Company

Our
Company
Is Built
On …

Vision

Bluewater Defense strives to be a forward-thinking, innovative, and standard-setting manufacturing concern. We envision our company as a leader labor-intensive sewn goods, able to implement difficult programs and provide innovative solutions to our customers. We want to lead the industry by doing what is right, not what’s expedient.

Mission

Bluewater Defense aims to produce the highest quality on-time and on budget. Exceeding client expectations and going above and beyond industry standards. We believe that creating a healthy and happy work environment, where people are proud to come to work everyday, greatly contributes to the success of our company.

 

Bluewater Defense is a certified HUBZone Small Business, ISO 9001:2015 Certified and has ITAR Registration.

Meet Our Leadership

  • Eric Spackey, President & CEO
    Meet Our Leadership

    Eric Spackey

    POSITION

    President & CEO.Since 2009.

    Mr. Spackey comes to BWD with over 30 years of experience leading finance, development and operations of successful start-ups in healthcare, wireless telecom, internet and manufacturing. Prior to joining BWD, he was CEO of ShippingPal.com, an Internet start-up in Toronto, Mr. Spackey’s partner has gone on to be named “one of the 50 fastest growing companies in Canada”. Prior to ShippingPal, Mr. Spackey held senior leadership roles in a number of successful wireless telecommunication startups, eventually becoming seconded to AT&T Wireless International to lead business development and regulatory affairs in the Caribbean. In this role, he worked closely with the senior leadership of local and national government, finance, network infrastructure and handset providers, including: Carlyle Group, CL Financial, MC Venture Partners, Siemens, Nortel, Lucent, MCI, Panasonic and others. Mr. Spackey is a member of the Republican Governors Association Executive Roundtable, where he works closely with senior government, military and industry leaders. He’s a veteran of the US Air Force. Mr. Spackey holds a BS in Finance and Marketing from the University of California Berkeley, Haas School of Business.

    “Bear in mind that the measure of a man is the worth of the things he cares about”
    – Marcus Aurelius, Meditations (VII.3)

    CONTACT

  • Elizabeth Machuca
    Elizabeth Machuca, Program Manager
    Meet Our Leadership

    Elizabeth Machuca

    Elizabeth Machuca
    POSITION

    Program Manager.

    Elizabeth Machuca has 15 years’ experience in Federal Government Procurement and has rejoined the company to ensure success on new and existing programs.  Mrs. Machuca has previously worked at SNC Technical Services, LLC as Planning and Contract Manager where she served as a liaison between the Federal Government, Commercial Customers and the Company. In addition, she was the leader of a project to develop a planning tool that improved the on-time delivery 70% in three months.  At the beginning of her career, she worked at Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) providing guidance to companies in Puerto Rico that wanted to do business with the Federal Government.  She has knowledge in ISO 9001 Quality Management System and has helped various companies in their implementation.Mrs. Machuca graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez Campus

    “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...”
    – Dr. Seuss

  • Ignerys Negron, Director of Human Resources
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    Ignerys Negron

    POSITION

    Director of Human Resources.

    Ms. Negron comes to BWD with over 30 years experience in Human Resources Management leading people development within the manufacturing environment. Prior to joining BWD, Ms. Negron was responsible for Human Resources at PharmaBio Serv, McNeil Healthcare and Whitehall Robins, where she focused on leadership development, change management, organizational development, training and safety. She is an innovative leader who has worked to improve relationships between the shop floor and management, increasing productivity and quality at the same time. Ms. Negron has a Bachelor in Political and Social Sciences and a Juris Doctorate from Interamerican University and is Green Belt Certified. She has led the Johnson & Johnson college relation initiatives and leadership forum.

    "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
    – Winston Churchhill

  • Ivan Nunez
    Ivan Nuñez, VP of Operations
    Meet Our Leadership

    Ivan Nuñez

    Ivan Nunez
    POSITION

    VP of Operations.

