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The Techne Connect
Dominic Perez, Chief Technology Officer at Curtiss-Wright Corporation
In this episode, we speak with Dominic Perez, CTO at Curtiss-Wright Corporation. Dominic explains how the company delivers rugged, swap-optimised systems for mission-critical communications across land, sea, air and space platforms.
He shares his journey from QA engineer to CTO, the value of learning adjacent disciplines and the mentors who shaped his approach to engineering, leadership and strategy. Dominic discusses the evolution of tactical networks, edge processing, secure communications and the shift toward software-defined defence systems. He also highlights the impact of LEO satellites, AI at the edge and the growing cyber threat that extends far beyond the battlefield.
Dominic reflects on scaling PacStar through a 400 million acquisition, building multidisciplinary teams and the importance of diversity, mentoring and developing the next generation of engineers. This episode offers direct insight into defence technology, leadership and emerging challenges across modern military communications.
The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧
Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.
From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.
Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.
Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.
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Jeffrey Durmer, Chief Medical Officer at Happy Health
00:27|In this episode of TECHNE Connect to HealthTech, we speak with Jeffrey Durmer Chief Medical Officer at Happy Health.Jeffrey discusses the importance of sleep health, the scale of sleep disorders, and why improving our understanding of sleep is critical for the future of healthcare.With a background in sleep medicine and neuroscience, Jeffrey shares his perspective on why sleep problems are so widespread and how technology is creating new opportunities to detect, understand and address these challenges.We explore:Why sleep disorders are more common than many people realiseThe impact sleep health has on overall human health and wellbeingWhy sleep apnea remains an under-recognised healthcare challengeHow technology is helping create better insights into sleep patternsThe opportunity to make sleep health more accessible and personalisedWhat the future of digital health could look like as we better understand the role of sleepA conversation about healthcare innovation, sleep science and building technology that helps people live healthier lives.
Sophia Hummelman, Co-Founder and CCO of Remedium Energy
29:34|In this episode of Connect to Visionaries, Harrison is joined by Sophia Hummelman, Co-Founder and CCO of Remedium Energy, to explore her journey from investment banking into climate tech entrepreneurship. Sophia shares how an early interest in entrepreneurship led her to co-found a direct air capture company before turning her attention to the energy sector.Sophia discusses Remedium Energy’s approach to decarbonising heavy industry through a heat battery that can deliver high-temperature heat while also capturing CO₂. She explores the challenges of bringing deep-tech innovations to market, the importance of validating ideas with customers early, and why AI fluency, technical expertise and strong human skills will be critical to the future of climate tech.
Brett Velicovich, Co-Founder and President of Powerus
31:36|In this episode of Connective Visionaries, Tom is joined by Brett Velicovich, Co-Founder and President of Powerus, to explore his journey from the military into entrepreneurship and defence technology. Brett shares how his experiences working with drone technology and humanitarian efforts in Ukraine exposed significant gaps in the US defence industry and ultimately inspired him to build PowerUs.Brett discusses PowerUs’ mission to rebuild American drone manufacturing and develop low-cost, scalable drone systems for modern warfare. He explores the rapid evolution of drone technology, the growing role of AI and automation in defence, and why manufacturing, engineering and supply chain expertise will be critical to the industry’s future. Brett also shares insights into building a high-performance company culture, raising investment, scaling a defence technology business and the mindset required to succeed as an entrepreneur.
Mel Torrie, CEO/ Founder at Autonomous Solutions (ASI)
32:54|In this episode of TECHNE Connect, Joe Reed sits down with Mel Torrie, CEO and Founder of Autonomous Solutions Inc. (ASI), to discuss his journey through robotics, entrepreneurship and building autonomous systems for real-world industries.Mel shares how growing up on a farm in Canada inspired his interest in automation, eventually leading him from electrical engineering into robotics and founding ASI over 25 years ago.The conversation covers:The evolution of robotics from early concepts to today’s AI-driven systemsBuilding a robotics company through the challenges of hardware, software and adoptionWhy trust, humility and culture are central to building successful teamsThe importance of hands-on engineering experience for the next generationHow AI and labour shortages are accelerating robotics adoptionThe future of autonomous systems across agriculture, construction, mining and logisticsMel also shares lessons from his entrepreneurial journey, including why founders need resilience, how setbacks create stronger companies and why putting people and customers first has been central to ASI’s growth.A conversation on robotics, leadership and the people building the next generation of autonomous technology.
