Joseph Kopser’s Post

Organizations at all levels struggle to "see" a common operating environment. Whether in business or in combat, what your front line sales teams (or warfighters) see is often times outdated and useless before it reaches all the way up to the HQs and back down to support decisions and allocation of resources. (Powerpoint slides and red-tape can often be an obstacle to timely decisions) In this conversation in the "Digital Warfighting Series with CENTCOM," co-hosts Lauren Bedula and James Geurts (Hondo) sit down with Brigadier General John Cogbill from CENTCOM. As they write on the website, they "explore the strategic implications of digital transformation in modern warfare. From operationalizing the commander's vision to fostering a culture of innovation, Brigadier General Cogbill provides insights into how headquarters are redefining their approach to digital warfighting." For me, I heard the uncanny parallels between the challenges of leaders at all levels both in and out of uniform. Here is a brief summary: 1. Innovation Culture: Programs and real-time experiments foster servicemembers' problem-solving skills. 2. Real-Time Digital Shift: Live data integration enhances situational awareness for command decisions. 3. Experiment and Partnering: CENTCOM balances operations with industry collaboration to boost digital skills and tactics. 4. Data Flow and Unity: CENTCOM works on data interoperability and streamlined decisions among allies. 5. Forward-Looking Strategy: CENTCOM aims for live data usage over conventional tools for mission success. It's this kind of dual use collaboration that sparks opportunity that reminds me of the work at Business Executives for National Security (BENS), Capital Factory (with Mary Gwinn and Nina Shelat at the Center for Defense Innovation) and Drew Scheberle at the National Security Innovation Council. The podcast is a must listen! (And including a shout out to John's days teaching at Department of Social Sciences, USMA-- Heidi Brockmann Demarest)

The University of Texas at Austin is a world class partner and destination for our military, veterans and their families. This announcement is just another great example that “What starts here changes the world”. Thanks to Jay Hartzell for choosing MG Leavitt.

If you want to speed your producitivity by another 2x or 3x with ChatGPT, find the setting on your computer that allows you to turn on Voice to Text dictation. Don't worry about being perfect, ChatGPT will clean it up. Enjoy the added productivity in your professional and personal world. I personally prefer the double tap of the CONTROL button. Do you have any personal hacks that you find helpful? #LifeHacks

Exciting News from Honolulu Airport! 🌴✈️-- I had the pleasure of walking off the plane and literally walk right into a press conference yesterday at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, where the State of Hawaii, Department of Transportation (HDOT) announced the launch of Miki, a new autonomous electric passenger shuttle in collaboration with Beep, Inc. (Beep is part of Jacksonville Transportation Authority test with various AV initiatives at its Test and Learn facility AV project that Grayline Group is also a part of with the Balfour Beatty US team) Named after the Hawaiian word for agile, Miki will complement the existing Wiki Wiki shuttle service, offering travelers another convenient option for navigating between gates and terminals. With a fleet of four shuttles, Miki aims to enhance overall efficiency and contribute to Hawaiʻi's sustainability goals. It was great to see familiar faces like Eduardo M. and Toby McGraw from team Beep at the event. Joe Moye, Beep's CEO, expressed his enthusiasm for this pioneering project, highlighting the company's commitment to safety and sustainability. The Miki shuttles, accommodating 11 passengers each and ADA-accessible, will operate autonomously while ensuring a safe and enjoyable ride for passengers. Shuttle attendants will be on board to provide assistance and information about Miki's features. This initiative aligns with HDOT's efforts to transition to electric vehicles and promote accessibility in transportation. Through our partnership with Sustainability Partners, we continue to support HDOT's mission towards a greener and more efficient transportation system. For more information about this innovative project and the benefits of electric vehicle conversions, visit the HDOT website. Let's drive towards a sustainable future together! 🚗💨 #MikiShuttle #Sustainability #AutonomousTransportation

