AOC Elections
2026 AOC Board of Directors Election
2026 AOC Election Results Announced
The following are the results of the 2026 AOC Election held last month. Thank you to everyone who ran for office this year and thank you to the members who voted. Your engagement is vital to our community's strength and success.
Total ballots returned = 713
Total number of eligible voters = 10659
Percent of ballot return = 6.7%
At-Large Directors (This is based on 200%)
R. Scott "Sherm" Oliver – 46.27%
COL Kevin E. Finch USA (Ret.) 37.13%
3rd place – 32.07%
4th place – 30.52%
R. Scott "Sherm" Oliver
R. Scott “Sherm” Oliver is a spectrum operations and electromagnetic warfare (EW) expert at Booz Allen Hamilton's Defense Technology Group, where he leads electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO)-related solution development and provides internationally focused policy and strategy advisement.
A retired Navy Electromagnetic Warfare Officer (EWO), he flew both the EA-6B Prowler and EA-18G Growler, and within his last assignment, he helped establish and lead the Secretary of Defense Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations Cross Functional Team (EMSO CFT). His career also includes time as a program manager at the Joint IED Defeat Organization, managing counter radio-controlled electromagnetic warfare (CREW) and directed energy programs, and serving in Iraq as the explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) EWO for Multi-National Division - Baghdad.
Sherm brings rare operational and industry-spanning depth across joint and combined air, land, sea, space, cyber, and spectrum domains, as well as deep insight into commercial technologies – making him uniquely equipped to lead international EMSO efforts in today’s global security environment. He holds degrees from The Citadel, the US Naval War College, and the Eisenhower School at National Defense University.
Colonel Kevin E. Finch USA (Ret.)
Colonel Kevin E. Finch, USA (Ret.) is a seasoned acquisition and operational strategist with over three decades of experience delivering cutting‑edge capabilities to the US Warfighter. Across his 28‑year Army career, he led intelligence, electronic warfare (EW), and cyber organizations with a singular focus: ensuring Soldiers at the tactical edge receive the tools, technologies, and decision advantage needed to fight and win in contested environments. His leadership spans modernization initiatives, joint capability development, and integration of complex systems across the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS), always grounded in operational relevance and mission outcomes.
Today, Finch continues this commitment in industry at Booz Allen Hamilton, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO). Working at the intersection of operational requirements, advanced technologies, and strategic investments, he ensures that emerging capabilities are not only innovative but survivable, interoperable, and rapidly fielded. His portfolio spans ISR, EW, cyber, spectrum management, and multi‑domain integration, with particular emphasis on building end‑to‑end solutions that close Warfighter gaps at speed.
His contributions include championing low‑cost, low‑SWaP EW prototypes, advancing Electromagnetic Battle Management and spectrum‑sharing constructs, and supporting rapid reprogramming and RF‑enabled cyber operations. Known for unifying diverse technical teams and aligning senior‑leader vision with executable outcomes, he brings a holistic EMSO lens that blends policy, acquisition, operations, and technology.
Through every role, Finch remains driven by a single imperative: delivering timely, effective, and future‑ready capabilities that preserve spectrum superiority and ensure the Joint Force maintains decisive overmatch.
International Region II Director
Katherine Head – 70%
Katherine Head
Katherine Head is a senior systems engineer and test and evaluation engineer practicing in the Defense and Aviation sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science in Military Electronic Systems Engineering.
Her career began as an electronic warfare engineer in the Royal Australian Air Force, where she held roles in EW system acquisition, RF countermeasure development, test and evaluation, and capability development.
Following her RAAF career, Head moved to BAE Systems Australia, where she worked on high-speed weapon defense system architecture design. She now works as a consultant engineer, where she supports programs translating early-phase research and technology concepts into evaluation-ready systems for Defense.
Practicing at the intersection of engineering, research, electronic warfare, and autonomous systems, Head is passionate about advancing technology in support of national security outcomes.
Her is a lifetime member of AOC and has held numerous roles on the AOC Australia board of directors since 2019. She has been active in both the domestic and international EW communities, having supported numerous AOC events as an organizer and program contributor.
Head is a passionate STEM and diversity advocate, supporting numerous professional associations, including the AOC through the Lunch and Learn program.
Her ambition as an AOC regional director is to further the advancement of the AOC mission in the Asia Pacific region. She will work to improve engagement between chapters at a regional level, to improve the resources available to chapters, and to enhance the relationship between Region II and the global AOC organization.
Northeastern Region Director
Byron Rempel – 51.3 %
Byron Rempel
Byron Rempel, CD is a senior Electronic Warfare and Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO) professional with more than 30 years of experience spanning military service, government engagement, and industry leadership. A veteran with deep operational and strategic expertise, Remple has spent his career advancing EW/EMSO capabilities while building trusted relationships across defense, security, and allied communities.
As an active leader within AOC, Remple has played a pivotal role in expanding the organization’s footprint in Canada. During his first year of regional leadership, he supported the establishment of additional Maple Leaf Chapter (MLC) branches, strengthening national engagement and fostering collaboration between military, government, academia, and industry stakeholders. Notably, he led the organization of the inaugural AOC Maple Leaf EMSO Symposium in 2026, a landmark event that elevated AOC’s visibility in Canada and created a durable forum for professional exchange, capability development, and allied cooperation.
Remple's experience spans operational EMSO, program leadership, business development, and strategic advisory roles. His background as a veteran provides him with a practitioner’s perspective on real-world challenges, while his long-standing ties to government and industry enable him to effectively bridge policy, operations, and innovation.
Known for his collaborative leadership style and clear strategic vision, Remple remains committed to strengthening AOC’s mission, advancing EMSO excellence, and supporting the next generation of professionals across the Northeastern Region and beyond.
Southern Region Director
Lt Col Laureen James, USAF -53.8%
2nd place– 17.16%
3rd place -16.5%
Lieutenant Colonel Laureen James, USAF
Lieutenant Colonel Laureen James is an Organizational Design expert, Lean Six Sigma Master Black belt, and Air Force leader with more than 23 years of military service, most recently advancing electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO), operational transformation, and mission integration across the Joint force.
Widely recognized for her leadership in contested non-kinetic environments, she played a foundational role in developing and operationalizing the missions of the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing (350 SWW) and the 950th Spectrum Warfare Group (950 SWG), the Air Force’s first enterprise EMSO assessment organization. Previously serving more than six years on Military Personnel Appropriation (MPA) orders with Air Combat Command (ACC), she was selected as one of ACC’s premier Liaison Officers supporting the stand-up of the 950 SWG. She helped align strategic vision, operational requirements, governance frameworks, and stakeholder integration efforts across Active Duty, Air National Guard, Reserve, mission and research partners. Culminating this tour, she was selected as one of the inaugural Deputy Group Commanders for the 950 SWG, serving as a critical lynchpin advancing EMSO readiness and operational capability across the Combat Air Forces.
Currently, she continues to advance joint EMSO readiness in a contracted role as the Lead Program Manager for Spectrum Warfare, overseeing strategic initiatives for Electronic Warfare Assessments. Concurrently activated with the Georgia Air National Guard’s 116th Air Control Wing, she serves as the State Lead Conversion Officer, guiding the state's transition into new Air Force missions and future force capabilities.
Beyond her operational leadership, Lieutenant Colonel James is a Board Member of the AOC Dixie Crows Chapter and an Adjunct Professor at Rutgers University, N.J.