Join us on Thursday, 25 September 2025, for a hybrid session covering both Federated Learning and highlights from this year’s 2025 INCOSE International Symposium (IS) in Canada!

The evening will start with a presentation by Dr. Art Villanueva on Federated Learning – A Systems Engineering Approach to Smarter Artificial Intelligence, and how complex system-level behavior arises from simple, local interactions. This will be followed by Dr. Julia Taylor covering exciting topics from the 2025 IS.

Please be aware that this month’s presentation will take place on Thursday evening rather than Wednesday. We hope to see you there!

EVENT INFORMATION

Date: Thursday, 25 September 2025, 5:45 pm – 7:15 pm (presentations start at 6pm)

Location: Filippi’s restaurant in Kearny Mesa (San Diego), 5353 Kearny Villa Rd, San Diego, CA 92123 (Google Maps)

Cost: FREE! There will be an optional dinner of Italian food (spaghetti, pizza, salad, etc.) and soft drinks. Prices are $5 for INCOSE member and students/$15 for non-members.

Zoom Link: https://incose-org.zoom.us/j/84606914523?pwd=GaA3EusBwl3ZYz0rf9VxwyN2cyjYDm.1

Meeting ID: 846 0691 4523
Passcode: 264936

Telephone Dial In: 669-444-9171 (same passcode as above)

SYNOPSES

FEDERATED LEARNING. In the first presentation of this evolving series, Dr. Villanueva explored the convergence of Systems Engineering and Artificial Intelligence. In the second, he examined the phenomenon of emergence – how complex system-level behavior arises from simple, local interactions. This third installment delves into federated learning (FL), a distributed machine learning paradigm that applies principles of emergence at scale, enabling intelligent global behavior to arise from decentralized, local interactions.

Federated Learning enables edge devices to collaboratively train shared models without transferring raw data. Through decentralized computation and global aggregation, intelligent behavior emerges from the collective experience of autonomous participants – from smartphones and hospitals to fleets of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This talk will examine the algorithmic foundations of FL, its systemic challenges (non-IID data, intermittent connectivity, and adversarial threats), and its compelling applications in systems where privacy, resiliency, and autonomy converge.

From collaborative healthcare systems to adaptive environmental monitoring to smart infrastructure and UAV networks, federated learning provides a powerful framework for enabling distributed intelligence across diverse domains. Dr. Villanueva will examine how FL represents not just a technical tool, but a systems architecture for building complex, adaptive, and mission-aware AI at the edge, where privacy, resilience, and autonomy are paramount.

2025 INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM. The 2025 IS was the largest annual gathering of systems engineering professionals – from industry, government, and academia – providing a platform to share ideas, present innovations, and network across a range of interactive formats including presentations, workshops, tutorials, and panel discussions. This short presentation will cover major events and happenings.

PRESENTERS

Dr Art Villanueva

Dr. Art Villanueva lives in the intersection of artificial intelligence, emergence, and systems engineering. His current research focuses on complex adaptive systems (CAS) – from brain mechanisms to autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). He is the founder of Phronos, an AI services company dedicated to leveraging AI and SE across domains. He also serves as a Senior Staff Engineer at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, where he applies his expertise to the next-generation of unmanned aerial vehicles. Dr. Villanueva previously served as Chief AI Technologist for Dell Technologies’ Federal Strategic Programs, guiding Dell’s AI posture across government sectors. His multidisciplinary experience also spans large defense and public transportation projects as well as clean-tech entrepreneurship in renewable energy. An inventor with multiple U.S. utility patents and several peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Villanueva holds a Doctor of Engineering in Systems Engineering from Colorado State University, where he specialized in meta-algorithmics for natural language processing. He also holds a master’s degree in systems engineering, a master’s degree in computer science from UC San Diego, and a bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics from UCLA. He is an INCOSE-certified Expert Systems Engineering Professional (ESEP).

Dr Julia Taylor

Dr. Julia Taylor is a Management Consultant at Taylor Success Systems, where she applies Systems Thinking to solve business challenges. She holds a Doctorate in Corporate Strategy (under the guidance of Igor Ansoff), an MBA from Santa Clara University, a B.S. in Chemistry from Memphis State University, and an Electronics degree from Heald Institute of Technology in San Francisco. Dr. Taylor has been a INCOSE SD board member since 2018 and Chapter President in 2024. Additionally, Dr. Taylor is the Chapter Representative for SD INCOSE at the San Diego County Engineering Council (SDCEC). Active in Toastmasters, Dr. Taylor holds the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) title and has achieved Presentation Pathways recognition. She is also the author of several technical papers and three business books.

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PLEASE JOIN US for a special hybrid presentation on Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and unwritten requirements, led by Professor Randolph (Randy) Willard of the Defense Acquisition University (DAU). The event will take place at Sapphire Indian Cuisine in Rancho Bernardo (San Diego), where attendees can also enjoy a selection from the restaurant’s excellent menu.

Note that the restaurant is conveniently located near the intersection of Interstate 15 and Rancho Bernardo Drive!

