Our Leadership
"Our people are our greatest asset – they’re our competitive advantage.”
- Otto Hoernig III, CEO
Meet Our Leadership Team
Kenneth Hilton has been an Executive partner with Trace Systems since July 2012. He is responsible for the implementation, support, and successful execution of the corporate vision regarding and general management and operational efficiency of the company as well as the programmatic execution, success, and continued revenue growth of Trace’s information technology, enterprise networks, cybersecurity, and communications systems and services.
Prior to joining Trace Systems, Mr. Hilton served as Vice President, International C4ISR Programs Division for Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). He was responsible for International and Department of Defense (DoD) Command & Operations Center engineering, design, implementation, and service delivery for CONUS and OCONUS programs supporting CENTCOM, SOCOM, EUCOM, AFRICOM, SOUTHCOM, NIWC-LANT, and Army PEO EIS customers.
Mr. Hilton served in the US Army as a member of the 59th Ordnance Brigade (86-91), 101st Airborne Division (92-96), and Joint Communications Support Element (96-99). He is proudly distinguished as an Air Assault, Jumpmaster, Master Parachutist, S.E.R.E., and U.S Army Ranger, evolving from a Single/Multi-Channel Operator (31C), then a Satellite Communications Operator (31S3V), and further leading the Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE-Charlie Company) Quick Reaction Platoon throughout Europe, the Balkans, and Southwest Asia.
Mr. Hilton was honorably discharged after 13 years and multiple deployments. He continues to serve his country and the men and women of the US Armed Forces globally. His previous experience provides a solid disciplined foundation, military credibility, and “boots on the ground” mission focused comprehension. Paired with over 20 years of leadership positions and real-world operational knowledge, Mr. Hilton provides an unparalleled combination of operational and technical skills in his role with Trace Systems.
Greg Filak joined Trace Systems in 2010 and serves as the VP of the Enterprise and Communication Solutions Group (ECSG). He is responsible for managing all of Trace’s enterprise and tactical IT and communications personnel in over a dozen countries globally. Furthermore, Mr. Filak is responsible for operations and sustainment, growth, and profit and loss for all projects and personnel, including direct oversight over multiple division managers.
Prior to joining Trace, Mr. Filak served as the Senior Program Manager at PM DCS-SWA in New Jersey and Iraq. He then worked as a Consultant for ASG in Kuwait. He worked in Army acquisition in direct support of CECOM, PEO-EIS, and PEO-C3T, with a heavy focus in contingency operations environments in the Middle East, including spending 18 months in Iraq in support of C4 commercialization efforts.
Greg received a BA in Philosophy and Criminology from Davidson College and an MBA (Magna Cum Laude) from Pfeiffer University. Greg has over 18 years of experience as a Volunteer Fireman, having held the titles of Lieutenant, Engineer, and Black Helmet. Furthermore, Greg has over 4 years of experience as a Police Officer in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Greg’s professional certifications include Project Management Professional (PMP) (2008), Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) v3 Foundations (2010), DAWIA Program Management – Level II (2011), Training in DAWIA Contracting – Level I, and Training in Six Sigma practices.
Alisha Kelly joined Trace Systems in October 2016 and serves as Vice President, Business Development, Proposals, and External Communications. She is responsible for shaping Trace's strategic growth path and executing tactical BD initiatives in support of the company. She has steadily helped expand the company's expertise and reach around the globe, focusing on supporting the mission in austere and hazardous locations where it is most needed. Alisha has over 10 years of corporate experience in Business Development in the government contracting space.
In addition to her professional role, Alisha is a volunteer with AFCEA at the International and Chapter levels. She has served on the AFCEA International Board of Directors since 2019 as well as supporting many Chapters, committees, and initiatives over the past 10 years.
Alisha holds a Master's of Business Administration and a Bachelor's in Business from Louisiana State University as well as a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certificate.
Otto Hoernig III founded Trace Systems in 2006 in response to the growing DoD demand for wireless sensor networks and data collection systems to include security, asset management, surveillance, monitoring and data management requirements. Under Mr. Hoernig’s leadership, Trace has built a team of industry professionals and has postured the organization to grow organically and through strategic acquisition in the federal government technology services markets. Mr. Hoernig is an accomplished telecommunications executive with more than 24 years of experience in the satellite and wireless data communications business sector serving the US Department of Defense, US Intelligence Community and Multinational Peacekeeping organizations worldwide.
