GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley

Mike Shanley

Welcome to the GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley, your source for insights into international markets, government funding, foreign policy and global growth strategies. As a go-to source for companies and organizations seeking to expand their global footprint and funding, our podcast guests provide expert analysis through exclusive conversations with key decision-makers shaping the government contracting, global growth and risk assessment, and foreign policy. The podcast features in-depth discussions with current and former U.S. government officials, global business leaders, and foreign policy experts. We cover critical topics such as government procurement priorities, navigating emerging and frontier markets, and foreign policy developments. Each episode is focused on getting your team actionable insight for your global strategy. Gain a competitive advantage with expert insights on funding strategies, government priorities, partnership opportunities, and market intelligence that can position your organization for success. Whether you are an established government contractor, a foreign policy, or a business looking to expand globally, the Global Strategy Podcast equips you with the knowledge and tools to thrive in an evolving global landscape. About the Host The GovDiscovery AI Podcast is hosted by Mike Shanley, CEO of GovDiscovery AI (govdiscoveryai.com) and Konektid International (www.konektid.com). Mike hosts the GovDiscovery AI Podcast and regularly presents on best practices for government partnering at conferences and events globally. He has been invited to speak on government contracting and global growth strategies at U.S. government conferences, Johns Hopkins University, University of Denver (Korbel School of International Studies), British Expertise International, and the U.S. Embassy – London. Tune in to the GovDiscovery AI Podcast to stay ahead of global trends and unlock new growth opportunities. Resources: Govdiscoveryai.com http://www.konektid.com

  1. Ep. 58 Future of National Security Workforce

    8 HR AGO

    Ep. 58 Future of National Security Workforce

    Alex Wagner, the former Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower & Reserve Affairs, joins Mike Shanley to discuss the Future of the National Security Workforce and how it’s being shaped by rapidly evolving trends. The conversation covers the role of technology in defense, diversity and inclusion within the Department of Defense (DoD), how Silicon Valley is connecting with the DoD to drive innovation, and what these changes mean for the defense industry. RESOURCES: GovDiscovery AI Federal Capture Support: https://www.govdiscoveryai.com/ Opinion: "Actually there's not much DEI in the DOD" https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/01/29/hegseth-dei-defense-department-military/ BIOGRAPHY: Alex Wagner served as the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower & Reserve Affairs from 2022 to 2025. Nominated by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he was responsible for the entire human capital enterprise of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, including recruiting and retention, talent management, compensation, health care and dependent care, discipline, oversight of the U.S. Air Force Academy and Air Force ROTC detachments, and reserve component affairs impacting nearly 700,000 Airmen, Guardians, and civilians. Previously, as Vice President at the Aerospace Industries Association, Alex led talent and workforce policy efforts on behalf of America’s most prominent aerospace and defense companies. During the Obama administration, he served as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Army, spearheading creation of the Army Rapid Capabilities Office and the Army Digital Service. Over the course of several prior appointments in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, he shaped the development and implementation of DoD policies on nuclear and conventional weapons, including emerging autonomy in weapons systems. He earned a J.D. from Georgetown Law, an A.B. from Brown University, and is currently an adjunct professor at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. LEARN MORE: Thank you for tuning into this episode of the GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley. You can learn more about working with the U.S. Government by visiting our homepage: Konektid International and GovDiscovery AI. To connect with our team directly, message the host Mike Shanley on LinkedIn. https://www.govdiscoveryai.com/  https://www.konektid.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gov-market-growth/

