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2026 Ocean Innovation Conference Speakers
Morning Speaker
Speaker:
John Hardin
Executive Director of the Office of Science, Technology & Innovation,
NC Department of Commerce
Panel 1
From Pilot to Scale: Commercializing the Blue Economy
Moderator:
Scott Davis
Wilmington Hub Director,
NCInnovation
Panelists
Christy Swann
Founder,
RCoast
Joe Cardenas
Chief Business Development Officer,
Telchine Energy Technologies
Wallace Hogsett
CEO/Founder,
HurriLab
Startup Showcase
Panelists
Pepsy M Kettavong
Cofounder,
Smart Seawall Technologies
Natalie Sinisgalli
Cofounder,
Smart Seawall Technologies
Christy Swann
Founder,
RCoast
Reid Barnett
Founder,
Ceretune
Adam Berthold
Cofounder,
Deep Marine Innovations
Panel 2
The Digital Ocean: AI, Data, Cybersecurity, & Maritime
Security
Moderator:
Dana Magliola
Senior Director of Infrastructure Competitiveness,
NC Chamber Foundation
Panelists
Adam Berthold
Cofounder,
Deep Marine Innovations
Ulku Clark
Professor/Researcher,
UNCW
Dan Blackburn
Director of Information Technology,
NC Ports
Panel 3
From Sea to Table: Feeding the Future
Moderator:
Chuck Weirich
Director of Aquaculture,
UNCW
Panelists
Cristi Dorry
CEO/Founder,
C. Dorry Consulting
Bob Lorenz
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Social and Economic Panel (SEP) Member
Conor MacNair
CEO/
Founder
,
N. SEA. Oyster Co.
