Michael Polmar didn’t plan on GovCon. He started as a chemistry major who loved science, broke more than a little lab glassware, and thought research was his future. Four years in, he swapped experiments for programs — and discovered he liked leading people and solving business problems even more. That pivot launched a 30-year career across defense and intel, building and running growth engines for some of the industry’s biggest names. Michael has learned what few will say out loud: growth is the hardest job in the company. The budget may be huge, but everyone’s fighting — and partnering — for the same dollars.Now chief growth officer at Tyto Athene, Michael leads teams across the full federal acquisition lifecycle. Strategist, dealmaker, coach, fixer — sometimes all in one day. In this episode of Rookies to Rockstars, Michael gets real about risks that didn’t always pay off, the power of networking and mentors, and why technical chops plus business savvy is the ultimate edge. He also shares the one mindset the next generation needs to let go of if they want to lead. If you’ve ever wondered how to survive — and thrive — in the high-stakes world of BD, Michael's story is your blueprint.

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