TEAM
James D. Murphy, often referred to as "Murph” from his fighter pilot days, understood early on that success lies in envisioning a clear future. This clarity propelled him from a Kentucky farm boy to accomplished fighter pilot, flying missions across Central America, Asia, Central Europe, and the Middle East. Logging over 1,200 hours as an instructor pilot in the F-15 and amassing over 3,200 hours in other high-performance aircraft, he also served as the Chief of Training for the Georgia Air National Guard's 116th Fighter Wing.
Recognizing that the frameworks enabling his success in the F-15 were the same ones that allowed the entire Air Force as an enterprise to succeed in combat, he conceptualized the 'Flawless Execution' methodology. This agile approach became the foundation of Afterburner, a consultancy he founded and led as CEO. Under his 27-year leadership, Afterburner evolved from offering keynote speeches to becoming a premier consultancy for global corporations, working with 85% of the U.S. Fortune 50 and numerous Global 1000 entities. James’ work and methodologies have been highlighted in prominent publications and media outlets. Additionally, he is a bestselling author of seven books on leadership, management, and veteran career transition. James’ entrepreneurial spirit has allowed him to achieve eleven appearances on the Inc 500/5000 List of America's Fastest Growing Companies and a spot on Forbes Magazine's Small Giants List.
Hasard Lee
General Partner
James D. Murphy
Managing Partner
Hasard is a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and the international bestselling author of “The Art of Clear Thinking,” a Wall Street Journal Bestseller.
As a flight commander, Hasard led pilots into combat during one of the most intense periods of War in Afghanistan. There, he flew over eighty combat missions and became one of the only fighter pilots to fly two different types of jets into combat on the same day while supporting troops under fire.
Hasard was then hand-picked to fly the F-35―the most advanced and expensive weapons system in history―which was still in development at the time. During his last role on active duty, Hasard became the Chief of Training Systems for the largest training base in the world, leading the development of new technology and teaching methods to train future fighter pilots.
Simon Rikmenspoel
General Partner
Simon’s background is primarily in private equity & venture capital. Through his single-family office Simon has been investing in private equity since 2007 and has led over 15 private M&A transactions. He is currently a General Partner & Entrepreneur in Residence at Urban Impact Ventures. He also serves as a General Partner at North Node Capital.
Simon has founded multiple successful companies in the staffing, health services, blockchain and broader technology industries. In 2017, he founded Hiway, a blockchain based smart employment agency. He is also an avid real estate investor, both in residential & commercial properties globally.
Ana Telleria
General Partner
Ana began her career at Goldman Sachs, where she worked in structured finance, on loan securitizations, mortgage-backed securities and warehouse lending. She later transitioned to a capital markets role at OppFi, in which she worked alongside the CFO on taking the company public through a SPAC deal in 2021.
Ana is a General Partner at North Node Capital and serves as a Director at a dutch single-family office where she manages relationships with lenders, sources private equity & venture capital deal flow and leads real estate transactions globally. Ana is a member of Global Women in VC. She has a B.S. in Finance from The University of South Florida.
Don Haley
Advisor
Don Haley, currently serving as the Director of Growth at Hermeus, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role. With over 24 years in the United States Air Force as a fighter pilot and various leadership positions, he has accumulated substantial skills in executive leadership, training, and critical thinking. His notable roles include being an F-15E Instructor/Evaluator Pilot, T-38 Instructor Pilot, and serving in strategic positions at the Air Education and Training Command, the Joint Wargaming Division, and the US Air Force Futures and Concepts.
Since December 2018, Don Haley has been a key Executive Consultant at Afterburner, where he leads planning workshops, facilitates debriefs, and delivers keynotes utilizing the "Flawless Execution" Methodology. This unique approach, blending military and business best practices, serves a wide range of clients, including over 75% of the Fortune 500. Additionally, his work at DARPA as an Air Force Liaison to the Adaptive Capabilities Office underscores his expertise in developing innovative solutions for complex military challenges, contributing to significant advancements. Don's skills in personnel management, problem-solving, and public speaking are instrumental in both his military and corporate roles.
Mitch Free
Advisor
Mitch Free, the CEO of ZYCI CNC Machining, is a distinguished leader in advanced manufacturing. His company, ZYCI, specializes in CNC machining, additive manufacturing, and injection molding, and holds certifications in AS9100, ISO 9001, ITAR, along with a Class 7 Federal Firearms License. His career started as an apprentice machinist, leading to a pivotal role at Northwest Airlines in aircraft part production and management roles overseeing global aircraft projects.
Mitch's entrepreneurial spirit is evidenced by his founding of MFG.com in 2000, where he served as CEO and Chairman until 2013, cementing his status as a digital manufacturing pioneer. An accomplished speaker and author, he's recognized for his contributions to the field, including multiple patents and the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. Mitch has made significant impacts through his presentations, media appearances, and his co-authored book on additive manufacturing, "The Great Disruption."