Today on All Quiet, Tyler cracks a beer with James Cross, the managing director of Franklin Templeton and one of the co-founders of the Silicon Valley Defense Group (SVDG). They advocate for startups by explaining how current policy and the interest of the primes favors small businesses, as well as discussing James’ approach to venture capital and the importance of visible leadership by organizations like the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) . The two round out the show by offering up some policy changes that could help startups scale in the defense sector, and with James explaining why he wants to end his career in education, developing thought leadership and curriculum to guide the next generation of defense leaders. What’s Happening on the Second Front:Explaining SVDG’s NatSec100 for top national security company rankingsResponse to the leadership deficit in defense innovationPolicy recommendations to help support startupsPositive, exciting and scary trends we’re seeing on Capitol Hill James’ ambitions to teach after his time with the SVDGConnect with James:LinkedIn: James CrossWebsite: franklintempleton.comConnect with Tyler:LinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt Website: secondfront.comThis show is produced by Soulfire Productions