programming Division, “The Bullpen,” building and defending the Navy’s Program Objective Memorandum.
CAPT Duba is designated as an EOD Warfare Officer, Surface Warfare Officer, Diving Officer, and Naval Parachutist.
Brad Snyder
Deputy Director
Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership
Brad Snyder graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2006 as the swim team captain, then served seven years in the Navy as an explosive ordnance disposal officer. In 2011, Brad was completely blinded as the result of a combat injury suffered in Afghanistan. The incident would prove to be lucky timing, however, as Brad was able to make a swift transition back to the pool and earn a spot on Team USA for the 2012 Paralympics. Exactly one year after losing his vision, Brad swam to gold in the London Paralympic Games! Four years later, Brad won three more races at the Rio Paralympics, notably sweeping the freestyle events and breaking a world record that had previously stood for over 30 years. After Rio, Brad transitioned to triathlon, and became the first American male to win gold at either the Olympics or Paralympics.
In 2022, Brad was inducted as a Distinguished Graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, and in 2025 was welcomed back home to his alma mater as the Deputy Director of the Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership. Brad’s mission in this role is to inspire and empower leaders of character by promoting the pursuit of excellence in mind, body, and spirit.
Brad is a Pat Tillman Foundation Scholar and holds a BS degree in Naval Architecture from the U.S. Naval Academy, a MA degree in International Relations from the Fletcher School at Tufts University, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Policy at Princeton University. Brad also serves as an athlete representative on the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s Board of Directors, and is on the Advisory Board for the Navy Special Operations Foundation.
Lieutenant Colonel John C. Fuson
EOD Program Director & Chief, EOD Brand in the Readiness Division
United States Air Force
Lieutenant Colonel John C. Fuson is the United States Air Force (USAF) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Program Director and Chief, EOD Branch in the Readiness Division, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, Virginia. He leads a 5-person branch to develop strategy, policy and oversight for the USAF EOD program. As EOD panel Chair, he sets priorities for resourcing, training, and modernization for nearly 1,700 total force personnel and over $500 million in specialized equipment. He also represents the Air Force at Department of Defense (DoD) Joint EOD Program Board engagements and multi-agency nuclear steering group.
Lt Col Fuson was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 2007 after graduating from the United States Air Force Academy. He has served in a variety of squadron-level Civil Engineer and Air Base Squadron assignments as well as an assignment at Headquarters Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center. Prior to his current position, he commanded the Liberty Engineers of the 48th Civil Engineer Squadron at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom.
Additionally, Lt Col Fuson and his wife, Lara, have three sons ages 14, 12, and 9.
EDUCATION
2007 Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, United States Air Force Academy
2008 Air and Space Basic Course, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL
2011 Basic Explosive Ordnance Disposal Course, Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Eglin AFB, FL
2013 Squadron Officer School, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL
2016 Master of Arts in Emergency & Disaster Management, American Military University, Charles Town, WV
2019 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2023 Air War College, by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
- Aug 2007 – Jul 2010, MILCON Project Programmer, Resources Flight Commander, 27th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron, Cannon AFB, NM (Oct 2009 – Mar 2010, J7 Deputy, Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component, Afghanistan)
- Aug 10 – May 11, Student, Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Eglin AFB, FL
- Jun 11 – Jan 15, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight Commander, 436th Civil Engineer Squadron, Dover AFB, DE (Apr – Oct 2012, EOD Flight Commander, 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates; Sep 13 – Apr 14, EOD Flight Commander, 466th Air Expeditionary Squadron Operating Location-BRAVO, Kandahar, Afghanistan)
- Jan 15 – Jun 18, Deputy Commander, Division Officer, Instructor, 366th Training Squadron Detachment 3, Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Eglin AFB, FL
- Jul 18 – Jun 19, Base Civil Engineer, 612th Air Base Squadron, Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras
- Jun 19 – Jul 21, Facilities Engineering Section Chief, AFIMSC, Joint Base San Antonio, TX
- Jul 21 – Jun 22, Chief, Innovation and Analytics Branch, AFIMSC, Joint Base San Antonio, TX
- Jun 22 – Jun 23, Commander, 768th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron and US Installation Commander, Airbase 101, Niamey, Niger
- July 23 – Jul 25, Commander, 48th Civil Engineer Squadron, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom
- Jul 25 – Present, USAF EOD Program Director
- MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 30, 2007
First Lieutenant May 30, 2009
Captain May 30, 2011
Major March 1, 2017
Lieutenant Colonel April 1, 2022
(CURRENT AS OF SEPTEMBER 2025)
Lieutenant Colonel John C. Fuson
EOD Program Director & Chief, EOD Brand in the Readiness Division
United States Air Force
Lieutenant Colonel John C. Fuson is the United States Air Force (USAF) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Program Director and Chief, EOD Branch in the Readiness Division, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, Virginia. He leads a 5-person branch to develop strategy, policy and oversight for the USAF EOD program. As EOD panel Chair, he sets priorities for resourcing, training, and modernization for nearly 1,700 total force personnel and over $500 million in specialized equipment. He also represents the Air Force at Department of Defense (DoD) Joint EOD Program Board engagements and multi-agency nuclear steering group.
Lt Col Fuson was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 2007 after graduating from the United States Air Force Academy. He has served in a variety of squadron-level Civil Engineer and Air Base Squadron assignments as well as an assignment at Headquarters Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center. Prior to his current position, he commanded the Liberty Engineers of the 48th Civil Engineer Squadron at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom.
Additionally, Lt Col Fuson and his wife, Lara, have three sons ages 14, 12, and 9.
