CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

A lifelong sailor who led hull development at Pure Watercraft, an electric boating startup that has raised $170M+ in funding. He later consulted on R&D for hydrofoiling electric boats. Just prior to Vatn, he was an investor at Link Ventures and previously held investor roles with Lux Capital and Global Founders Capital. Nelson holds a BA and MBA from Columbia University.

CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

Experienced mechanical engineer and mariner who was the director of engineering at Koop for a decade. While there, he led a team of engineers and developed some of the most advanced hydrofoiling electric boats in the world and a variety of other projects, including submersibles. Geoff has a BS in ME from Montana State University.

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Freddie has been running boats and building complex parts his whole life, starting as a manufacturing technician at Placid Boatworks and a tug boat captain on Lake Placid. As the owner of Mills Composites for the past five years, he has led a team of engineers and technicians to build large and intricate composite parts using the latest manufacturing techniques. Freddie is a USCG licensed 100 ton captain.

CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER

Seasoned tech development program manager with experience in government projects focused on digital vision and virtual reality solutions. A former commander of a Special Forces Dive unit, Dan concurrently serves as Deputy Commander of a brigade headquarters in the National Guard. He holds a BS from the US Air Force Academy and a Masters in Military Doctrine and Strategic Management.

Costa brings a wealth of experience from his leadership roles at the CIA, including Chief Strategy Officer and Acting Assistant Director. He is currently a senior advisor at Valor Equity Partners and on the Board of Advisors of Anduril and Peraton.

Lt Gen Howell is the former commander of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) from 2018-2021 where he commanded military operations across multiple theaters. Prior to that, he was Vice Commander of SOCOM where led the acquisition, budgeting, programming, and fiscal processes for the command.

MajGen Kennedy is a decorated combat commander serving multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition, he was Commanding General, 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Commanding General Marine Corps Recruiting, and most recently was Legislative Assistant to the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

A career SEAL officer, Vice Adm. Collin Green served at SEAL Teams 2, 3, and 5, and commanded Naval Special Warfare Command. He held key leadership roles including Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command South, and Deputy Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command.

Jim Smith, former Acquisitions Executive of SOCOM, has held various positions including Chief, Firepower Division, Combat Developments Directorate, Assistant Product Manager, Interoperability Chief, Soldier Sensors and Lasers Product Manager.

A career submarine officer, Vice Adm. Phil Sawyer served in both fast attack and ballistic missile submarines. He served as Commander Submarine Forces Pacific; Deputy Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. He is the Chair of Undersea Warfare at Naval Postgraduate School.