Prior to the formation of Trace Systems, Mr. Hoernig cofounded Spacelink International, LLC with his father and sister in 1995. He led the growth and expansion of Spacelink for over 10 years with global operations in Europe, throughout the Balkans and in the Middle East. Spacelink was acquired by ESSI (now DRS Technologies) in 2005 for over $150M. Mr. Hoernig also worked in the international community out of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to mature various business plans for the Southwest Asia region to include satellite-based television distribution and low earth orbiting satellite constellation services.
Mr. Hoernig received a BS in Business Management from Texas Tech University and is an active member of various industry organizations including AFCEA, Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI), Association of the United States Army (AUSA), and National Defense Industries Association (NDIA).
In addition to his role as CEO at Trace Systems, Mr. Hoernig also founded Tequila Ventures, LLC. TV invests in the spirits industry and in 2014 completed the sale of super premium tequila brand Casa Noble to Constellation Brands. In 2015, TV acquired interest in 123 Spirits, which currently produces and imports three premium tequila brands from its facilities in Mexico for distribution world-wide including 123 Organic Tequila, El Luchador Organic Tequila and Craneo Organic Mezcal. In 2019 Hoernig and partners on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard launched Nomans Rum Runners LLC which produces the Nomans Rum brand.
John Wallace is a founder of and Chief Financial Officer for Trace Systems, providing strategic and financial leadership to the entrepreneurial DoD contractor. Mr. Wallace manages a team of direct reports responsible for all aspects of finance, accounting, and pricing. He has extensive management experience and a proven record of accomplishment in strategic planning, new business concept initiation and implementation, and mergers and acquisitions. Key skills include financial analysis, market research, business plan development, and government contract bid and proposal writing.
Prior to joining Trace, Mr. Wallace served as a Corporate Finance Associate at Deutsche Bank Securities, where he performed valuation and cash flow analysis for transactions by employing extensive financial modeling techniques. His role included organizing and conducting qualitative and quantitative due diligence to evaluate potential acquisition candidates and prospective issuers. Mr. Wallace then worked as a Senior manager of Strategy and Corporate Development for Lucent Technologies. As part of a small team that coordinated and executed the $35B merger of Lucent Technologies and Alcatel, Mr. Wallace also was a member of the integration planning team for the Services business following the deal close. He helped create Lucent’s first long-term strategic financial plan and supporting scenario analysis following the telecommunications market collapse in 2001.
Mr. Wallace received his undergraduate degree from United States Naval Academy in Systems Engineering. He also has an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. As a Captain in the Marine Corps, Mr. Wallace designed and programmed an intelligence database, which replaced existing paper files and greatly increased the command’s ability to analyze activity. He was further responsible for the actions of a 135-man company that provided round-the-clock security for one half of the Guantanamo Naval Base. Mr. Wallace has an extensive list of achievements, including being a graduate of the USMC Basic Officer Course and Infantry Officer Course, as well as a successful graduate of the USMC Corps Winter Warfare Planning Course and Combat Water Survival Instructor’s Course.
Stacey McGill joined Trace Systems in May of 2010 as a Systems Subject Matter Expert and went onto serve in various roles within the company prior to assuming the role of VP, Enterprise Solutions in December 2022. Stacey’s focus with Trace Systems is providing engineering, operations, and cybersecurity support to DOD customers worldwide as well as growth. Stacey brings more 9 years of experience directly onsite supporting DOD customers as an SME in locations such as Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq, and Djibouti along with more than 21 years of total overall industry experience to Trace Systems. Stacey’s hobbies include boxing, reading, traveling and gaming.
Terry Severson was a founding member of Trace Systems in 2006 and served as Vice President of Operations. In 2008, he became President and has remained in that position for the past 12 years. He has extensive industry and military experience providing telecommunications, networking, IT, and cybersecurity services and solutions to mission-oriented customers. His experience ranges from on the ground field support to command and corporate level leadership.
Prior to joining Trace, Mr. Severson was a Principal at Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH) and led the company’s 100-consultant Eatontown office providing professional and technical services, including information technology spiral development and prototyping, to the DoD and commercial customers. He also served as Operations Director in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the consultancy’s joint venture, where he led operations providing professional services—telecommunications, operations, logistics, and security—for the Royal Saudi Air Force. He further supported a major commercial engagement for Saudi Telecom Company.