    35 min
  2. Ep. 57 Scale AI & Future of Agentic Warfare

    1 AUG

    Ep. 57 Scale AI & Future of Agentic Warfare

    Dan Tadross, Head of Public Sector at Scale AI, joins Mike Shanley to explore what Agentic AI Warfare might look like in the near future. The conversation covers AI interoperability with legacy systems, the evolving landscape of data sources and large language models (LLMs), and the significance of Meta’s $13 billion investment in this space.   RESOURCES: GovDiscovery AI Federal Capture Support: https://www.govdiscoveryai.com/ Scale LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scaleai/posts/?feedView=all Dan Tadross LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantadross/ Scale X profile: https://x.com/scale_ai Scale website: https://scale.com Scale YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Scale_AI BIOGRAPHY: Dan Tadross is the Head of Public Sector at Scale AI, a dual use technology company that builds the infrastructure for the most ambitious artificial intelligence projects in the world. In this role, Dan oversees all aspects of Scale’s support to the U.S. public sector. Prior to Scale, Dan served 12 years on Active Duty in the Marine Corps where he was a founding member of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC), a precursor to the Pentagon’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office. At the JAIC, Dan established the Joint Warfighting National Mission Initiative and led project Gargoyle, which focused on deploying Computer Vision for enhancing force protection. Prior to the JAIC, Major Tadross, an Air Traffic Control Officer, was hand selected as a member of the Secretary of the Navy’s Innovation Advisory Council, where he conducted independent research at the MITRE Corporation on integrating AI into Aviation Command and Control. His previous tours included Marine Air Tactical Command Squadron 18 in Okinawa, Japan where he served as the Senior Air Coordinator and supported exercises in South Korea, the Philippines, and Australia. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Old Dominion University and a Masters in Technology Management from Georgetown University. LEARN MORE: Thank you for tuning into this episode of the GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley. You can learn more about working with the U.S. Government by visiting our homepage: Konektid International and GovDiscovery AI. To connect with our team directly, message the host Mike Shanley on LinkedIn. https://www.govdiscoveryai.com/  https://www.konektid.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gov-market-growth/

    29 min
  3. Ep. 56 Securing the future DoD Supply Chain, Peter Battaglia DLA

    25 JUL

    Ep. 56 Securing the future DoD Supply Chain, Peter Battaglia DLA

    Peter Battaglia, Deputy Director of Mission Assurance at the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), joins Mike Shanley to discuss DLA’s priorities and initiatives in today’s evolving defense landscape. The conversation covers logistics surge capacity, securing the supply chain, and the role of NATO’s industrial base in supporting global readiness. RESOURCES: GovDiscovery AI Federal Capture Support: https://www.govdiscoveryai.com/ DLA website: https://www.dla.mil/ DLA Strategic Plan (2025-2030): https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Headquarters/StrategicPlan/DLAStrategicPlan2025-2030March2025.pdf BIOGRAPHY: Mr. Peter Battaglia is the DLA Mission Assurance Deputy Director serving as the DLA lead for Mission Assurance, Defense Critical Infrastructure, and Continuity of Operations Planning. He also serves as the Supply Chain Security and Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) Program Manager for DLA. In this position he is the expert technical authority responsible for oversight of the design, implementation, execution, and promulgation of DLA's SCS/SCRM Program for worldwide support of OSD, JCS, CCMDs, and Military Services plans and operations. He graduated from the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy in 2021. He previously served as the Customer Relations Management Process Owner managing a portfolio of $7M and 800 personnel, including the Customer Interaction Center (helpline) and Customer Support Representatives interfacing with the supported services, combatant commands, and inter-agencies. Mr. Battaglia established and implemented the DLA Agency Synchronization Operations Center (ASOC). The ASOC synchronizes and integrates the Agency’s operational mission and business support functions to provide agile, global support to the Warfighter and select Federal Agencies. The ASOC provides Agency leadership and mission partners a shared and standardized view; enables operational support serving as the consensus source of truth among all mission partners; focuses the Agency on output, readiness, effectiveness, and service to standards; and provides the tools and actionable information to conduct root cause analysis, develop solutions and courses of action, and implement senior leader decisions. Mr. Battaglia also served as the Chief of the DLA Logistics Operations (J3) Director’s Action Group aligning the strategic efforts and messaging of the J3 and aligned Executive Directors to ensure DLA logistics support. Prior to this assignment, Mr. Battaglia strategically assessed DLA Customer Support by evaluating the DLA personnel laydown and functions resulting in $21M savings across the FYDP. He served as the Medical Materiel Executive Agent (MMEA) Analyst for DLA, orchestrating and synchronizing medical logistics for the complete range of military and whole of government missions such as utilization of non-FDA approved medical materiel and transportation policies allowing commercial narcotic shipments. Mr. Battaglia was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and hails from Herndon, Virginia. He received his Masters in National Security and Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School in 2021 and his LOGTECH MBA, Logistics and Technology, from the Kelly School of Business, Indiana University in 2010. He received his undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Virginia in 2000. His wife, two children, and semi-classic BMW hobby serve to keep him busy while not working. Mr. Battaglia has received the DLA Meritorious Civilian Performance Award (2011) and the DLA Superior Civilian Performance Award (2020 and 2005). LEARN MORE: Thank you for tuning into this episode of the GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley. You can learn more about working with the U.S. Government by visiting our homepage: Konektid International and GovDiscovery AI. To connect with our team directly, message the host Mike Shanley on LinkedIn. https://www.govdiscoveryai.com/  https://www.konektid.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/gov-market-growth/

