NavalX Connecx: Recent Episodes
NavalX Connecx
Welcome to NavalX Connex. This show interviews individuals from every aspect of the Navy and unpacks their particular challenges and innovative solutions. On the show, we share ideas, highlight successes, and demonstrate how NavalX connects beyond the Navy with academia and industry partners. The show aims to foster a cultural change in DON through open communication and storytelling; therefore, fostering deeper connections with the Navy and greater world that they serve.
Today’s NavalX ConnecX episode is the season finale wrap up. Hosts Brad Goodrich, Liz Mildenstein, and Rodney Flowers reflect on the 30+ episodes they have hosted in the past few months and discuss their favorite insights, stories, lessons, and episodes. They also share their answers to our favorite question, what is your happy place and what are you eating there? Take a listen and say a quick see you later on the NavalX ConnecX Podcast.
The conversation around diversity, equity, and inclusion has to start from the top down. That has been the crux of Janine Hamner’s philosophy and work for over 30 years. Janine is the CEO of the J and J Consulting Group. She's an internationally recognized speaker, author, and expert on conscious leadership development, organizational management, neurobiology and what it takes to attract and retain world class talent. Today on the Navalx ConnecX Podcast, host Rodney Flowers sits down with Janine Hamner and unpacks how to foster the often tricky conversation around diversity, equity, and inclusion. Janine shares her insights to help leaders in the Navy create a high performance and inclusive culture. Join us today for a riveting conversation on the NavalX ConnecX Podcast.
Dr.Valerie Rene Sheppard is a self-mastery expert and a multi award winning best selling author. She helps executives, entrepreneurs and emerging adults overcome limiting beliefs, manage stress and complexity, and deliver high performance results. Today on the NavalX ConnecX podcast, she joins hosts Rodney Flowers, Liz Mildenstein, and Brad Goodrich to discuss all facets of self-mastery. Through storytelling, Dr. Sheppard unpacks the journey of self-mastery, leadership and success that she implements in her own life, her client's lives, and how individuals in the Navy can apply these tools to their own lives and success. Join us today for a mind expanding episode of the NavalX ConnecX podcast.
NavalX is always working to change the culture of the Navy. Today on the show we have two subject matter experts who are actively working to improve the culture of the Navy. Captain Matthew Frey is the Culture of Excellence branch head at the 21st Century Sailor Office. Captain Kevin O'Brien, who serves as the deputy branch head for the culture of excellence at the 21st Century Sailor Office. Both of them join hosts Liz Mildenstein, Rodney Flowers, and Brad Goodrich to discuss how they are helping to give sailors the tools to be the best version of themselves. Join us today on the NavalX Connecx to learn about the outstanding programs that are focused on taking care of the sailor in mind, body, and spirit.
The Naval Junior Officer Counsel, NJOC, was created to help strengthen the connection and communication between senior and junior officers in the Navy. Deputy Director for NJOC Lieutenant Craig Veech and NJOC contributor Lieutenant Dan Conley, a Naval Medical Service Corps Radiation Health Officer join NavalX ConnecX Podcast hosts Rodney Flowers, Liz Mildenstein, and Brad Goodrich to touch on all things NJOC. Craig Veech and Dan Connely highlight personal experiences, successes, challenges, and the path forward. NJOC is working tirelessly to create a collective voice for every junior officer to help improve the Navy and collaborates with NavalX on some of their missions. Join us today for a deep dive episode on the NavalX ConnecX Podcast.
Lieutenant Kristen Alexander has had a unique, yet fascinating, career in the Navy. Starting at a Navy Training boot camp right out of high school, she has since made her way up the ranks to become an experimentation lead with Surface Development Squadron ONE at US Navy who collaborates across the spectrum with services, industry, and academia and the larger Naval Research and Development enterprise. She comes on the show today and talks with Rodney Flowers, Liz Mildenstein, and Brad Goodrich. Together, they unpack the tests and limits of unmanned systems, robotics, and technology and what design thinking is used in Lieutenant Kristen Alexander’s process. Lieutenant Kristen Alexander also shares her experience as a woman in the Navy. She is working hard to ensure that female representation becomes more normalized in a male dominated military. Join us today for another fascinating episode of the NavalX ConnecX Podcast.
