Heather Bulk on Balancing CEO Life, Bootstrapping Success, and the Founder-to-Operator Shift
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
Release Date: 09/25/2024
The Outsider CEO Scaling Terran Orbital Into a Business Powerhouse | Peter Krauss
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
“What this industry didn’t need was another aerospace executive. It needed someone willing to ask why we do things the way we do” – Peter Krauss Peter Krauss didn’t grow up in aerospace. He never worked in defense. So how did he become CEO of one of the most innovative space tech companies in the world? That’s exactly what makes this episode of Mission Critical so powerful. As the new CEO of Terran Orbital, Peter brings a fresh, entrepreneurial lens to a legacy industry—and it’s shaking things up. He’s spearheading “Terran 2.0,” a return to the company’s disruptive...
info_outline
Why Playing It Safe in 2025 Will End Your Space Career with Mitch Stevison
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
“the reality is people, through their careers, have been held back because of taking risk and failing” – Mitch Stevison The space industry is evolving at warp speed, and the leaders who will thrive are those willing to embrace disruption, challenge legacy thinking, and build resilient teams. In this episode, Mitch Stevison shares what future CEOs and executives in aerospace and defense must change to stay ahead in an era of rapid technological advancement and shifting global priorities. As commercial and government space initiatives accelerate, the demands on leadership are changing. The...
info_outline
How SATCOM Disruption Could Risk National Security with Tim Winter
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
"The last two to three years have brought more change to the satellite industry than the previous two decades combined." – Tim Winter In this episode of Mission Critical, Katherine Jerald sits down with Tim Winter, CEO of iDirect Government, to discuss the massive disruptions shaping the satellite communications (SATCOM) industry and what they mean for government, defense, and commercial players. Tim shares insights on how companies can compete in a rapidly evolving market, the role of LEO vs. GEO satellites, and why secure, multi-orbit communications are crucial for military operations....
info_outline
The Leadership Secrets That Make People Love Working For Chandra Marshall (VP Lockheed Martin)
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
Ready for a masterclass in team building? Trailblazer Chandra Marshall from Lockheed Martin shares her journey from political science major to influential leader in multi-domain combat systems. Chandra's leadership style is anchored in psychological safety—creating environments where team members are free to voice their ideas and challenge the status quo, thereby driving innovation and effectiveness. Highlighting the power of diverse perspectives, she explains how inclusive decision-making not only overcomes biases but also fosters robust collaboration and problem-solving. In addition to...
info_outline
Why The New Space Economy Is the Gold Rush of Our Time with Ram Riojas
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
Why is this very moment in history being called the "gold rush of our time"? Retired Colonel Ram Riojas joins Katherine to tell us all. With 26 years of distinguished military service, Ram has been a trailblazer in the evolution of air, space, cyber and Special Ops, as a founding member of the US Space Force and US Space Command, essentially helping shape the Space Force before it even existed. Ram has led budgets of up to 64 billion in space and cyber programs, shaping the future of national defense. Ram also walked the entrepreneurial path, founding Delta defense and scaling it from zero to...
info_outline
The Risks of Space Dependency: Are We Ready for the Fallout? with Tim Solms (Slingshot Aerospace CEO)
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
Tim Solms, CEO of Slingshot Aerospace and former Apache pilot, is here to share his extraordinary journey from the cockpit to the cutting edge of space technology. Discover how space's vital role in our daily lives, from communications to finance, also makes us vulnerable to global threats. Tim delivers a stark warning about the dangers of ignoring space security, urging us to consider the implications of actions by nations like China and Russia. As a leader with experience spanning military and tech industries, Tim's insights on aligning technology with mission needs are invaluable. We dive...
info_outline
Hypersonic Innovation: The Race To Fly Faster with Dan Jablonsky
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
What does it take to lead a company at the forefront of hypersonic technology? You’re about to find out! Dan Jablonsky, CEO of Ursa Major, joins Katherine to unpack his unique journey from Navy nuclear engineer to attorney, and now, a visionary leader transforming aerospace innovation. With over 100 days as CEO, Dan shares his leadership philosophy, the power of adaptability, and how he’s building a company culture where values are not just written on a wall, but are lived every single day. Dan also uncovers the fascinating link between humility and paranoia in business, and reveals...
