Veteran | Innovator | Strategist
Ops leader & entrepreneur turning bold ideas into cost savings, streamlined processes, and scalable strategies.Currently seeking opportunities in sales and client engagement for emerging tech companies.
PROBLEM
Rigid F-Style jugs were costly to ship (empty containers mean we are shipping air), inefficient to store (80 pallets+), allowed headspace in the form of air, activating the bio-available product resulting in premature reactions, and prone to in-transit and in-storage damage.SOLUTION
Proposed switch to flexible bag packaging. Personally validated durability through pressure and drop testing. Bags would also be pre-labeled - a shift from the previous packaging - and would eliminate headspace within the container, thereby eliminating biological reactions from the bioactive product.IMPACT
Internal testing confirmed the bags outperformed the jugs, with potential to reduce costs by 60%+ on packaging alone — and closer to 75–80% when labor savings were factored in — while cutting plastic use by nearly 70%. Despite validation, the proposal wasn’t pursued.LESSON
Innovation requires more than just creating an effective solution — it also has to align with an organization’s readiness to change. Even well-tested ideas may not move forward, and that taught me the value of documenting results clearly, validating assumptions, and being patient for the right moment and context for adoption.
PROBLEM
Police departments face long response times and resource constraints, especially for incidents where situational awareness is critical. The Castle Rock Police Department became one of the first in the nation to adopt a Drones as First Responders (DFR) program — but before the automated drone dock could go live, the system required human oversight and validation in real-world conditions.SOLUTION
Through Northwatch Aerial’s first municipal contract, I provided on-site piloting, launch/recovery, VO duties, and preventative maintenance. I also went beyond my scope by troubleshooting field issues, suggesting fixes for latency and network problems, and ensuring that dispatch and officers had confidence in the technology. My role was to act as the bridge between concept and operational reality.IMPACT
Enabled Castle Rock PD to successfully operate its DFR program during the “1.0” phase, maintaining continuity until full automation. Helped validate workflows between dispatch, patrol officers, and drone operations, reducing friction and smoothing adoption. Identified operational gaps early and provided feedback that improved system performance. The program is now positioned to scale as more agencies adopt DFR.LESSON
Innovation isn’t just about creating new technology — it’s about making sure it actually works where it matters most. Field validation and trust-building are what turn a promising idea into a scalable solution.
PROBLEM
In both the Army and at AEA, I faced environments where resources were limited but performance had to remain high. In the Army, maintaining multimillion-dollar Apache helicopters required creative problem-solving to keep aircraft mission-ready under constant time and resource pressure. At AEA, scaling regenerative agriculture products meant building reliable processes in a lean, fast-moving startup.SOLUTION
In the Army, I led cross-functional maintenance teams, creating streamlined inspection workflows and prioritization systems to maximize aircraft availability with limited staff and parts. At AEA, I supported scaling efforts by identifying operational gaps, developing more efficient systems, and driving safety and compliance practices to support growth.IMPACTArmy: Sustained Apache readiness through innovative maintenance and workflow redesign, improving uptime despite resource constraints.AEA: Helped a ~65–80 person regenerative ag startup maintain efficiency and compliance during rapid change, strengthening its foundation for scaling.LESSON
Innovation is not only about new products — it’s about designing systems that keep people and operations moving forward even under pressure. Efficiency and readiness are where innovation proves itself.
PROBLEM
Not all innovation is about fixing today’s pain points — it’s also about anticipating tomorrow’s opportunities. I’ve generated and evaluated ideas such as:
01. Tracked Wheelchair Attachment → expand access in rough terrain.
02. Bio-Based Air Purifier → sustainable, natural filtration alternative.
03. Drone-Based Window Washing → scalable service model for urban maintenance.SOLUTION
For each concept, I applied a structured thought process:
01. Define the user need and pain point.
02. Map potential market fit.
03. Identify technical and regulatory barriers.
04. Weigh feasibility against impact.IMPACT
While not implemented, this process allowed me to identify which ideas could be viable (e.g., scalable tracked wheelchair attachments for national park access) and which were unlikely to succeed due to cost, regulation, or market timing. The exercise sharpened my ability to distinguish between creative but impractical vs innovative and scalable.LESSON
Innovation isn’t just idea generation — it’s about disciplined evaluation. Great innovators don’t just create, they filter, refine, and focus on what’s worth pursuing.
PROBLEM
Wheelchair users face severe limitations in rough or unpaved terrain — hiking trails, beaches, parks, and rural areas are often inaccessible. While powered all-terrain wheelchairs exist, they are prohibitively expensive and impractical for most users. This lack of affordable mobility options restricts independence, outdoor access, and inclusion.SOLUTION
I conceptualized a modular tracked attachment system that allows a standard wheelchair to be rolled directly into a tracked platform. The user locks in and controls the attachment using their existing chair, turning it into a terrain-capable vehicle. The system would be designed for affordability, portability, and durability — making use of existing wheelchair infrastructure rather than requiring a full replacement device.IMPACT
If implemented, the tracked attachment could dramatically increase access for mobility-impaired individuals in parks, trails, and rural areas. Beyond individual use, it could be deployed through leasing programs at national parks or VA facilities, enabling access without requiring personal ownership. The potential social impact includes expanded independence, improved quality of life, and new participation opportunities in outdoor recreation — all at a fraction of the cost of existing all-terrain mobility devices.LESSON
Innovation doesn’t always mean building from scratch — sometimes it’s about designing affordable, scalable attachments that transform what people already have. By rethinking mobility in terms of accessibility and cost, we can unlock opportunities for independence and inclusion that existing solutions fail to reach.
Connect with me on LinkedIn
linkedin.com/in/ethankopp
© Ethan Kopp | Strategy & Innovation