McFerrin Methods

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McFerrin Methods workshops are designed to help you expand your knowledge of entrepreneurial trends and various other topics related to starting and running a business. In addition, McFerrin Methods provides an opportunity to network with entrepreneurial-minded individuals and professionals that may be able to help you build your own venture. Offered throughout the year, McFerrin Methods workshops are free and open to Texas A&M current students, faculty, staff, veterans and the local Bryan/College Station community but RSVP is required.

This semester’s McFerrin Methods events are proudly planned and presented by student leaders of the McFerrin Experience Team!

Upcoming Spring 2025

  • Tuesday, April 15 | 7-8:30 p.m. | REGISTER HERE
    • “Macro Trends in the Defense Industry with Mach Industries” featuring Ethan Thornton
    • Ethan Thornton is the founder and CEO of Mach Industries, a defense technology company recognized for reimagining how modern military hardware is designed and manufactured. After briefly attending MIT, Thornton left at 19 to pursue his vision of developing cutting-edge solutions for national security. Mach Industries soon caught the attention of prominent investors, culminating in a successful Series A fundraising round led by Bedrock Capital, with additional support from Sequoia Capital.
      Under Thornton’s leadership, Mach Industries secured a major U.S. Army contract and began construction of a dedicated weapons factory, milestones that place Thornton at the forefront of a new generation of defense entrepreneurs. His ability to think creatively and execute swiftly has accelerated Mach’s growth and solidified Thornton’s position as a rising star in the defense sector.

Past Spring 2025

  • Monday, March 3
    • “From Combat to Commerce: A Veteran’s Journey in Defense Tech Entrepreneurship” featuring Devan Plantamura
    • Devan Plantamura, a Navy veteran and serial entrepreneur, with a passion for safety, ethics and compliance — no matter the product — will share his journey in defense-related entrepreneurship, including hardships and mistakes to avoid. Devan is the co-owner of Ordnance and Energetics Consulting and a co-founder and advisor to Ares Industries, Y Combinator’s first defense startup, which intends to build a new class of anti-ship cruise missiles.
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