MAIN INFORMATION

Date: Wednesday, October 29, from 5:30-7:15 PM (presentation starts at 6pm)

Location: Sapphire Indian Cuisine Restaurant, 16785 Bernardo Center Dr, San Diego, CA 92128 (Google Maps)

Cost: Free! An option dinner of Indian cuisine and soft drinks will be offered at $5 for INCOSE members and students / $15 for non-members.

Zoom Link: https://incose-org.zoom.us/j/83167189009?pwd=TvAQtLtPy8cz2byB2VHrR2O7UlOsCR.1

Meeting ID: 831 6718 9009
Passcode: 381914

Dial-in Number: 669-900-6833 (passcode listed above)

SYNOPSIS

This presentation will explore Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and the often unwritten requirements found in DoD contracts. It will begin with an overview of the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) (located in San Diego, CA), followed by a discussion of Contract Award Timelines, Government Source-Selection Teams, RFP Sections L&M, Government Unwritten Requirements (hints, clues, indications), and Business Development (BD)/Proposal/Bid Team actions to address.

This presentation is especially relevant to those who work on Government contracts!

PRESENTER

Randolph Willard

Mr. Randolph Willard is a retired U.S. Navy nuclear submarine officer with more than two decades of active duty experience operating, testing, and evaluating both Fast Attack and Strategic Ballistic Missile submarines. His Navy service included roles as Chief Nuclear Engineer, Officer-in-Charge of the Naval Nuclear Prototype Unit in Idaho Falls, and program management positions at NAVSEA and PEO Submarines, where he earned DAWIA Level III certification in Program Management. Following his military career, he has spent over twenty-five years in executive and leadership roles in the defense industry and as a Professor of Program Management at the Defense Acquisition University in San Diego. He has supported a wide range of defense organizations, laboratories, and major contractors, including NAVSEA, PEOs, DOE national laboratories, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Johns Hopkins APL, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Viasat, and the U.S. Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center.

Mr. Willard holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Vanderbilt University, completed Navy nuclear engineering training, and pursued postgraduate studies at MIT, Yale School of Management, the Defense Systems Management College, and the Defense Nuclear Weapons School. He has taught acquisition, nuclear weapons acquisition, systems engineering, and test and evaluation courses to military, government, and industry professionals nationwide. He is currently available for consulting and speaking engagements on defense and energy acquisition, program management, business development, and foreign military sales, and can be reached at dodacq@gmail.com.

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Join us on Saturday, Nov 1, 2025, from 4:30-7:30pm at the FAMILY FUN CENTER in Poway at our annual STEM Recognition Celebration!

INCOSE SD’s STEM program provides STEM awards to schools and groups, including the 2024-2025 school year, and the students will present their projects. Everyone – students, teachers, family and friends – is welcome to attend and see the awesome work our next generation of systems engineers.

Come celebrate STEM and have a blast! Food and Raffle included! Visit their webpage at FamilyFunCenter.com

All kids receive a free $20 game card as part of their registration.

Main Information

Date: Saturday, Nov 1st, 2025, from 4:30-7:30pm

Location: Family Fun Center, 12900 Gregg Court, Poway, CA 92064 (Google Maps)

Cost: $20/person, $70 Family of 4. Register below!

Food: Pizza, Popcorn, Drinks!

About the Family Fun Center

Located in Poway, the City Fun Center is San Diego’s premier family entertainment destination, offering a unique blend of fun activities including mini-bowling, mini-golf, and private party rooms. The center has over 100 exciting games – including driving, pinball, and video games – using game cards and e-tickets. Attractions include:

• 4-player PACMAN SMASH air hockey
• Classic air-hockey
• 4 mini-bowling lanes
• Walk-In Interactive games including Laser Frenzy and Time Freak
• Two player Fast-n-Furious driving simulator
• 9-hole black light glow-in-the-dark mini-golf course

Food

We plan to keep it simple this year and focus on the fun! Join us for plenty of Pizza, loads of Popcorn, and soft drinks.

Raffle

Due to the overwhelmingly positive response we had last year, we will once again hold a RAFFLE for toys, gadgets, and extra game cards! Everyone will receive one free ticket when checking in, and extra tickets will be available for sale for $1 each, 6 tickets for $5, or 15 tickets for $10. Good luck to all!

About the INCOSE SD STEM Program

The San Diego chapter is a yearly sponsor of Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics (STEM) for local schools. Each year, the chapter solicits short proposals from area teachers who teach after-hours STEM classes to students, helping prepare the next generation of systems engineers for our country. In 2024, the chapter awarded the following three schools:

• Poway High School – Robotic parts for new robot for FIRST robotics competition
• Rancho Bernardo High – Entry fee for regional competition
• Casita Center – 3D printer & LEGO Education SPIKE Expansion set

If you would like to make a contribution to our INCOSE San Diego STEM fund, it would be warmly appreciated! Please select STEM Donation in the registration below – Thank you!

Questions?

Please contact us at info@sdincose.org. Thanks.