Team Orlando has 50 years of cross-service collaboration under their belt and they’re not slowing up anytime soon! Today on the show, we have three representatives from Team Orlando: Carol Ann Dykes Logue, the Central Florida Tech Grove’s Co-Founder and Principal Investigator from University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Diana Teel, our NavalX Central Florida Tech Bridge director, and Emily Sherkow, the Team Orlando STEM Outreach Program Manager. Hosts Rodney Flowers and Brad Goodrich have an in-depth conversation with all three guests about how Team Orlando has evolved in those 50 years, what differentiates the Central Florida Tech Bridge from other Tech Bridges and find out what they are focusing on today. Join us for an exciting episode about all things Team Orlando today on the NavalX Connecx podcast.
Rear Admiral Lorin Selby’s career is nearly as vast as the ocean itself. Today he is the Chief of Naval Research but has been in nearly every sphere from acquisition to submarines, working on the Hill and as the Navy’s Chief Engineer. On this NavalX Connecx podcast, he sits down with hosts Liz Mildenstein, Brad Goodrich, and Rodney Flowers to unpack his biggest leadership lessons. The Admiral explains how he wants to reimagine naval power, envision the art of the possible, and how to get the Navy ahead not only in the next five years but the next 50. Join us today for an enlightening conversation on the NavalX Connecx podcast.
This month celebrates the three year anniversary of NavalX and today on the show we have the three past NavalX Directors. Today on the NavalX Connecx Podcast, join Rodney Flowers, Brad Goodrich, and Liz Mildenstein to talk with the people who have and are still leading NavalX through the fire. Chris Wood, a Marine Corps officer who helped stand up NavalX; Frank Futcher, who took over as NavalX Director in July 2019; and lastly, Captain Ben Van Buskirk who formerly took over as the NavalX Director in late March of 2020. From biggest successes and challenges, these directors unpack the ripple effect NavalX is having on the Navy and industry at large. All three directors have all seen different facets of NavalX, from seedling to scaling, and provide a holistic perspective on NavalX’s development and where it is headed in the future. Join us today on the NavalX Connecx podcast for a behind-the-scenes look at NavalX.
Emily Harman pushed herself too hard when she was working in the Navy. She spent her military career as the Director of the Office of Small Business Programs for the Department of Navy and wanted to get too many tasks done too quickly. Now in retirement, she sees how leaders can strike a healthier balance between work and self-care. Today, she is a successful coach helping people live their lives with less stress, more purpose, and deeper relationships. Emily Harman joins Rodney Flowers and Liz Mildenstein on the NavalX ConnecX Podcast to share more insights on positive intelligence, peace of mind and achieve peak performance without stressing out. Join us today for another inspiring episode on the NavalX ConnecX Podcast.
Most of us believe that children are the only ones who get to play. But Elaine Chung, a play personality expert, feels completely differently and advocates that bringing a sense of play into the workplace fosters more creativity, ingenuity, and new ways of solving problems. Today on the NavalX ConnecX podcast, hosts Rodney Flowers and Liz Mildenstien sit down with Elaine Chung to unpack her insights and expertise on the psychological benefits of play for the individual, the team, and the mission at large. You can also hear more of Elaine’s incredible insights at NavalX’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Summit, from February 22nd-24th, 2022. Get down in the playbox with us today on NavalX ConnecX podcast.
Today on NavalX ConnecX Podcast, our hosts Rodney Flowers, Brad Goodrich, and Liz Mildenstein have the privilege of interviewing one of the original creators of NavalX, James “Hondo '' Geurts. Mr. Geurts has over 30 years of extensive joint acquisition experience in the military and government and has since retired in August of 2021. Today, he is Executive Vice Chairman for Sarcos Technology and Robotics Corporation. He joins our hosts to reflect on his wide ranging career and his time standing NavalX up and propelling the organization forward. Mr. Geurts bestows wisdom, success stories, and teachable moments on this episode from how to proactively foster diversity to “trust your team until it hurts.” He hopes to inspire a new generation of individuals to keep the momentum going at NavalX. Join us today on the NavalX ConnecX podcast for another thought provoking, leadership focused episode.
In order to take care of the mission, we have to take care of ourselves and our people, which is why we had the wonderful Eva Medilek on the show. Eva Medilek is a certified high professional coach, international speaker, and author. Hosts Rodney Flowers, Brad Goodrich, and Liz Mildenstein welcome Medilek onto the show today to discuss what habits we need to practice in order to be our best selves at work and at home. From morning routines to setting boundaries, Eva Medilek lays out a number of tips and tricks to become a high performance professional. She also is an expert on diversity and inclusion and shares with us insights from her book The Intimacy of Race. She will be a speaking guest at NavalX’s upcoming Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Summit from February 22nd-24th. Take a listen to today's riveting conversation on the NavalX ConnecX podcast.