    Ivan Nuñez joined Bluewater in 2019 with over 25 years of experience in the textile industry.  Prior to Bluewater he was the COO of Pentaq Manufacturing, where he oversaw the Purchasing, Quality Control, ISO, Cutting, and Contract Administration departments. Before Pentaq, Mr. Nuñez was the Director of Business Development at SNC Technical Services, managing Commercial Business, Subcontractors and Product Development. Mr. Nuñez also worked at DJ Manufacturing (now Bluewater Defense) as an Industrial Engineer. He was supervising the Engineering, Cutting and Product Development departments. His first experience in the textile industry was provided by East Pack Manufacturing as an Engineer and Quality Manager. Ivan brings BWD his vast experience in manufacturing for both US Government and Commercial Brands and a great relationship with materials and equipment suppliers. Mr. Nuñez holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from the Central Connecticut State University.

    “If you want to understand a person, don't listen to his words, observe his behavior.”—Albert Einstein

  • Auralis Herrero-Lugo
    Auralís Herrero-Lugo, Commercial Program Manager
    Meet Our Leadership

    Auralís Herrero-Lugo

    Auralis Herrero-Lugo
    POSITION

    Commercial Program Manager.

    Auralís Herrero-Lugo joined Blue Water Defense in January 2018 as the Product Development Manager where she is involved in all aspects of the business. She is also an entrepreneur, designer and lecturer with over 10 years of product development and small batch production experience specializing in integrating ethical practices within the fashion industry. Her experience includes strategy, circular supply chain management, responsible sourcing, client relations, training and capacity building into American manufacturing. Auralís has founded 2 fashion companies: Retazo, a Puerto Rico based circular fashion platform for designers and small factories that meshes together training, capacity building, manufacturing and sales for long term economic development in the island; and her first business endeavor Auralis Studio, a sustainable resort wear line that was designed and manufactured between New York City and Puerto Rico.  She also lectures on Ethical Fashion, Sustainable Product Lifecycle and  Product Development at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology and Parsons New School for Design, serving as guest lecturer at design universities in Puerto Rico such as Escuela de Artes Plasticas and Universidad del Turabo. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she holds a BFA in Fashion Design with an AA in Textile Design from Moore College of Art and Design and a Certificate in Design Entrepreneurship from New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology. Auralís spent her whole career in New York’s fashion and manufacturing industry before returning to Puerto Rico. Her dream is to become the Director of Product Development at Blue Water Defense and help drive the company’s continued expansion into a multi-brand design and manufacturing operation with a diverse range of product development and technology applications.

    “Take the path your talents make you take” – Henri Matisse

  • Itza Feliciano
    Itza Feliciano, Supply Chain Director
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    Itza Feliciano

    Itza Feliciano
    POSITION

    Supply Chain Director.

    More than 10 years of experience in the textile industry. Worked on the implementation of ISO Quality Management Systems and created an MRP tool to track materials needed to help plan production and prevent late customer delivery. Implemented a new layout in the packing and shipping areas to reduce cost, travel time and improve process flow. Focused on process improvement, risk management and cost savings. Experience working in both government and commercial programs, federal budget, planning, warehouse and shipping.

    “You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take” – Wayne Gretzky

Board Of Directors

  • Pablo Quesada
    Pablo Quesada, General Counsel
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    Pablo Quesada

    Pablo Quesada
    POSITION

    General Counsel.

    Pablo S. Quesada – Bluewater Defense - General Counsel Mr. Quesada is a founding partner of the Miami law firm, SMGQ Law, where he concentrates his practice in the areas of corporate and securities, with an emphasis in mergers and acquisitions, financing and lending transactions, domestic and international commercial transactions, and board governance issues. He previously served as Regional Counsel for VISA's Latin America and Caribbean Region, where he was responsible for advising all levels of management at VISA's Regional headquarters in Miami, and its sub-regional offices in Chile, Mexico and Venezuela, and was an attorney with the international law firm of K&L Gates LLP, where he served as primary counsel to one of the country’s largest private companies. Mr. Quesada graduated from the University of Miami, with a B.B.A. in Accounting, and the Florida State University College of Law, where he obtained his J.D. degree, with honors.

    SMGQ Law

    “There are no constraints on the human mind, no walls around the human spirit, no barriers to our progress except those we ourselves erect.”
    – President Ronald Reagan

  • Christopher Burnham, Director
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    Christopher Burnham

    POSITION

    Director.

    Hon. Christopher Bancroft Burnham, also known as Chris, is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cambridge Global. Hon. Burnham co-founded Cambridge in January of 2013 after a distinguished career in government, diplomacy, banking, and private equity.

