On July 26, Senator Richard Burr, Senator Thom Tillis, Fayetteville Technical Community College, the North Carolina Military Business Center, the North Carolina Defense Technology Transition Office, and the North Carolina Board of Science, Technology and Innovation will host the Defense Technology Symposium.
The event will have keynote speaker Commanding General Andrew P. Poppas.
Poppas is the 24th commander of the United States Army Forces Command on Fort Bragg. As commander, Poppass commands 216,000 active-component soldiers and 190,000 members of the Army Reserve.
A native of WIsconsin, Poppas graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and was commissioned in 1988. Prior to becoming the commander of Forces Command, Poppas served more than three years as a senior leader on the Joint Staff, first as Director for Operations and later Director of Joint Staff.
In addition to Bachelor of Science degree in National Security Affairs, Poppas has a Master of Science in Occupational Education from Kansas State University.
Tickets must be purchased in advance through the event management system.
Brian and Staci Graybill opened their third business together, Market Square Pantry, in December 2025. Photo provided by Faith Hatton. For Fayetteville entrepreneurs Brian and Staci Graybill, building a business has often started when they were
The venue features two levels, two fully stocked bars, audio-video systems including projectors, and lighting solutions, an in-house culinary team, lounge space, a bistro section and private rooms, a state-of-the-art DJ booth and on-site staff to hel
Brad and Kelley McLawhorn became business partners in 2001 when they first opened a restaurant on Reilly Road. Now, their highly praised catering company continues to impress community members with flexibility, quality and personalized service. Photo
