Ben Van Buskirk

Benjamin Van Buskirk is an accomplished professional with extensive expertise in venture capital and private equity, currently serving as Vice President at AE Industrial Partners, LP since September 2023. Previously, Benjamin held the role of Director of Operations at the Office of the Secretary of Defense, where support was provided for key innovation initiatives. As Director at NavalX, Benjamin led efforts in Naval Agility and Acceleration and contributed as a founding member of the Unmanned Task Force. Prior to that, Benjamin was a founding member of the Warfighting Development Directorate within OPNAV. Benjamin's career in the US Navy spanned nearly two decades, culminating in the position of Naval Aviator, with notable achievements including multiple awards for operational excellence. Benjamin's educational background includes a BS in Business Administration with a focus on Finance from the University of Arizona and an MBA in Defense Focus from the Naval Postgraduate School, complemented by additional studies at prestigious institutions including Harvard Business School and the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.