ADM (R) Bill McRaven has "been there, done that" in every level of command in our military, created new opportunities in leadership in academia, and authored six books best selling books while continuing to provide thought leadership for our nation going forward in a rapidly changing world. It was a high honor for me to be able to facilitate a fireside chat with ADM McRaven at the Texas McCombs School of Business for the Mulva Leadership Symposium to an audience of students and practitioners on the skills and attributes needed to lead in a time of crisis. Whether it is a moment of personal crisis, group crisis, organizational or national crisis, Bill McRaven has been in the arena for decades following his internal call to service-- from his days as a student graduating from Navy ROTC at UT-Austin in 1977, Desert Storm, OEF, OIF, catching Bin Laden, rescuing Captain Phillips, or his time as Chancellor of the The University of Texas System. He also played a huge part in helping groups like Capital Factory and the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce convince Secretary Ash Carter that Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) should establish a home in Austin, Texas. We are lucky to have him in Texas and anyone who has a chance to meet him is wiser for the opportunity. Thanks to Texas McCombs School of Business Center for Leadership and Ethics and The University of Texas at Austin Naval ROTC for organizing the conference. Specifically, I want to thank Jay Levine, Stacey Rudnick, and Jack Boger for organizing this first annual event. The mission of the symposium was to create a community of cross-functional, interdisciplinary leaders through education around shared leadership challenges.  I cannot wait for next year. I also want to thank Dean Lillian Mills, UT Men's Basketball Coach Terry, and Doug Wolfe from Horizon Bank for being our keynote speakers throughout the day. What starts here, changes the world. The University of Texas at Austin is a world class partner and destination for our military, veterans and their families. Thanks to Eric Brown for the amazing photos of the conference.

The start-up scene in Nashville is on its way to being hotter than Nashville Hot Chicken. And that's hot. It was a great time last night to host the West Point AOG Roadshow to highlight the opportunities for entrepreneurs building companies, investors to fuel them and the talent it takes to lead them. Thanks to the leadership of Tye Reedy and the generous support of the Adams Keegan, Inc., entrepreneurs in Middle Tennessee have the boost they need to get their ideas off the ground and running. Paul Woolard kicked things off laying out the investors thesis at Veteran Ventures Capital investing in various sectors through veteran led businesses. (I hope you and Tim Hsia are connected!) It was a mini-Class of 1993 reunion as Dean Wegner, Doug Katz, and Rob Cochran were all there to discuss the continued success as entrepreneurs. I look forward to following the continued efforts of Matthew McConnell, James Hochstetler, Ryan Johnson (the AOG poster child-- literally), Rankin Clinton, Martin Plumlee, Blake Hogan (of Bunker Labs fame), Fernando “Nando” Martinez, Matt King, Luke Dressman, PMP, Kenneth Smith and so many others. Reach out if you are trying to build a business and you are looking for ideas of where to start or how to make your current business better. Huge thanks again to Austin Hunt and the whole team at the West Point Association of Graduates for organizing the event. Special thanks to Operation Stand Down Tennessee for hosting and Eric DiNoto and the Regimental Spirits Company LLC for providing the Regimental Whiskey. Thanks also Fat Bottom Brewing for the tasty beverages. See you at the next Roadshow!

Last chance for VCs and Angel Investors to register for Thursday's entrepreneurship event in Nashville. This gathering will showcase a diverse array of innovative companies from Middle Tennessee, highlighting the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit of the region. Hosted by the West Point Association of Graduates Entrepreneur Roadshow, I am thrilled to serve as your host for this extraordinary showcase, where we will spotlight the remarkable talents of West Point entrepreneurs. Join us for an evening of networking, discovery, and investment opportunities in the heart of Nashville. Thanks again to Tye Reedy and the Adams Keegan, Inc. team for being such a huge host for all that we are doing. Reserve your spot now and be part of an evening dedicated to fostering growth and innovation in the entrepreneurial community. See you there! April 11, 2024 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm Operation Stand Down Tennessee: 1125 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203 RSVP link located below in the comments. I'm tagging a few friends to add their friends and colleagues in the comment section that might want to stop in. I hope to see Blake Hogan, Dean Wegner, Bob Tuke, Mat Wilcox, Pat Ross, Nathaniel Wells, Chris Baxley, Joseph James, Travis J. Hamilton, Michael "Lucky" LaChance, Clayton Nicholas, and Eric Helman.

