Michael DownardinSilicon MountainSupra Coder Development — After the CapstoneThere is a small but interesting program within the Space Force that mimics the Air Force’s Airmen Coder program. It is called the Supra…3 min read·Apr 13, 2023----
Michael DownardinSilicon MountainLessons Observed: Going Too Digital in the DoD — Silicon MountainI desperately want to say “lessons learned” instead of “observed.” My doubts overwhelm me, though. In order to protect the innocent and…5 min read·Apr 5, 2023----
Michael DownardinSilicon MountainThe True Cost of Government ContractingThe military deserves to work with the brightest, most passionate, and hardest working people in the world. Most of the smartest, most…5 min read·Aug 31, 2022----
Michael DownardinSilicon MountainDefense Innovation — Why it Starts with SBIRSBIR = Small Business Innovation and Research — A program funded by the SBA (Small Business Administration)9 min read·May 20, 2022----
Michael DownardinSilicon MountainChasing Purpose (and Titles)What do you want to be when you grow up? We’re asked this question in elementary school, then again in middle school, high school, college…5 min read·Mar 18, 2022----
Michael DownardinSilicon MountainAward TourLet me start by saying that this is a wholly unnatural experience for me. Sure, in the course of my career, I have experienced winning team…5 min read·Mar 4, 2022----
Michael DownardinSilicon MountainCommunication is HardWe work in technology. I suppose that means we should always embrace the madness of data and information in exchanges. However, since I…9 min read·Feb 16, 2022----
Michael DownardinSilicon MountainNonverbal Reactions in LeadershipMost of us that work in innovation want to have a safe environment for failure. Failure is inevitable when you’re wading into the waters of…6 min read·Dec 14, 2021----
Michael DownardinSilicon MountainEveryone Has StressIt is the holiday season. For many of us that means celebration with close friends, family, coworkers, or reflection on the happenings of…4 min read·Dec 7, 2021----
Michael DownardinSilicon MountainProximity — A Dual-Edged SwordWe recently started a couple of experiments within our own team. Since we have experience as a distributed team, these seemed to be…4 min read·Nov 30, 2021----