info_outline
How to Rapidly Monetize Your Knowledge with Dr Layla Martin
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
What happens when space science patterns unlock the future of expertise. This week, Dr Layla Martin, a Harvard, Yale, and MIT alum, and the creator of the groundbreaking Orbit methodology, joins us to discuss how to turn your expert knowledge into income in today’s AI-driven economy. As a space theorist and pattern recognition expert, Dr Martin reveals how she translates natural patterns into actionable monetization strategies, helping experts create sustainable, recurring revenue streams. Dr Martin also introduces her concept of Astrofeminism, a fresh perspective on space exploration that...
info_outline
What It Takes to Build a Billion-Dollar Company with Alfonzo Ianniello (Codan Limited)
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
Imagine skyrocketing a company from $800 million to a multi-billion dollar entity—how is it done? This week our guest is Alfonzo Ianniello, the visionary CEO of Codan Limited. Codan is a manufacturer and supplier of communications, metal detection, and mining technology. It’s products include Minelab, DTC & Zetron “Always be dissatisfied at all elements of the organization, whether it's your customer interactions, whether your internal processes or your tech roadmaps. Always be dissatisfied, always push for what good is and improve that current state.” – Alfonzo...
info_outline
Become A Master Of Change in Three Simple Steps with Lee Steinke
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
Ready to master change? This week, inspirational leader and a powerhouse in aerospace and energy, Lee Steinke, joins Katherine to discuss her uncommon career switch from the oil and gas sector to aerospace. Hear how, during the chaos of the pandemic, Lee seized the opportunity to pivot industries, using her geological expertise to find surprising similarities between drilling rigs and rocket launch pads. Lee also opens up about the emotional journey from being a senior executive to taking on unpaid volunteer work—and how it ultimately led her to her current roles as COO at Cislunar...
info_outlineBuckle up for an inspiring episode with Heather Bulk, the powerhouse CEO and co-founder of Special Aerospace Services. Over the past 17 years, Heather has propelled the company to impressive heights, growing it to over 250 employees and delivering cutting-edge tech and services to Space Force, NASA, and industry giants like Blue Origin and Northrop. But Heather’s talents extend beyond the boardroom — she’s also a skilled pilot. Recently named one of Forbes 50 Over 50 and Inc. Top 250 Founders, Heather is truly unstoppable.
Join Heather as she delves into the complexities of government contracts, the crucial role of compliance, and how she strategically grew SAS, including partnering with private equity to meet rising demands. Balancing the high demands of being a CEO with motherhood in a male-dominated field, Heather shares personal stories of resilience, authenticity, and the essential role of male allies. She also discusses the tough lessons learned from hiring challenges and the importance of a disciplined recruitment process. Further key points throughout include:
- Making a drastic career pivot from finance, tax, and law
- Scaling SAS and the benefits of Bootstrapping
- Partnering with Godspeed and overcoming integration challenges
- The power of forward planning: Building a team for today and tomorrow
- Change is hard: Navigating the Founder-to-Operator transition
- Balancing motherhood and CEO responsibilities
- Challenges as a female leader and the importance of male allies and authentic leadership
- Overcoming hiring challenges: Building a disciplined recruitment process
- Celebrating the future: What do the next five years hold?
"That element of being able to be graceful in the heat. We could be sitting around a table, and people will be talking and conversing, and when I step in with a voice, everyone stops and turns and looks at me. That notion of grace under fire is important." – Heather Bulk.
Ready to transform your hiring strategy and attract top defense talent? Take our 12-question quiz to discover where your firm stands and receive a personalized report to boost your recruitment success! Take the quiz now: https://elraysearch.scoreapp.com/
Are you ready to unleash the beast in defense recruiting? Join us next time on Mission Critical Defense Recruiting, the ultimate podcast unveiling strategies to build powerhouse teams in the defense industry. Don't miss out on the inside scoop for crafting your unbeatable squad!
Get connected with Heather Bulk:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-bulk-93a9a912/
Get connected with your host, Katherine Jerald:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinejerald/
This podcast is proudly produced in partnership with podlad.com