My copy of Mentorship Unlocked by Janice Omadeke, PMP has just arrived! I'm excited on so many levels to share her remarkable journey culminating in the launch of "Mentorship Unlocked," a groundbreaking and very practical book that redefines mentorship in the modern workplace. My connection with Janice began during a Grayline Group Catalyst Talk when I first realized she was a force of nature, and since then, I've witnessed her incredible path, from building on the success of her triumphs in the MassChallenge to raising the capital for her innovative company, The Mentor Method to Techstars, to the DivInc Champion of Change to SXSW to her podcast with Brené Brown ... it's been a fun ride to be a part of. Last week, at the headquarters of Indeed, with Chris Hyams moderating a fireside chat, we celebrated the launch of "Mentorship Unlocked." This book is not just a guide; it's a testament to Janice's expertise in nurturing career paths through effective mentorship. It offers new insights into building mentor relationships, enriched with templates, scripts, and real-world examples. Also a treat to see Mitch Jacobson, Larry Peterson, Hugh Forrest, whurley (William Hurley), Robert Hansen, Preston L. James, II, Maria Brown-Spence, Jan Ryan, Heather Wagner Reed, Ashley J. Jennings, Alicia Weigel, Nina Ho and so many others to celebrate the moment. Having a front row seat for the last four years of her journey from early days of TMM to this monumental book launch has been a privilege. Witnessing Janice's evolution from a visionary entrepreneur to a published author has been inspiring. It was more than a little humbling at the launch that she asked me to repeat my often said quote about role modeling "People Will Be What They Can See." "Mentorship Unlocked" is more than a book; it’s a blueprint for aligning personal values with professional growth. I'm proud to have been there for many of the milestones Janice hit along the way and can't wait to see where the next chapter leads. Congratulations, Janice, on this outstanding achievement! #mentorship #PeopleWillBeWhatTheyCanSee

The next chapter in the space industry is dual use commercialization and the free world relies on the US to win. As someone deeply invested in the future of space and defense, it was an honor to moderate a panel at the The Texas Lyceum Public Conference on Space Technology and Innovation discussing the intersection of national security, defense, and space exploration. With industry leaders like Cameron Chehreh (Intel Corporation), Maj Gen (Retired) Clint Crosier (Amazon Web Services (AWS)), and Dyan Medina Gibbens (Trumbull Unmanned), we delved into strategies for safeguarding our assets in the ever-evolving space domain. The conference was a showcase of Texas' burgeoning role in the new space economy. Highlights included the “Texas Launchpad” session where Brad Morrison, Jack Fischer (Intuitive Machines), Tim Kopra (Starlab), and Kathryn Lueders (SpaceX) shared insights on commercial space opportunities. The “Spaceonomics” panel, moderated by Brian Freedman, with thought leaders like Senator Carol Alvarado and Eduardo Seyffert (BLUE ORIGIN), provided a fascinating look at economic growth driven by space initiatives. Educational sessions, like “Launching Careers,” spotlighted the urgent need for workforce development in STEM and space industries, with speakers like Dr. Margaret Ford Fisher and Dr. Bernard Harris Jr. bringing their expertise to the forefront. (BTW-- Dr Harris was the first African-American to walk in space!) But it wasn’t just about the economics and technology. The conference also touched on the historical and future legacy of space in Houston, with leaders like Vanessa Wyche of NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration Johnson Space Center offering inspiring visions of what lies ahead. It was also great to see Lt Gov Dan Patrick and Senator Ted Cruz join us for the lunch and dinner keynotes. Missed out on the conference? You missed a gathering that was not just about discussing space but a holistic view of how it integrates with our economy, national security, and educational pathways. As we look to the stars, Texas is clearly at the helm of a new era in space exploration and innovation. Let’s keep this conversation going and ensure that we’re all a part of this incredible journey. Reach out to me if you would like to learn more about how to get involved in the space industry in Texas. Thanks again to Jessica Attas, Elizabeth Haines McGee, Darrell Davila and Molly Quirk for organizing an amazing event. Thanks to Vonlane and Alexander Danza for getting us home safe to Austin! #SpaceTech #Innovation #NationalSecurity #STEMEducation #EconomicGrowth #TexasLyceum