#238 – Kevin Damoa | Glid Technologies – Revolutionizing Rail, Multimodal Transportation, Impact & Values

Kevin Damoa is founder and CEO of Glid Technologies, revolutionizing transportation with its Multi-Modal Autonomous Road to Rail Glider technology. Links: Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/buildingbetter/kevindamoa Edison Manufacturing Exchange: https://brandonbartneck.substack.com/publish/home\ linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/ https://glidrail.com linkedin.com/in/kevin-a-damoa-9b51477 Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:33 The State of Transportation Innovation 06:27 Understanding the Rail Industry's Potential 09:19 Innovative Solutions for Rail and Road Integration 12:45 Value Proposition for Operators and Customers 15:13 Identifying Market Opportunities 19:06 Challenges in Implementation and Fundraising 21:52 Technical Challenges and Product Development 24:47 Navigating the Venture Capital Ecosystem 26:19 Navigating the Challenges of Hardware Investment 27:52 The Role of Enabling Technologies in Logistics 30:24 Simplifying Complex Logistics Solutions 33:03 Identifying True Business Opportunities 36:11 Building Trust in Business Relationships 38:17 Defining Impact and Purpose in Business 42:22 Core Values and Personal Growth 45:50 Intentional Partnerships for Success 48:59 The Importance of Logistics in Society 52:17 Navigating Challenges in Transportation Technology About Kevin Damoa: Kevin A. Damoa is a servant leader, mechanical engineer, operations executive, inventor, master logistician, and veteran of the US military. He has developed technologies that have enabled the space exploration of mankind in our quest to be an interplanetary species, in addition to supporting the deployment of clean mobility solutions ranging from hydrogen powered airplanes to battery electric self-shifting bicycles. His career began in the US Army at age 17, where he served in South Korea for 2 years, before being forward deployed to Iraq with 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment. After departing the US Army after his 2nd tour in Iraq he joined the Air Force where he would serve as a Logistics Officer and firefighter supporting California’s MAFFS (Mobile Air Fire Fighting Systems) unit for 12 years before retiring in 2018. From April 2012 to November 2015, Mr. Damoa served as the Flight Module Logistics Manager at SpaceX, developing their logistics systems, programs, and designing and deploying the shipping apparatus used to transport the Rocket from production to launch site. After a brief 1 year term at Northrop Grumman where he served as an Integration Program Manager on the F35 fighter jet platform, he would then go on to work as an executive and early founding employee at start-ups; Romeo Power (Vice President, Industrialization), XOS Trucks (Vice President, Supply Chain & Operations), Canoo (In Charge of Logistics, Sustainment, Safety), and Serial 1 Cycle/Harley Davidson (Vice President, Operations) where he led product development and design, manufacturing deployment, and product launches. His most recent entrepreneurial venture is as Founder & CEO of Glīd Technologies, which he founded in 2022. Glīd is developing a clean energy road to rail vehicle utilizing autonomous technologies. Building Better Building Better with Brandon Bartneck is focused on the people, products, and companies that are creating a better tomorrow, often in the transportation and manufacturing sectors. This show was previously called the Future of Mobility podcast. I aim to have real, human conversations to explore what these leaders and innovators are doing, why and how they’re doing it, and what we can learn from their experiences. If you care about making an impact then this show might be for you. Topics include manufacturing, production, assembly, autonomous driving, electric vehicles, hydrogen and fuel cells, impact, leadership, and more. Edison Manufacturing and Engineering: Edison is your low volume contract manufacturing partner, focused on assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don’t neatly fit within traditional high-volume production methods.