Defying the Limits of Secure Communications
Built From Decades
of Service
Leadership
Mike Ameche is the President and CEO of Dash 2, a Red Cell portfolio company focused on advancing next‑generation communications technologies for contested and denied environments. In his role, Mike leads product execution, partner engagement, and early go‑to‑market strategy, working closely with defense primes, government stakeholders, and Red Cell’s platform teams to accelerate technical maturity and operational adoption.
Prior to joining Red Cell, Mike served a 24‑year career in the United States Navy, retiring as a Commander after multiple operational and leadership tours within Naval Special Warfare deploying nine times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and other overseas contingency operations, leading teams in high‑risk, high‑consequence environments where performance and trust were non‑negotiable.
Mike brings a builder’s mindset to Dash 2, with a focus on advancing technology readiness, forging meaningful partnerships, and translating innovation into deployable capability. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Missouri State University and an MBA in Defense Financial Management from the Naval Postgraduate School.
Zach Haralson is Chief Technology Officer at Dash 2 Dynamics, where he leads technical strategy and the development of advanced RF systems for defense and commercial applications. Zach earned his PhD in plasma physics from the University of Iowa before beginning his career in compact fusion energy research at Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works and later leading engineering teams in Advanced Hardware Technology at Collins Aerospace. He brings a practical approach to ambitious technical challenges, combining deep technical expertise with a focus on turning early-stage ideas into technologies that work in the field.
Ben Pitman is Head of Operations & Growth at Dash 2, a Red Cell portfolio company focused on advancing next-generation communications technologies for contested and denied environments. In his role, Ben leads operating, finance, and growth functions — building the contracting, capital, and hiring infrastructure required to move the company from technical validation to scaled government execution.
Ben serves concurrently as an Operating Principal at Red Cell Partners. He previously worked in Red Cell’s National Security and Cyber venture practice, evaluating and supporting early-stage dual-use technology companies, and before that advised clients on dual-use technology strategy and defense market entry. Commissioned in 2020, he continues to serve as a Civil Affairs officer in the United States Army Reserve, following service as an Airborne Infantry officer with two deployments at home and abroad.
Ben focuses on building the operating discipline that lets hard technology reach the field — translating government traction into repeatable contracting, financial, and hiring systems. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from George Washington University and is completing a dual MBA and MA in International Relations with a concentration in security policy, also at GWU.
Manou Ghanevati is the Senior Technical Fellow, RF Systems and Emerging Technologies at D2D focused on advancing next‑generation communications technologies for contested and denied environments. In this role, Manou leads product design and development of variety of game-changing technologies in line with company’s goals and objectives.
Manou brings a wealth of experience with over 25 years of proven track-record of technology development, and as a team leader and mentor. He has worked in multiple industries including Telecommunications (and RF Photonics), Semiconductor, and Aerospace / Satellite industries. He was Northrop Grumman’s senior design engineer for the past 10+ years where he developed high-performing MMIC circuits and designed and delivered Integrated Microwave assembles (IMAs) for government satellites. He also significantly contributed to the advancement of innovative technologies suitable for low power and large phased array antennas from low to mmW frequencies. Manou also played a key role as a senior engineer in design, development, and delivery of Spaceway satellite at Boeing Satellite Systems.
Manou Ghanevati received the Ph.D. degree from Drexel University and the B.S. degree from University of California at Irvine, both in electrical engineering. Manou is a senior member of IEEE. He is an inventor and an author. He holds many issued U.S. and international patents. Manou published the 3rd edition of his book, “Fundamentals of RF and Microwave Circuit Design,” in 2023.
Jenny Memmott is the Federal Capture and Proposal Manager at Dash 2, where she leads federal capture and proposal strategy and development. Her work spans a broad range of federal funding mechanisms, including SBIR/STTR programs, BAAs, OTAs, CSOs, grants, and cooperative agreements across defense, energy, health, and civilian agencies.
Jenny brings more than 15 years of experience in proposal strategy and development, strategic planning, research, and program management. Throughout her career, she has helped secure approximately $100 million in competitive funding. Her experience spans the full funding lifecycle, from opportunity identification and capture strategy through proposal development, post-award management, and compliance.
Jenny spent nearly a decade at the University of Kansas, working across both the Lawrence campus and KU Medical Center. She has also held positions at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the U.S. Department of Energy. Her experience on both sides of the federal funding process provides valuable insight into proposal evaluation, funding decisions, and program oversight.