After BAH, Mr. Severson served as Vice President for Advanced Management Technology Inc., where he had full profit and loss responsibility providing a wide range of IT support and development services with a team of 130 people to the Army, Coast Guard, FAA and Transportation Security Administration. He then joined Technical and Management Services Corp. (TAMSCO) for two years as their Director of Strategic Planning, where he advised and assisted the TAMSCO President and Vice-President, and collaborated with ESSI (owning holding company) and other subsidiary operating company executives regarding strategic initiatives, annual planning, and monthly execution.
Mr. Severson received an MS in electrical engineering from the University of Denver, and a BS in electrical engineering from the University of North Dakota. He is a retired Air Force Colonel with 55 years of military and industry communications and information technology experience. He is a founding member of the UND College of Engineering and Mines Executive Board and serves as its current Chairman.
Dayna Knop joined Trace Systems in November 2011 and serves as Vice President, Human Resources. She is responsible for leading Trace’s overall human resources strategy, global talent acquisition, compensation and benefits, global HR operations, employee relations, compliance, and mobilization. Dayna has over 15 years of corporate experience in Human Resources in the government contracting space.
She has a proven ability to lead and manage all aspects of HR with a laser focus on analytics, innovation, and continuous improvement, translating business acumen into strategic initiatives.
Dayna holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Wingate University and a senior professional human resources designation.
Stephen Bagley joined Trace Systems in 2017 and serves as the VP for Intelligence Solutions. He is responsible for leading a wide range of Trace’s innovative mission technologies and systems integration supporting the Intelligence Community, Department of Defense and other federal agencies. Bagley has supported numerous initiatives with the company across business groups to solve challenging client mission problems with innovative technology through streamlined acquisition and contract solutions.
Prior to joining Trace, Bagley founded BTC, where he led the company providing strategic planning and execution for mission critical national security systems, primarily at Ft. Meade and throughout the National Capitol Region. His focus on acquisition efficiencies and unique contract execution processes have delivered meaningful rapid technology enhancements to users across multiple Programs of Record and Combatant Commands.
Bagley earned a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems and Technology from Syracuse University and a Master of Business Administration from George Washington University. He has attended numerous executive education programs at Defense Acquisition University for Program Managers at Ft. Belvoir to represent Defense Industry perspectives and recommendations for tailored acquisition programs.
Prior to joining Trace, Bagley founded BTC, where he led the company providing strategic planning and execution for mission critical national security systems, primarily at Ft. Meade and throughout the National Capitol Region. His focus on acquisition efficiencies and unique contract execution processes have delivered meaningful rapid technology enhancements to users across multiple Programs of Record and Combatant Commands.
Bagley earned a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems and Technology from Syracuse University and a Master of Business Administration from George Washington University. He has attended numerous executive education programs at Defense Acquisition University for Program Managers at Ft. Belvoir to represent Defense Industry perspectives and recommendations for tailored acquisition programs.
Otto Hoernig III founded Trace Systems in 2006 in response to the growing DoD demand for wireless sensor networks and data collection systems to include security, asset management, surveillance, monitoring and data management requirements. Under Mr. Hoernig’s leadership, Trace has built a team of industry professionals and has postured the organization to grow organically and through strategic acquisition in the federal government technology services markets. Mr. Hoernig is an accomplished telecommunications executive with more than 24 years of experience in the satellite and wireless data communications business sector serving the US Department of Defense, US Intelligence Community and Multinational Peacekeeping organizations worldwide.
Prior to the formation of Trace Systems, Mr. Hoernig cofounded Spacelink International, LLC with his father and sister in 1995. He led the growth and expansion of Spacelink for over 10 years with global operations in Europe, throughout the Balkans and in the Middle East. Spacelink was acquired by ESSI (now DRS Technologies) in 2005 for over $150M. Mr. Hoernig also worked in the international community out of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to mature various business plans for the Southwest Asia region to include satellite-based television distribution and low earth orbiting satellite constellation services.
Mr. Hoernig received a BS in Business Management from Texas Tech University and is an active member of various industry organizations including AFCEA, Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI), Association of the United States Army (AUSA), and National Defense Industries Association (NDIA).
