DAU Interview With Lt. Gen. William Mark Faulkner, USMC (Ret.), President of the Institute for Defense and Business (IDB)

General Faulkner was interviewed on May 21, 2025, by Defense Acquisition managing editor Benjamin Tyree.

In a recent interview with Defense Acquisition Magazine, Lt. Gen. William Mark Faulkner (Ret.), President of the Institute for Defense and Business, shared his perspective on the long-term challenges and opportunities facing the U.S. defense industrial base. He emphasized that revitalizing this foundation is not a quick fix, but a sustained effort likely to require a decade of focused, bipartisan investment and engagement. General Faulkner highlighted the need for stable funding, improved public-private collaboration, and a shift in cultural mindset across both government and industry. He also underscored the growing importance of data fluency, advocating for a workforce that not only complies with data requirements but actively uses analytics and emerging technologies to drive better decision-making. General Faulkner pointed to executive education and cross-sector partnerships, including those with DAU, academia, and small businesses, as critical tools for building resilience and fostering innovation.

At a time of fiscal uncertainty, his message was clear: investing in people and strengthening collaboration are essential to ensuring readiness and sustaining long-term strategic advantage.

To read the full interview on DAU’s site: https://www.dau.edu/library/damag/jul-aug2025/interview-faulkner