Bios

FRANK ROBERTS, Executive Director
A native of Chicago, IL, Frank graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with the Class of 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Science. Frank completed a 27 year active duty career in 1996 retiring as a Captain. During his career he accumulated over 4200 flight hours in tactical jet aircraft - primarily flying the F-4 Phantom II and F-14 Tomcat. He is one of less than 300 naval aviators to surpass 1000 carrier arrested landings.

During his Navy career Frank served at sea with Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31); Carrier Air Wing 8 (CVW-8); Fighter Squadron 84 (VF-84); Fighter Squadron 21 (VF-21) - which he commanded - and Carrier Group 8 (CARGRU 8) staff. He served ashore with Training Squadron 9 (VT-9); Fighter Squadron 101 (VF-101); Naval Air Forces Atlantic (NAVAIRLANT) fleet staff; Fighter Wing 1 (FITWING 1) staff; the Joint Staff; and the Atlantic Fleet (LANTFLT) staff. He is a graduate of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and the Naval War College.

Prior to retiring, Frank received a Master of Science degree in Education from Old Dominion University. Upon transition out of the Navy, Frank was first employed by OC, Incorporated and provided military analytical support to the Joint Warfighting Center. From 1997 to 2003 Frank was employed by Battlespace, Inc. and served as Vice President and Director of Hampton Roads operations where he supported joint unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) experimentation at U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM). From 2003 until 2006 Frank was employed by Old Dominion University Research Foundation and was assigned to USJFCOM to lead the Joint Operational Test Bed System (JOTBS) UAV experimentation program focused on transforming intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.

Frank assumed the position of Executive Director for the Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance (HRMFFA) in August 2006.

He is married to the former Joan Amler Lindsay of Huntington, NY, and resides in Virginia Beach, VA., where they have lived since 1973. They have a son, Jim, who lives in Norfolk , VA, and works at Northrop Grumman Newport News, and two grandchildren, Reagan and Lucas, who live in Virginia Beach with their father.

DANIEL ABRAMS, Government Affairs Coordinator
A native of Glendale, Arizona, Dan joined the Navy in 1976 and served 13 years as a broadcast journalist before earning a commission as a photographic officer. His 32-year career provided extensive experience in visual information, public affairs and strategic communication. Highlights included assignments with Fighter Squadron 103 as a Tactical Reconnaissance Officer during Desert Storm; the Director of Training for Visual Information and Photojournalism at the Defense Information School in Fort Meade, MD; and two command tours, first at the Fleet Imaging Command Pacific in San Diego, CA, as well as the Fleet Public Affairs Center in Norfolk, VA. He also served on the staffs of the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Japan; the Chief of Information in Washington, DC and the Commander U.S. Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, VA. His at sea experience includes assignments aboard USS Prairie (AD-15), USS Nimitz (CVN-68), USS Saratoga (CV-60) and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). He is a graduate of the Defense Information School and the Command Leadership School in Newport, R.I.

Dan attended the University of Arizona and graduated with honors from Chaminade University of Honolulu.