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Meet Scott Sharkey: AVIAN’ s Director of Strategic Accounts – DoD Space

Oct 17th, 2024

AVIAN is proud to introduce Scott Sharkey, our newly appointed Director of Strategic Accounts for the Department of Defense Space sector. With over two decades of experience spanning software engineering, military intelligence, and space operations, Scott brings a unique blend of private sector innovation and military expertise to our team. In this exclusive interview, we delve into Scott's background, his vision for AVIAN in the DoD Space domain, and the insights he's gained from his diverse career. Join us as we explore the perspective of a leader who embodies the intersection of cutting-edge technology and national security.

  1. Can you tell us about your background and how you got started in the defense and space industries?

    After serving as a Company Commander and then Battalion XO in an Army Space Battalion, I had the opportunity to serve on a one-year tour at US Space Command (USSPACECOM). It was during that active-duty tour that I came to truly appreciate the importance of our Space Warfighters and the key role they play in supporting the terrestrial fight. A chance to grow professionally at a company like AVIAN while also developing solutions to support our warfighters is career-defining opportunity.

  2. What attracted you to AVIAN, and what excites you most about your new role as Director of Strategic Accounts - DoD Space

    I was most attracted to AVIAN by our stellar reputation amongst our customers, partners, and employee-owners. Our impressive track record with model-based systems engineering and cutting-edge technologies like counter-UAS systems are also noteworthy from a technical perspective. What excites me most about my new role as Director of Strategic Accounts - DoD Space is the opportunity to shape the future of space operations, particularly in collaboration with key entities like the US Space Force and US Space Command, and to build lasting partnerships that drive mission success. Expanding AVIAN into this fast-growing and critical warfighting domain while simultaneously supporting our Space Warfighters is very much my dream job.

  3. With your extensive experience in both the private sector and military, how do you plan to leverage this unique perspective in your new role at AVIAN?

    It's one thing to talk with Warfighters and gain an understanding of their needs. It's another to have that same conversation and then layer your own direct experience in that warfighting domain to develop a more complete picture. In my new role at AVIAN, I plan to leverage my private sector and military experiences by bridging the gap between innovative technology solutions and the operational needs of the defense sector. My military background gives me insight into mission-critical requirements, while my private sector experience equips me to drive efficiency and scalability in delivering those solutions. By understanding both perspectives, I can better align AVIAN's offerings with the needs of DoD space entities, ensuring we provide relevant, timely support that enhances national security and advances technological capabilities in defense and space operations.

  4. As someone who has worked in both the private sector and military, how do you see these two worlds intersecting in the DoD space sector, and what unique value does this intersection bring?

    Our Nation's private sector, especially in aerospace engineering, is the envy of the world. American public-private partnerships have put rovers on Mars, created miraculous life-saving medicines, and literally invented the Internet. The Pacing Threat has a rigid state-controlled economic model focused on top-down central planning where intellectual property (IP) theft replaces innovation. In close partnership with our servicemembers that have chosen to wear our Nation's uniform, our system encourages truly collaborative innovation in the Space Domain. This is how we win. These differences give us a marked advantage over our adversaries, and one that will see the DoD Space Enterprise create and maintain advantages in the coming years and decades.

  5. Can you share a memorable moment or project from your career that has significantly influenced your approach to leadership and problem-solving?

    “Facts and data, facts and data.” This was the response I got from a Senior VP when I was hauled into her office explaining why I had disputed that a particular software bug was in fact my problem to solve. It was clearly the purview of an adjacent team in my view, and I was on the clock to deliver an enormous release unrelated to this issue. I didn't want to distract the developers with (what I judged to be) cleaning up someone else's mess. “You're probably right”, she said. “But they are saying the same thing and unless you bring me facts and data illustrating why you're right, we're just pointing at each other while nothing gets fixed.” While gut-feelings, hunches and ascertaining trustworthiness of unknown players are a key part of driving success, data-driven organizations tend to deliver more predictable success. I have carried this behavior with me as a key tool for leadership and problem solving in both my civilian and military careers.

  6. As a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army National Guard with expertise in Military Intelligence and Space Operations, how do you see this experience benefiting AVIAN's clients in the DoD Space domain?