In addition to his role as CEO at Trace Systems, Mr. Hoernig also founded Tequila Ventures, LLC. TV invests in the spirits industry and in 2014 completed the sale of super premium tequila brand Casa Noble to Constellation Brands. In 2015, TV acquired interest in 123 Spirits, which currently produces and imports three premium tequila brands from its facilities in Mexico for distribution world-wide including 123 Organic Tequila, El Luchador Organic Tequila and Craneo Organic Mezcal. In 2019 Hoernig and partners on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard launched Nomans Rum Runners LLC which produces the Nomans Rum brand.
Kenneth Hilton’s has been an executive partner with Trace Systems since July 2012, executing the CEO’s vision regarding the general management and operational efficiency of the company. He is responsible for the programmatic execution, success, and continued growth of information technology, enterprise networks, cybersecurity, and communications systems CONUS and OCONUS for Trace Systems.
Prior to joining Trace, Mr. Hilton was Vice President for International C4ISR Programs Division for SAIC. His responsibilities included being accountable for both International and DoD Command & Operations Center engineering, design, implementation, and final delivery of CONUS and OCONUS C4ISR Programs supporting CENTCOM, SOCOM, EUCOM, AFRICOM, SOUTHCOM, SPAWAR-LANT, and PEO EIS customers. His past experience gives him a “boots on the ground” understanding and responsiveness to the like-minded Warfighter with unmatched leadership skills and experience in real-world operational knowledge that is an intrinsic part of his role at Trace Systems.
Mr. Hilton served in the US Army as a member of the 59th Ordnance Brigade (86-91), 101st Airborne Division (92-96), and Joint Communications Support Element (96-99). He is proudly distinguished as an Air Assault, Master Parachutist, Jumpmaster, S.E.R.E., and U.S Army Ranger. Evolving from a Single/Multi-Channel Operator (31C), then a Satellite Communications Operator (31S), and further leading the Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE -Charlie Company) Quick Reaction Platoon throughout Europe, the Balkans, and Southwest Asia, Kenneth was honorably discharged after 13 years of multiple deployments.
Terry Severson was a founding member of Trace Systems in 2006 and served as Vice President of Operations. In 2008, he became President and has remained in that position for the past 12 years. He has extensive industry and military experience providing telecommunications, networking, IT, and cybersecurity services and solutions to mission-oriented customers. His experience ranges from on the ground field support to command and corporate level leadership.
Prior to joining Trace, Mr. Severson was a Principal at Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH) and led the company’s 100-consultant Eatontown office providing professional and technical services, including information technology spiral development and prototyping, to the DoD and commercial customers. He also served as Operations Director in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the consultancy’s joint venture, where he led operations providing professional services—telecommunications, operations, logistics, and security—for the Royal Saudi Air Force. He further supported a major commercial engagement for Saudi Telecom Company.
After BAH, Mr. Severson served as Vice President for Advance Management Technology Inc., where he had full profit and loss responsibility providing a wide range of IT support and development services with a team of 130 people to the Army, Coast Guard, FAA and Transportation Security Administration. He then joined Technical and Management Services Corp. (TAMSCO) for two years as their Director of Strategic Planning, where he advised and assisted the TAMSCO President and Vice-President, and collaborated with ESSI (owning holding company) and other subsidiary operating company executives regarding strategic initiatives, annual planning, and monthly execution.
Mr. Severson received an MS in electrical engineering from the University of Denver, and a BS in electrical engineering from the University of North Dakota. He is a retired Air Force Colonel with 40 years of military and industry communications and information technology experience. He is a founding member of the UND College of Engineering and Mines Executive Board and serves as its current Chairman.
John Wallace is a founder of and Chief Financial Officer for Trace Systems, providing strategic and financial leadership to the entrepreneurial DoD contractor. Mr. Wallace manages a team of direct reports responsible for all aspects of finance, accounting, and pricing. He has extensive management experience and a proven record of accomplishment in strategic planning, new business concept initiation and implementation, and mergers and acquisitions. Key skills include financial analysis, market research, business plan development, and government contract bid and proposal writing.
