Event Recaps – March 05, 2023

BENS Delegation Visit to Southwest Border

This week, General Votel, USA (Ret.) led a BENS delegation to El Paso, Texas to meet with three key components of the CBP border security mission: US Border Patrol (USBP), the Office of Field Operations (OFO), and Air and Marine Operations (AMO). Our Members spent three days touring various ports of entry and operations centers as well as taking briefings from the men and women working to keep our southwest border safe and secure.

Virtual Conversation with Dr. Jason Rathje, Director, Office of Strategic Capital (OSC)

Virtual Conversation with Dr. Jason Rathje, Director, Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) Thursday, over 50 individuals joined us for an extraordinary discussion with Dr. Jason Rathje, Director, Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) at DoD. Dr. Rathje discussed how OSC intends to bridge the so-called “valley of death” that has long plagued the Pentagon’s ability to adopt new technology and keep pace with innovation.

Dr. Rathje is leading efforts to develop and execute strategies to increase private capital flow to companies developing critical technologies important to national security and is eager to partner with BENS to help accomplish that mission.

General Joseph Votel, USA (Ret.), Hosts Virtual Discussion with BENS Member Jared Isaacman, CEO, Shift4

BENS hosted a virtual discussion on space mission Polaris Dawn with NY Metro member Jared Isaacman. Polaris Dawn will endeavor to reach the highest Earth orbit ever flown, attempt the first commercial spacewalk, conduct health impact research, and test Starlink laser-based communications. Our conversation focused on the national security implications of the future of spaceflight.