    He currently serves as a Senior Advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). From 2006 to December 2012, Hon. Burnham was the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Deutsche Asset Management. In 2008, he co-founded Deutsche Bank’s direct private equity group, RREEF Capital Partners. Hon. Burnham was the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Deutsche Asset Management Inc. since November 15, 2006. He was a Global Co-Head of DB Climate Change Advisors, where he joined in early 2008.

    Hon. Burnham is a globally recognized expert on the management of complex multi-billion dollar global organizations, and on corporate governance, having served as the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Department of State, and Chief Operating Officer of the United Nations. He was previously an Under-Secretary General of the United Nations and the highest-ranking American in the U.N. Secretariat, reporting to U.N. Secretary General, Kofi Annan. He joined the U.N. after four years at the U.S. Department of State, where he served as (acting) Under Secretary of State for Management for Condoleezza Rice and Assistant Secretary of State for Resource Management and Chief Financial Officer of the State Department for Former Secretary of State, General Colin Powell.

    Prior to the Department of State, Hon. Burnham was the Vice Chairman of PIMCO Funds Company and President and Chief Executive Officer of its equity management subsidiary, Columbus Circle Investors. Earlier, in 1994, he served as a Treasurer of the State of Connecticut. Prior to that, Hon. Burnham was a Corporate Finance Banker at Advest, focusing on health care, waste to energy, and recycling financings, and with Credit Suisse First Boston as an Energy Banker in the public power and corporate group. He was also elected to, and served three terms in, the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1987. Hon. Burnham also served 24 years in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. In 1990, while at Credit Suisse First Boston, he volunteered for active duty and led one of the first infantry units to reach and liberate Kuwait City in February 1991.

    Hon. Burnham has been lauded as a beacon of hope for international cooperation which Senator Fulbright championed in his lifetime, and he is a very distinguished individual in international affairs. Hon. Burnham earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration (M.P.A.) from Harvard University and a B.A. from Washington & Lee University.
  • Honorable Alphonso Maldon, Jr., Director
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    Honorable Alphonso Maldon, Jr.

    POSITION

    Director.

    Mr. Alphonso Maldon Jr. was appointed by President Obama in May 2013 to serve as the Chairman of the Military Compensation, Retirement and Modernization Commission. The Commission completed its work and officially ended on February 1, 2016.

    Mr. Maldon is the President and CEO, and Founder of Partnership Strategies Consulting, a Washington, DC based firm that delivers strategic business development and government affairs solutions and advisory services that enable the realization of goals, objectives and competitive advantage for its clients since December 2009.

    Mr. Maldon is a Founding Partner and Co-Owner of the Major League’s Washington National Baseball Club. He is the former Senior Vice President, External Affairs and President of the Dream Foundation for the Washington Nationals Baseball Club. As a Senior Front Office Executive, he was responsible for public relations/ governmental affairs, community relations, and the daily operation of the foundation. Maldon has been a Founding Partner and Co-Owner of the Washington Nationals Baseball team since July 2006.

    Before joining the Washington Nationals Baseball Club, Mr. Maldon was the Senior Vice President and Senior Relationship Management Officer for Government Banking Services in the Corporate Banking Department at the PNC Financial Services Group in Washington, D.C. He was responsible for strategy, marketing, developing business and managing senior relationships with agencies of the government in the Washington Capital Region.

    Prior to joining PNC in April 2006, he led and managed the business activities and efforts of a group of private and corporate investors in the development and financing of a bid to purchase the Washington Nationals Baseball Club.

    Mr. Maldon was the Executive Vice President and Managing Director for Bank of America’s (formerly Fleet Boston Financial) Federal Government Banking Services from October 2003 to January 2005. He opened and headed the Washington Operation that generated more than $60 Million annually in new business for the Bank. He led efforts that positioned the bank in a new market and was responsible for strategy, organizational structure, marketing, developing business and managing senior relationships with agencies of the Federal Government.

    From 2001 to 2003 Mr. Maldon was Executive Vice President and Executive Director for Fleet’s Corporate Administrative Services, and was responsible for Global Security Services, Global Procurement and Out Sourcing, Facilities Planning and Strategy, Facilities & Project Management, Commercial Real Estate Transactions, Systems Management & Administration, and Shared Services. He was also a member of the Senior Leadership Advisory Committee.

