The work being done at our federal laboratories is extremely important. These are the sites where new ideas emerge, where scientists solve problems long before technology is ready for market, and where innovation frequently begins quietly behind the scenes.  In this episode, I'm joined by Congressman Bill Foster, the only PhD physicist sitting in the United States House of Representatives.

Bill worked as a scientist at Fermilab for decades before entering politics, where he helped discover the top quark, the heaviest known subatomic particle. He also co-founded a theater lighting company with his brother at just 19 years old, a company that went on to supply the majority of theater lighting equipment in the United States. That unique blend of scientific discovery and entrepreneurial grit gives Bill a rare and valuable perspective on why technology transfer and federal innovation matter so much.

In this conversation, Bill shares why federal labs are critical to both U.S. competitiveness and the future of science-driven business. We talk about the essential role of tech transfer programs, how access to advice and resources can make or break a startup, and why collaboration between labs, industry, and policymakers is more important than ever. If you care about turning big ideas into real-world impact, this is a conversation you will not want to miss.

In This Episode:

[02:08] At Fermilab, Congressman Foster helped discover the top quark, the heaviest known form of matter, a single subatomic particle that weighs more than an atom of gold and helped build giant particle accelerators.

[03:01] After his scientific career, he's proud to represent science and the labs in Congress.

[04:03] He also started a business with his brother and many of their resources were from the lab at the University where he worked.

[05:30] The business now has 1500 employees and makes $450 million a year. On the 50th Anniversary, they transferred to an employee stock ownership plan and now the business is 100% owned by the employees who built it.

[06:14] Having access to labs is a healthy part of science and business.

[07:39] FLC also celebrated 50 years of existence last year.

[08:44] When technology is moving rapidly, that's the time you can find an unexplored niche.

[09:15] An important role of the labs is to work on technologies before they're ready for commercialization.

[10:44] Having a team of scientists at a National Lab gives you a leg up when it's time to decide policy.

[11:22] Labs provide industrial cooperation and coordination. 

[14:19] With his experience on the Financial Services Committee and the R&D Caucus, Congressman Foster talks about public private partnerships and economic growth.

[16:29] One of the biggest challenges is doing something reasonable with international collaboration.

[19:01] Congressman Foster shares why he left physics and got into politics, because he wants to right wrongs and make a difference.

[20:24] We learn about his past coding experience and his nickname of Damn Fast Foster.

[21:29] AI agents will be the equivalent of having really good workers.

[22:45] If you want to influence Congress, make an appointment with your representative in your home state.

Resources: 

Congressman Bill Foster

Congressman Bill Foster - X

Congressman Bill Foster - Facebook

Congressman Bill Foster - Instagram

Fermilab