In addition to her work in federal funding, Jenny has an extensive background in applied research, program evaluation, and collaborative initiatives, with a particular interest in collective impact. She has co-authored several peer-reviewed publications and a book published by the American Music Therapy Association. She has also taught research methods and piano at the collegiate level.
Jenny holds a Master of Education and a BA in English Literature from the University of Kansas, where she also completed doctoral coursework in higher education and research methods. She began college as a piano performance major and remains an active pianist and accompanist in Kansas City, where she lives with her husband and their twins, Auggie and Alice.
Advisors
Veronica Blount Daigle is the President of National Security at Red Cell and a Partner at the firm. Prior to joining, she was an Executive Director within Boeing’s Legislative Affairs, Government Operations. Before her time at Boeing, Ms. Daigle was the Senate-confirmed Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness in the Department of Defense (DoD), where she served as the principal staff advisor to the Secretary of Defense and the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness on all matters related to military readiness. In that position, Ms. Daigle managed three deputy assistant secretaries of defense, with a combined staff of over 50 military and civilian personnel.
Ms. Daigle entered the Federal Government in 2008 as a Presidential Management Fellow at the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and subsequently served as an operations research analyst in DoD’s office of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE). From 2008 to 2013, Ms. Daigle assessed a wide-ranging portfolio of issues, including the operational requirements and costs for Army ground operations, the potential effect of continued Overseas Contingency Operations funding on readiness programs, and the sufficiency of resources to support mental health services for Service Members. In 2013, Ms. Daigle was selected to become a career member of the Senior Executive Service and served as the Director of CAPE’s Force and Infrastructure Analysis Division. She joined the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness in 2017 as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness, and was confirmed by the Senate to be the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness in the summer of 2019.
Prior to her federal service, Ms. Daigle worked nearly ten years in the financial sector where she developed industry-wide benchmarks to measure the risk-adjusted performance of securities lending activities. She collaborated closely with senior executives at 20 global banking institutions to prepare customized benchmark analyses and marketing strategies, and supported over 150 state Treasurers, public pension fund executives, and mutual fund administrators in assessing the performance of their securities lending programs.
Ms. Daigle earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Fordham University and a Master’s Degree in Political Science/International Affairs from George Mason University. She is a recipient of the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service and the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service.
Dr. Mark T. Esper is the Chairman of National Security and a Director at Red Cell, as well as a Managing Partner at the firm. Dr. Esper served as the 27th Secretary of Defense from 2019 to 2020, responsible for ensuring the United States’ national security, protecting the American people at home and abroad, and advancing the country’s interests globally. In this capacity, he led one of the largest, most complex organizations in the world given its nearly 3 million service members and defense civilians, and $740 billion annual budget. As Secretary of Defense, Esper made major strides in shaping and implementing the National Defense Strategy, which called for a return to preparing for high intensity conflict in a new era of great power competition. During his tenure, Dr. Esper oversaw the largest R&D budget in the department’s history, drove spending on cutting-edge technologies, and advanced other initiatives to ensure the U.S. military modernized for the future.
Dr. Esper is currently the first John S. McCain Distinguished Fellow at the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University, and a member of the Board of Directors at the Atlantic Council. Prior to becoming Secretary of Defense, he served as Secretary of the Army from 2017 to 2019. Dr. Esper was a senior corporate executive at the Raytheon Company from 2010 to 2017. He served earlier as an Executive Vice President at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Defense and International Affairs at the Aerospace Industries Association. Dr. Esper served as a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon during the President George W. Bush administration from 2002-04. He was also a senior Congressional staffer on the Senate Foreign Relations, Senate Government Affairs, and the House Armed Services committees, and served as national security advisor for former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist.
Dr. Esper is a 1986 graduate of the United States Military Academy and a combat veteran of the 1990-91 Gulf War. He retired from the U.S. Army in 2007 after spending 10 years on active duty and 11 years in the National Guard and Army Reserve. Dr. Esper is a two-time recipient of the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service. Among his many military awards and decorations are the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, the Kuwait Liberation Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal-Saudi Arabia, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Dr. Esper’s memoir of his time in office, entitled A Sacred Oath, was published on May 10, 2022.
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