The MILCOM Founders Podcast

MILCOM Founders Podcast -- Episode 23: From Navy Nuclear Technician to Maritime AI Pioneers with John McGunnigle and Michael Hunter Join host Rod Loges with guests John McGunnigle and Michael Hunter as they share their journey from Navy service to co-founding Spear AI, a maritime artificial intelligence company focused on national defense applications. In this episode: John's path from Naval Acade...

MILCOM Founders Podcast -- Episode 22: From Coast Guard Academy to Performance Excellence with Jeff Parks Join host Rod Loges and guest Jeff Parks as he shares his journey from Coast Guard Academy graduate to founder of Performance Breakthroughs Inc., where he spent 25+ years helping organizations, teams, and individuals achieve excellence. In this episode: Jeff's Coast Guard career spanning rescu...

MILCOM Founders Podcast – Episode 23: From Marine General to AI Innovator with Terry Williams Join host Rod Loges and retired Marine Brigadier General Terry Williams as they explore leadership, community building, and the transformational power of technology in veteran entrepreneurship. In this episode: Terry's journey from rebellious college student to 32-year Marine Corps career Building communi...

MILCOM Founders Podcast -- Episode 20: From Army First Sergeant to Life-Saving Emergency Solutions with Valerie Ellis Lavin Join host Rod Loges and guest Valerie Ellis Lavin as she shares her journey from serving as a US Army First Sergeant to founding Luminary Global, a company providing emergency preparedness and trauma response solutions to clients ranging from sheriff's departments and fire re...

MILCOM Founders Podcast -- Episode: From Naval Academy to Marine Osprey Pilot to Business Owner with Ahron Oddman Join host Rod Loges and guest Ahron Oddman as he shares his journey from Brooklyn teenager to Naval Academy graduate, Marine Osprey pilot, and successful business owner through entrepreneurship. In this episode: Ahron's path from a 9-year-old inspired by an air show to Naval Academy ae...

MILCOM Founders Podcast -- Episode 18: From Army Intelligence to Location Analytics with Brendan Huff Join host Rod Loges and guest Brendan Huff as he shares his journey from Army counterintelligence to co-founding Anomaly Six, a cutting-edge behavior-based location intelligence and analytics company serving clients worldwide. In this episode: Brendan's unexpected path from managing restaurants to...

MILCOM Founders Podcast -- Episode 17: From Immigrant Teen to Special Operations Hero and Mental Health Advocate with Pasha Palanker Join host Rod Loges and guest Pasha Palanker as he shares his remarkable journey from arriving in America as a 15-year-old refugee from Soviet Moldova to becoming a decorated Army Special Operations Master Sergeant and successful entrepreneur. Pasha is the founder an...

MILCOM Founders Podcast -- Episode 16: From West Point Cyber Officer to Document Intelligence Innovator with Ian Garrett Join host Rod Loges and guest Ian Garrett as he shares his journey from West Point graduate and Army cyber officer to co-founding Phalanx, a company that transforms document sharing into actionable business intelligence. In this episode: Ian's path from Northern Virginia kid to...

MILCOM Founders Podcast -- Episode 15: From Air National Guard to Firearm Safety Innovation with Shaun Tanaka Join host Rod Loges and guest Shaun Tanaka as he shares his journey from serving in the Air National Guard to founding CastleLock™, a firearm safety company developing biometric technology to protect families while maintaining quick access for responsible gun owners. In this episode: Shaun...

MILCOM Founders Podcast -- Episode 14: From Air Force Officer to Freedom-Enabling Entrepreneur with Laura Yang Renner Join host Rod Loges and guest Laura Yang Renner as she shares her journey from Air Force officer to founder of Freedom Makers Virtual Services , a company that connects military spouses with small businesses needing flexible support. In this episode: Laura's military family backgro...

MILCOM Founders Podcast – Episode 13 From Army Captain to Chief Storyteller with Ira Koretsky Join host Rod Loges and guest Ira Koretsky as he shares his journey from serving as a US Army Captain in the Medical Service Corps to founding The Chief Storyteller® , a communications consultancy that helps organizations improve performance and audience engagement through strategic storytelling and prese...

