capital Velocity of National Security Innovation

Greg Hays is a nationally recognized leader in defense innovation with over 30 years of experience across government and industry focusing on the national security sector. He served as the inaugural Senior Scientific Technical Manager for Rapid Prototyping, Experimentation, and Demonstration at the Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic, where he launched the command’s first Rapid Capabilities Office, aligned Department of War investments to operational problems, and drove faster technology delivery using prize challenges, other transactions, and consortium-based acquisition. Greg is now focused on dual-use technology delivering advanced capabilities—such as free-space optical communications, counter unmanned, and surveillance solutions —into military and commercial markets. His leadership spans roles at the Office of Naval Research, Naval Sea Systems Command, and Naval Information Warfare Systems Command. He is widely respected for his strategic foresight, public–private coalition building, and warfighter-first execution.