David Odom

Principal

David Odom is a Principal of AVP and is responsible for assisting portfolio companies in transitioning their products to the defense industry and other Federal organizations. He is also engaged in the search, identification and qualification of companies and technologies consistent with AVP’s Technology Roadmaps. He works closely with key Department of Defense (DoD) representatives and the DoD community to understand program needs, identify technology insertion opportunities, and actively support technology transitions.  Through these combined efforts, David maintains insights across the full spectrum of defense technology needs and product programs and interacts with all of the DoD components including the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, OSD, and DARPA. Throughout the transition process, David bridges the gap between portfolio companies’ commercial focus and DoD program opportunities to maximize the application of the company’s products across the DoD. Functioning as an advocate for the portfolio company, David assists the company in navigating the hidden roadblocks of the transition process while seeking out supportive strategic relationships with representatives from the DoD contractor base and related Federal agencies including the National Laboratory System, Central Intelligence Agency (“CIA”), Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Boeing, and Raytheon. Previously, David carried out roles in research and development, product management and business development for both early stage ventures and Fortune 500 corporations. This work included seven years with Lockheed Martin Space Mission Systems and Services where he was involved in design and development of multiple platforms for NASA and the Air Force including communication systems for the Space Shuttle and the Air Force’s global satellite network. David graduated from Texas A&M University at Kingsville, Summa Cum Laude, with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and earned an MBA from Rollins College, Summa Cum Laude.

David is a native Texan and is an aficionado of all things Texas.  He is also a nationally-ranked beer judge and has significant expertise both brewing and evaluating craft beer.