In this episode, host Mike Shanley sits down with Major General Thad Bibb (Ret.), former Commander of the 18th Air Force and now VP of Defense Business Development at Radia.

They discuss Radia's WindRunner™, the world's largest aircraft by volume, how it emerged from commercial wind-energy needs, and why its logistics capacity could redefine modern warfare, allied readiness, and dual-use innovation.

General Bibb shares insights from 33 years in the Air Force, lessons in defense acquisition, and practical advice for defense tech companies entering the market.

RESOURCES:

Radia (WindRunner Aircraft) - https://radia.com

BIOGRAPHY:

Thad is an innovative leader, passionate about bringing unique solutions to complex problems. In 2024, he retired from the Air Force as a Major General with over 33 years of service. As a command pilot with over 5,000 flight hours, Thad led operations around the world, from gravel strips in Alaska to combat zones in Afghanistan and Iraq. As Commander of 18th Air Force, he led 36,000 Airmen, conducting all Air Force active duty airlift, air refueling and aeromedical evacuation missions. As Commander, 618th Air Operations Center, his team planned, tasked, executed and assessed operations for a global fleet of 1,100 aircraft. Managing budgets of over $320B dollars, Thad also served as a leader in Air Force Materiel Command, where his teams led strategy, budget and operations efforts for all Air Force Research, Test, Acquisitions and Sustainment programs.

In 2025, Thad joined Radia, bringing his skills to bear on energy security and logistics for the defense of the United States and its allies. Radia is building a unique aerial transportation solution, WindRunner™, to enable the movement of the largest cargo to the hardest to reach places. Addressing a global deficit of outsized airlift, WindRunner will provide new solutions for Defense, onshore wind energy and outsized commercial cargo. When delivered in 2030, WindRunner will be the largest aircraft in the world.

Thad earned a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering Mechanics from the USAF Academy and a Master's Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. He is also an Ancien of the NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy. Thad enjoys spending free time with his family traveling, skiing at the lake or in the mountains, and flying his grandfather's 1967 Mooney.

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Thank you for tuning into this episode of the GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley. You can learn more about working with the U.S. Government by visiting our homepage: Konektid International and GovDiscovery AI. To connect with our team directly, message the host Mike Shanley on LinkedIn.

https://www.govdiscoveryai.com/

In this episode, Mike Shanley sits down with Admiral Mark Montgomery (Ret.), now a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, to break down one of the most pressing strategic challenges of our time: how the United States, Taiwan, and allies should prepare for a potential conflict in the Pacific.

This is a must-listen episode for anyone working in defense tech, national security, cyber policy, Indo-Pacific strategy, or defense industrial base modernization.

​RESOURCES:

Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) - https://www.fdd.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-montgomery-b8932810/

Twitter: @MarkSeymourMontgomery

In this episode of the GovDiscovery AI Podcast, host Mike Shanley speaks with Irina Paliashvili, President and CEO of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), about the evolving landscape of Ukraine's defense and reconstruction markets.

This discussion offers a firsthand look at how Ukraine's defense market is evolving amid the ongoing war, and how U.S. firms can strategically and responsibly participate in rebuilding efforts.

RESOURCES:

Learn more about USUBC: https://www.usubc.org

Connect with Irina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irina-paliashvili-08060011/

BIOGRAPHY:

Irina Paliashvili is President and CEO of U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC). She has been an integral part of the USUBC governance team for more than twenty years, having been consistently reelected to the USUBC Executive Committee, where she had served as Chair of the Legal Committee, supporting legal and judicial reforms, advocating for the rule of law, and promoting private sector development. At present, she co-leads the ongoing project "USUBC Legal Series: by Members – for Members", offering webinars with exclusive insights into the most pressing legal issues related to doing business in Ukraine. Irina frequently speaks at international conferences and publishes on the legal and business climate in Ukraine, and is also known for her active support of Ukrainian culture and art.

When Ukraine regained its independence, Irina co-founded one of the first private law firms in Kyiv and later expanded by founding the Washington, DC-based Ukrainian Legal Group, representing US-based multinational companies doing business in Ukraine, as well as serving as independent expert witness on the matters of Ukrainian law in major international arbitrations and in the US, UK, the Netherlands, Cypriot and Swedish courts proceedings. She is licensed to practice Ukrainian law as a Special Legal Consultant in the District of Columbia and is a member of the Kyiv Bar.

Irina graduated with the highest honors from the Kyiv State University School of International Law and subsequently earned a Ph.D. in International Law from the same school. She also holds an LL.M. in International and Comparative Law from George Washington University.