Mark Steven Reardon is a culture expert. He is a speaker, facilitator, educator and author focused on empowering leaders to create a culture that elevates people to astounding levels. Reardon joins hosts Rodney Flowers, Brad Goodrich, and Liz Mildenstein to get into the minutiae about how to help improve the culture of the Navy for all parties involved. From words of affirmation to empowering facilitations, Mark provides the hosts and our listeners with some practical tools and advice on how leaders can be more empathetic, create a psychologically safe environment, and ensure that each team member feels purposeful and heard. Join us today on the NavalX ConnecX podcast.
Vice Admiral Francis D. Morley has had an expansive career in the Navy. Over his decades long career, he has risen the ranks and experienced numerous facets of military leadership, from flying fighter jets to program management. Today on the NavalX Connecx podcast, our hosts Julie Lemmon, Brad Goodrich, Rodney Flowers, and Liz Mildenstien sit down with VADM Morley to talk about his experiences, both in the air and on the ground, what kind of leader he continually aspires to be and how he works with others to create and harness their leadership style, as a mentor. Join us today for another thoughtful interview on the NavalX Connecx podcast.
Today on the episode, our hosts sit back, get cozy, and review the past year. Hosts Rodney Flowers, Julie Lemmon, Brad Goodrich, and Liz Mildenstien have a reflection round table about what went well this past year, what they are grateful for, and what personal and professional goals they are looking forward to in 2022.
Everyone on our NavalX Connecx team hopes that you, our listener, has a wonderful New Year.
Today’s episode is a holiday roundtable with hosts Brad Goodrich, Rodney Flowers, Julie Lemmon and new host, Liz Mildenstein. Today, the team takes a pause from the innovative and inspiring conversations we’ve been having with guests all year. Instead, our hosts dive in conversations about self-care, reflection, and restoration. They discuss how to avoid burnout, be more productive and focused, and learn to make New Year's Resolutions any time throughout the year. They share their personal best practices for self-care and restoration, from meditation to journaling or just having good belly laughs with friends. We also welcome new host Liz Mildenstein to the show as she will be replacing our Public Affairs Officer and co-host, Julie Lemmon as rotates back to her home command. Lastly, the team divulges what is on their personal holiday menu–from Julie’s famous meatballs to Rodney's cookie collection–and Brad and Liz ponder the proper way to eat latkes. We hope you all have a relaxing and invigorating holiday week, enjoy the show!
Today's episode is a continuation of our conversations on autonomous systems. This week, hosts Brad Goodrich and Rodney Flowers sit down with Mike Tall from NAVWAR and NIWC PAC. He's an SSTM, a Senior Scientific Technical Manager for Integrated Autonomy. Also joining us is Ms Holly Gardner from the NSWC Panama City, Gulf Coast Tech Bridge, representing some of the interests from her command and her tech bridge and how they're playing in unmanned systems. They discuss the larger picture of how autonomy and unmanned systems are assisting missions in the Navy. From collaborating with industry to exploring more innovative ways to use these technologies, Mike Tall and Holly Gardner not only unpack what they do in service of the Navy at large but why they do it and how unmanned systems and autonomy plays into that larger picture. Take a listen to the newest episode of the NavalX ConnecX podcast!
Today on the show, Brad Goodrich, Deputy Director of NavalX hosts a roundtable to discuss the Intelligent Autonomous Systems strategy, with Dr. Jason Stack, the technical director at ONR, Dr. Deji Coker, the ONR Autonomy Portfolio Manager, and Dr. Cara LaPointe, the co-director of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Assured Autonomy. Stack, Coker, and LaPointe bring their expertise to discuss diverse evolving and emerging capability areas for unmanned systems and the intersection of AI autonomy and unmanned systems. From adaptability to ethics, machine learning, and emerging capabilities; these three experts unpack where AI and unmanned systems are pushing the envelope and how trust in the machines and the humans that make them has to be guaranteed. Learn all this and more on this NavalX ConnecX episode.
