Nick D’Ambrosio never planned to become a defense contractor, let alone one working at the cutting edge of geospatial intelligence, environmental resilience, and unmanned combat systems. But his journey—from ecologist with a love for the woods to CEO of Nomadics, a firm trusted by the U.S. Navy and major federal agencies—is one of those rare stories that bridges purpose, technical brilliance, and adaptability in the face of chaos.In this episode, Flexwork Studios welcomes Nick D’Ambrosio, a Ph.D. environmental scientist turned accidental entrepreneur, for a compelling deep dive into how passion, grit, and strategic decision-making helped shape a 20-year-old company that now sits at the intersection of defense, disaster response, and cutting-edge technology. Hosted by Ludwig Arroyo, this conversation brings forward insights rarely shared on mic—from fieldwork during the BP oil spill to rapid-deploy AI tools used in COVID-19 case management.What’s most surprising? Nick didn’t set out to do any of this. His story begins with environmental permitting work in New Jersey and grows into something far bigger—driven by a desire to own his time, support his family, and build something meaningful on his own terms.You'll hear Nick’s unfiltered takes on:The messy but powerful overlap between public and private sector innovationWhat it means to do mission-driven work in an industry fueled by federal contractsWhy data integrity matters in disaster zones—and how bad data ruins real-world decisionsLessons from working with agencies like the CDC, FEMA, the U.S. Navy, and the Department of DefenseThe unexpected realities of leadership, team-building, and growthThis episode covers it all—from the science of mapping wildfire risk to the business strategy behind pivoting when the economy crashes or administrations change. Nick opens up about the sacrifices that come with being in high-stakes government work, the toll it can take on your personal life, and how his team continues to balance technical execution with human-centered outcomes.If you've ever wondered what it's like to work behind the scenes of America’s most complex emergencies—or how to scale a services company without selling your soul—this episode delivers on both fronts.Here’s a snapshot of what you’ll learn:How Nick built a career by reverse-engineering the life he wantedWhat it takes to be a successful government contractor—and why most people get it wrongThe overlooked leadership skills that matter more than raw technical talentWhy staying small, nimble, and values-driven is a strategic advantageThe long game of doing business in D.C. and why in-person meetings still matterHow to prepare for growth when you're thinking about going publicBut this isn’t just a story about business success—it’s about values, impact, and figuring out how to do work that actually matters. Whether you’re in tech, education, government, or running your own small firm, there’s something in here for anyone who's balancing ambition with integrity.If you're new to the Flexwork Podcast, welcome. We’re here to share stories of creators, entrepreneurs, and change-makers who are building careers—and lives—on their own terms.Want to go deeper?Follow the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you stream.Visit FlexworkStudios.com to learn more about our studio, services, and what we’re building in the podcasting world.Connect with the host Ludwig Arroyo and the Flexwork team on LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes content, guest updates, and studio drops.Subscribe to our newsletter for early access to upcoming episodes, industry news, and exclusive resources for creators.Thanks for tuning in. This one’s a masterclass in turning chaos into opportunity—don’t miss it.

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