John Barnes

Manufacturing Mavericks with John Barnes

Technology EN ↓ 5 episodes

Step inside the world of modern manufacturing through candid conversations with the people driving it forward. In each episode, advanced manufacturing industry pioneer John Barnes spotlights a leader shaping the future of the industry. He explores their journeys, lessons, and leadership (with some dad jokes along the way). Powered by The Barnes Global Advisors.

Author

John Barnes

Episodes

S1 E05 - Mission Possible: Capt. Jason Deichler on Advanced Manufacturing and Naval Readiness 17.06.2026 59:06

Sometimes the best innovations start with a simple question: "Can that part be made additively?" For Capt. Jason Deichler, that question sparked a Navy-wide manufacturing revolution. In this episode of Manufacturing Mavericks, John Barnes sits down with Capt. Deichler, newly appointed Chief of Staff for the Director of Submarines and former Commodore of Submarine Squadron TWO. Through hi...

S1 E04 - Cleared for Takeoff: Scott Bledsoe on Aerospace Engineering and the Leap into Entrepreneurship 05.06.2026 58:23

What does it take to leave a career in aerospace engineering and bet on yourself.....twice? In this episode, John Barnes talks with Scott Bledsoe, founder of both TrueField Systems and Blue Force Technologies, about his journey from aerospace engineer to serial entrepreneur. Scott shares the pivotal moments that led him to take the leap, what he's learned building two companies in the defense...

S1 E01 - Forged in Fire: Kevin Kassekert on Building VulcanForms and the Future of Manufacturing 04.05.2026 45:39

What does it take to build a company at the frontier of manufacturing technology, and convince the world that additive manufacturing is ready for industrial-scale production? In this episode of Manufacturing Mavericks, John Barnes sits down with Kevin Kassekert, CEO of VulcanForms, a company redefining what's possible with metal additive manufacturing. Kevin shares his journey into the indust...

S1 E02 - From the Pentagon to the Plant: Adele Ratcliff on Strengthening America's Industrial Base 04.05.2026 48:58

Few people have had a front-row seat to the evolution of America's defense industrial base quite like Adele Ratcliff. In this episode, John Barnes is joined by Adele Ratcliff, recently retired from the U.S. Department of Defense's Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program, where she spent her career working to ensure America's manufacturing and defense supply chains re...

S1 E03 - Championing the Future: Alex Champion on Additive Manufacturing and Innovation at the UK MOD 04.05.2026 45:17

Additive manufacturing is changing the way militaries around the world maintain readiness, sustain equipment, and solve problems in the field. No one understands this better than Alex Champion. In this episode, John Barnes speaks with Alex Champion, Additive Manufacturing Lead at the UK Ministry of Defence, one of the most prominent voices driving AM adoption across allied defense organizations. A...