Around the Table with Evan Gaul

Around the Table is a three-question interview series from the Make Room email newsletter. Each edition features a conversation with a peer in the national security community to learn about their expertise and experience in the sector.

Evan Gaul is a Defense Program Manager at Exiger, a premier risk management and supply chain solution for the U.S. government. The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the position of Exiger.

1. Living in Charlotte, how do you stay connected and relevant in a field that is often centered around Washington, D.C.? What advantages or unique perspectives do you think working outside the beltway brings to your role?

The national security community stands to gain significantly from embracing a wider spectrum of personalities, perspectives, and insights. Given that national security is inherently a mission requiring contributions from diverse voices across the nation, I believe my geographic location serves as a strategic asset rather than a limitation. While some may view separation from their hometowns or fast growing non-Beltway cities as a necessary step toward success in defense or national security, I see it differently. My connection to mentors, customers, and partners is strengthened by a shared mission that can often transcend physical location, unifying the national security sector as a whole.

In my role, I engage with a variety of programs across the Department of Defense, many of which are situated outside the Beltway. Although my work frequently brings me to Washington, D.C., living outside the area enhances my ability to connect with other key defense industry hubs such as those in Detroit, Huntsville, Tampa, and even Charlotte. These locations, among many others, offer invaluable opportunities to build relationships, engage with stakeholders, and gain unique perspectives within the national security space.

I encourage young professionals passionate about national security and defense to thoughtfully consider whether relocating to the D.C. area is truly their only viable option. While there is undeniable value in establishing a career within the Beltway, my experience has shown that residing in a different city has enabled me to provide critical insights, foster a balanced personal life, and actively contribute to both our nation’s and Middle America’s national security efforts.

2. Can you share a bit about how you got started in the defense sector? Were there any pivotal moments or opportunities that significantly shaped your career?

Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, I never anticipated starting a career in national security or defense. What started me down this path was a profound interest in current events, ongoing conflict around the world, and an obsession with geography and history. If I could’ve built the ideal career, it would look like learning something new every day about the world and our country’s role in that world. This reflects one of my all-time favorite quotes: ‘Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.' – Gandhi.

I never gave up on the idea of learning every day as a job and have landed in a role and industry where constant learning is a necessity. Throughout college and business school, I sought out mentors and leading voices in the field of geopolitics, and eventually began co-writing a weekly newsletter covering geopolitical developments on almost every continent in a volunteer capacity. The people I met and insights I gained from assembling this weekly newsletter served as a major turning point for me as it affirmed my passion for geopolitical analysis and later opened the door to opportunities in the national security and defense sectors as a supply chain risk advisor. My advice to readers would be to consider whether you love a career or job enough to do it for free, even just temporarily – this consideration forced me to prioritize roles that compensated me to pursue my passions.

3. As a young dad, how do you balance the demands of your career in national security with your responsibilities at home? What advice would you give to other early-career professionals who are also parents?

In college, the day I started my on-campus job was also the day I learned how to more effectively organize my schedule, prioritize social gatherings, and learn the value in time management. Similarly, though very differently, my transition to fatherhood has allowed me the opportunity to prioritize and make room solely for the work and passions I want to pursue. There are many sacrifices that accompany parenting, but each sacrifice has led me and my wife to better refine the lives we are building, including our work and my career. I have learned the valuable art of saying “no,” and consequently have seen many opportunities arise as a result of cementing an intentional path forward in my career as opposed to just ‘letting my career happen to me.’ The best advice I could give is that which I received shortly after being handed precious ultrasound pictures, “the best parents in the world are also the best people to be around.” In summary, I would tell any early-career professional/parent that your family and child are the best instruments with which to sharpen yourself for maximum value in your career and beyond.

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