Prior to joining Trace, Mr. Wallace served as a Corporate Finance Associate at Deutsche Bank Securities, where he performed valuation and cash flow analysis for transactions by employing extensive financial modeling techniques. His role included organizing and conducting qualitative and quantitative due diligence to evaluate potential acquisition candidates and prospective issuers. Mr. Wallace then worked as a Senior manager of Strategy and Corporate Development for Lucent Technologies. As part of a small team that coordinated and executed the $35B merger of Lucent Technologies and Alcatel, Mr. Wallace also was a member of the integration planning team for the Services business following the deal close. He helped create Lucent’s first long-term strategic financial plan and supporting scenario analysis following the telecommunications market collapse in 2001.
Mr. Wallace received his undergraduate degree from United States Naval Academy in Systems Engineering. He also has an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. As a Captain in the Marine Corps, Mr. Wallace designed and programmed an intelligence database, which replaced existing paper files and greatly increased the command’s ability to analyze activity. He was further responsible for the actions of a 135-man company that provided round-the-clock security for one half of the Guantanamo Naval Base. Mr. Wallace has an extensive list of achievements, including being a graduate of the USMC Basic Officer Course and Infantry Officer Course, as well as a successful graduate of the USMC Corps Winter Warfare Planning Course and Combat Water Survival Instructor’s Course.
Dayna Knop joined Trace Systems in November 2011 and serves as Vice President, Human Resources. She is responsible for leading Trace’s overall human resources strategy, global talent acquisition, compensation and benefits, global HR operations, employee relations, compliance, and mobilization. Dayna has over 15 years of corporate experience in Human Resources in the government contracting space.
She has a proven ability to lead and manage all aspects of HR with a laser focus on analytics, innovation, and continuous improvement, translating business acumen into strategic initiatives.
Dayna holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Wingate University and a senior professional human resources designation.
Alisha Kelly joined Trace Systems in October 2016 and serves as Vice President, Business Development, Proposals, and External Communications. She is responsible for shaping Trace's strategic growth path and executing tactical BD initiatives in support of the company. She has steadily helped expand the company's expertise and reach around the globe, focusing on supporting the mission in austere and hazardous locations where it is most needed. Alisha has over 10 years of corporate experience in Business Development in the government contracting space.
In addition to her professional role, Alisha is a volunteer with AFCEA at the International and Chapter levels. She has served on the AFCEA International Board of Directors since 2019 as well as supporting many Chapters, committees, and initiatives over the past 10 years.
Alisha holds a Master's of Business Administration and a Bachelor's in Business from Louisiana State University as well as a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certificate.
Greg Filak joined Trace Systems in 2010 and serves as the VP of the Enterprise and Communication Solutions Group (ECSG). He is responsible for managing all of Trace’s enterprise and tactical IT and communications personnel in over a dozen countries globally. Furthermore, Mr. Filak is responsible for operations and sustainment, growth, and profit and loss for all projects and personnel, including direct oversight over multiple division managers.
Prior to joining Trace, Mr. Filak served as the Senior Program Manager at PM DCS-SWA in New Jersey and Iraq. He then worked as a Consultant for ASG in Kuwait. He worked in Army acquisition in direct support of CECOM, PEO-EIS, and PEO-C3T, with a heavy focus in contingency operations environments in the Middle East, including spending 18 months in Iraq in support of C4 commercialization efforts.
Greg received a BA in Philosophy and Criminology from Davidson College and an MBA (Magna Cum Laude) from Pfeiffer University. Greg has over 18 years of experience as a Volunteer Fireman, having held the titles of Lieutenant, Engineer, and Black Helmet. Furthermore, Greg has over 4 years of experience as a Police Officer in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Greg’s professional certifications include Project Management Professional (PMP) (2008), Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) v3 Foundations (2010), DAWIA Program Management – Level II (2011), Training in DAWIA Contracting – Level I, and Training in Six Sigma practices.
Stacey McGill joined Trace Systems in May of 2010 as a Systems Subject Matter Expert and went onto serve in various roles within the company prior to assuming the role of VP, Enterprise Solutions in December 2022. Stacey’s focus with Trace Systems is providing engineering, operations, and cybersecurity support to DOD customers worldwide as well as growth. Stacey brings more 9 years of experience directly onsite supporting DOD customers as an SME in locations such as Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq, and Djibouti along with more than 21 years of total overall industry experience to Trace Systems. Stacey’s hobbies include boxing, reading, traveling and gaming.
