Leadership
Mike Edwards
CEO
Mike Edwards is a dynamic business development executive specializing in government relations, pipeline development, and risk mitigation while focusing on driving revenue generation and sustainable growth.
Mike Edwards
CEO
Michael "Mike" J. Edwards is a dynamic business development executive specializing in government relations, pipeline development, and risk mitigation while focusing on driving revenue generation and sustainable growth. Known for his results-driven approach, Mike excels at creating comprehensive strategies that address potential challenges while fostering team collaboration.
He has extensive experience in the defense industry, including (i) Chief Growth Officer for Intelligent Artifacts, spearheading the company’s entry into US government markets, creating go-to-market strategies and marketing efforts. Built a new business acquisition process and an Advisory Board with high-ranking military officials while establishing over 45 strategic pursuits with defense primes; (ii) Founder of Elding Group, a consulting firm supporting startups in the DOD and IC markets for a range of technologies and solutions; (iii) Senior Vice President of Strategic Growth for Maxar Technologies directing a diverse portfolio in satellite communications and space assets, leading to major wins totaling over $800 million; (iv) Vice President/ Senior Advisor of Defense Programs for DigitalGlobe (Maxar) developing strategic partnerships and identifying opportunities worth over $5 billion across US government sectors; (v) serving as Corporate Director of Space, Intelligence and C5 for Northrop Grumman, managing relationships with key government sectors, capturing significant market shares and supporting the capture of numerous programs.
In his early career, Mike served as a Director of the Air Force Directed Energy, OSD Force Protection, and DIA Emerging Threats Task Forces. He has his M.A.S. In Aeronautical Studies from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, an M.A. in Strategic Leadership and National Security from USAF Air War College, an M.M.S. in Military Studies from Marine Corps War College, and a B.S. in General Science from the United States Air Force Academy. Mike Edwards combines a rich background in military leadership with innovative business strategies to foster growth and capture opportunities in the defense sector. His expertise positions him as a pivotal player in advancing organizational objectives and establishing a robust market presence.
Ted Payne
President
Ted is a 30-year aerospace professional with a focus on corporate strategy. He has served on the executive team for a broad range of companies in the government and commercial sectors.
Ted Payne
President
Thomas "Ted" Payne is a 30-year aerospace professional with a focus on corporate strategy. He has served on the executive team for a broad range of companies in the government and commercial sectors, including (i) serving as the Vice President of Strategy for FlightSafety Services Corporation – the Government Business Unit of FlightSafety International, the largest aviation training company in the world, (ii) Executive Director of Business Development and Chief Strategist executing a successful turn-around of an unmanned systems firm taking it from a loss to positive cash flow and a near doubling of its revenue resulting in the successful acquisition of the company for the desired exit of the owners, and (iii) Chief of Staff and Vice President of Strategy of a new venture building a new, clean sheet transonic aircraft from inception to first flights raising $70M+ in capital and successfully increasing the stock price 15X.
In his early career, Ted served as a Pilot in the United States Navy. Ted has his M.S. in Management from Troy State and his B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Ted and his Tracy have been married for over 30 years and have four grown children. He loves living in the beautiful state of Colorado and hiking the Rockies with his family, but his favorite hobby is enjoying his new role as Grandpa.
Mike Corcoran
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Mike is a 30+ year military officer and US Customs Agent (Aviation and Intelligence), with experience in both corporate and government roles mostly focused within field operations and Site/Agency-level management.
Mike Corcoran
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Mike is a 30+ year military officer and US Customs Agent (Aviation and Intelligence) with experience in both Corporate and U.S. Government roles that include primary jobs (mostly) focused on field operations and Site/Agency-level management.
As a military officer, he has served at multiple levels, up to Joint Staff and Combat Support Agencies, globally. Within the business sector, he has served in various roles, from technical advisor up to CEO, leading more than 1000 people in various positions. As a professional Aviator, Mike holds ratings as a Master Military Aviator and Airline Transport Pilot with well past 5000 total flight hours, qualified in both airplanes and helicopters ranging from 767-300s, UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, down to all classes of UAS (categories 1-5). As an Intelligence professional, Mike as is qualified within SIGINT and IMINT roles, including Collection Management up to the Combatant Command and Division levels within multi-domain environments. In support of the counter-drug and homeland security realm, Mike is a former Director of Flight Operations for CBP and has flown, managed, and led DHS missions across both the Northern and Southern borders of the U.S., along with various regions overseas.
When he’s not traveling for work, Mike lives in northern Minnesota, where he enjoys the lake and the great outdoors. Mike has a BA in Criminal Justice, a Master’s Degree in Business and Organizational Security, and a Master's Certificate in Program Management, and is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and Staff College with numerous awards that span over 34 years of government service.
Steven Wilke
Board of Governors
Steve is a 30-year Department of Defense professional with a focus on logistics. He has served at strategic to tactical level organizations across the world, managing international, multi-national, austere, or large scale logistics operations and programs.
Steven Wilke
Member of the Board of Governors
Steve is a 30-year Department of Defense professional with a focus on logistics. He has served at strategic to tactical level organizations across the world, managing international, multi-national, austere, or large-scale logistics operations and programs, including, (i) Organizational CEO for a 1200-person multifunctional transportation, maintenance, communications, engineer, and personnel services support organization (ii) Executive Director for postal services across a dozen bases and half of Afghanistan that set a record for holiday mail ground and air delivery where over 3.3 million lbs of mail was distributed, (iii) Director for new equipment fielding, distribution and product analysis, procurement, and warranty equipment repair actions for task force’s weapon systems, night vision devices, and multiple ground-based fleets, and (iv) base support services manager that included construction and base improvement projects of over $22M and contracting services of over $50M for the 3500-person Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force.
Steve has a Masters in Procurement and Acquisition Management from Webster University. Steve and his wife Yeni have been married for over 27 years and have two grown children. He lives in Colorado where he enjoys hunting and fishing around the state. He and his wife love to hike and mountain bike in Colorado and travel internationally, where they have seen the splendor and beauty of the planet in more than 25 countries.
Michelle Silvia
Board of Governors
Michelle Silvia serves as the Chief Financial Officer of American Operations Corporation (AOC) and its operating subsidiaries. Ms. Silvia holds primary management responsibility and operating controls for all finance and accounting activities.
Michelle Silvia
Member of the Board of Governors
Michelle Silvia serves as the Chief Financial Officer of American Operations Corporation (AOC) and its operating subsidiaries. Ms. Silvia holds primary management responsibility and operating controls for all finance and accounting activities including A/P, A/R, payroll, benefits, contracts management, cash flow, general ledger, monthly and year-end financial reporting, banking relations, and DCAA audits. In previous years as Senior VP and Chief Operating Officer of AOC, Ms. Silvia was accountable for the oversight of finance and accounting, personnel management, contracts management, marketing systems, and management of office systems and procedures.
While with Price Waterhouse LLP, Ms. Silvia was responsible for managing the proposal process for billion-dollar business development projects. Prior to that, Ms. Silvia performed marketing activities at AOC on behalf of Fortune 500 companies in the sectors of environmental cleanup and restoration, facility management services, and construction management and development.
Ms. Silvia holds active Top Secret clearance and a B.A. in Economics with a Minor in Urban and Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia.
Ingrid Eppolito
Human Resources Director
Lizzy Wong
Controller
