Alex Krutz, Managing Director of Patriot Industrial Partners

This week, Alex Krutz, the visionary founder of Patriot Industrial Partners, takes us on his unexpected military journey, inspired by honoring his parents’ remarkable sacrifices. Hear how Alex funded his education, navigated pivotal career moments, and became an influential aerospace and defense advisory leader. From his early days in the military to working with industry…

Read More

Daniel Gizinski, Chief Strategy Officer of Comtech

Get ready to dive into leadership shake-ups and dealing with unprecedented ‘Oh Crap’ moments head-on with this week’s special guest, Daniel Gizinski, Chief Strategy Officer at ComTech. In this episode, Dan shares insights into his deep family roots and early career choices, including a strategic move to gain independent experience and how his impactful work…

Read More

Ryan Murphy, Partner at Kal Capital

Get ready to unlock the secrets to successful mergers and acquisitions with this week’s expert guest, Ryan Murphy, partner at Kal Capital. Kal Capital is a leading investment banking firm known for advising on major transactions. Ryan, who has been pivotal to Kal’s growth, share his insights on what sets a lower middle market supplier apart…

Read More

Michael Murray, CEO of Kopin Corporation 

Prepare to embark on a captivating journey into the heart of a cultural revolution under new leadership with Michael Murray, the visionary CEO propelling Kopin into an era of innovation. From his childhood experiments building his own radio to his pivotal role in leading teams towards cutting-edge solutions, Michael shares his remarkable journey with Katherine,…

Read More

Why the Best Talent is Overlooking Your Firm

As a defense hiring manager, you likely wonder why truly game-changing candidates aren’t actively knocking at your door. I’ve noticed many mid-market firms struggle to attract top engineering & leadership talent due to gaps in their hiring strategies. That’s why I created a simple 12-question quiz – to help you understand where your firm excels…

Read More

Matt Jones, CEO of Sigma Defense Systems

Ever wondered how to craft a team of champions and a culture of mutual respect? Well wonder no more as we welcome Matt Jones, the trailblazing President and CEO of Sigma Defense, recently recognized as one of Washington’s top executives to watch in 2024. Key points throughout include:  Mission first, profit second: Building systems for…

Read More

Big Salaries, Small Companies: The Pay Gap Plaguing Mid-Market A&D

“He’s making how much?!?”  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard that from exasperated hiring managers at mid-market aerospace and defense companies. The talent wars are real, and compensation is the biggest battle. The industry is booming, driving massive demand for engineering and tech talent. But for many growing A&D firms, attracting and…

Read More

Freeing Your Talent

The FTC’s Game-Changing Move on Noncompetes copy: If you’ve been following the business buzz, you’ve heard about the FTC’s big move on noncompete agreements. Yep, those contracts that can feel like invisible shackles for your top talent. States like California and Washington, D.C., have been booting noncompetes, and others, like Colorado and Virginia, are scaling…

Read More

David Yu, Chairman of AAVA Group

Prepare to dive deep into the realms of aviation finance and cross-border investments as David Yu joins Katherine this week. With his extensive expertise and global influence at the helm of Asia Aviation Valuation Advisors and China Aviation Valuation Advisors, David is set to enlighten us on the dynamic evolution of space financing, offering insider…

Read More

Katie Selbe, COO of Eqlipse Technologies 

This is your reminder never to let setbacks hinder your rise to success. This week, embark on a transformative journey with Katie Selbe, aerospace and defense virtuoso, as she narrates her climb to the C-suite of Eqlipse Technologies post an unexpected career twist. From navigating the aftermath of 9/11 to earning a life-changing scholarship, Katie…

Read More