    Mr. Maldon was the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Management and Policy from September 1999 until January 2001. A Presidential appointee confirmed by the Senate, he was responsible for policies, plans, and programs for all military and civilian personnel management, including recruitment, education, career development, equal opportunity, compensation, Training, recognition, discipline, and separation of all Department of Defense personnel. He oversaw the Department’s commissaries /stores that achieved net sales of $5 Billion annually. He was also responsible for the Department of Defense Schools that supported over 100,000 students annually worldwide.

    From 1995 to 1999, Mr. Maldon served as the Deputy Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs and White House Congressional Liaison to the United States Senate and House of Representatives. As Deputy Assistant for Legislative Affairs, he provided policy making and strategic advice to the President. Although Mr. Maldon was indirectly involved with a myriad of legislative issues he was directly responsible for legislative issues in both the House and Senate involving Trade, Banking and Financial Services, Defense, International Affairs, Intelligence and Veterans Affairs.

    In March 1993, Mr. Maldon was appointed as Special Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs. Subsequently, he served as Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Military Office. In this capacity, Mr. Maldon managed and directed a staff of over 2,200 personnel, providing operational, logistical, and state-of-the art communication support to the President.

    Mr. Maldon entered active duty service as a commissioned officer in the United States Army in August of 1972. His assignments included tours in Europe, South East Asia, Hawaii and various posts throughout the United States. Some of his highly visible positions included assignments as the Executive Officer, Armed Forces Staff College, and as Admissions and Public Liaison Officer at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. His career progressed through increasingly responsible positions as a Field Artillery and Adjutant General Corps Officer. He completed his military career with an assignment in the United States House of Representatives as the Deputy Director for Army Legislative Affairs in February 1993.

    Mr. Maldon holds a Master of Arts degree in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Florida A&M University Business School. He also graduated from various military schools and colleges, including the Command and General Staff College, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the Army's Organizational Effectiveness Management School in Monterey, California. He is the recipient of the Distinguished Civilian Public Service Medal and of numerous military decorations including the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Commendation Medal and the U.S. Army Staff Badge. Mr. Maldon is the recipient of the United States Congressional Award for Leadership and Patriotism. He is also the recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Oklahoma for outstanding professional achievement and public service. Mr. Maldon served as the Chairman of the Military Compensation, Retirement and Modernization Commission. Mr. Maldon also serves on the board of directors for Industrial Bank, Signature Renovations and the Advisory Board for M&J Engineering. He is an active member of the Executive Leadership Council (ELC). He is also a member of the National Retired Military Officers Association. Maldon is also a frequent National Public Speaker.
  • Tom Turpin, Director
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    Tom Turpin

    POSITION

    Director.

    Tom Turpin is the Managing Partner of Riverbrook Capital, which he founded in June 2011. Mr. Turpin’s career covers a broad range of senior management, corporate finance and merger and acquisition experience. He is an expert in selling companies, private debt and equity financings, leveraged buyouts, minority recapitalizations, and growth equity financings.

    In January 2017, Mr. Turpin was named by the Los Angeles Business Journal as one of “the most influential people in Los Angeles finance” in LABJ’s The Money Book.

    Prior to Riverbrook, Mr. Turpin held senior positions at D.A. Davidson and Allied Capital, a private equity firm with $9 billion of assets. At Allied, Mr. Turpin was responsible for the origination of all senior debt, subordinated debt and equity capital investments in the Western USA.

    Mr. Turpin also spent 12 years as the Chief Executive Officer of several companies. He served as CEO of Vinton Studios (now renamed LAIKA), one of the premier film animation studios in the USA. He also served as President/CEO of a division of London-based Virgin Entertainment Group.

    Mr. Turpin started his career in the Corporate Finance department at Goldman, Sachs & Co. in New York, where he was involved in a large number of complex equity, debt and merger transactions for Fortune 1000 companies.

    Mr. Turpin has a B.S. degree from Stanford University and an MBA from the Harvard Business School. He currently serves on the for-profit Boards of Fiesta Concession Corp., Atacama, Inc. and BlueWater Defense, and acts as a Senior Advisor to Tumbleweed Educational Enterprises.

    Mr. Turpin also volunteers on several non-profit Boards. He acts as Chairman of Cloud & Fire Charter High School and Cantinas Foundation, and is a Board member of C5 Youth Foundation and Los Angeles Mission. Tom and his wife live in Encino and are active members at Bel Air Church.