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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.
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Guest: Odie Gray, Army Veteran and Founder of Dominus Gray and Diversity Cyber Council
Odie Gray is an Army veteran who transitioned from military intelligence to become a cybersecurity leader and social entrepreneur. Through Dominus Gray, he helps organizations meet cybersecurity compliance requirements, including CMMC certification and FedRAMP certification. His nonprofit, Diversity Cyber Council, provides technology education to underserved communities, helping them build careers in tech while addressing critical workforce gaps.
Beyond his professional work, Odie is an avid traveler, certified scuba diver, and writer who was first published at age 11. His approach to business combines military discipline with a commitment to authenticity and creating opportunities for others.
Looking ahead, Odie continues to grow both his businesses while participating in entrepreneurial programs throughout Texas, focusing on building partnerships and creating more opportunities in cybersecurity.
The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.
Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com
Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/
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.
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Key takeaways:
Guest: Brandon Aaron, Founder and President of HIGHR1, Navy Nuclear Electrician's Mate (6 years of service)
Brandon Aaron is a Navy veteran who served as a submarine-qualified Nuclear Electrician's Mate aboard the USS Nebraska and USS Michigan from 2011 to 2017. After his military service, Brandon experienced both challenges and growth working for a family business that ultimately filed for bankruptcy in 2020.
This experience, combined with being ghosted by military recruiting firms during the pandemic, inspired him to create HIGHR1, a disabled veteran-owned recruiting firm that places Navy nukes and other technical veterans into mission-critical positions across industries.
Brandon's company goes beyond traditional recruiting by focusing on truly serving veterans, whether they become placement candidates or not. His mission is to elevate Navy nukes as an elite talent pool and ensure every veteran receives resources and guidance, regardless of whether it leads to immediate placement.
Looking ahead: Brandon aims to transform HIGHR1 into the gold standard for veteran employment advocacy, expanding from Navy nukes to serving the broader veteran community.
The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.
Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com
Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/
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.
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Key takeaways:
Guest: Reggie Ordonez, Founder & CEO of Forward Brands, Former Marine Corps Veteran, Former Marketing Director and COO of Bunker Labs, MBA in Entrepreneurship and Marketing
LinkedIn: Connect with Reggie Ordonez
Business Website: Forward Brands
Reggie Ordonez serves as the Program Director at Warrior Rising, an organization supporting veteran entrepreneurs through education, mentorship, and funding opportunities. After leaving the Marine Corps in 2016, Reggie earned his bachelor's degree in Social Entrepreneurship with an emphasis in Economic Development from Belmont University, followed by an MBA with a focus on Entrepreneurship and Marketing from the University of Arizona.
Before founding Forward Brands, Reggie was the founding director of a Veteran Business Outreach Center serving Tennessee and Kentucky, and later served as Marketing Director and COO at Bunker Labs. His company, Ford Brands, helps founders develop clear brand strategies focused on customers, competitors, positioning, messaging, and touchpoints to generate more revenue and build their American dream.
In addition to his business ventures, Reggie runs a nonprofit called Embrace Process, which provides Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu scholarships to at-risk youth and families with limited financial resources, helping develop character, discipline, and resilience.
Looking ahead: Reggie recently launched a five-week brand strategy sprint program where founders can work together to develop their brand strategy, with personalized guidance to fine-tune each element of their strategy.
The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.
Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com
Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/
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 niche helping entrepreneurs clearly communicate their vision.
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Guest: Dan Manning, Founder of Build the Story, 25-year US Air Force veteran (Fighter Pilot and Military Diplomat)
Dan Manning spent 25 years in the US Air Force, first as a fighter pilot flying the A-10 and later as a military diplomat. During his final assignment, he led operational negotiations with Russian forces in Syria and managed the hotline between US and Russian military headquarters. After retiring in 2019, Dan founded Build the Story, where he helps entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals craft compelling narratives that clarify their message and connect with their audience.
To date, he has helped create over 800 stories that have unlocked opportunities for his clients, from securing investments to landing fellowships and winning major contracts.
Looking ahead: Dan plans to create a community specifically for "story stage" founders—entrepreneurs at the very early stage where their story is their most valuable asset for attracting investment, sales, and team members.
The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.
Sponsored by: One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com
Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/scholarship/
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 during his military service.
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Guest: Sam Westfall, Army Veteran (1994-2001), CEO & Founder of Archery in Motion and Valor Archery Challenge
Sam Westfall served in the Army from 1994 to 2001 as an M1 Abrams tank mechanic before a serious accident led to his medical separation. After a 22-year career in IT working with backend technology, servers, and data centers, Sam transitioned to entrepreneurship in 2023.
His companies include Archery N Motion, which produces innovative moving target systems for archery enthusiasts, and Valor Archery Challenge, which offers therapeutic archery events specifically designed for the military and veteran community. Sam has successfully patented his moving target technology and continues to expand his businesses while creating opportunities for veterans to heal through archery.
Looking ahead: Sam plans to expand Valor Archery Challenge beyond Colorado to multiple states by 2026, while continuing to develop new products like the "monster" moving target system with its 64-foot oval track.
The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.
Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com
Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/
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.
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Guest: Jake Dyal, Co-founder & CEO of Certus Core, Army veteran
Jake Dyal is the co-founder and CEO of Certus Core, a Tampa-based company that provides data transparency solutions through its innovative software platform. Before launching Certus Core in 2021, Jake served 13 years in the Army, followed by nearly a decade as a defense intelligence program manager. His extensive experience includes leading research and development teams in big data and advanced analytics for military and government clients on classified and unclassified projects.