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Thank you for tuning into this episode of the GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley. You can learn more about working with the U.S. Government by visiting our homepage: Konektid International and GovDiscovery AI. To connect with our team directly, message the host Mike Shanley on LinkedIn.

https://www.govdiscoveryai.com/

https://www.konektid.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gov-market-growth/

In this episode of the GovDiscovery AI Podcast, host Mike Shanley speaks with Dr. Marina Theodotou, Executive Director of the newly launched Center for Frontier AI Security (CFAS). Drawing on her eight years at the Department of Defense, including leadership roles at the Defense Innovation Board and Defense Acquisition University, Dr. Theodotou discusses how the U.S. can maintain an AI advantage amid global competition. She highlights CFAS's mission to bridge the gap between AI policy and implementation by creating national security specific standards for AI safety, reliability, and alignment. The conversation also explores the challenges of compute power, interoperability, and the critical role of collaboration across government, industry, and academia in securing frontier AI systems.

RESOURCES

CFAS Website: www.cfas.online

Connect on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/center-for-frontier-ai-security/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinatheodotou/

BIO:

Dr. Marina Theodotou is an innovation and transformation leader with more than 30 years of experience advancing high-impact initiatives at the intersection of defense, finance, education, and consulting, spanning the US, EU, and Middle East. She is the Executive Director and Founder of the Center for Frontier AI Security (www.cfas.online) a non-profit focusing on operationalizing AI in national security. Dr. Theodotou also serves as a Senior Advisor with Kotter International, the premiere change management and innovation consultancy.

As Executive Director of the Defense Innovation Board at the Pentagon, she advised top DoD leadership on innovation, digital transformation, and organizational change, delivering more than 150 actionable recommendations with 40% adoption rate. She also co-led a classified assessment of US-China AI competition shaping national defense strategy. Dr. Theodotou previously spearheaded people innovation at the Defense Acquisition University, (DAU) launching the groundbreaking People Innovation Readiness Assessment Framework to complement technology-centric innovation. She led efforts to scale digital products driving an exponential 1,720% increase in student digital engagement. Leveraging her leadership, she founded and led teams that scaled platforms like TEDx DAU, catalyzing widespread innovation throughout the DoD.

She has published 150+ articles, served as a keynote speaker, mentor, and coach to tens of professionals in federal government and academia. As professor at the Jack Welch Management Institute, she taught over 120 Executive MBA Students. Dr. Theodotou won numerous innovation awards including the 2024 United States Distance Learning Association Gold Award, the 2023 Chief Learning Officer Innovation Trailblazer Gold Award and the DAU 2023 Senior Businessperson of the Year.

Dr. Theodotou holds a doctorate in education on organizational change and leadership from the University of Southern California and continues to champion cross-sector innovation, organizational agility, and inclusive change as a board member, coach, and mentor.

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Thank you for tuning into this episode of the GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley. You can learn more about working with the U.S. Government by visiting our homepage: Konektid International and GovDiscovery AI. To connect with our team directly, message the host Mike Shanley on LinkedIn.

https://www.govdiscoveryai.com/

https://www.konektid.com/

In this episode of the GovDiscovery AI Podcast, host Mike Shanley, CEO of GovDiscovery AI, speaks with Mike Derrios, former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Senior Procurement Executive at the U.S. Department of State. Derrios shares insights from his tenure at State​. The conversation explores the America First Global Health Strategy, State's ongoing reorganization, and broader federal acquisition reforms, offering valuable perspective for implementers, contractors, and NGOs navigating these shifts.

In this episode, Mike Shanley sits down with Keri Lowry, former Chief of Staff at the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and board member at the Society for International Development–US. Keri shares insider insights on MCC's expanding role under the current administration, including new country programs, procurement trends, and where U.S. industry should focus for FY26 opportunities.

For updates on MCC procurements and other U.S. foreign assistance opportunities, inquire about our AidKonekt software subscription [connect@govdiscoveryai.com].

BIOGRAPHY:

Keri M. Lowry has more than 20 years experience in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Most recently, she served as Chief of Staff at the Millennium Challenge Corporation. Prior to joining MCC, she served as Associate Director of National Security and Defense at the consulting firm Guidehouse.

She has also served extensively across the U.S. government as Director of Government Affairs and External Relations at the National Commission on Military, National & Public Service; Deputy Assistant Secretary of State at the Department of State; Regional Director for Asia, Europe & the Middle East at the U.S. Peace Corps; Director for International Economics & Humanitarian Affairs at the National Security Council; and, in numerous senior roles at the U.S. Agency for International Development. She has managed international programs at nongovernmental organizations and was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Burkina Faso.

Ms. Lowry is currently on the Board of Directors of the Children's Guild, the National Peace Corps Association, the Society for International Development US, and a member of the Chief of Staff Association and the Council on Foreign Relations. She resides in Washington, DC with her family.

LEARN MORE:

Thank you for tuning into this episode of the GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley. You can learn more about working with the U.S. Government by visiting our homepage: Konektid International and GovDiscovery AI.

To connect with our team directly, message the host Mike Shanley on LinkedIn.

https://www.govdiscoveryai.com/

https://www.konektid.com