Stephen Bagley joined Trace Systems in 2017 and serves as the VP for Intelligence Solutions. He is responsible for leading a wide range of Trace’s innovative mission technologies and systems integration supporting the Intelligence Community, Department of Defense and other federal agencies. Bagley has supported numerous initiatives with the company across business groups to solve challenging client mission problems with innovative technology through streamlined acquisition and contract solutions.
Prior to joining Trace, Bagley founded BTC, where he led the company providing strategic planning and execution for mission critical national security systems, primarily at Ft. Meade and throughout the National Capitol Region. His focus on acquisition efficiencies and unique contract execution processes have delivered meaningful rapid technology enhancements to users across multiple Programs of Record and Combatant Commands.
Bagley earned a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems and Technology from Syracuse University and a Master of Business Administration from George Washington University. He has attended numerous executive education programs at Defense Acquisition University for Program Managers at Ft. Belvoir to represent Defense Industry perspectives and recommendations for tailored acquisition programs.
Prior to joining Trace, Bagley founded BTC, where he led the company providing strategic planning and execution for mission critical national security systems, primarily at Ft. Meade and throughout the National Capitol Region. His focus on acquisition efficiencies and unique contract execution processes have delivered meaningful rapid technology enhancements to users across multiple Programs of Record and Combatant Commands.
Bagley earned a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems and Technology from Syracuse University and a Master of Business Administration from George Washington University. He has attended numerous executive education programs at Defense Acquisition University for Program Managers at Ft. Belvoir to represent Defense Industry perspectives and recommendations for tailored acquisition programs.
Kenneth Hilton’s has been an executive partner with Trace Systems since July 2012, executing the CEO’s vision regarding the general management and operational efficiency of the company. He is responsible for the programmatic execution, success, and continued growth of information technology, enterprise networks, cybersecurity, and communications systems CONUS and OCONUS for Trace Systems.
Prior to joining Trace, Mr. Hilton was Vice President for International C4ISR Programs Division for SAIC. His responsibilities included being accountable for both International and DoD Command & Operations Center engineering, design, implementation, and final delivery of CONUS and OCONUS C4ISR Programs supporting CENTCOM, SOCOM, EUCOM, AFRICOM, SOUTHCOM, SPAWAR-LANT, and PEO EIS customers. His past experience gives him a “boots on the ground” understanding and responsiveness to the like-minded Warfighter with unmatched leadership skills and experience in real-world operational knowledge that is an intrinsic part of his role at Trace Systems.
Mr. Hilton served in the US Army as a member of the 59th Ordnance Brigade (86-91), 101st Airborne Division (92-96), and Joint Communications Support Element (96-99). He is proudly distinguished as an Air Assault, Master Parachutist, Jumpmaster, S.E.R.E., and U.S Army Ranger. Evolving from a Single/Multi-Channel Operator (31C), then a Satellite Communications Operator (31S), and further leading the Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE -Charlie Company) Quick Reaction Platoon throughout Europe, the Balkans, and Southwest Asia, Kenneth was honorably discharged after 13 years of multiple deployments.
Terry Severson was a founding member of Trace Systems in 2006 and served as Vice President of Operations. In 2008, he became President and has remained in that position for the past 12 years. He has extensive industry and military experience providing telecommunications, networking, IT, and cybersecurity services and solutions to mission-oriented customers. His experience ranges from on the ground field support to command and corporate level leadership.
Prior to joining Trace, Mr. Severson was a Principal at Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH) and led the company’s 100-consultant Eatontown office providing professional and technical services, including information technology spiral development and prototyping, to the DoD and commercial customers. He also served as Operations Director in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the consultancy’s joint venture, where he led operations providing professional services—telecommunications, operations, logistics, and security—for the Royal Saudi Air Force. He further supported a major commercial engagement for Saudi Telecom Company.
After BAH, Mr. Severson served as Vice President for Advance Management Technology Inc., where he had full profit and loss responsibility providing a wide range of IT support and development services with a team of 130 people to the Army, Coast Guard, FAA and Transportation Security Administration. He then joined Technical and Management Services Corp. (TAMSCO) for two years as their Director of Strategic Planning, where he advised and assisted the TAMSCO President and Vice-President, and collaborated with ESSI (owning holding company) and other subsidiary operating company executives regarding strategic initiatives, annual planning, and monthly execution.