Mark Keremedjiev, CEO and Co - Founder at Orbital Sentry
45:54|In this episode of Connect to Orbit: Visionaries, we speak with Mark Keremedjiev, CEO & Co-Founder of Orbital Sentry.Mark shares his journey from studying astrophysics at Cornell and building infrared cameras for black hole research, to working within the US intelligence community on advanced satellite programmes, before moving into the commercial space sector with Planet.Now, as the founder of Orbital Sentry, Mark is building a new approach to Earth observation, focused on delivering persistent, real-time data from geosynchronous orbit.We explore:Why current Earth observation systems struggle to provide timely dataThe challenges of monitoring rapidly changing events from spaceHow Orbital Sentry plans to support defence, wildfire detection and commercial applicationsWhy successful space companies need to solve customer problems, not only build impressive technologyThe lessons Mark has taken from government, startups and building a company from the ground upWhat the next 3–5 years could look like for the space industryA conversation about entrepreneurship, space innovation and building the infrastructure needed for the next era of Earth intelligence.
Dr Steven P. Shepard, Co-Founder and CEO at Vaxon space
45:05|The next generation of space infrastructure could be built much closer to Earth.In the latest episode of TECHNE Connect to Visionaries, we sit down with Steven P. Shepard, Co-Founder and CEO of Vaxon Space, to discuss the future of very low Earth orbit (VLEO) and why this emerging orbital regime could transform satellite technology.Steven shares his journey from working on advanced space programmes at Lockheed Martin to founding Vaxon Space and building satellites designed to operate in one of the most challenging environments in orbit.We discuss:- Why very low Earth orbit has remained largely unexplored- How Vaxon Space is overcoming the challenges of atmospheric drag and atomic oxygen- Why air-breathing propulsion could change the future of satellite operations-The applications VLEO could unlock across defence, imaging, AI and telecommunications- Steven’s journey from aerospace engineer to founderThis is a conversation about pushing the boundaries of aerospace technology and building the next generation of space capabilities.
Connect to Visionaries: Gerry Vannuffelen, Founder & CEO of Mantis Robotics
34:38|Gerry Vannuffelen left a global head of robotics role at one of the world's largest automation OEMs to found Mantis Robotics, betting that robots could work alongside people without cages, fences, or dedicated specialists to deploy them.In this episode, he unpacks the technology behind that bet: a "nervous system" for robotics that gives any robot the reflexes to operate safely in the real world, not just the lab.Gerry talks candidly about the jump from corporate comfort back into startup uncertainty, why most robotics ventures fail by chasing technology instead of a real problem, and why the humanoid hype cycle matters less than people think. It's a conversation about physical AI, safety certification, and what it actually takes to keep choosing entrepreneurship.
Mitchell Fogelson, CEO and Co Founder at Beyond Reach Labs
32:37|In this episode of Connect to Visionaries, we speak with Mitchell Fogelson, Co-Founder and CEO of Beyond Reach Labs, about the future of large-scale infrastructure in space.Mitchell shares his journey from mechanical engineering and robotics research through iRobot, robotics innovation in Japan, and a NASA-funded PhD at Carnegie Mellon University, which led to the creation of Beyond Reach Labs.The company is developing deployable solar arrays designed to scale from the size of a dining table to the size of a football field in orbit, helping power the growing space services industry.We explore: • Why scalable space infrastructure is becoming critical as commercial space expands • The engineering challenges behind building large deployable structures in orbit • How Beyond Reach Labs is moving from research concepts into real-world space applications • Mitchell’s experience building a deep-tech startup through Y Combinator • The lessons learned from entrepreneurship, failure and finding the right team • Why the future of space will require interdisciplinary engineers and buildersA conversation about engineering ambition, entrepreneurship and the infrastructure needed to unlock the next era of space exploration.
Phillip Gomez, VP of Product and Defense Systems at MagLev Aero
32:54|In this episode of TECHNE Connect to Flight, Tom Sloan sits down with Phillip Gomez, VP of Product and Defense Systems at MagLev Aero, to explore his journey through aerospace and defence. Phillip shares how early experience at startup AVX Aircraft, followed by seven years at Bell, shaped his technical expertise, leadership approach and understanding of the full aircraft development lifecycle.The conversation also explores the changing aerospace landscape, from the rise of new defence players and the challenges facing the eVTOL market to the role of hybrid propulsion and emerging technologies. Phillip discusses MagLev Aero’s mission to develop breakthrough propulsion systems using magnetic levitation and electromagnetic control, the company’s plans for the next 12–24 months, and the skills it is looking for as it scales.