Today’s episode on NavalX ConnecX is the second of our two-part miniseries on design thinking, featuring Karen Hold. Karen Hold is the Director of Seasons of Design and co-author of Experiencing Design - The Innovator’s Journey. She joins our hosts Rodney Flowers, Brad Goodrich and Julie Lemmon on the show today to talk about different approaches and angles on the design thinking process. Karen Hold illuminates to listeners and hosts that everyone has a sphere of influence, and we need to use our network to start the culture change that we all seek. She provides us with more problem solving tools from experimentation, hypothesis, and the power of “yes and...” Join us today on NavalX ConnecX to start getting new ideas and approaches to tackling any kind of problem from any level.
Today’s episode is the first of our mini-series on design thinking. Up to bat first is Greg Galle, co-found and CEO of Solve/Next, an innovative firm based out of San Francisco and the co-writer of Think Wrong: How to Conquer the Status Quo and Make Work that Matters. He brings his design thinking genius to the NavalX Connecx crew and sits down with hosts Rodney Flowers and Brad Goodrich. Rodney and Brad deep dive with Galle about how to go beyond the hot button word and become truly innovative.
Galle shares a number of innovative tools and techniques that he uses with his clients and group demonstrations from thinking wrong to letting go of unconscious biases and even encouraging other to being a little (intentionally) stupid. His tips and tools are applicable for every size team from 20 coworkers to a 5,000 person conglomerate. Join us today on NavalX Connecx and walk away more innovative than before.
Today’s episode is in honor of Veterans Day, celebrated on November 11th, 2021. Co-host Julie Lemmon invites her husband RDML John Lemmon, USN Commander, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Chief Engineer, Naval Air Systems Command to the show with co-host Brad Goodrich. John Lemmon shares stories about his time in service and how he transferred over into the acquisition aspect of the Navy. Together, they discuss different styles of military leadership, how the operational and acquisitions sides of the Navy can better communicate, and the toll service can take on families. We dedicate this episode to all of the men and women who have sacrificed their time, and sometimes, lives, for our country.
Captain Todd Hutchison’s experience while working in the Navy is as vast as the ocean itself. Today, he is head of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, which is one of NAVSEA System Command's eight Surface Warfare Centers. Captain Hutchison has been in leadership positions throughout his career in the Navy. He joins Brad Goodrich and Rodney Flowers on the show today to discuss some of the keys to becoming a leader and nurturing a team that trusts you. From one-on-one chats with every employee to a servant-leadership-style, Captain Hutchison offers a wide variety of leadership skills from his personal experience and how anyone can improve their leadership abilities within their current position.
Today on the show, Zac Staples and Nicole Mullins from Fathom5 are here to talk about their upcoming online challenge: Hack the Machine. Nicole and Zac inform hosts Brad Goodrich and Rodney Flowers what the event is about, the different types of tracks, how to participate, and ultimately help create new technologies to help support national security. From coding to hacking unmanned systems, the public is able to interact and accelerate the Navy’s capabilities. Join Nicole, Zac, Brad and Rodney to learn more about this invigorating event.
The event is from November 16th-19th, and listeners can participate anywhere around the world.
If you are interested in participating in Hack the Machine visit the website: https://www.hackthemachine.ai/
Today on the show, we are joined with best selling author, keynote speaker, and all around resilience expert, Adam Markel. Adam Markel is a recovering lawyer who shares his struggles with mental health and how he learned how to tame his mental monsters. In this episode, Adam focuses on how the Navy can foster a safe space to discuss the importance of mental health and leaves us with tools and techniques to implement change from an individual to an organizational level. Take a listen with Rodney Flowers, Brad Goodrich, and Julie Lemmon to learn how to become aware about mental health issues, how to live in gratitude, and how to say, "I love my life," in earnest.
Today on the NavalX ConnecX podcast, we are joined by Johannes Schonberg, the Northwest Tech Bridge director. Schonberg helps break down the ins and outs of the Tech Bridge world, how it relates to the Navy, and the interconnected system based on local and regional tech bridges. Schonberg answers all of your questions around how entrepreneurs can collaborate with the government and share new technologies in order to be one step ahead for the warfighter. Join us for another informative and sometimes playful episode, hosted by Brad Goodrich and Rodney Flowers.
