John serves as a Senior Advisor to Starburst, based in Washington, DC, where he focuses on strategy, M&A, and aerospace & defense innovation. He brings deep expertise in identifying and advancing dual-use technologies, shaping market entry strategies, and connecting emerging defense companies to the networks, capital, and partnerships they need to scale.

With more than 25 years of experience spanning defense, aerospace, engineering services, and professional services, John has led strategy and growth initiatives across some of the sector’s most complex international environments. He has carried P&L accountability for a $1.1B global engineering and consulting business, executed more than 25 M&A transactions across buy-side, sell-side, and strategic diligence assignments, and built international operations spanning the US, UK, Europe, and the Middle East.

His defense credentials include deep engagement with major primes and government clients across NATO-allied markets, from primes to startups, as well as direct advisory work for US and allied government stakeholders on industrial policy, innovation strategy, and security cooperation.
John’s international experience is a defining feature of his career.

He co-founded and scaled Renaissance Strategic Advisors, a boutique global defense and aerospace consultancy, with operations in London and Washington and client engagements across more than 20 countries. He has built and led teams across six countries, developed market strategies for clients operating in the Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America, and navigated the regulatory, cultural, and stakeholder complexities of cross-border defense and technology transactions. He has been a recognized voice in international aerospace and defense strategy, with media appearances on the BBC, Bloomberg, 60 Minutes, and the Wall Street Journal, among others.

Prior to Starburst, John held senior roles at AtkinsRéalis, Cyient, PA Consulting, and Jane’s Information Group, and holds a B.A. in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs and Political Science from Miami University.