NCMBC Welcomes Lanard Welch as Program Manager for Defense Technologies

The North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC), headquartered at Fayetteville Technical Community College, is pleased to announce the appointment of Lanard Welch as Program Manager for Defense Technologies, effective October 1, 2026.

Welch brings more than 22 years of leadership experience spanning the U.S. Army, Department of Defense, Defense Intelligence Agency, federal contracting, and business development. His experience includes strategic planning, customer engagement, intelligence, federal business development, opportunity identification, capture strategy, and collaboration across government, industry, and mission partners.

In his new role, Welch will support NCMBC’s efforts to connect North Carolina businesses and technology companies with federal and national security opportunities. He will work with NCMBC’s regional and statewide teams to identify emerging requirements, understand federal technology and acquisition needs, identify North Carolina capabilities that can address those needs, and help businesses position themselves to compete.

“The addition of Lanard Welch strengthens NCMBC’s ability to connect North Carolina’s technology and business community with the evolving needs of the Department of War and other federal national security organizations,” said TJ Gilroy, Director of Defense Technologies of the North Carolina Military Business Center. “His combination of military operational experience, intelligence expertise, federal customer engagement, and private-sector business development gives him a unique perspective on both sides of the federal technology transition challenge.”

Welch’s career includes senior assignments with the U.S. Army and Defense Intelligence Agency, where he supported strategic planning, intelligence operations, organizational transformation, stakeholder engagement, and executive decision-making. As Chief of the Office of Partner Engagement at the Defense Intelligence Agency, he led strategic engagement initiatives involving military organizations, federal agencies, coalition partners, and industry stakeholders. He also served as a senior intelligence officer and Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) chief.

As Defense Technologies Program Manager, Welch will work with companies through one-on-one consultation, business visits, technical assistance, opportunity identification, teaming, and engagement with federal contracting organizations. He will also support NCMBC industry forums, technology transition activities, and other events designed to prepare North Carolina companies to compete for federal opportunities.

His responsibilities include identifying current and future federal opportunities, matching those opportunities with capable North Carolina companies, developing relationships with federal contracting officials and small-business specialists, and helping companies understand and respond to federal requirements.

Welch 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 currently pursuing a Doctor of Public Administration at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. His professional certifications include DAU Contracting Officer Representative, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems, Change Management, and SAFe Scrum Master.

Welch is based in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

About the North Carolina Military Business Center

The North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) is a statewide program of the North Carolina Community College System that helps North Carolina businesses identify, understand, and compete for federal contracting opportunities. NCMBC works with businesses, government agencies, military organizations, community colleges, economic development organizations, and other partners to strengthen North Carolina’s position in the federal marketplace and expand economic opportunities across the state.