About The Digital Transformation Center

The Digital Transformation Center (DTC) stands as a beacon of innovation, providing a dedicated space where government, industry, and academia converge to collaborate, brainstorm, educate, and cooperate in advancing digital transformation initiatives, particularly in support of the United States Air Force (USAF). With our cutting-edge facilities, state-of-the-art technology, and expert guidance, we catalyze genuine and impactful innovation that transcends individual capabilities.

The USAF has identified the critical need to drive digital transformation throughout its organization, and the DTC is at the forefront of this strategic initiative. Our mission is clear: to eliminate data barriers, enhance operational efficiency, and significantly accelerate the pace of innovation. As the key driver of our future success, digital transformation demands urgent action, and the DTC stands ready to lead the charge into a new era of technological advancement.

Industry

Government

Academia

The future of industry-government-academia engagement isn’t just promising; it’s the road to groundbreaking financial breakthroughs. Join us, and be part of this transformative journey.

Meet Our Team

DTC Director

Stacie Hoelscher
DTC Director

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Stacie spearheads the DTC’s business operations, steering its mission to unite government, industry, and academia in pioneering collaborations, learning, and innovation to advance digital transformation initiatives for the United States Air Force. Stacie holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from Ohio State and earned recognition by the Dayton Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 Class of 2022.

dTC staff

Amanda Russell
Office Manager

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Amanda oversees the management of DTC offices and plays a key role in coordinating office management duties including space reservations. She plays a vital role by working with the DTC technical staff and community partners to build relationships. With an impressive 18-year career at UD and UDRI, she has held various positions in catering management and purchasing. Amanda brings an impressive broad range of skills and extensive professional background to the DTC.
Nan Holler-Potter
Events & Communications Coordinator

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Nan is an integral part of the team at the DTC, overseeing the management of social media channels and communications, as well as spearheading the organization and planning of events. Within her 15-year tenure at the University of Dayton, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role, particularly in event coordination and office management. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications Management from the University of Dayton and certification as a Professional in Human Resources.
Megan Hallstrom
Tech Scout

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The role of Technical Scout revolves around harnessing the latest in digital engineering innovations. Megan brings 10 years in Open Innovation and emerging/disruptive technology consulting. She has a background in project management and she’s a Certified Associate of Project Management. Megan has a physics degree from Case Western and a master’s from Colorado State University.
Eric Troidl, P.E.
Group Leader -Applied Digital Solutions Group

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Eric has over 15 years of experience in a broad array of systems developments and digital transformation initiatives for the U.S. Air Force. He is currently supporting Digital Materiel Management (DMM) efforts within AFRL and AFLCMC. Additionally, he is supporting AFRL/RY and AFLCMC/RO with the development of MBSE models for requirements documentation, process mapping, and product validation. Eric is leading a team supporting AFLCMC/WNZ with the development of a 5-year roadmap for digital transformation utilizing the current digital maturity assessment tool as a baseline. Eric’s prior projects include various sustainment and technology transition projects for AFRL and AFLCMC/WNZ involving evaluating US Air Force safety data, conducting voice of customer surveys, and completing extensive testing to substantiate published performance and durability claims, developing technical data packages for government approval and product procurement.
Dr. Ann Carbonell
Principal Technical Advisor

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Dr. Ann Carbonell is the Principal Technical Advisor at the Digital Transformation Center (DTC), powered by UDRI, and a seasoned Senior Executive with over 34 years of leadership in national security, program management, and mission-focused innovation across the defense and intelligence sectors. Her work consistently centers on enabling faster decision advantage, resilient infrastructure, and digital integration critical to modern threat environments—including those addressed by “Golden Dome”-like capabilities.

During her 13-year tenure as a Senior Executive at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)—including three years at the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC)—Dr. Carbonell led analytic modernization and enterprise-level initiatives in strategic planning, infrastructure acquisition, architecture development, and IT transformation. She helped accelerate sensor-to-decider workflows, drive AI/ML adoption, and operationalize space and airborne sensing in support of integrated deterrence and rapid threat response.

Most recently, as MASINT mission lead and Director of a Commercial Innovation Center at Riverside Research, she advanced GEOINT and missile defense capabilities through partnerships that strengthened early warning, targeting, and situational awareness across the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community. She also currently serves as President of the Board of Directors for the U.S. MASINT Foundation, which she led the establishment of in 2024, fostering deeper collaboration across technical intelligence domains.

Dr. Carbonell holds a BSEE from the University of Dayton, an MS from Creighton University, and a PhD in Information Systems from Nova Southeastern University. Her career has been recognized with multiple USDI, DoD, and national awards—including the prestigious Presidential Rank Award—highlighting her enduring impact on mission readiness, threat detection, and the digital foundations of next-generation defense systems.
Jake Matthews
Principal Digitals Tool SME

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Workforce Development

Kristy Fairfax
Workforce Development Director

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Kristy is a key team member at the DTC, leading our workforce development initiatives. With over 18 years of experience in workforce development across K-12 education, higher education, economic development, and industry partnerships, she offers a deep reservoir of knowledge to her role. She founded KMF Workforce Consulting, where she has managed significant projects nationwide. Kristy holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from Wright State University as well as a BA in Economics from the University of Michigan . She has successfully scaled initiatives such as the PACCE career pathways program for Learn to Earn Dayton and supporting JobsOhio’s Talent Team.
Bryan Stewart
Director of Strategic Initiatives

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Bryan Stewart serves as the Director of Strategic Initiatives at the DTC. In this role, he’ll advance the Workforce Development mission by building partnerships across industry, government, and academia.
Previously, Bryan was the Workforce Director at the Montgomery County Educational Service Center, where he led Ohio’s top-ranked Business Advisory Council in collaboration with major industry partners and 23 local school districts. He is a 2022 graduate of Leadership Ohio and a recipient of the Dayton Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award. Earlier in his career, Bryan worked as a Legislative Aide in the Dayton City Commission Office.
He holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Dayton and a bachelor’s degree in Diplomacy and Global Politics from Miami University. Bryan also serves as a board member for Welcome Dayton. Outside of work, he is an avid Cincinnati Bengals fan and a dedicated science fiction enthusiast.