DIB Innovators RADICL

On this week’s episode of the DIB Innovators podcast, David speaks to Ryan Hartman, President and CEO of World View. The conversation explores Ryan’s military background, highlighting how his experiences in the Navy and Air Force shaped his leadership style. They also discuss the importance of effective communication and servant leadership in corporate success. 

Ryan shares impactful stories that emphasize the significance of a purpose-driven mission and leadership style at World View. He explains how stratospheric balloons function and what their clients use them for, highlighting World View’s focus on enhancing customer missions and their engagement with the defense industrial base.

Topics discussed:

- Ryan Hartman’s military background in the Navy and Air Force and the influence of those experiences on Ryan’s leadership style.
- The importance of effective communication and crew or team coordination.
- What has shaped the purpose-driven leadership at World View, including stories illustrating the impact of purpose on company culture
- World View’s focus on enhancing customer missions and their engagement with the defense industrial base
- Technical challenges and operational efficiency in stratospheric ballooning.
- The potential evolution of stratospheric ballooning in commercial and security applications

On this week’s episode of the DIB Innovators podcast, David talks with Grant Anderson, President, CEO, and Co-Founder of Paragon Space Development Corporation. They discuss why Paragon Space Development Corporation does not use PowerPoint and how Paragon Space Development Corporation’s flagship products have contributed to the defense space. 

Grant also shares his approach to leadership and some advice on building an innovative team. He also talks about how Paragon Space Development Corporation stays up to date with industry standards and continues to drive innovation.

Topics discussed:

- Grant’s journey from being the controller of an aviation company to working with Lockheed Martin to starting Paragon Space Development Corporation.
- How Paragon refuses to use PowerPoint, which sets them apart from other organizations in the best way. 
- Paragon’s flagship products and their contributions to the defense space.
- Grant’s approach to leadership and his advice on building a team that makes innovation a regular process.
- Why Paragon has avoided organizing itself based on team functions, instead opting for a process-based, collaborative approach.
- How Paragon stays ahead with industry changes and continues to drive innovation in response.

On this week’s episode of the DIB Innovators podcast, David talks with Bob Ferris, Founder and Executive Chairman of VirTra, about the journey from a team of one—himself—to becoming one of the field’s leading innovators and the critical role of strategic planning in VirTra’s expansion.

Bob also outlines the hurdles involved in crafting virtual training programs for law enforcement and military personnel, showcasing VirTra’s adeptness in overcoming these challenges.

Topics discussed:

- How the field of virtual training technologies has evolved, and why Bob is the ”grandfather” of it all.
- The strategic planning integral to VirTra’s growth and success in the industry.
- VirTra’s groundbreaking initiatives and why the company has consistently remained ahead of its time.
- Why it’s so challenging to create effective virtual training products.
- How VirTra keeps track of the trends and new technologies in the defense sector
- Embracing rejection as a catalyst for progress and innovation. How moving forward can sometimes mean saying—and hearing—”no.”

On this week’s episode of the DIB Innovators podcast, David talks with Thomas Weidley, President and CEO of Capewell, a safety, tactical, parachute, and aerial delivery solutions manufacturer. 

They discuss regrounding yourself in order to be a better leader. Tom also describes how supporting national security operations inspires Capewell employees to consistently deliver high-quality, reliable products. 

Topics discussed:

- How a ”warrior ethos” has guided Tom’s leadership both in the Marine Corps and as CEO of Capewell.
- Lessons from combat that transfer to the corporate landscape.
- Regrounding yourself and getting back to basics to stay connected to your team.
- How supporting national security operations shapes the ethos of Capewell and its employees.
- Challenges to staying innovative in delivering high-quality, reliable systems.
- How Capewell has incorporated AI and other tech in their operations and manufacturing.
- Balancing keeping an innovation mindset with keeping your ideas secure.

On this week’s episode of the DIB Innovators podcast, David talks with Heather Bulk, President, CEO, & Co-founder at Special Aerospace Services (SAS), a tactical engineering and advanced manufacturing firm. They discuss how SAS grew from advisory services to providing tactical engineering in civil and DoD industries, and how they’ve seen the commercial space industry grow through increased interest, funding, and demand. They also talk about how to solve the challenges of workforce development in the DIB, efforts to get more women involved, and how they build diversity starting with how they recruit.

Topics discussed:

- How SAS got start-ed in advisory services for clients working with NASA and evolved to providing tactical engineering and advanced manufacturing services in both civil and DoD industries.
- How the commercial space industry has grown through increased interest, funding, and demand for new engineering.
- Why the biggest hurdle to overcome when working with the government is compliance, and why growing companies should look to outside experts to build their capabilities.
- How SAS fosters a culture of autonomy and ”unintentional diversity” by being deliberate with its recruitment efforts.
- The story of Deanna and how to get more women interested and involved in the space industry.
- Why workforce development is the biggest challenge to the DIB today and the initiatives that can help solve it.
- Why, when, and if a growing company should seek venture capital, and how SAS’s bootstrapping allowed them to take more risks.

On this week’s episode of the DIB Innovators podcast, David talks with Gabe Dominocielo, Co-founder at Umbra, an Earth observation company. They discuss how Umbra uses synthetic aperture radar to observe the Earth, how they built the business for maximum IRR, and what they do to differentiate themselves from other satellite companies. They also talk about the long-term benefits of working with the US Government, how they foster a culture of security, and how Umbra seeks to continuously disrupt itself.

Topics discussed:

- What synthetic aperture radar is and how Gabe and his business partner saw its potential impact and profit.
- What Umbra does to differentiate itself from the competition, including lower costs and redesigns based on customer feedback.
- What it’s like working with the US Government and the benefit of having long contracts over time.
- Their approach to data sharing and licensing, and how it allows for cost savings and more versatility.
- How they foster a culture of security-mindedness to keep their IP safe.
- What they look for in new talent, and how they use the ”reverse interview” with strong candidates.
- The challenges of launching a satellite company and how Umbra works to constantly disrupt itself.