Advisory Board

Bringing decades of experience in shipbuilding, naval operations, autonomy, and innovation policy.
Scaling defense technologies from government and the private sector.
Rylan Hamilton - Blue Water Autonomy
RADM (ret.) - PEO Ships
Rear Adm. Anderson most recently served as the Navy’s Program Executive Officer for Ships, where he oversaw the acquisition and delivery of surface combatants, amphibious ships, logistics support vessels, and more. His leadership at NAVSEA included multiple roles in design, maintenance, and modernization across 30+ ship programs.
Scott Miller - Blue Water Autonomy
VADM (ret.) – Naval Surface Forces Pacific
With 39 years of dedicated service, Vice Adm. Roy Kitchener deployed and served around the world. He commanded destroyers, a cruiser, and an expeditionary strike group. His last assignment on active duty was as commander, Naval Surface Forces/Naval Surface Force U.S. Pacific Fleet – “the SWO Boss”.
Austin Gray - Blue Water Autonomy
Navy Disruptive Capabilities Office
Michael Stewart, former Director of the Navy’s Disruptive Capabilities Office, led rapid deployment of emerging technologies to address operational challenges. He served as Executive Director of the Unmanned Task Force, held senior roles at NATO, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and The Boeing Company, and is a retired Navy Captain and Naval Aviator with an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Austin Gray - Blue Water Autonomy
DCVC, One Defense, Booz Allen Hamilton, Blue Forge Alliance
Stephen Rodriguez is a leading voice in dual-use technology adoption and national security investment. He is currently Chairman of Blue Forge Alliance, a key Navy partner focused on maritime industrial base revitalization. He also chairs Booz Allen Hamilton’s Defense Technology Board and works with dual-use startups through One Defense, a strategic advisory he founded. An Operating Partner at DCVC focused on defense investing, he is an Board Advisor or Director to 15 companies including several in the maritime industrial base.