A Tampa native, Jake has a background in Chinese Mandarin and served in various special operations units during his military career. Outside work, he's passionate about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and recently earned his black belt. Jake co-founded Certus Core with fellow veterans Tim Toohill and Joe Blankenship to solve complex data challenges in the national security space.
Looking ahead: Certus Core is completing its seed funding round while continuing to expand its software platform, which helps organizations transform data into actionable intelligence.
The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.
Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com
Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/
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.
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Key takeaways:
Guest: Nathan Gray, Founder & CEO of MeshComm Engineering, Army veteran
Nathan Gray is the founder of MeshComm Engineering in Johnstown, Colorado. His company provides connectivity solutions for rural and remote areas where cellular and internet service is unreliable or nonexistent. As an Army veteran who served 11 years including deployments to Korea and Iraq, Nate brings his military experience and lifelong passion for communications technology to solving complex connectivity challenges.
Nathan's journey as an entrepreneur has been shaped by both his technical expertise and personal experiences. After struggling with PTSD following his military service, he found purpose and healing through building a business focused on service to others. Through programs like Bunker Labs and the IVMF ambassadors program, Nathan has both received support and given back to the veteran entrepreneur community.
Outside his business, Nathan is a father of six who enjoys outdoor activities like trail running, rock climbing, and astronomy. His approach to entrepreneurship emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision, building strong support systems, and focusing on customer needs rather than technology alone.
Looking ahead: MeshComm Engineering continues to expand its services while Nate mentors other veteran entrepreneurs through his work as an IVMF ambassador.
The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.
Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com
Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/
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 personal health crisis inspired his focused approach to medical technology security.
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Guest: Christian Espinosa, Founder & CEO of Blue Goat Cyber, Air Force Academy graduate and veteran
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianespinosa/
Christian Espinosa is the founder and CEO of Blue Goat Cyber, a company specializing in MedTech cybersecurity. Prior to this venture, Christian founded and sold another cybersecurity company in 2020. As an Air Force veteran and Air Force Academy graduate, Christian initially trained to fly jets before becoming a communications officer protecting classified networks. After his military service, he worked in DOD contract positions before transitioning to commercial and freelance work, ultimately founding his first company in 2014.
Christian's path to founding Blue Goat Cyber was deeply personal. In early 2022, he developed six blood clots in his left leg that nearly claimed his life. A portable Doppler ultrasound device helped diagnose his condition quickly, underscoring for Christian the critical importance of secure, reliable medical technology. This experience and his cybersecurity expertise inspired him to focus exclusively on helping medical device manufacturers protect their products from cyber threats while navigating FDA regulations.
Blue Goat Cyber works with medical device innovators to accelerate their time to market by managing all aspects of cybersecurity compliance, from documentation and risk assessment to penetration testing and software analysis. The company has achieved a 100% success rate helping clients get FDA approvals for life-saving technologies including robotic surgery systems and diagnostic tools.
Looking ahead: Christian continues to scale Blue Goat Cyber by refining the company's messaging and diversifying lead generation strategies while mentoring other veteran entrepreneurs.
The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.
Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com
Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/
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.
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Guest: Dr. Trillitye Paullin, CEO & Co-founder of Free to Feed, Army National Guard (19 years of service), PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trillitye-paullin/
Dr. Trillitye (Dr. Trill) Paullin, PhD, is a distinguished cellular and molecular biologist with a focus on the molecular components of human milk. She is an Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran, currently serving her 19th year in the Army National Guard, and is the CEO and co-founder of Free to Feed. Dr. Trill’s passion for empowering parents on their lactation journey was ignited after her own daughters experienced food reactions to proteins transferred from her diet to breast milk. Determined to provide the research, resources, and support she lacked during that challenging time, she founded Free to Feed alongside Dr. LaChiana Hamilton, DNP.
Dr. Trill’s groundbreaking work in breastfeeding and food reactivity has garnered grant funding from renowned institutions, including the National Science Foundation. She has collaborated with renowned research institutions such as Stanford University and the University of Idaho, contributing significantly to the expanding body of research surrounding lactation. Her innovative contributions include the invention of the first at-home test kit to detect allergens in human milk, which is currently in the manufacturing phase. This test kit is part of Free to Feed’s comprehensive offering, which includes an educational support package, a tracking app, and personal consultations, all designed to support and empower parents on their lactation journey.
Looking ahead: Free to Feed currently helps families globally through telehealth services while working toward test kit commercialization.
The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.
Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com
Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/
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.
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Key takeaways:
Guest: Don Spies Founder & CEO of Outrider Analytics, Former U.S. Army Military Intelligence Officer
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-spies/
Don founded Outrider Analytics to address the growing need for a product- and vendor-agnostic solution in the blockchain analytic ecosystem. Previously, he was the Director of Strategic Initiatives at a blockchain data and software company, where he shaped international policies regarding cryptocurrency adoption and blockchain analytic solutions. Domestically, he assisted the U.S. Government’s intelligence, defense, and law enforcement communities with identifying, planning, and implementing their blockchain analytic requirements as a part of their exploitation strategy.
Prior to this role, he led both intelligence and cybersecurity teams at the Department of the Treasury and as an Officer in the U.S. Army. A Veteran with experience commanding in a combat environment, Don holds Master’s Degrees from The Eisenhower School of National Security and Resource Strategy and the American Military University.
Looking ahead: Outrider Institute plans to launch within 30 days, offering affordable blockchain analytics education and certification programs, with future plans to accept GI Bill benefits.
The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.
Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com
Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/
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