Lanard Welch

Program Manager for Defense Technologies

E: welchl@ncmbc.us
O: 910-486-3957
M: 910-459-0147

Industry Focus: Innovation/R&D; Technology Transition
Industry Team:  Technology Innovation/R&D

Biography: 

Lanard Welch joined the North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) in October 2026 and serves as Program Manager for Defense Technologies, with a focus on Research and Development, traditional and non-traditional acquisition, and related processes.

A retired U.S. Army officer Lanard brings more than 25 years of military, federal, and private-sector leadership experience spanning strategic planning, intelligence, program management, human resources, organizational leadership, and business development. During his military career, he served in senior leadership and intelligence positions supporting the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community, with operational and overseas service across the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Korean Peninsula.

Following his military service, Lanard held senior consulting, technical advisory, and business development leadership roles with Guidehouse, IT Concepts, and Integral Federal. His work included federal modernization, data analytics, capture and proposal management, customer engagement, and growth strategy across defense, intelligence, and federal civilian markets.

At NCMBC, Lanard draws upon his military, government, and industry experience to help North Carolina businesses understand defense and federal requirements, identify opportunities, strengthen government and industry relationships, and position their capabilities to compete in the federal marketplace.

Lanard holds a Master of Science in Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University, a Master of Arts in International Relations from Webster University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from the University of Mount Olive. He is a Doctor of Public Administration candidate at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. His professional development and executive education include Shipley Capture & Proposal Management Training, Contracting Officer’s Representative training through Defense Acquisition University, the Veterans Entrepreneur Scholars program at William & Mary’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business, and the Veterans Future Lab at New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering.