Building The Base - SoundSage

In this podcast episode, Nand, a former founder and now a representative of the intelligence community, shares valuable insights on the intersection of the private and public sectors in the realm of national security. He emphasizes the need for better communication between startups and intelligence agencies, highlighting the challenge of understanding the specific needs of the intelligence community due to its inherently secretive nature. Nand calls for increased transparency, expressing the intention to broadcast the agency's needs more effectively. He also addresses the integration problem faced by the defense industry, stressing the importance of modular software and systems that can seamlessly interface with existing infrastructure.

The discussion touches on the complexity of modern warfare and the changing nature of intelligence operations. Nand encourages startups to focus on enabling speed and scalability for commanders and senior leaders, rather than attempting to eliminate humans from the equation. He emphasizes the importance of viewing human capital as valuable and the potential for technological advancements to enhance decision-making processes. Throughout the conversation, Nand demonstrates a deep understanding of the challenges faced by both the private sector and the intelligence community, striving for stronger partnerships and shared goals in ensuring national security.

In this episode, Lauren, Hondo and Nand discuss:

Intelligence community challenges
Private sector integration
Communication gaps
Complex government infrastructure
Modular software development
Speed and scalability in warfare
Strengthening partnerships

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The podcast features Lauren Bedula, Hondo Geurts, Whitney McNamara and Pete Modigliani discussing national security, the future of innovation in Natsec and how the private industry can support the growth of the industrial network. Whitney & Pete are both members of the Atlantic Council and share their experience in both Government service and in the private sector highlighting how to be a good rebel in big institutions, remaining intellectually curious in your career and the importance of exposure to multiple points of view early in your career. The conversation touches on the changing landscape of national security and the integration of commercial technology in National Defense. The guests discuss the challenges faced in collaboration between the private sector and the defense community, including policy and cultural barriers.

Lauren, Hondo discuss with today's guest:

Getting started in the national security arena.
Transforming the acquisition process.
Barriers to collaboration with DOD.
Adoption of new technology.
The Currency of Good Ideas.
Tension between the commercial sector and the DOD.
Leveraging the tech talent and culture of defense prime.

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The podcast features Lauren Bedula, Hondo Geurts, and Michael Brown discussing national security and public/private partnerships. Mike Brown, a former CEO and director of DIU, shares his experience in the private sector and government, highlighting the threat landscape related to China's investment in early-stage companies. He emphasizes the need for increased awareness in the private sector regarding the Chinese threat. The conversation touches on the changing landscape of national security and the integration of commercial technology in warfare. The guests discuss the challenges faced in collaboration between the private sector and the defense community, including policy and cultural barriers. They also highlight the importance of fast following and the need for a more agile procurement process to keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies.

Lauren, Hondo and Michael discuss:

Cybersecurity threats
Government response
Technology advancements
International collaboration
Education and awareness
Critical infrastructure protection
Research and development investment

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In this podcast, Lauren and Hondo engage in a conversation with three guests, Cameron McCord, Biz Peabody, and Akhil Iyer, discussing topics related to national security and public/private partnerships. The guests share insights on managing deadlines, staying fresh, and finding ways to de-stress in challenging situations. They emphasize the importance of connecting with people and having open discussions to address frustrations and challenges. The conversation also touches on the concept of good rebels and the need for leaders to create an environment that enables innovation and empowers younger generations. Overall, the podcast highlights the significance of collaboration, diverse perspectives, and the potential for positive disruption in the national security sector.

Topics Covered:

Stress management and maintaining resilience in high-pressure environments.
Building strong connections and fostering open discussions to address challenges.
Distinguishing between positive and negative stress to maximize productivity.
Creating an innovative and empowering environment for problem-solving.
Embracing diversity of perspectives and encouraging collaboration.
Leveraging ground truth and technology for effective decision-making.
Harnessing the potential of younger generations and embracing disruptive thinking.

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In this podcast, Jason Rathje, the new director of the DoD Office of Strategic Capital, discusses the importance of public-private partnerships in the context of national security. He shares his background and pivotal moments that motivated his work in the Department of Defense. The Office of Strategic Capital aims to maintain the Department of Defense's technological advantage by leveraging private investment capital and improving collaboration with startups and entrepreneurs. They focus on critical technology areas and diversifying the supply chain. The office plans to launch various programs, including debt financing initiatives, and engage with stakeholders such as venture capitalists, private equity firms, and tech companies.

Lauren, Hondo and Jason discuss:

National security
Public/private partnerships
Department of Defense (DOD)
Strategic Capital
Venture capital
Technology innovation
Supply chain diversification

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In this week’s episode of Building the Base, Hondo and Lauren join The Honorable Ellen M. Lord, former Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, to discuss the future of the defense industrial network. 

Ellen emphasizes the necessity of frequent and rich communications between Congress and the Department of Defense to properly budget programs while also allowing for the program to flex as necessary. She argues that commercial technology is becoming increasingly important to the warfighter. To that end, the DoD must have the capability to immediately grant a contract when they find a technology that fits a critical need.

Hondo, Lauren, and Ellen go on to discuss a variety of topics, including: 

Consolidation in the Defense Industry
Financial Security
COVID as a Flashpoint
Partnering with Allies
Beneficial Ownership of Contractors

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In this week’s episode of Building the Base, Hondo and Lauren join Secretary Leon Panetta, founder of the Panetta Institute and former CIA director and Secretary of Defense, to discuss the future of the defense industrial network.

Secretary Panetta emphasizes the necessity of a strong defense industrial base to ensure we are the strongest global military power. He argues that the US must recognize the threat that cyberspace, as the battlefield of the present and future, constitutes. To that end, the US must balance the economy using fiscal policy and federal reserve actions to ensure it has the funds to support the future industrial base.

Hondo, Lauren, and Secretary Panetta go on to discuss a variety of topics, including:

Cyberthreats
Modern times & dangerous flashpoints
Balanced economic approach to DIB
The Panetta Institute
Global democratic alliance

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In this week’s episode of Building the Base, Hondo and Lauren talk with Michael John Gallagher, U.S. Representative for Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District to discuss the future of the defense industrial network.

Throughout the podcast, Representative Gallagher touches on the role of increased automation in cutting edge technology, investing in the workforce, and the Pentagon’s procurement efforts. Representative Gallagher highlighted the importance of streamlining how authorities work with the Pentagon and the need for presidential leadership in increasing collaboration between DoD and the Hill. In this regard, such collaborations are important for enhancing our domestic infrastructure and getting out of a dysfunctional budget cycle.

Hondo, Lauren, and Representative Gallagher go on to discuss a variety of topics, including:

The role of higher education in innovation
Need for greater oversight in DoD operations
Cyber weaknesses and CISA
IP Theft
Mentorship

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In this week’s episode of Building the Base, Hondo and Lauren join Ted Schlein, Chairman & General Partner, Ballistic Ventures and General Partner, Kleiner Perkins to discuss the future of the defense industrial network.

Throughout the podcast, Ted touches on inefficiencies within the defense industrial base regarding its acquisition of cybersecurity technology. One of Ted’s most important views highlighted is that the government should not be playing the role of investor, but it should be finding out how to be a better partner and customer to contractors. To that end, faster and more efficient acquisition processes should be at the forefront of the DoD’s concerns.
Hondo, Lauren, and Ted go on to discuss a variety of topics, including:

Measuring risk in investment
The relationship between and roles of venture capital and the government
Having a true public-private ‘partnership’
Disinformation
Talent acquisition in cybersecurity

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Katrina McFarland is the Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology. As Assistant Secretary and former Assistant Secretary of Defense Acquisition, Katrina oversaw the Army’s acquisition function. Katrina also sits on the board of Engility, is chairman of the Board of Directors of the Board of Army Research and Development, and a Director on the Procurement Round Table Board of Directors.

In this week’s episode of Building the Base, Katrina McFarland joins Hondo and Lauren to discuss supply chain security, maintaining the technological competitive edge, and cultivating talent in the national security workforce. Katrina explains how national security strategy has fallen behind innovation and technological advancements in the last few years and how dependency on global supply chains poses a risk to security. She also discusses how the national security and defense ecosystem needs to modernize in order to keep up with the technology industry and fully utilize technological advancements.

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Sue is currently the Director at CACI International which provides the unique expertise and distinctive technology that address customers’ greatest enterprise and mission challenges.

She was the fifth Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) from August 2017 to August 2019. As PDDNI, Sue was a key advisor to the President and National Security Council and led the 17-member Intelligence Community. With more than three decades of experience in the IC, Sue has served in a variety of leadership roles spanning numerous intelligence organizations and disciplines. Prior to the DNI, Sue served as the Deputy Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency from 2015 to 2017, helping the director lead the agency and manage the National System of Geospatial Intelligence.

Before joining the NGA, she served for 27 years at the Central Intelligence Agency, rising to senior executive positions in each of the Agency’s four directorates: operations, analysis, science and technology, and support. In 1998, she designed and drove the formation of In-Q-Tel, a private, non-profit company whose primary purpose is to deliver innovative technology solutions for the agency and the IC.

She is the recipient of numerous government and industry awards, including the Distinguished Intelligence Medal and the Distinguished Presidential Rank Award. Sue earned a Bachelor of Science from Duke University. A trusted authority on strategy, innovation and leadership, Sue is currently a consultant on global risk, technology, cyber and space issues and a member of the Board at Pallas Advisors, a Washington D.C.-based consultancy.

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Nick Sinai is a Senior Advisor at Insight Partners, Adjunct & Senior Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, and author of Hack Your Bureaucracy: Get Things Done No Matter What Your Role on Any Team.

Nick's new book with co-author Marina Nitze, Hack Your Bureaucracy: Get Things Done No Matter What Your Role on Any Team, comes out September 13, 2022. The book contains over 50 tactics, each with real-world examples, for making lasting change in bureaucracies from PTAs and HOAs all the way up to the White House and Fortune 500 companies.

CLICK HERE to grab your copy today!

Topics Discussed:

Being the Whitehouse CTO
Open Source Data - NatSec
DoD is the NTE
Bureaucratic Craft
Hacking the Bureaucracy
Individual Accountability

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Mike Morell is Former Deputy Director and twice Acting Director of CIA from 2009 to 2013.

A 33-year veteran of CIA, including time as the head of analysis and daily intelligence briefer to President George W. Bush. Only person to be with President Bush on 9/11 and with President Obama on May 1st, 2011 when bin Ladin was brought to justice.

Author of The Great War of Our Time, a New York Times bestseller. Member of President Obama's 2013 Review Group on Intelligence and Telecommunications Technology. Member of the 2018 National Defense Strategy Commission.

Topics Include :

Being the Director of CIA
9/11
CIA technology Reorganization
China Mission Center
The China Problem
Industrial Policy Reform
Next 10 years of Globalization
Hunting Tech Talent

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Lt. Gen. VeraLinn “Dash” Jamieson recently retired after 38 Years of dedicated service in the USAF. She last served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Cyber Effects Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Arlington, Virginia.

Lt. Gen. Jamieson is combat experienced, an operational expert, and an adept air, space and cyber strategist. She directed intelligence operations for multiple contingencies to include operations Desert Storm, Allied Force, Unified Response, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Topics Discussed Include:

Rising through the Ranks as a Woman in the Military
Being the 1 and only woman on base during her deployment to Korea
Championing Disruptive Technology and its value to DoD
What is takes for successful DevOps implementation
Translating the disconnect between Business Startup and DoD
Relationships and Teams based on Trust
Mentor / Mentee relationships and the reciprocity between the two

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The Almanac of American Politics 2020 called Mac Thornberry “one of Congress’ brainiest and most thoughtful members on national and domestic security issues,” and said that he “has long been at the forefront of national security issues.” USA Today said Mac has “experience in Washington, a rare long view and a reputation for serious, thoughtful problem-solving.”

Consistently on the leading edge of critical national security issues, Mac led in creating the National Nuclear Security Administration to improve management of the nation’s nuclear weapons complex; establishing the Department of Homeland Security (introducing a bill to do so six months before the attacks of 9/11); preparing the military to defend the nation in new domains of warfare such as space and cyber; and improving DOD’s innovation and acquisition efforts.

In addition to serving on the House Armed Services Committee throughout his time in Congress, Mac also served on the House Intelligence Committee for 14 years. He has written widely on defense matters and appeared on all major television channels providing insight on national security-related issues.

Since leaving Congress after 26 years, which included service as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Mac continues to work at the intersection of technology and national security with various companies and organizations.

Topics Discussed

Congressional Experience and the “Why” Behind his service
How the Department of Defense can better work with startups
Reforming the Pentagon’s acquisition program to strengthen collaboration between DoD and Tech sector
How to build the next generation of the industrial base that we need to protect our security and prosperity
How to inspire new generations of talented people to help build the future National Security base.
How mentors have influenced Mac’s career trajectory
How Mac hopes to impact others through mentoring?
Engaging with nonprofits like SVDG and RAND along with people outside of our direct network and political affiliations is a powerful way to get outside of our comfort zone and connect with a diverse set

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Dr. David Bray, Ph.D., is a Leader at The World Economic Forum, World Keynoter speaking at events such as TEDx, SXSW, Forbes, and the UN

David Bray is a GLOBAL TECH & DATA EXPERT, FOUNDER/DIRECTOR, STRATEGIC C-SUITE EXECUTIVE, CREATIVE PIONEER, CORPORATE BOARD MEMBER skilled at leading transformative change in novel & turbulent situations requiring new business models and successful strategies to deliver intelligent, reasoned results.

Topics Discussed

Silicon Valley affects National Security and Geopolitics
Focusing on Data, not politics
Speaking Truth to Power even if inconvenient
Global Industrial Defense Network for Competitive Advantage
Ideas, Public Health, and Information transform borders
Democratizing technology and Empowering the Edge
Shifting the Defense Industrial base to Defense Industrial Network
Disruptive New Technology leading National Security
Mentorship and Mentoring others

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Kristen Bartok Touw is Co-President, Chief Operating Officer, and a member of the New Vista Capital board of directors since December 2020. She is the founder and managing partner of AirFinance, which has sourced, structured, diligenced, and serviced more than $1.2 billion in financing across a variety of structured products to aerospace companies, their suppliers, and their customers globally since 2008.

Ms. Bartok Touw has also been an active early-stage investor in new and emerging advanced air mobility, or AAM, technologies through AirFinance’s Venture Capital arm. She has sourced, diligenced, and executed early-stage investments in AI, machine learning, computer vision, autonomy, Urchin Tracking Module, data analytics, drones, vertical take-off and landing aircraft, electrification, and battery technology. Ms. Bartok Touw is also an active advisor to many AAM startups and a frequent speaker on the topic of the intersection of AAM and finance. She was named to Corporate Jet Investor’s “Power List” in 2015 as one of the industry’s top 10 innovators and is currently the only woman on the list.

Discussion Topics Include:

Going from Politics to Investment Banking to Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship on the West Coast VS East Coast
Being smart enough to ask dumb questions
Learning from Failure
Building Relationships
Work-Life Balance - Family and a Career
Kitchen cabinet of diverse mentors

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Steve co-created the Lean Startup movement. He has been part of, or co-founded eight Silicon Valley startups. These have run the gamut from semiconductors, video games, personal computers, and supercomputers. (MIPS, Zilog, Rocket Science, SuperMac, Convergent Technologies, Ardent, ESL) Steve's last company was E.piphany, an enterprise software company.

Discussion Topics:

The role Universities play in the National Security Industrial Base
The Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation @ Stanford
Delivering MVP's with speed and scale faster than our advisaries
Semi- Conductors , Where were heading/Globalization
The Future National Security Landscape
OODA Loops

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James Cross is the Founder of Silicon Valley Defense Group a non-profit focused on National Security and Innovation. As Co-Head of Private Investing for Franklin Equity Group and Managing Director of Franklin Venture Partners he specializes in investsing in private opportunities with mid- and late-stage companies that the firm believes are poised for transformative impacts across multiple industries.

SVDG seeks to align and connect the people, capital, and ideas that will ensure the U.S. and its allies achieve a durable advantage in the global techno-security competition.

They are working to create the nexus of pioneering ideas, people, and capital that will unlock new sources of innovation for national security and power the digital evolution of the defense industrial base.
Discussion Topics :

The Origin of SVDG and Bridge Between Silicon Valley & DC
VC investment Fund Framework, Definitions and Descriptions
Policy Makers Mistaken Views on Defense and NatSec
Focuses on the Defense Ecosystem Globally not just in Northern California
Venture Backed Tech Ecosystems Across the Country
Future Talent, Future Mission, Future Threats

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Tina Dolph is an accomplished executive leader with more than two decades of government industry experience. Shes widely known as a collaborative leader. Prior to Leading Siemens Government Technologies Ms. Dolph was instrumental in Lockheed Martin’s integration of and subsequent divestiture of PAE, Inc., where she served in executive leadership positions culminating as Executive Vice President, Company Operations for a $2 billion enterprise.

Topics Discussed Include

Finding our way through experience as Leaders
Learning our strengths with Mentors
Focusing on Mission & People means everything else falls in place
Maintaining the Innovation Ecosystem
Partnering with High Tech Talent

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Shaun Modi is the founder and CEO of a new venture-backed Startup, Capitol AI. Capitol employs a no code interface which empowers users from the CEO to the front line manager to make higher velocity, better quality AI-enabled decisions. With a single click on a data source and the Capitol platform bubbles up insights and predicts the best visualizations for decision-makers.

Shaun's is one of the leading designers in Technology who's skills are a culmination of 14+yrs experience from tremendously successful companies and institutions ; Airbnb, Google, RISD, & MIT.

As founding designer at Airbnb, and co-founder of the design and innovation group TM he has launched over 55+ products. Airbnb is now worth $100b+.

Shaun has also created a fee-free cash transfer app Shaun designed for Sendwave is currently used by three million Africans every day and has been named one of Business Insider’s Top 75 Designers in Technology

Discussion Topics Include:

Shaun’s passions as a child that led him to a career in Technology and Air BnB
The power of Design and the impact it can make on Business
There is no bigger mission than National Defense
How can DOD create a platform to allow us all to work together?

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Welcome to Building the Base, a unique discussion focused on shaping our future national security industrial base during this pivotal time in our Nation’s history

For over 40 years, the non-profit organization Business Executives for National Security, or BENS for short, has brought senior executives and best business practices from across our country together to address our Nation’s most pressing security challenges. The BENS mission is more important now than ever before.

It’s a daunting task ... a task the United States has not had to do at this scale since World War II. It’s also a historic opportunity....an opportunity to leverage new technologies, new business models, new ideas, and new voices to improve our country for the decades to come

Hear from top entrepreneurs and leaders from the high tech, financial, industrial, and public sectors, as they share their ideas and perspectives about how we can all work better together to ensure our national security and prosperity.

Building the base is hosted by long time BENS member and leader of the BENS Technology and Innovation Council Lauren Bedula and former Chief Weapons buyer and innovator for Special Operators, Sailors, and Marines and now BENS distinguished fellow: Hondo Geurts!

We look forward to you joining us and weighing in on the discussion! Listen to: Building the Base. Find New episodes Everywhere fine podcasts are found!

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