NavalX Connecx–Anniversary Celebration with Chris Wood, Frank Futcher, and Ben Van Buskirk

This month NavalX celebrates our official three year anniversary and we brought together all three past NavalX Directors to reflect! Today on the NavalX Connecx Podcast, join Rodney Flowers, Brad Goodrich, and Liz Mildenstein as they speak with the people who have led and are still leading NavalX through triumphs and challenges: Chris Wood a former Marine Corps Major and current Air Force Major who helped stand up NavalX; Former Captain Frank Futcher, who took over as Naval director in July 2019; and lastly, Captain Ben Van Buskirk who took over as NavalX Director in late March of 2021.?

Speaking on the organization’s initial standup, Major Wood said, “I remember so many late nights, early mornings and so much frustration getting everything started. It was an endeavor of love and tenacity...There were a lot of us watching the innovation ecosystem across the Department of Defense and just kind of saying, “Hey, where are the resources for the innovators themselves?” And so we fought really hard to try to put together a better awareness that it's not all about the idea. It's not all about the money. It's about the people.”

Touching on some of the biggest successes and challenges they faced while leading NavalX, these directors unpack the ripple effect NavalX is having on the DoN and on industry at large. Join us today on the NavalX Connecx podcast for this behind-the-scenes look at the organization.

Episode Links

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-58-anniversary-celebration-with-chris-wood/id1527466329?i=1000552009114

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5MTQy72VOvMY8pbtEiCjaw

Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9uYXZhbHhjb25uZWN4LmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz/episode/ODM5N2Y2ZGYtYjc1Yi00OWI1LTgyY2ItM2U0NDI1MDg1ZDRl?sa=X&ved=0CAYQuIEEahcKEwiYl4qL65j2AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ

iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-navalx-connecx-70629567/episode/episode-58-anniversary-celebration-with-chris-93296410/