    34 min
  4. Ep. 55 NATO 5%: Opportunities for Industry BD and Growth Teams

    23 JUL

    Ep. 55 NATO 5%: Opportunities for Industry BD and Growth Teams

    Jeffrey Grieco, President & CEO of the Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce and Advisory Council Member at ISOA, joins host Mike Shanley to talk about the NATO 5% spend target and what it means for business development and growth teams in the government services sector. They discuss the current European security situation, how NATO’s increased investment impacts contractors, and the growing opportunities for industry BD teams. Grieco also shares takeaways from the ISOA Europe & ATO Bucharest Conference, and why now is a pivotal moment for companies to engage.   RESOURCES: GovDiscovery AI Federal Capture Support: https://www.govdiscoveryai.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreygrieco/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gov-market-growth/   BIOGRAPHY:  Jeffrey J. Grieco, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce (AACC) and International Stability Operations Association (ISOA) Advisory Council Member and Chair of the ISOA Ukraine and Greater Middle East Working Groups. Mr. Grieco has served on the AACC Board of Directors since 2011 and has served as President and CEO since 2017. He travels to Afghanistan and the region frequently and speaks on behalf of the AACC at major donor and government events, think tanks and AACC Afghanistan-related private sector programs and conferences. He is also a Board Member Emeritus of the ISOA and currently serves on its Advisory Council. Mr. Grieco also serves as an independent foreign policy consultant with senior leadership experience within the U.S. Government and private sector providing a unique mix of leadership in the areas of: foreign policy, national security, international business development, U.S and international government relations, Congressional and public affairs and international assistance. As a consultant, he provides international investment, banking, finance and government relations services to multinational corporations and global non-profit organizations. Utilizing an extensive network of professional contacts, Mr. Grieco meets frequently with Administration and Congressional leadership and professional staff concerning U.S. and international assistance policies. He is a frequent speaker and panelist at foreign policy, national security, Congressional hearings and international development conferences. Mr. Grieco has also led his own businesses and consulted for Fortune 500 companies in international business development, foreign direct investment and associated government relations services for companies including: AT&T, Raytheon, Westinghouse ESG, Lucky Goldstar, Hyundai Motors, General Dynamics, and many more. In addition to maintaining language proficiencies in French and Korean, he has technical expertise working within international markets in such sectors as defense, ICT, manufacturing, air transportation systems and services, agriculture, energy development and finance. As a U.S. Senate-confirmed Presidential Appointee he served as Assistant Administrator for Legislative and Public Affairs at the U.S. Agency for International Development/U.S. Department of State until 2009. Mr. Grieco managed all agency global communications, media and public affairs and U.S. Congressional relations through a particularly difficult period in the post-9-11 foreign policy environment and was involved in standing-up the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), PEPFAR and various other successful Presidential Initiatives. LEARN MORE: Thank you for tuning into this episode of the GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley. You can learn more about working with the U.S. Government by visiting our homepage: Konektid International and GovDiscovery AI. To connect with our team directly, message the host Mike Shanley on LinkedIn. https://www.govdiscoveryai.com/ https://www.konektid.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gov-market-growth/

