Dave Hammerschmidt is a devoted U.S. Army veteran with over 20 years of service. He has a lifelong commitment to supporting military personnel, veterans, and their families. Throughout his career, he has held key leadership roles in intelligence, operations, and strategic planning, culminating as the Senior Intelligence Officer and Intelligence Squadron Commander for a U.S. Army Special Operations Command special mission unit. His efforts have helped protect service members in active operations across multiple continents and have strengthened international defense partnerships.

After his military career, Dave moved to the private sector, utilizing his leadership experience to foster innovation in defense technology. As a Co-Founder and Principal at TurbineOne, he drove early growth and secured major contracts with the U.S. Army and Special Operations Command. Currently, he serves as a Senior Lead Technologist at Booz Allen Hamilton, overseeing AI-driven programs that assist government clients.

Beyond his military service, Dave remains devoted to giving back to the military community. His experience leading large-scale teams, managing critical resources, and fostering resilience among service members has given him a deep understanding of veterans' challenges when transitioning to civilian life. He volunteers his time mentoring transitioning veterans to help them achieve their post-military goals.

Dave holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master’s in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Applied Data Science at UNC. As a seasoned leader with a passion for service, he remains committed to honoring and uplifting the military community through advocacy, mentorship, and meaningful charitable work.