Leadership & Advisors.

Dakota McNeely is an entrepreneur and autonomous systems specialist with extensive experience developing, integrating, and deploying advanced technologies across defense, energy, and industrial applications.

Throughout his career, Dakota has worked with technology companies around the world to build and deploy autonomous platforms designed to perform specialized missions in complex environments. His experience spans aerial, terrestrial, and maritime systems operating in extreme heat, freezing temperatures, arid terrain, and wet or remote conditions.

Working alongside software developers, engineers, and technology innovators, Dakota has gained firsthand experience across the entire technology lifecycle, from initial concept and system development to integration, testing, and operational deployment. His work has provided a unique perspective on the challenges of translating emerging technologies into reliable, field-ready capabilities.

His background spans both defense and oil and gas, including deploying advanced technologies within highly secure energy facilities across the United States. This cross-industry experience has given him a diverse network of technical expertise, operational relationships, and insight into security challenges across critical infrastructure and national defense.

As Founder and CEO of TrailSense, Dakota brings together his technical experience, operational knowledge, and industry relationships to develop practical sensing technologies that address real-world security and surveillance challenges.

Adam Berlier is an AI researcher and autonomy engineer specializing in artificial intelligence, multi-agent autonomy, RF/SIGINT systems, and defense intelligence technologies.

He spent more than six years at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory developing autonomous aircraft, intelligent sensor systems, and C4ISR capabilities supporting the U.S. military and DARPA. His career also includes advanced intelligence research at CACI International and technical leadership in all-domain autonomy at Applied Intuition.

Adam holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a master's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Johns Hopkins University.

At TrailSense, Adam helps advance the integration of intelligent sensing, autonomous systems, and actionable intelligence across distributed sensor networks.

Trey Brundige is a venture finance executive with more than 15 years of experience in corporate finance, capital formation, and strategic leadership across venture-backed technology companies.

Throughout his career, Trey has participated in more than $350 million in capital transactions spanning Seed through Series D financing. At Bridge Bank and CIBC Innovation Banking, he structured venture debt facilities for technology companies backed by venture capital and private equity firms. He also spent four years providing fractional CFO services to emerging businesses from inception through growth and exit.

As Vice President of Strategy and Finance at Phoenix Cybersecurity, Trey helped drive approximately 70% growth in revenue bookings while supporting federal contract awards and business expansion across defense and civilian agencies.

At TrailSense, Trey leads financial strategy, capital formation, and financial planning, helping position the company for sustainable growth and institutional investment.

Grant Butler is an investor and entrepreneur with experience spanning venture capital, private equity, commercial real estate, and business strategy.

As founder of Butler Investing Group, he has focused on evaluating investment opportunities, structuring transactions, and deploying capital across private businesses and emerging technologies. He also founded The Five Talents, a private investment forum connecting entrepreneurs, family offices, and strategic investors.

At TrailSense, Grant leads corporate strategy, fundraising, investor relations, and commercial development. He focuses on expanding the company's presence across defense, critical infrastructure, industrial security, and commercial markets while building the strategic partnerships and financial relationships necessary to support long-term growth.

Don Wirthlin brings nearly five decades of experience in military aviation, electronic warfare, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and unmanned aircraft operations.

Beginning his Army career in 1975, Don served in intelligence and aviation roles, including as an OV-1D Mohawk systems operator and EH-60 Quickfix pilot specializing in radio-frequency direction finding, interception, and electronic warfare. He deployed during Operation Desert Storm and later served as a training branch chief at Fort Huachuca.

Following his military career, Don supported U.S. Army UAS training programs and flew operational ISR missions supporting special operations forces. He also helped establish unmanned aircraft programs for Cochise Community College and the Cochise County Sheriff's Office.

An early contributor to TrailSense's development, Don provides operational expertise and strategic guidance on practical applications of distributed RF sensing technology.