About the Authors

Hon. Larry Wallace Jr., Ph.D.

U.S. Army (Retired)

Captain (Retired) is a retired combat veteran that served in both the U.S. Army Reserves and U.S. Army as enlisted and an officer.  In addition to being an Assistant Professor of Management for Huston-Tillotson University; President of Wallace Brothers & Associates which provides small business strategic planning, and Co-Owner of The Transition which mentors within the transition assistance space; in 2019, he was sworn in as the first African-American Mayor of Manor, Texas, the 7th fastest growing suburb in America (2018) and 20th best small cities to live in America (2019). He serves as an Employment & Training Advisory Member for the Texas Veterans Commission; Advocacy Co-Chair for the State of Texas Military Spouse Economic Empowerment Zone Member; and Manor Schoolhouse Foundation Board Member; Chair for the Texas Veterans Leadership Task Force; Board Member for the Capital Area Regional Transportation Planning Organization; and School of Business Professional Advisory Committee Member at Northcentral University. Larry is also a 2020 Changing the Story Distinguished Community Leader; 2019 Austin Under 40 Dual Finalist for Youth & Education and Civics, Government & Public Affairs; 2019 Achievements in Black Austin Honoree.

Heath J. Niemi

U.S. Army (Retired)

Colonel (Retired) Heath Niemi is Vice President of Global Sales & Development at Martin UAV. In this capacity, Heath is responsible for establishing global business development with emphasis on the U.S. Army and Special Operations Command. He is also responsible for capture and project management activities to include business-to-business research and development for the company while introducing the new V-BAT, ‘equipment independent’ VTOL UAS to global markets. Heath is a 1992 West Point Graduate and combat veteran of 20 combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). Heath previously served as Chief of Staff for the U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command (Airborne), commanded and served in executive positions within the 160th Special Operations Aviation Command (Airborne). Of interest, Heath was also the only World Helicopter Team Gold Medalist for the U.S. team in 1996 and a past U.S.P.F. nationally ranked power lifter. Heath is also known for his daily investment blog called Strategic Stimulus which correlates macroeconomics for day trading. He also writes academic works on future methods of warfare to include a published work on the future of technologically enabled leadership called ‘Flexive Command’.