    I see two immediate benefits in continuing to serve in the Space Warfighting community while I launch my career with AVIAN. First, having my ear close to the ground (sky?) on the emerging technological, doctrinal and personnel challenges that the warfighters are experiencing. Second, from a recruiting perspective, connecting military-trained and cleared network engineers, intelligence analysts, and other space professionals to civilian roles. This provides professionally and financially fulfilling job opportunities to our reservists while also helping AVIAN meet our customer's needs with top talent.

  7. What do you consider to be the biggest challenges and opportunities in the DoD Space sector, and how do you plan to address them?

    To understand our challenges and opportunities, it is instructive to view our use of space through the eyes of our adversaries. China desires to compete with us at every level. Terrestrial counter-space systems, on-orbit capabilities, creating a Chinese alternative to the GPS constellation, etc. Russia wants only to disrupt our use of space, primarily by degrading the effectiveness of long-range precision munitions. With this in mind, the DoD Space Warfighting enterprise is moving towards a proliferated, redundant, simplified and hardened architecture. Whereas we leaned towards expensive and exquisite systems when space was considered a benign domain, space has rapidly evolved into a contested environment where those exquisite systems become largely defenseless targets in a crisis. AVIAN's ability to understand and support this foundational shift towards proliferated and redundant architectures will be a key component of our strategy as we engage with customers and partners.

  8. You've had experience with space-based platforms and long-range fires. How do you see these areas evolving in the coming years, and what excites you most about their potential?

    As usual with all things space, the details of these emerging capabilities are held at high levels of classification. That said, let me offer this: the best war is one we never fight. Deterrence matters and deterrence works. If some of these capabilities come online and we can credibly hold critical adversary capabilities at risk with advanced over-the-horizon (OTTH) systems (enabled by space-based architectures), maybe we change the calculation. Through the implied imposition of unacceptable costs, our adversaries decide to step back from the brink, and a conflict never happens. That's a win for everyone.

  9. Outside of work, you've been involved with the Army National Guard. Can you tell us more about that experience and how it has shaped your professional life?

    I didn't join the military until I was 28, after 9/11. I deployed once to Iraq and once to the greater Middle East for the fight against ISIS. Throw in a year on orders for COVID and the above-mentioned time at USSPACECOM, and I've really pursued two careers for the last 20 years. A key enabler of this dual-track pursuit was supportive civilian employers who did not blink when it was time for me to deploy or when I had to attend a 3 week exercise in the middle of the year. AVIAN very much falls into that elite category of companies that support their reservist employee-owners. As far as how this experience has shaped my professional life, I like to mention servant leadership. Whether as a platoon leader, a battalion commander or a director of a software engineering team, I prioritize practicing true servant leadership. To me that means being genuinely interested in your team's success over your own, and creating the environment and providing the resources to enable that success. In my short time at AVIAN, I've noticed a similar ethos and I'm excited to be a part of it.

  10. What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue a career in the defense and space industries, particularly in the areas where technology and military operations intersect?

    Focus on building a strong technical foundation in fields like engineering, cybersecurity, or data science, paired with an understanding of military operations and strategic goals. Acquiring security clearances, especially Top Secret or above, is crucial, as many roles require this level of trust. Additionally, networking within defense communities, attending industry conferences, and staying informed about emerging technologies like satellite communications, artificial intelligence, and cyber defense will make you stand out. Lastly, this industry is like any other. Consistently showing respect and humility in every interaction you have - a peer, supervisor, subordinate, partner or (most importantly) customer is paramount.

As we conclude our conversation with Scott Sharkey, it's clear that his wealth of experience and forward-thinking approach will be invaluable assets to AVIAN and our clients in the DoD Space sector. Scott's unique perspective, bridging the gap between private sector innovation and military operations, positions him perfectly to drive AVIAN's growth in this critical domain.

His emphasis on data-driven decision-making, servant leadership, and the importance of deterrence through technological advancement aligns seamlessly with AVIAN's commitment to excellence and innovation. As we look to the future, Scott's insights into the evolving landscape of space-based platforms and long-range fires offer a glimpse into the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.

We are thrilled to have Scott on board and look forward to the contributions he will make in shaping the future of space operations and supporting our nation's Space Warfighters. Welcome to the AVIAN team, Scott!

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