40+
Advanced aircraft concepts shaped
Steven Griggs
Business Development Executive Consultant
Enterprise discipline.
Edge-of-possible innovation.
I build strategic pathways from bold concepts to market impact across aerospace, technology commercialization, and AI-enabled decision systems.
1000+
Technologies commercialized or supported
15+ yrs
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works leadership
85%
Proposal win rate on strategic programs
About Me
Creative developer and implementer of long-range plans with a diversified analytical foundation in business and engineering. My work centers on seeing the full system, identifying where innovation creates advantage, and guiding execution from concept through production.
Over the years, I have worked at the intersection of strategy, technology, and commercialization, helping teams define product roadmaps, allocate R&D investment, and convert emerging capability into sustainable business outcomes. I have also contributed to 40+ advanced aircraft efforts and supported commercialization activities for over 1000 technologies. Today I am applying AI engineering to build intelligent decision support tools and domain-specific AI systems.
Strategic planning and program/project managementProduct development and product improvement planningAI EngineeringTechnology evaluation, integration, and R&D leadershipBusiness case analysis and product road mappingProposal development and team leadership
AI Digital Twin
Ask this digital twin about my career journey, strategic work, and current focus areas. Responses are grounded in my professional background and tailored for practical insight.
Digital Twin
I am Steven's digital twin. Ask me about his career, leadership style, and innovation work, or space elevators.
Career Journey
2023 - Present
President · Space Railway Corporation
Leading the vision, strategy, and commercialization path for space elevator innovation, including trade studies, ecosystem briefings, and investor materials.
2011 - Present
President · First Place Business Solutions, LLC
Built and leads a consulting practice integrating business strategy, innovation portfolios, and technology investment decisions for complex R&D programs.
2018 - 2021
Visiting Assistant Professor · University of Central Oklahoma
Taught strategy and management while researching strategic decision making, technology investment, and innovation-driven business models.
2006 - 2016
Executive in Residence (Full-Time Visiting Professor) · Oklahoma State University, School of Entrepreneurship
Led cross-campus entrepreneurship ecosystem initiatives, mentored founders and student teams, and taught graduate strategy, entrepreneurship, and commercialization courses.
2006 - 2013
Adjunct Professor (Part-Time) · Oklahoma State University
Developed and taught Professional MBA courses spanning strategy, corporate entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, and innovation design.
2008 - 2011
Program Manager · Lockheed Martin Aeronautic: Skunk Works
Directed Joint Strike Fighter improvements and derivative roadmaps by linking customer needs, science and technology investment, and product strategy.
2002 - 2008
Program Manager, Research and Development · Lockheed Martin Aeronautic: Skunk Works
Led future capability programs for a $300B product line, integrating technical roadmaps, supplier technologies, and long-range customer requirements.
1999 - 2002
System Product Manager · Lockheed Martin Aeronautic: Skunk Works
Managed F-16 subsystem improvements, supplier negotiations, production support, and cost-reduction initiatives for fielded platforms.
1998 - 1999
Program and Proposal Manager · Lockheed Martin Aeronautic: Skunk Works
Led multidisciplinary teams capturing $30M in new business through emerging technology proposals and coordinated program execution.
1996 - 1998
Program Manager · Lockheed Martin Aeronautic: Skunk Works
Directed IRAD studies for directed-energy concepts and helped shape feasibility work that contributed to multi-billion-dollar defense initiatives.
Education
- PhD, Engineering - The University of Texas at Arlington
- Post Doctorate Bridge Program, International Business & Entrepreneurship - University of Florida
- MBA, Finance & Strategy - The University of Texas at Arlington
- MA, Economics - The University of Texas at Arlington
- MS, Mechanical Engineering - The University of Texas at Arlington
Current Focus
Building advanced capability in LLM engineering, AI agents, and production AI deployment to pair domain expertise with intelligent decision support for clients and partners.
Top Skills
Innovation ManagementStrategy DevelopmentAI EngineeringVibe CodingLow-Code DevelopmentAI Integration Techniquesn8n
Recent Certifications
- Technology Entrepreneurship
- Python for Data Science and Machine Learning Bootcamp
- AI Engineering Core Track: LLM Engineering, RAG, QLoRA, Agents
- AI Engineering Agentic Track: The Complete Agent & MCP Course
- AI Engineering Production Track: Deploy LLMs & Agents at Scale
- AI Leader and AI Builder tracks for business application
Portfolio Links
Case studies, publications, presentations, and artifacts from strategic programs and thought leadership.
Speaking & Thought Leadership
Published papers and conference presentations on space elevator economics, mission requirements, and the business case for settling space.
Papers
Visual reference
AI + Business Transformation Cases
Applied examples of LLM, agentic AI, and workflow automation.
AI Chat-Based Expert in Specific Domains
Domain-trained conversational AI that delivers expert-level answers grounded in curated knowledge. Try it — ask the Digital Twin about space elevators.
AI Capability in Decision Support Tool Usage, Populating & Management
Building AI-driven workflows that populate, manage, and enhance decision support tools for strategic planning and investment analysis.
Strategic Programs Portfolio
Major defense, aerospace, and commercialization initiatives.
Decision Support Tool for High-Tier Technology Development & Investment Decision Making
Structured frameworks for evaluating and prioritizing technology investments at the portfolio level, integrating risk, maturity, and strategic alignment.
Program Management Tools for Execution of Technology Development & Investment Decision Making
An integrated toolkit for managing technology programs from initiation through transition:
- Risk Identification Matrix
- Program Risk to Design Parameters
- Maturation Matrix
- Key Element Risk Tracking
- Risk Waterfall Tracking
- Technology Development Coordination
Let's Build What's Next
Open to collaborations across strategic innovation, commercialization, and AI-enabled growth initiatives.