Aaron M.

• Business advisory and consulting services with expertise in Life Sciences, Microelectronics, Advanced Manufacturing and Composites, Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Building, Innovation, Economic Development, Federal Procurement, Small Business, and Strategic Planning.
• Established a $7.5 million State of Indiana, Purdue University & Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (TSMC) Research Partnership
• Developed the state's first semiconductor strategy aimed at elevating Indiana's profile and highlighting assets, which has led to attracting semiconductor investments and the integration into national and global research initiatives as a result of the CHIPS & Science Act legislation
• Advisor on Life Sciences, Semiconductor, and AI industries and sub-sectors for the purposes of developing economic development strategies and investment capturing

Indiana University empowers students to succeed through top-ranked academics, groundbreaking research, and service that strengthens Indiana and beyond.

• Acted as liaison between startups, entrepreneurs, and academia to navigate complex regulatory and business landscapes, enhancing support structures for the life sciences sector.
• Advised university researchers and state leaders on policy and funding, resulting in optimized strategic directions for life sciences growth.
• Fostered partnerships with ecosystem stakeholders to leverage resources and expand the School of Medicine's impact within the state's life sciences ecosystem.
• Contributed significantly to the university's mission by facilitating collaborations that led to increased research opportunities and external funding.

• Provide operational and strategic oversight for a biomedical innovation center supporting commercialization and regulatory navigation for early-stage life sciences companies within an academic medical environment.
• Manage facility operations, vendor agreements, capital expenditures exceeding $11M, and performance tracking for innovation programs aligned with institutional and state objectives.
• Structure and oversee multi-party partnership agreements across universities, healthcare systems, industry partners, and state entities, ensuring alignment of funding, performance expectations, and governance requirements.
• Lead quarterly executive reporting to governing stakeholders, including healthcare system leadership and institutional partners, on performance metrics, capital deployment, program outcomes, and strategic direction.
• Develop operational frameworks to support startup incubation, including risk management, compliance navigation, and structured milestone tracking across a portfolio of emerging companies.
• Advise executive stakeholders, researchers, and institutional leaders on regulatory, funding, and operational strategy to align innovation initiatives with sustainable commercialization pathways.
• Contributed to measurable economic impact outcomes including:
• $59M+ funding secured by portfolio companies
• 70+ jobs created
• $11M+ capital investment
• $20M+ in company sales

• Directed statewide small business and entrepreneurship operations for a multi-program network of 70 personnel across 10 regional offices, overseeing strategic planning, operational execution, and performance accountability.
• Managed budget development and oversight for federally partnered programs exceeding $5M annually, including coordination of federal relationships and contract agreements with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Defense Logistics Agency, ensuring compliance with federal guidelines and reporting requirements.
• Implemented performance management systems to track outcomes across distributed programs, contributing to record-breaking results including:
• 1,000+ businesses launched
• $330M+ capital secured
• 6,500+ jobs created
• 9,000+ clients served
• Oversaw multi-stakeholder program execution across state, federal, and regional partners, aligning policy, funding structures, and operational frameworks to achieve economic and workforce development objectives.
• Strengthened audit readiness, program compliance, and federal partnership reporting processes, improving operational transparency and accountability across the statewide network.
• Led strategic expansion of accelerator and entrepreneurship programs, scaling cohorts and geographic reach while maintaining governance oversight and performance standards.
• Advised executive leadership, including state cabinet-level officials, on program strategy, funding allocation, and cross-agency coordination.

• Successfully transitioned the Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship from the Indiana Lieutenant Governor’s Office to the IEDC, aligning with the Governor’s strategic initiatives.
• Orchestrated the implementation of state-wide small business programs, increasing visibility and access for entrepreneurs across Indiana.
• Enhanced collaboration with state leaders and community organizations to effectively roll out the Governor’s $1B Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative.
• Played a key role in restructuring processes that optimized resource allocation and improved service delivery to small businesses.

The Department of War is America's largest government agency dedicated to national security and military defense.

• Led acquisition planning, contract structuring, and procurement execution for high-visibility defense programs, ensuring compliance with federal regulations.
• Served as primary advisor on acquisition strategy, helping mitigate risks and ensure successful procurement outcomes.
• Conducted cost and price analyses to ensure fair and responsible pricing, safeguarding federal funds.
• Negotiated contracts with industry partners to align objectives with defense needs, securing favorable terms for complex requirements.

JHT is a division of Precise Systems that provides training, simulation, and support solutions for government, DoD, and private firms.

Sidley Austin LLP is a prestigious global law firm offering legal services across numerous disciplines.