MILCOM Founders Podcast -- Episode 12: From Air Force Veteran to Vending Innovator with Nick Grillo Join host Rod Loges and guest Nick Grillo as he shares his journey from serving 12 years in the US Air Force to founding Elevate Vending, an innovative company transforming the vending experience with smart technology and locally sourced products. In this episode: Nick's path from Air Force Power Su...

MILCOM Founders Podcast -- Episode 11: From Army Intelligence to Cybersecurity Leader with Odie Gray   Join host Rod Loges and guest Odie Gray as he shares his journey from Army intelligence professional to founding Dominus Gray and the Diversity Cyber Council, organizations dedicated to cybersecurity excellence and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities in tech.  In this episode:...

MILCOM Founders Podcast – Episode 10: From Navy Nuclear Technician to Elite Veteran Talent Connector with Brandon Aaron   Join host Rod Loges and guest Brandon Aaron as he shares his journey from serving as a Navy Nuclear Electrician's Mate on submarines to founding HIGHR1 , a recruiting firm dedicated to placing Navy nukes and technical veterans in mission-critical positions.  In this episode:  ...

MILCOM Founders Podcast – Episode 9: Brand Strategy for Growth with Reggie Ordonez     Join host Rod Loges and guest Reggie Ordonez as he shares his journey from the Marine Corps to founding Forward Brands, a brand strategy company helping founders generate more revenue through clear, compelling messaging.  In this episode:  Joining the Marine Corps at 17 and serving in various roles including as...

MILCOM Founders Podcast – Episode 8: From Fighter Pilot to Storytelling Expert with Dan Manning   Join host Rod Loges as he speaks with Dan Manning, a former Air Force fighter pilot and military diplomat who now helps founders craft powerful stories that connect with audiences. Dan shares his journey from flying A-10s to negotiating with Russian military officials in Syria, and how he found his ni...

MILCOM Founders Podcast – Episode 7: From Army Veteran to Archery Entrepreneur with Sam Westfall  Join host Rod Loges and guest Sam Westfall as he shares his journey from serving as an M1 Abrams tank mechanic in the Army to founding two archery-focused businesses: Archery in Motion and Valor Archery Challenge. Sam discusses how archery became both therapy and business after a life-changing injury...

MILCOM Founders Podcast – Episode 6: Transforming Data Solutions with Jake Dyal   Join host Rod Loges as he speaks with Jake Dyal, an Army veteran and co-founder of Certus Core. Jake shares his journey from military intelligence to creating innovative data solutions for national security and discusses the importance of values-based hiring and staying focused on your company's core mission.  In thi...

MILCOM Founders Podcast – Episode 5: Connecting Rural America with Nathan Gray    Join host Rod Loges as he speaks with Nathan Gray, Army veteran and founder of MeshComm Engineering. Nate shares his journey from electronic warfare technician to creating communication solutions for rural and remote areas, while also discussing the importance of customer development in building a successful business...

MILCOM Founders Podcast – Episode 4: Securing Medical Devices and Saving Lives with Christian Espinosa    Join host Rod Loges as he speaks with Christian Espinosa, Founder and CEO of Blue Goat Cyber, about his mission to protect patients by defending medical devices against cybersecurity threats. Christian shares his journey from Air Force officer to cybersecurity entrepreneur, including how a per...

MILCOM Founders Podcast - Episode 3: From Military Service to Empowering Parents with Dr. Trillitye (Dr. Trill) Paullin, PhD. Join host Rod Loges and guest Dr. Trill as she shares her journey from joining the Army National Guard at 17 to founding Free to Feed. Dr. Trill discusses balancing military service, motherhood, and entrepreneurship while helping families with infant food allergies. In this...

MILCOM Founders Podcast - Episode 2: Blockchain Analytics and Veteran Entrepreneurship with Don Spies Join host Rod Loges and guest Don Spies as they discuss founding Outrider Analytics, a blockchain analytics company helping trace and identify blockchain activities. Don shares his transition from 13 years in Military Intelligence to entrepreneurship. In this episode: Starting Outrider Analytics 1...

MILCOM Founders Podcast - Episode 1 Gratitude in Business Leadership: A Conversation with Austen Brower Join host Rod Loges and guest Austen Brower as they explore how gratitude can transform business culture and leadership. Austen shares insights from his journey writing 365 gratitude notes and his book "Gratitude: A Work in Progress." In this episode: How gratitude practices can improve employee...