In this week's episode of NavalX Connecx, we have the wonderful Brad Halsey and Cheyanne Dwyer from Building Momentum. Building Momentum partners with NavalX to help change the culture, strategy approaches, creativity, and innovation within the navy. Both Cheyanne and Brad highlight some of the tools and techniques they implement when facilitating a design thinking mindset, working through bad ideas, and finding the fastest way to your end goal. Optimal design thinking includes leading with empathy, democratizing ideas, and understanding who the real end user is. Join Rodney Flowers and Brad Goodrich for another enriching conversation.
This week’s episode offers a fascinating conversation on diversity and inclusion in the Navy. We invite Ashlee Floyd of Nondestructive Testing (NDT) engineer in the Welding, Processing and Nondestructive Evaluation Branch of the Materials and Manufacturing Technology Division at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) and Todd Gaston the deputy program manager for the Ordnance Information System (OIS), both of which are on rotation with NavalX. They join today’s host Rodney Flowers to unpack the multifaceted approach to diversity and inclusion. They each recall personal stories about inclusion, how to cultivate it, how to notice blindspots, and the importance of having diversity of thought. The conversation is an open and vulnerable one, which is necessary when inviting more people to take a seat at the table and dig in.
This week on the episode, we have two guests: Michael Lavery the Centers for Adaptive Warfighting Director at NavalX, and our recurring guest Roy Nanku who is the Agile Transformation Consultant at Scrum Inc. Brad and Rodney talk to Mike and Roy about the Military Agility Forum happening this week at NavalX, what to expect from the forum, and what they are excited about. The four also discuss how impactful SCRUM productivity practice has been on their work life, how to feed creative sparks, and fostering a workplace world of psychological safety.
In this episode of NavalX, we get to know our new hosts a little better. Brad, Julie, and Rodney tell us how they got involved with NavalX, what they would like to see changed in the Navy while also highlighting what NavalX is excelling at currently. The hosts tell us what they are looking forward to discussing in this revamped season of NavalX Connex and where their happy place is.
Welcome back to NavalX Connex. The three new hosts of the show introduce themselves –Rodney Flowers is the Director of Facilitation at NavalX; Brad Goodrich is the Deputy Director of NavalX, and Julie Lemmon is head of Public Affairs and Strategic Communication at NavalX. We get a flavor of what the new and improved show will sound and feel like. Rodney, Brad, and Julie introduce themselves, and welcome listeners back to more conversations about agility, teamwork, and innovative ideas.
Out of highschool, Lieutenant Colonel Raphael Jimenez was looking for a team, similar to the teammate mentality he was used to playing sports. He followed in his father’s footsteps, slipped on a pair of army boots, and hasn’t looked back. After 20 years, he became Brigade Support Battalion Commander of 725 in Anchorage, Alaska, quite a different environment from his home in Puerto Rico. Today on NavalX ConnecX, he talks about working in extreme conditions, teamwork, giving constructive feedback, and redefining failure to keep the battalion moving forward.
Mel Manor knew before he graduated high school that he wanted to dedicate his career to his country. He jumped out of his cap and gown into a marine uniform and has never looked back. Since then he has gone through diverse phases in his career, from jumping out of planes to answering emails, which has provided him with a holistic understanding of the industry. Today, he is a part of I MIG, helping put emerging technologies into the hands of the Marines to give them an advantage in the fight. He provides mentorship, runs innovation bootcamps, and has had plenty of adventures along the way. Join us on this episode of Navalx Connecx.
Lieutenant Colonel Todd Tompkins is the battalion commander for the 1st Battalion 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, aka 1 Geronimo. Since World War 1, 1 Geronimo has been finding ways to evolve, innovate, and develop airborne capability. Today, Tompkins is stationed in Alaska operating in Arctic conditions. From jumping into -15 degree water or sliding onto a prototype collapsible sled, he is fostering an innovation cell to encourage people from different battalions to generate new ideas and move the battalion forward, while occasionally peeking at the Northern lights from his backyard.
Colonel Brian Rideout discusses with Mohawk Matt how failure isn’t a waste, lighting the spark of innovation, and having honest conversations with key senior leaders. Rideout has been enthusiastic about the military since he was a kid. His love of drawing military vehicles in kindergarten turned into a real career in the field. 20 years later, he is focused on innovation as the commanding officer at 1st MEF Information Group, a new facet that puts five battalions, 4000 Marines and Sailors, and 170 different primary military occupational specialties focused on the information related capabilities all under one roof. They also discuss the origin story of Matt’s now famous nickname, thanks to Rideout.
