Chris Taylor

Chris Taylor is the CEO of Aalyria Technologies, Inc. – a Google spinout and aerospace tech company. He was also the CEO of Govini, a commercial data and analytics company focused on transforming the business of government through data science. He is the Senior Advisor to the Managing Director of the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) at the Pentagon. Chris previously founded Novitas Group, a tech startup that used a unique talent-opportunity matching technology platform to aid veterans in their search for meaningful employment in the communities of their choice. He conceived of and convinced The White House and ABC’s Shark Tank to collaborate on the first all-veteran episode – which aired on Veteran’s Day 2014. For his work, he was named one of “HillVets’ 100 of 2014” most influential veterans in America.

As the CEO of a Mission Essential, Chris was named one of, “15 to Watch in 2012” by GovCon Executive magazine for growing the company from $185 million to nearly $800 million in three years. Chris is also an adjunct associate professor of national security studies at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service Security Studies Program, where he teaches the graduate seminar, “The Business of National Security”, and instituted and taught for three years the “Hacking for Defense” seminar. He is also a Lecturer in Management at George Washington University’s School of Business where he also teaches the Hacking for Defense graduate seminar.

Chris spent 14 years in the U.S. Marine Corps as an enlisted infantryman and Force Recon Marine. Twice selected for meritorious promotion, he was the Distinguished Honor Graduate at the NCO Leadership Academy, the Distinguished Leadership Graduate at Amphibious Reconnaissance School, and the Class Commander at Marine Combatant Diver Course 93-40. Chris finished his undergraduate degree at night and left the Marine Corps to attend the College of William & Mary where he earned his MBA in Strategy & Leadership, and received the Dean’s Award for Leadership and Service at graduation. He is also a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School, where he earned a Master of Public Administration degree in Political Economy and International Security and was chosen by his class to lead them into Harvard Yard for graduation. Chris also served as the Director of the Harvard Defense & Security Initiative and as a member of the Defense Leadership Project at the Center for Public Leadership where he co-authored, Transforming the National Security Culture.

Chris speaks frequently at professional and academic forums and has testified before Congress and the Commission on Wartime Contracting on private sector contributions to national security. He has appeared on MSNBC and CNN offering commentary on global security challenges. Chris is the former Chairman of the International Stability Operations Association. He has attended Harvard University’s Program for Senior Executives in National and International Secur

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