Mr. Severson received an MS in electrical engineering from the University of Denver, and a BS in electrical engineering from the University of North Dakota. He is a retired Air Force Colonel with 40 years of military and industry communications and information technology experience. He is a founding member of the UND College of Engineering and Mines Executive Board and serves as its current Chairman.
John Wallace is a founder of and Chief Financial Officer for Trace Systems, providing strategic and financial leadership to the entrepreneurial DoD contractor. Mr. Wallace manages a team of direct reports responsible for all aspects of finance, accounting, and pricing. He has extensive management experience and a proven record of accomplishment in strategic planning, new business concept initiation and implementation, and mergers and acquisitions. Key skills include financial analysis, market research, business plan development, and government contract bid and proposal writing.
Prior to joining Trace, Mr. Wallace served as a Corporate Finance Associate at Deutsche Bank Securities, where he performed valuation and cash flow analysis for transactions by employing extensive financial modeling techniques. His role included organizing and conducting qualitative and quantitative due diligence to evaluate potential acquisition candidates and prospective issuers. Mr. Wallace then worked as a Senior manager of Strategy and Corporate Development for Lucent Technologies. As part of a small team that coordinated and executed the $35B merger of Lucent Technologies and Alcatel, Mr. Wallace also was a member of the integration planning team for the Services business following the deal close. He helped create Lucent’s first long-term strategic financial plan and supporting scenario analysis following the telecommunications market collapse in 2001.
Mr. Wallace received his undergraduate degree from United States Naval Academy in Systems Engineering. He also has an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. As a Captain in the Marine Corps, Mr. Wallace designed and programmed an intelligence database, which replaced existing paper files and greatly increased the command’s ability to analyze activity. He was further responsible for the actions of a 135-man company that provided round-the-clock security for one half of the Guantanamo Naval Base. Mr. Wallace has an extensive list of achievements, including being a graduate of the USMC Basic Officer Course and Infantry Officer Course, as well as a successful graduate of the USMC Corps Winter Warfare Planning Course and Combat Water Survival Instructor’s Course.
Greg Filak joined Trace Systems in 2010 and serves as the VP of the Enterprise and Communication Solutions Group (ECSG). He is responsible for managing all of Trace’s enterprise and tactical IT and communications personnel in over a dozen countries globally. Furthermore, Mr. Filak is responsible for operations and sustainment, growth, and profit and loss for all projects and personnel, including direct oversight over multiple division managers.
Prior to joining Trace, Mr. Filak served as the Senior Program Manager at PM DCS-SWA in New Jersey and Iraq. He then worked as a Consultant for ASG in Kuwait. He worked in Army acquisition in direct support of CECOM, PEO-EIS, and PEO-C3T, with a heavy focus in contingency operations environments in the Middle East, including spending 18 months in Iraq in support of C4 commercialization efforts.
Greg received a BA in Philosophy and Criminology from Davidson College and an MBA (Magna Cum Laude) from Pfeiffer University. Greg has over 18 years of experience as a Volunteer Fireman, having held the titles of Lieutenant, Engineer, and Black Helmet. Furthermore, Greg has over 4 years of experience as a Police Officer in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Greg’s professional certifications include Project Management Professional (PMP) (2008), Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) v3 Foundations (2010), DAWIA Program Management – Level II (2011), Training in DAWIA Contracting – Level I, and Training in Six Sigma practices.
Stacey McGill joined Trace Systems in May of 2010 as a Systems Subject Matter Expert and went onto serve in various roles within the company prior to assuming the role of VP, Enterprise Solutions in December 2022. Stacey’s focus with Trace Systems is providing engineering, operations, and cybersecurity support to DOD customers worldwide as well as growth. Stacey brings more 9 years of experience directly onsite supporting DOD customers as an SME in locations such as Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq, and Djibouti along with more than 21 years of total overall industry experience to Trace Systems. Stacey’s hobbies include boxing, reading, traveling and gaming.
Otto Hoernig III founded Trace Systems in 2006 in response to the growing DoD demand for wireless sensor networks and data collection systems to include security, asset management, surveillance, monitoring and data management requirements. Under Mr. Hoernig’s leadership, Trace has built a team of industry professionals and has postured the organization to grow organically and through strategic acquisition in the federal government technology services markets. Mr. Hoernig is an accomplished telecommunications executive with more than 24 years of experience in the satellite and wireless data communications business sector serving the US Department of Defense, US Intelligence Community and Multinational Peacekeeping organizations worldwide.
