As CEO of Crossover Solutions National Security USA, I belong to a united team of 1,200 professionals committed to improving the performance of manufacturers in the defense industrial base supply chain. Our north star is to be the premier choice of U.S. defense manufacturers seeking to achieve the level of world class performance required to support the world's foremost fighting force. Over the past 17 years, our parent company, Crossover Solutions, has established a global reputation for excellence in manufacturing consulting across the automotive, aeronautical, and consumer goods industries .... we have pivoted that same talented team to the U.S. defense industrial base.Retiring from the U.S. Navy in 2023 as the 32nd Chief of Naval Operations and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, my 38-year career included command at every level – from warships to an aircraft carrier strike group, to the Navy’s cyber fleet. I also served in leadership positions on the Joint Staff, NATO, U.S. Cyber Command, and the White House. I have worked and lived internationally, building relationships with senior defense and diplomatic professionals around the globe. I was involved in forging the historic AUKUS partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom and helped improve the U.S. Navy’s interoperability with allies and partners. I have deep working relations with industry, from shipbuilding and aviation production to hi-tech start-ups specializing in AI-powered unmanned platforms, additive manufacturing, and quantum computing. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, I also hold Masters degrees from Harvard’s Kennedy School and the National War College in Washington, D.C. and have received numerous awards, including recognition from the governments of Japan, Singapore, France, Italy, Peru, and Columbia.