    31 min
  5. Ep. 53 AI & Future of Defense Sales: New BD and Capture Models

    16 JUL

    Ep. 53 AI & Future of Defense Sales: New BD and Capture Models

    Todd Marks, Founder & CEO of Mindgrub, joins Mike Shanley to discuss how AI can be leveraged for Defense sales, anticipating DoD customer intent, relationship building and proposal development, and determining growth investment priorities.  RESOURCES: GovDiscovery AI Federal Capture Support: https://www.govdiscoveryai.com/ Todd Marks LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindgrub/   BIOGRAPHY: Todd Marks, a teacher-turned-technologist, is at the forefront of digital innovation as the Founder and CEO of Mindgrub Technologies. Since 2002, Marks has guided Mindgrub to become a leader in AI solutions, mobile and web development, and emerging technologies, earning a coveted spot on the Inc. 5000 list for ten consecutive years. Under Marks' leadership, Mindgrub has delivered award-winning projects for industry giants like NASA, Under Armour, and DELL, consistently pushing the boundaries of innovation. His strategic vision and technical expertise have driven Mindgrub's remarkable expansion, establishing it as a formidable presence in the tech industry and attracting a diverse portfolio of high-profile clients. A sought-after futurist and speaker, Marks shares his insights on AI and technology at conferences across North America. His expertise is further recognized through multiple accolades, including two EY Entrepreneur of the Year nominations and three Most Admired CEOs awards from The Daily Record. Marks extends his influence beyond Mindgrub, serving as the Emeritus Executive Board Chair for the Maryland Technology Council and Chair of YPO Northeast One. His commitment to fostering technological advancement is evident in his active participation on various tech council boards. With a unique blend of educational background and technological acumen, Marks continues to drive innovation in AI, robotics, and mixed reality applications. His work not only shapes the future of technology but also inspires the next generation of tech leaders. LEARN MORE: Thank you for tuning into this episode of the GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley. You can learn more about working with the U.S. Government by visiting our homepage: Konektid International and GovDiscovery AI. To connect with our team directly, message the host Mike Shanley on LinkedIn. https://www.govdiscoveryai.com/ https://www.konektid.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gov-market-growth/

    30 min
  6. Ep. 52 Innovation Bottleneck: Is Bureaucracy AI’s Biggest Hurdle?

    9 JUL

    Ep. 52 Innovation Bottleneck: Is Bureaucracy AI’s Biggest Hurdle?

    Chris Watson, Vice President of Premise Data, joins Mike Shanley to discuss how AI innovation and federal procurement intersect, and what changes could facilitate greater innovation. RESOURCES: GovDiscovery AI Federal Capture Support: https://www.govdiscoveryai.com/ Premise Data: https://premise.com/ Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwilliamwatson/ BIOGRAPHY: Chris Watson is an evangelist for digital transformation, data-driven decision-making, and increased use of commercial products in the global development industry. He currently leads Premise Data’s international development division, with a focus on scaling the use of Premise by country governments, development donors, and their implementing partners. Growing up in West Virginia, Chris became interested in issues of poverty, grassroots development, and the world outside his hometown. He began his international development career in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, where he distributed $38 million in emergency seed and fertilizer to farmers returning to areas recently liberated from Taliban control. Not knowing whether this work had a real impact ignited his obsession with using real-time data collection and analytics to improve the efficacy of development programming. Over the last eight years, Chris has helped define and grow the use of Premise by stakeholders in global health, humanitarian assistance, and democracy and governance. He led go-to-market for the international development portfolio, securing support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to prove the value of Premise’s technology and subsequently scaling its use to 70+ development donors, implementing partners and governments. Chris and Premise deeply believe that local citizens should have an increased say in defining the challenges and improving development in their local communities. Shifting the task of collecting data and monitoring service delivery to thousands of local residents as gig work democratizes involvement in such issues while providing a supplementary source of income. LEARN MORE: Thank you for tuning into this episode of the GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley. You can learn more about working with the U.S. Government by visiting our homepage: Konektid International and GovDiscovery AI. To connect with our team directly, message the host Mike Shanley on LinkedIn. https://www.govdiscoveryai.com/ https://www.konektid.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/gov-market-growth/

