March 25, 2025
MILCOM Founders Podcast – Episode 5: Connecting Rural America with Nathan Gray
Join host Rod Loges as he speaks with Nathan Gray, Army veteran and founder of MeshComm Engineering. Nate shares his journey from electronic warfare technician to creating communication solutions for rural and remote areas, while also discussing the importance of customer development in building a successful business.
In this episode:
- Nate’s background as an Army combat veteran with deployments to South Korea and Iraq
- His lifelong passion for communications that began at age nine
- Building MeshComm Engineering to solve connectivity problems in rural areas
- Overcoming personal challenges related to PTSD and startup stress
- The critical importance of customer discovery for finding product-market fit
Key takeaways:
- Military persistence and leadership skills translate directly to entrepreneurship
- Having a clear vision beyond financial gain is crucial for surviving business challenges
- Customer development is essential before seeking investment capital
- When you find true product-market fit, “the string pulls you” instead of you pushing
- Building strong support systems is vital for entrepreneurial success
Guest: Nathan Gray, Founder & CEO of MeshComm Engineering, Army veteran
Nathan Gray is the founder of MeshComm Engineering in Johnstown, Colorado. His company provides connectivity solutions for rural and remote areas where cellular and internet service is unreliable or nonexistent. As an Army veteran who served 11 years including deployments to Korea and Iraq, Nate brings his military experience and lifelong passion for communications technology to solving complex connectivity challenges.
Nathan’s journey as an entrepreneur has been shaped by both his technical expertise and personal experiences. After struggling with PTSD following his military service, he found purpose and healing through building a business focused on service to others. Through programs like Bunker Labs and the IVMF ambassadors program, Nathan has both received support and given back to the veteran entrepreneur community.
Outside his business, Nathan is a father of six who enjoys outdoor activities like trail running, rock climbing, and astronomy. His approach to entrepreneurship emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision, building strong support systems, and focusing on customer needs rather than technology alone.
Looking ahead: MeshComm Engineering continues to expand its services while Nate mentors other veteran entrepreneurs through his work as an IVMF ambassador.
The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.
Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com
Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/