Major Lucas Burke, director of warfighter support division and his Operations Officer, Captain Mike Troncoso at Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity. MCTSSA adopted scrum to track their productivity and actions. These marines discuss the basics of scrum and how it helps the team track information across numerous time zones and commands. They explain how the scrum board is a “living” document that tracks tasks across the to do, doing and done space so there is awareness on tasking. Their goal is to spread scrum far and wide across the organization, and for those interested to reach out to the Marines here to learn more about the Centers for Adaptive Warfighting (CAW) and the courses they offer. How do you implement scrum within your own organization? Just start doing it yourself and visually manage tasking to demonstrate to others how it works. Even when things fail, it allows you to reevaluate when you need to look at each sprint.
To achieve the goals of the Navy we can no longer have a system silo perspective, and PEO MLB is enabling data sharing across the IT platforms that exist on the Navy team. Data transformation is intended to force the organization to make decisions that can allow for economies of scale for data processing programs within the Navy. Les Hubbard and Kevin Burnett share how they came to lead the PEO MLB (Program Executive Office Manpower Logistics and Business Solutions) and what their mission on that team includes. PEO MLB is built on three pillars: application and enterprise services group, data transformation services, enterprise systems and services innovation support. They shared the importance of utilizing the tools which you are pushing the workforce to use is key to see from leaders so that the Navy can lead by example. Learning to appreciate the processes which keep the Navy running.
At age 17, Brandon Newell was already asking himself, “What do I stand for?”. Inspired by the service of his family members, Newell decided that the structure of ROTC would set him on the path to answering this question. In this episode, Marine Lieutenant Colonel Newell takes us through family life, travels and 5G along with his time in the Marine Corps, what it taught him about being a leader of character, and how he inspires others to be the same. As a firm believer in the power of passion and innovation and as the director of the SoCal Tech Bridge Lt. Col Newell has leveraged his leadership skills to supercharge the Navy’s involvement in the 5G revolution. A collaboration with Qualcomm and Verizon enabled the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar to become the first military base in the United states with a small cell 5G tower. His passion for collaboration between industry and the military may have guided Lt. Col Newell to his success, but he knows that without the foundation of character and family, he wouldn’t have been able to get it done.
Picture a first generation American as a caddy on a golf course inspired by his family's maritime history and decides to join the Navy! Captain Frank Futcher went from joining the Navy as a way to pay for college and continued to serve because of the multitude of experiences he was exposed to through the Navy. Frank shares about the 60+ countries he has gotten to see through his travels while a Supply Officer in the Navy. Over the years Frank has cultivated his love of wine and found his wine education can help him explore the world through a different lens. Frank shares a little about how in today’s military there are more expectations from every sailor and Marine from the ground level up. As the second director of NavalX, Frank has seen his role as providing the top cover for the organization to try and to change the culture that is the traditional military and government. NavalX is meant to grow the culture in a different form by cultivating inclusivity and diversity of thought and oftentimes folks don’t understand something that is new and different. Frank brags about his spreadsheet skills but when it comes down to it, the people are the only things that matter in the end.
When you want to make changes, the first step is often making the right connections. Put yourself in the path for innovation if you don’t find that you will have the opportunity to create it within your own organization. CAPT Matt Arny, call sign Flounder, is currently the Commanding Officer of Whidbey Island, the largest Naval Air Station in the Pacific Northwest. During his time in Sweden he was taught to look around the room and give folks space to add their thoughts if you notice they haven’t spoken up. Arny emphasizes the need to take care of yourself so you can perform at your best when you show up at work. Flounder talked passionately about revamping the process for refueling aircraft could be revitalized and it would only take a change to the logistics system. Democratization of the challenges facing the Department of the Navy workspace has really helped elevate problems that can be solved easily once identified. Finding issues throughout the enterprise that seem to be marginal issues but can really make a difference in people’s lives.
“The system is filled with incredible people but is designed to thwart change and doesn’t serve us well,” Commander Roger Stanton, Naval Officer at the Sea Warrior Program (PMW-240). Leading a cultural transformation inside the acquisition arm of the Navy, two Naval Officers are applying agile practices and moving the people in their organization towards an agility mindset. Stanton and Lieutenant Commander James Dells share with Mohawk Matt their journey and lessons learned about attempting a transformation inside a government organization. Stanton started his career as a test pilot and has even been to space and worked for AT&T as a Secretary of Defense Fellow. Dells started his Navy career as an enlisted sailor, became a cryptologic warfare officer and combined those skills to serve the Navy. One of the ways they have found success is by disconnecting happiness from satisfaction.
