From Apache Cockpits to Startup Prototypes
I commissioned in the Army in 2012 after completing my engineering undergrad at Ohio University, dead-set on flying the AH-64 Apache. I had been drawn to the mission and technological complexity of the Apache from a young age, but it never felt real that I—an average kid from Southeast Ohio—could actually pilot one. Despite that long-held skepticism, I graduated flight school in 2014 as an attack pilot, ranking 1st in my class of 68 after pushing through multiple setbacks. That experience set the stage for the rest of my life: seeking out hard challenges, getting knocked down, and continuing to move forward. From 2012 to 2021, I served both overseas and stateside in multiple tactical aviation roles involving manned and unmanned aircraft, including command of two attack/reconnaissance companies.
Throughout my military career, I was fascinated by the advanced sensing capabilities used around the world to detect, analyze, and classify data in contested environments. Whether owned by the U.S. or its adversaries, military aviators require a deep technical understanding of what’s on the battlefield—and what’s attached to their own aircraft. Fast forward to today: I’m still focused on critical missions and still fascinated with sensing technologies and data—now with added skills in software development, prototyping, and product management.
That’s what drove me to begin developing a new manned/unmanned airspace deconfliction system for mission-critical domestic applications. Since its inception, the concept has progressed rapidly, and MVP validation is well underway with real-world users who are genuinely excited about its potential. During a recent product demo with two high-profile agencies, one leader remarked, “I’ve sat in on hundreds of demos, and this was one of the coolest.” The session quickly evolved into a strategy discussion about getting it into their hands for testing. This early traction stems from months of focused development around explicit and implicit unmet needs in the target market segment.
The current version zeroes in on solving the most pressing pain points—and solving them well. That focus has enabled fast product design, development, and fielding—no overselling or hypotheticals, just real value demonstrated in real time to the customers who need it most. Over the next few months, gathering customer feedback and iteration will remain the top priority.
Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn to follow the progress or learn more.
