The race to find and develop the next revolutionary technology is ever-accelerating. Everyone claims to have a "secret innovation sauce" that gives them an advantage over their competitors. In some cases, this is just for show; in other cases, it actually does foster disruptive innovation. This seminar will examine the pursuit of revolutionary technology development and disruptive innovation, focusing on the fundamentals of the innovation process and how to create an environment where these ideas will flourish and take off to unprecedented heights. We will also consider the similarities between historically prestigious innovation factories, like the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, and modern high-tech startups - do they follow a similar set of operating principles? How do you foster a culture where team members think vigorously outside the box to invent the impossible? And...what does all of this mean to you, as students pursuing your dreams?

About the Speaker:

Ben Marchionna is the Head of Global Field Operations and Engineering at SkySpecs, a commercial drone startup company in Ann Arbor, MI.

Before SkySpecs, Ben was a senior systems engineer and graduate of the Engineering Leadership Development Program at the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, CA, where he supported advanced R&D projects including sixth-gen fighters, UAVs, hypersonic weapon systems, and other programs that he can't talk about. He has also worked as a flight test engineer for the F-35 program at Edwards AFB, as a systems engineer for the F-35 in Fort Worth, TX, and as an engineering intern on the C-5M Super Galaxy in Marietta, GA.

Ben graduated from the University of Michigan in April 2011 with a BSE in Aerospace Engineering and from the University of Southern California in December 2014 with an MS in Product Development Engineering.

Outside of work, Ben serves on the Board of Directors for the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics (AIAA) and as the Executive Vice President of the Los Angeles County Air Show. He enjoys traveling, flying airplanes, and of course, Michigan football! Ben lives in Ann Arbor with his wife, Katie, 22-month old daughter, Maisie, and their American Eskimo Dog, Norbert.