    30 min
  7. Ep. 51: National Security and Meteorology with Sunny Wescott, Chief Meteorologist

    3 JUL

    Ep. 51: National Security and Meteorology with Sunny Wescott, Chief Meteorologist

    Chief Meteorologist, Sunny Wescott, joins Mike Shanley to discuss the intersection of national security and meteorology. The conversation covers identifying and mitigating infrastructure threats, the impact of weather on military operations, the importance of data analytics and AI, and how industry can best support government priorities. RESOURCES: GovDiscovery AI Federal Capture Support: https://www.govdiscoveryai.com/ BIOGRAPHY: Chief Meteorologist Sunny Wescott specializes in extreme weather events impacting emergency response, supply chain, and critical infrastructure. During her time in the US Air Force as a Lead Meteorologist, Ms. Wescott trained on continental and oceanic weather as the Top Forecaster for her support region and is considered a subject matter expert for multiple climatological events such as drought, subsidence, wildfires, tropical cyclones, and winter storms. Ms. Wescott also graduated top of her class for her degrees in Homeland Security Management, Public Safety Administration, and Atmospheric Sciences. Ms. Wescott focuses on operational forecasting by providing focused impact reports for regions, sites, security, and key interdependencies such as energy and telecommunications before, during, and after disasters. LEARN MORE: Thank you for tuning into this episode of the GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley. You can learn more about working with the U.S. Government by visiting our homepage: Konektid International and GovDiscovery AI. To connect with our team directly, message the host Mike Shanley on LinkedIn. https://www.govdiscoveryai.com/  https://www.konektid.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gov-market-growth/

    28 min

About

Welcome to the GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley, your source for insights into international markets, government funding, foreign policy and global growth strategies. As a go-to source for companies and organizations seeking to expand their global footprint and funding, our podcast guests provide expert analysis through exclusive conversations with key decision-makers shaping the government contracting, global growth and risk assessment, and foreign policy. The podcast features in-depth discussions with current and former U.S. government officials, global business leaders, and foreign policy experts. We cover critical topics such as government procurement priorities, navigating emerging and frontier markets, and foreign policy developments. Each episode is focused on getting your team actionable insight for your global strategy. Gain a competitive advantage with expert insights on funding strategies, government priorities, partnership opportunities, and market intelligence that can position your organization for success. Whether you are an established government contractor, a foreign policy, or a business looking to expand globally, the Global Strategy Podcast equips you with the knowledge and tools to thrive in an evolving global landscape. About the Host The GovDiscovery AI Podcast is hosted by Mike Shanley, CEO of GovDiscovery AI (govdiscoveryai.com) and Konektid International (www.konektid.com). Mike hosts the GovDiscovery AI Podcast and regularly presents on best practices for government partnering at conferences and events globally. He has been invited to speak on government contracting and global growth strategies at U.S. government conferences, Johns Hopkins University, University of Denver (Korbel School of International Studies), British Expertise International, and the U.S. Embassy – London. Tune in to the GovDiscovery AI Podcast to stay ahead of global trends and unlock new growth opportunities. Resources: Govdiscoveryai.com http://www.konektid.com