EDUCATION
2007 Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, United States Air Force Academy
2008 Air and Space Basic Course, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL
2011 Basic Explosive Ordnance Disposal Course, Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Eglin AFB, FL
2013 Squadron Officer School, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL
2016 Master of Arts in Emergency & Disaster Management, American Military University, Charles Town, WV
2019 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2023 Air War College, by correspondence
Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Hockett
United States Marine Corps
LtCol Joseph Hockett enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 1998. After completing recruit training he was trained and assigned as a Basic Metal Worker. LCpl Hockett served with 8th Motor Transportation Battalion in 1999. Cpl Hockett received orders to Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 in the summer of 2001 . While in Okinawa Sgt Hockett reenlisted for lateral move into the Explosive Ordnance Disposal field MOS. He reported EOD School at Eglin AFB, Florida in May of 2002. Upon completion of training in February 2003, Sgt Hockett reported to 8th Engineer Support Battalion and was immediately deployed to Iraq for the initial invasion. Upon returning from Iraq, he deployed with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit to Afghanistan in support of OPERATION MOUNTAIN STORM in the summer of 2005. Six months after returning from Afghanistan SSgt Hockett was redeployed to Iraq to support stabilization operations in Al Anbar Province. After returning from Iraq, he received orders to the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command in Hawaii in the spring 2006. While at JPAC SSgt Hockett was selected for promotion to Warrant Officer and attended The Basic School in February of 2008. Upon graduation from the Warrant Officer Basic Course WO Hockett was assigned to Combat Logistics Company 35 and was then reassigned to MCB Hawaii the following year. CWO Hockett was assigned to MWSS-274 at Cherry Point, NC in May 2011 where he again deployed to Afghanistan over the winter of 2011/12. After returning from deployment CWO Hockett was selected for promotion to Captain and given orders to EOD Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion. Captain Hockett deployed to Afghanistan as the EOD Company Commander during the winter of 2013/2014. In June 2015, Captain Hockett was given orders to EOD Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion where he was promoted to the rank of Major. After completing his tour in Okinawa Major Hockett was selected for duty at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head where he was a member of the Military Technical Acceptance Board working to develop new tools, technologies, and procedures that support the Joint EOD Mission. LtCol Hockett was promoted to his current rank in September 2021 and he currently serves as the EOD Occupational Field Manager under the Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics at Headquarter Marine Corps.
During his career, LtCol Hockett has been awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation with “V”, and the Navy Achievement Medal with “V”
Commander Kevin J. Schrodt
United States Navy
A native of Satellite Beach, Florida, Commander Schrodt graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Ocean Engineering. Kevin commissioned into the Explosive Ordnance Disposal warfare community and completed pipeline training in 2011.
Afloat, Commander Schrodt performed two platoon commander tours at EOD Mobile Unit TWELVE in Virginia Beach, VA in the mobility and Naval Special Warfare (NSW) mission areas from 2011 to 2015. During this time he deployed with CCSG-12 to the Arabian Gulf and with SEAL Team FOUR to various locations throughout the EUCOM and AFRICOM AORs in support of the Global War on Terrorism. From 2015 to 2018, CDR Schrodt served as a Technical Support Group Commander at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, supporting multiple combatant commands with CWMD search capabilities and expertise. From 2018 to 2021, Kevin served as a Troop Commander and Operations Officer for the Joint Special Operations Command where he deployed two times to the CENTCOM AOR. From April 2022 to September 2023, CDR Schrodt served as the Executive Officer at EOD Mobile Unit ELEVEN in San Diego, CA where he deployed to the Fifth Fleet AO as the Deputy Commander for CTG 56.1/52.3.
Ashore, CDR Schrodt attended the Naval War College in Newport, RI from 2021 to 2022, earning a Master of Arts degree in Defense Analysis and Security Studies and, in parallel, completed the requirements for Joint Professional Military Education Phase I. From October 2023 to June 2024, Kevin served as a Fleet Product Director at PMS 408 for the Underwater EOD portfolio.
CDR Schrodt is currently the EOD and Expeditionary MCM Requirements Officer at OPNAV N957.
Commander Schrodt’s personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and multiple unit and service awards. Kevin holds a Master of Science degree from the Johns Hopkins University in Systems Engineering. He is married to a prior Naval aviator and has five children.
Lieutenant Colonel William W. Smathers
EOD Branch Chief
United States Army
Lieutenant Colonel William Smathers became the HQDA EOD Branch Chief in June 2024. In this capacity he is responsible for the integration of Army EOD equities across Joint, Inter-Agency, Intra-governmental, and Multinational policy, plans, operations, advocacy and capability development.
Prior to his current assignment, LTC Smathers served as the Chief of Joint Operations of the Advanced Technologies Intelligence-Chemical and Nuclear Sciences Division of the Defense Intelligence Agency from March 2021 until May 2024. In this capacity, he managed the operations, training, readiness, and targeting of technical collection and exploitation officers tasked to service National Intelligence Priority requirements.
Prior to this, LTC Smathers served as the Executive Officer for Task Force Hellhound, starting in March 2020. He was responsible for the daily sustainment, organization, operations, personnel, and process improvements of the organization responsible for all counter-IED, CBRN, and weapons technical intelligence, and response activities in USCENTCOM.
Previously, LTC Smathers served as the Operations Officer for 3rd Ordnance Battalion (Explosive Ordnance Disposal); Chief of Concepts, Capabilities, and Doctrine; Training Development Officer; Operations Officer; Company Commander; and Guest Scientist.
LTC Smathers started his career as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Platoon Leader at Fort Stewart, Georgia. LTC Smathers received his BA in History from Gannon University and his MA in Operational Art and Science from Air University. He and his wife reside in Gainesville, VA with their two children.