Join David Schiff, one of the founding members of NavalX, which connects experts and solutions to workforce needs and challenges across the Navy and Marine Corps, as he shares his career lessons and innovation experience. David has served on the Aircraft Carrier USS Kitty Hawk, the Submarine USS Nebraska, who then left the Navy for the private sector and returned a year later to the acquisition community with NAVSEA and has spent the past 3 and half years with Defense Innovation Unit and then most recently at NavalX. David shares his passion for connecting people across the Department of Navy and beyond and the importance of cultural innovation across the Department of the Defense.
Leadership is a contact sport and you need to engage and be ready for what you’re going to hear from the workforce and let them blaze their own trail," Lt Col Michael Liguori. Learn about MCTSSA’s three pillars and how the people make MCTSSA such a vital and essential entity. Liguori attended the Naval Academy and was drawn to the Marine bond he saw between the former enlisted Marines he met at. He was voluntold to take over MCTSSA and he has enjoyed his journey across the Marine Corps. Liguori credits his leadership style and passion to the various leaders who have come before him through observation. Ask a lot of questions of others to engage folks to think and transform.” He also shares HERO as an acronym, Honesty, Empathy, Respect and Open-mindedness; and infectious positivity can empower teams of all kinds.
Marine Staff Sgt Chloe Honjoyo started her journey in the Marine Corp while sitting in a parking lot eating an In & Out burger. She began as a Maintenance Management Specialist who has, like many Marines, has worn all sorts of hats during her 11 years in the Marine Corps. Becoming an instructor was the most impactful duty station to her and gives you the opportunity to build a legacy through empowering others to go forth and execute their mission. According to Honjoyo growth through iteration is what makes the Marine Corp such a powerful institution. She says Find out what the puzzle palace is and how strategic doctrine is designated down to the tactical level.
Enabling teammates to work on things that lend to their strengths; the pros and cons of rotational employees and those programs and lessons learned from that model are what to expect listening to Aerospace and Electrical Engineers: William Jinkins and Andrew Gatdula as they talk about how they have been able to have a career that has ZERO to do with their degree and how that has benefited them. They share about their team, Digital Innovation Acceleration Team (DIAT) and how they put people first and give people growth opportunities vs the traditional model of hiring people based on skill set.
20 years ago, Marine Master Sgt. Josh Thomas began his career as an infantryman, and thought he was only serving one enlistment. Josh had a turning point in his life in 2006 - “I got hit with an IED, lost a few of my friends and that was the first moment of “I’m not done. My friends are done but I’m not done.” I’m going to keep going. They don’t have a voice anymore, but I’m gonna be their voice.” Since then he has served all over the world and continues to empower his Marines in his charge and even found a way to empower Marines far and wide through his work with the Centers for Adaptive Warfighting, which he recently took to Okinawa with Major Pete Thermos.
Join Special Agent Kevin Burke, with Naval Criminal Investigative Services (NCIS), as he shares his passion for serving the Navy and Marine Corps, his escape through cabins and fly fishing and how he developed a 29-year career protecting people’s ideas and intellectual property both inside the government and outside with private companies. He also shares with Matt how NCIS is more than criminal investigations seen on TV and focuses more energy on proactive work versus reactive work. Learn some cyber hygiene, social media tips and ways to protect your technology!
Innovating corporate operations with weekly activity reports. Join Kate McKenzie and learn her lessons of a recent process change related to corporate operations and a weekly activity report at National Geospatial Intelligence Agency. "By looking at the holistic picture of a process, you can identify what's that quick fix that's going to solve 80 percent of your problems. For us it was adding transparency.
Join Whitney Tallerico as she explains what the innovation pipeline is and how your job or role is a part of the pipeline and the innovation process. Whitney is the NavalX Tech Bridge Director and Office of Naval Research Liaison. Her and Mohawk Matt also discuss how anyone can be an innovator and there is not degree or permission required to have an idea and try it out.
Federal employees are gathering together to share ideas, success stories, learn from fails and more at the recently formed Federal Innovators Salon. Join David, Sabra and Trish as they talk about this community of practice they are building with representatives from agencies all across the Federal Government.
