Joe Lacy, Partner

Strategy Consultant

Ex-Startup CEO

US Army Reserve Officer

Leadership

Joe brings expertise in team leadership to the Ascendant team.

Joe led 40 soldiers as an infantry platoon leader in the NJ Army National Guard from 2019 to 2021. In his tenure, he led soldiers through three domestic mobilizations: a COVID19 support mission, an election support mission, and the federal protection of the Presidential transition of power in 2021.

In his private career, Joe bootstrapped Advisar AI with his co-founder Chetan. The pair grew the team to 11 employees and helped to ensure their placements at top firms such as Spotify, Kensho, and Scale AI once they downsized the business.

Joe has led 70+ engineers across 12 sprint teams in his career as a product manager and consultant.

Joe believes in empowering his teams to act independently, while providing attentive coaching and direction.

Industrial Automation

Joe is an expert in industrial automation.

He has owned strategy & execution for multiple industrial automation programs at a Fortune 100 CPG company, driving $40m+ in revenue lift with an AI engine for supply planning and saving $100m+ in overhead expenses by launching the firm’s first fully automated distribution center.

Joe helped the US Space Force increase surveillance accuracy by 75% when his startup, Advisar AI, provided the agency with adaptive automation software & training.

Further, Joe is actively advising the US Army on automation in his capacity as a reserve officer.

Joe’s leadership experience in technology strategy & operations empowers him to identify novel methods to expand margins and grow revenue.

Sales & Marketing

Joe’s track record in sales and marketing spans from building AI to manage $100m+ ad budgets to directly conducting outbound sales for his startup.

He brings an ability to combine industry insight, data, and brute force effort to drive new business. Joe’s sales & marketing background are critical to developing revenue for companies in Ascendant’s portfolio.

Defense & Federal Contracting

Joe understands the federal contracting process from the perspective of both vendors and program managers. At Advisar AI, Joe won 4 contracts with the Department of Defense awarding $1mil+ in revenue. He earned selection as a finalist for exclusive initiatives, including a $30mil funding vehicle with the Space Force and a $950mil contract with the Air Force.

Joe currently serves as an Army Reserve officer in the 75th Innovation Command. He provides perspective to government procurement officers giving him with insight into best practices for serving government customers.