The Founder
Brian O’Connor
CEO
Brian C. O’Connor is the Customer Success Lead at Virtualitics, where he leads Support the delivery of our AI-powered product portfolio to DoD customers to ensure the highest levels of customer satisfaction. His work focuses on bridging technology and defense to deliver actionable solutions for the Department of Defense.
Previously, Brian served over a decade in Naval Special Warfare, managing Tactical Information Operations and coordinating mission-critical intelligence operations in complex environments. He led operations by coordinating with several national-level agencies to get approvals and further refine intelligence for operations in dynamic environments. Brian holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Mount Saint Mary College and is currently pursuing an Executive MBA from Georgetown University.
Advisors
Nick Haber
Nick Haber has worked as an AI researcher at Stanford and assistant teaching professor for over ten years. He has held his postdocs after receiving a PhD in mathematics from Stanford. His research primarily involved partial differential equations and mathematical physics, geared in particular towards the foundations of quantum field theory. An expert in computer vision, reinforcement learning, and automatic code generation, Nick advises on AI and ML building.
Dave Petterson
Mr. Peterson currently serves as Fenix Group’s Chief Executive Officer after founding the Company back in 2016. Mr. Peterson founded Ridgeline International, where he also served as CEO. Before joining the private sector, Mr. Peterson served in the United States Marine Corps and in various roles within U.S federal government. He has 20 years of experience in technical operations and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Auburn University.
Sheila Taheri
Steve Deese
Dr. Steve Deese is a specialist in emerging technology investment, with a rich background in Technology Transfer at both The Naval Research Laboratory and The MITRE Corporation.
His expertise mainly encompasses the physical sciences, with additional areas of focus within quantum technology and artificial intelligence. Dr. Deese has been instrumental in forging strategic partnerships and advancing licensing initiatives that enhance national security and drive commercialization opportunities.
He earned his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Louisiana State University and his B.S. in Biochemistry from George Mason University. Currently, he is pursuing an Executive MBA at Georgetown University.
Sheila Taheri, a Program Manager at Optum, leads strategic initiatives to enhance patient outcomes through innovative, tech-driven solutions. She oversees cross-functional teams, leveraging her expertise in IT systems, EHR, and data analytics.
With prior roles as a Solutions Architect and Senior Project Manager, Sheila has a proven track record of improving workflows and patient engagement. Currently, she is pursuing an Executive MBA at Georgetown University.
Sheila aspires to apply her skills in the defense tech industry, using problem-solving abilities and strategic mindset to foster collaboration, drive innovation, and achieve high-quality outcomes.