Isabel Anderson and Brad Goodrich talk about taking a non-traditional path through their careers in the U.S. Navy, their six college degrees between them! Both have lived all across the world and share with Mohawk Matt their recommendations on finding those unique opportunities and ways to keep those relationships that may result in future endeavours and trying different jobs. They also discuss FOOD, Family and Fun that helps them take care of themselves and prevent burnout.
Navy Lieutenant Peter Guo is a 1st generation Taiwanese-American who went from playing jazz saxophone in Philadelphia nightclubs at age 14, to leading Sailors and driving Navy Ships, and is now driving the Navy into DEVSECOPS through Black Pearl. Peter shares his path as a Naval Officer, lessons he has learned and the importance of leadership above and below you.
I was a PFC twice, a Lance Corporal twice and a Corporal twice.” Gunnery Sgt. Brandon Smart shares his journey as a Marine who went from being court martialed to founder of a movement that is changing the way thousands of Marines address daily work, to being the 1st enlisted Marine at NPS for a specific program. He also talks with Mohawk Matt about happiness as a metric, anything is possible, serving those around you, his family and much more.
Join Mohawk Matt as he talks about different ways you can communicate to reach your audience. He talks about Quick Chats with Mohawk Matt, Ask Me Anything events, User Centered Communication and how these can help you or leaders and organizations connect to your audience, listen to their needs, show them the human side of leadership and an organization.
- Join us as four teammates from different commands across the Navy talk about culture, innovation and what it’s like being a new NavalX teammate. They share where they come from across the Naval enterprise and their different backgrounds of expertise that make NavalX the melting pot that it is. Mohawk Matt is from Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division China Lake and is joined by Commander Jen Franco who is a Navy Reservist, Sondra Laughlin is from Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane, Indiana and Chris Capuano is out of Naval Undersea Warfare Center Newport, Rhode Island. -
Sailors in the US Navy, tend to follow a tailored path based on their job type. Meet Petty Officer First Class Rich Walsh, a sailor who decided to take on the hardest challenges he could and become a household name in the innovation space across the Department of Defense. Rich currently works at the Navy’s N7 - Strategic Warfighter Innovation Cell, at the Pentagon.
Jonas Lazo and David Spencer have a Naval IT Cloud conversation. Learn the basics of what the IT Cloud is, how the Navy and Marine Corps are looking at the cloud and what is this new Cloud Playbook, as Jonas calls it, the mother of all cloud playbooks. Jonas is the Naval Tech Warrant and David is the Cloud Lead at the Enterprise Systems and Services PMW-250 program office.
Hallie Balkin and Cara Little discuss Other Transactions, an acquisition tool, and how they are able to be used for research and development type partnerships between the Department of Defense (DoD) and the private sector. Hallie is the OT Professor at Defense Acquisition University(DAU) and Cara is an OT user and Associate Council at Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA.)
A group of young officers in the Navy and Marine Corps have gotten together to be agents of change and connect their community across the world. Navy Lt. Adam Johnson, co-founder, and chair of the Naval Juniors Officers Council shares how they came together to turn frustrations into solutions. He is joined by Jasmine Carpenter, the lead civilian and vice-chair at NJOC.
Description: Ben Vanbuskirk shares about his time as a Navy Helicopter Pilot and what he is up to at the Strategic WarfighterInnovation Cell, OPNAV N7, on the Chief of Naval Operations Staff. They are an organization pursuing innovation and culture change from inside the Chief of Naval Operations Staff, in the Pentagon.
Naval F/A-18 Pilot targets private capital and industry. Navy Commander Sam "Chubs" Gray, talks about what the Navy and Marine Corps are doing to collaborate with Private Capital and helping private companies, startups, and small businesses connect with the Navy and Marine Corps.
NavalX is the Department of the Navy's SuperConnector - Join Mohawk Matt as he talks with Navy Captain Frank Futcher, NavalX Director, about what attracted a 30 year naval officer away from retirement and towards commanding a group of Naval professionals working to empower the Naval workforce. He explores tech bridges, workforce agility and workforce engagement and NavalX's mission to CONNECT.
Mohawk Matt sits down with two Deputy Assistant Secretaries of the Navy Jaimie Reese and Cindy Shaver to talk about leaders who trust their teams and how to build & keep trust in a telework/remote working environment.