Prior to the formation of Trace Systems, Mr. Hoernig cofounded Spacelink International, LLC with his father and sister in 1995. He led the growth and expansion of Spacelink for over 10 years with global operations in Europe, throughout the Balkans and in the Middle East. Spacelink was acquired by ESSI (now DRS Technologies) in 2005 for over $150M. Mr. Hoernig also worked in the international community out of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to mature various business plans for the Southwest Asia region to include satellite-based television distribution and low earth orbiting satellite constellation services.
Mr. Hoernig received a BS in Business Management from Texas Tech University and is an active member of various industry organizations including AFCEA, Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI), Association of the United States Army (AUSA), and National Defense Industries Association (NDIA).
In addition to his role as CEO at Trace Systems, Mr. Hoernig also founded Tequila Ventures, LLC. TV invests in the spirits industry and in 2014 completed the sale of super premium tequila brand Casa Noble to Constellation Brands. In 2015, TV acquired interest in 123 Spirits, which currently produces and imports three premium tequila brands from its facilities in Mexico for distribution world-wide including 123 Organic Tequila, El Luchador Organic Tequila and Craneo Organic Mezcal. In 2019 Hoernig and partners on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard launched Nomans Rum Runners LLC which produces the Nomans Rum brand.
Dayna Knop joined Trace Systems in November 2011 and serves as Vice President, Human Resources. She is responsible for leading Trace’s overall human resources strategy, global talent acquisition, compensation and benefits, global HR operations, employee relations, compliance, and mobilization. Dayna has over 15 years of corporate experience in Human Resources in the government contracting space.
She has a proven ability to lead and manage all aspects of HR with a laser focus on analytics, innovation, and continuous improvement, translating business acumen into strategic initiatives.
Dayna holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Wingate University and a senior professional human resources designation.
Stephen Bagley joined Trace Systems in 2017 and serves as the VP for Intelligence Solutions. He is responsible for leading a wide range of Trace’s innovative mission technologies and systems integration supporting the Intelligence Community, Department of Defense and other federal agencies. Bagley has supported numerous initiatives with the company across business groups to solve challenging client mission problems with innovative technology through streamlined acquisition and contract solutions.
Prior to joining Trace, Bagley founded BTC, where he led the company providing strategic planning and execution for mission critical national security systems, primarily at Ft. Meade and throughout the National Capitol Region. His focus on acquisition efficiencies and unique contract execution processes have delivered meaningful rapid technology enhancements to users across multiple Programs of Record and Combatant Commands.
Bagley earned a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems and Technology from Syracuse University and a Master of Business Administration from George Washington University. He has attended numerous executive education programs at Defense Acquisition University for Program Managers at Ft. Belvoir to represent Defense Industry perspectives and recommendations for tailored acquisition programs.
Prior to joining Trace, Bagley founded BTC, where he led the company providing strategic planning and execution for mission critical national security systems, primarily at Ft. Meade and throughout the National Capitol Region. His focus on acquisition efficiencies and unique contract execution processes have delivered meaningful rapid technology enhancements to users across multiple Programs of Record and Combatant Commands.
Bagley earned a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems and Technology from Syracuse University and a Master of Business Administration from George Washington University. He has attended numerous executive education programs at Defense Acquisition University for Program Managers at Ft. Belvoir to represent Defense Industry perspectives and recommendations for tailored acquisition programs.
Alisha Kelly joined Trace Systems in October 2016 and serves as Vice President, Business Development, Proposals, and External Communications. She is responsible for shaping Trace's strategic growth path and executing tactical BD initiatives in support of the company. She has steadily helped expand the company's expertise and reach around the globe, focusing on supporting the mission in austere and hazardous locations where it is most needed. Alisha has over 10 years of corporate experience in Business Development in the government contracting space.
In addition to her professional role, Alisha is a volunteer with AFCEA at the International and Chapter levels. She has served on the AFCEA International Board of Directors since 2019 as well as supporting many Chapters, committees, and initiatives over the past 10 years.
Alisha holds a Master's of Business Administration and a Bachelor's in Business from Louisiana State University as well as a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certificate.