A perspective from Nomad CEO, Will Schmautz
Nomad’s federal customers stand at a fork in the road. New administrations inevitably bring change, and it’s no understatement to say the first half of 2025 has shown seismic shifts.
How to respond? On one side of the coin, there’s a temptation to slow down, get quiet, and wait for clarity. On the other side is a less comfortable path: to step forward and lead with action.
Priorities are shifting across the board. At the same time, budgets are shrinking and decisions from on high feel arbitrary at times. Uncertainty may breed hesitation, so many agencies could be choosing to follow what seems to be a safer route. But I would argue, the federal agencies set to succeed in the next decade aren’t hiding from the future. They’re out in front, building it.
What’s their secret?
The Success Trifecta: Innovation, Boldness, Agility
The agencies making real progress right now—the ones getting funded and getting things done—share three key traits:
- Innovation – Not for the hype, but because it improves performance
- Boldness – The willingness and conviction to say, “I believe in this,” even when it feels risky
- Agility – The ability to pivot, adapt, and act fast in a shifting landscape
These qualities aren’t just admirable, they’re strategic. In today’s environment, “The Success Trifecta” determines what gets funded and what gets left behind. Importantly, you don’t need to possess all three traits. But you do need the foresight and humility to assemble the right internal staff and industry partners to support your vision.
The job isn’t to be a superhero. It’s to surround yourself with a team that works efficiently and effectively together to move your vision forward, from concept to funding and execution.
Funding Follows Action
If you want funding today, you must demonstrate impact: Show how your idea advances administration priorities. Prove it can evolve in an era of rapid change. State the mission case clearly and in the context of taxpayer value. Be heard over the din of competing voices by proactively and forcefully telling the story of why your initiative matters.
Too many smart ideas wither in government—not for lack of value, but for lack of bold advocacy.
That’s where public-private partnerships change the game. When done right, they create the conditions for innovation to take root and then take flight. Your partners in private industry become force multipliers for the mission story you’ve honed, backing it with real world expertise and the proof of past performance.
Where Nomad Comes In
At Nomad, we move deftly in “The Success Trifecta” zone. We move fast, innovate alongside our customers to prove concepts, iterate to continuously improve outcomes, and adapt quickly to evolving customer needs. We say “yes,” then work relentlessly to deliver.
Whether you’re shaping a concept or racing toward execution, our team exists to create and support momentum for our customers. More than just a builder, we’re a co-creator. From advanced mobile platforms like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Emergency Command and Control Vehicles (ECCVs) to emerging testbed ecosystems like the Modular Open System Architecture Instrumentation Container (MOSAIC) program, we bring bold ideas to life.
MOSAIC: Advanced Testbed Ecosystem
USACE: Next-Gen Command + Control
USACE has repeatedly selected Nomad as their go-to trusted partner for innovative mobile solutions. We partnered to produce their first-generation ECCVs, and USACE returned to Nomad to develop second-gen models incorporating their valuable lessons learned and our latest technologies. With MOSAIC, we worked with defense leaders who had the vision (innovation) and the boldness (connections) but needed a flexible and capable partner (agility) to bring it forward. The idea was theirs. The execution was ours. Together, we built a deployable testbed that’s attracting DoD investment and expanding across mission areas.
Do you have the “next big thing?”
Lead the Future
None of us can predict with 100% accuracy where things are headed. But we can actively help shape it. Now is the time to move decisively—to build, advocate, and lead from the front. Innovation, boldness, and agility aren’t just abstract values. They’re the new baseline. And they’re contagious.
So, let’s get to it.
As CEO, Will Schmautz has guided Nomad GCS from Montana startup to global front-runner in Connected Mobile Operations Centers (CMOCs). Since 2002, Will’s vision, leadership, and relentless focus on customer success have set Nomad apart in the industry. | LinkedIn