GENERAL PARTNER | HEAD OF DEAL FLOW COMMITTEE

Steve is a General Partner at Veteran Ventures Capital and a member of the tech scout team. Steve is an experienced leader and executive in the defense industry and has a highly successful record as an early-stage investor.  Before joining Veteran Ventures, Steve had a successful career as both an Air Force officer and in large companies in the defense industries.  His most recent position was the Vice President of Engineering and Analysis at Valiant Integrated Services, a privately-held defense services company, where he was responsible for a $400M pipeline of business.  From 2011 to 2018, Steve served in a variety of roles at Cubic Global Defense with increasing progression and responsibilities, including business development, contracting strategy, program manager, innovation subject matter expert, and senior analyst.  He is intimately familiar with developing business with the US Government, as well as identifying grants and other support from the government for start-ups.

Steve enjoyed a successful career in the USAF, including squadron command, senior combat leadership roles, and senior policy positions.  Steve retired from the USAF after serving as a special advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, working on a variety of issues including personnel, pay, energy, congressional engagement, and other areas.  He is the recipient of the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Bronze Star.

Steve is an early-stage investor in small companies and a mentor to start-ups, including being the lead investor in a pre-revenue company that is preparing for a listing on the New York Stock Exchange with a valuation in excess of $1B.   He has mentored dozens of small companies, as well as served as a coach in three different incubators.

Steve earned his PhD in Policy Analysis alongside Josh from the RAND Graduate School with emphasis on the use of modeling and simulation to refine various counter-terrorism policy. He is a 1998 graduate from the University of Hawaii with a Master’s Degree in Futures Studies/Asian Politics, and a 1990 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy with a major in political science. He has graduated from numerous military colleges, schools, and training programs, most notably: the Air War College; the Air Command and Staff College; Joint Professional Military Education, Phase II; and a Distinguished graduate of the Squadron Officer School.  He is also the author of several research publications and articles.

Steve lives in San Diego and is an avid waterman.