Suzanne Trinh from General Dynamics Mission Systems with Jack Macias from Pivot Manufacturing at WEST 2025. Pivot Manufacturing is a proud alumnus of the DOW Mentor-Protégé Program and one of our most valued small business partners.
Every great mission needs the right team. At General Dynamics Mission Systems, that team extends far beyond the walls of one of the nation's premier defense contractors. It reaches into the heart of America's small business community, where innovation thrives, dreams are built and the future of national security is quietly being shaped.
In honor of Small Business Day, we sat down with the General Dynamics Mission Systems Small Business Program manager, Suzanne Trinh, and Small Business Programs lead and senior supply chain analyst, Breonna Carver, to hear the story of a program that is strategic and breaking barriers so that domestic small business owner can thrive.
More Than Compliance — It's a Strategic Priority
For many, small business programs in defense contracting conjure images of paperwork and regulatory checkboxes. At General Dynamics Mission Systems, the reality is strikingly different.
"Small business engagement isn't just a compliance requirement for us, it's a strategic priority that drives innovation and strengthens our supply chain," says Carver supply chain analyst. "When they succeed, we succeed, and more importantly, our warfighters get the best solutions possible."
The small but mighty two-person team, responsible for everything from regulatory compliance and spend forecasting to hands-on mentorship and supplier matchmaking, operates with a sense of purpose that goes well beyond metrics.
"Every small business behind every contract is someone's dream, someone's livelihood, someone's life work," Carver continued. "That is not lost on me, and I never take that responsibility lightly."
Why Small Businesses? Because Innovation Lives There.
General Dynamics Mission Systems partners with small businesses across a wide spectrum of capabilities — from cybersecurity and communications systems to highly specialized manufacturing. The reasons are both strategic and deeply human.
Small businesses bring agility and innovation that complement company capabilities. They create a more resilient supply chain by diversifying the supplier base. They generate jobs and economic growth in communities across the country. And ultimately, they help General Dynamics Mission Systems deliver better solutions to the warfighters who depend on them.
"We see small businesses not just as suppliers, but as strategic partners in our mission," said Small Business Programs manager, Trinh.
UUVs and the Search for a Critical Supply Chain Partner
Perhaps no story better illustrates the power of small business partnerships than what happened when General Dynamics Mission Systems faced a critical supply chain challenge for its unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs).
These sophisticated systems require highly specialized thermoformed plastic parts, a niche manufacturing capability possessed by very few suppliers. When the incumbent supplier exited the defense market, General Dynamics Mission Systems faced a serious situation: without those parts, the UUVs couldn't complete their missions.
Over 18 months of diligent searching, prioritizing cybersecurity compliance alongside technical capability, the team identified multiple candidates from across the country.
The contract was awarded to a small business.
That small business is now a critical partner in national security — helping ensure that UUVs can perform mission-essential operations.
"This story is a perfect example of why we invest in identifying and developing small business relationships before we're in crisis mode," Trinh shared. "Small businesses with niche, specialized capabilities can be mission-critical — and we never want to underestimate their impact."
How General Dynamics Mission Systems Connects with Small Business Partners
General Dynamics Mission Systems reaches small businesses through trade shows, industry events, matchmaking sessions and virtual outreach.
"A trusted referral or warm introduction through one of our resource partners is far more effective than cold calls or unsolicited emails," Small Business Programs manager, Trinh explains. "When a resource partner says 'you need to talk to this company,' we listen. That context and credibility makes all the difference in starting a meaningful conversation."
Key resource partners include:
- APEX Accelerators — Compliance guidance and market research assistance
- Small Business Administration (SBA) — Capital access, counseling and contracting support
- Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers — Cybersecurity assessments, ISO support and workforce training
- Project Spectrum — Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS)/Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) readiness tools and education
- CMMC Partner Assurance Network (CPAN) — A newly launched initiative in partnership with Coalfire Federal, providing vetted CMMC readiness and assessment providers specifically organized to support suppliers in the company’s network
Breaking Down Barriers — So Small Businesses Can Succeed
General Dynamics Mission Systems is candid about the challenges small businesses face: cybersecurity compliance requirements can feel overwhelming and knowing how to approach a large prime contractor is not always intuitive. But rather than leaving small businesses to navigate those challenges alone, General Dynamics Mission Systems leans in.
Through education sessions, resource partner connections and programs like the Department of War (DOW) Mentor-Protégé Program — in which General Dynamics Mission Systems mentors one company at a time to ensure maximum focus and impact — the team actively invests in developing the next generation of defense suppliers.
Support From The Top
What truly sets the General Dynamics Mission Systems small business program apart is that support flows from the very top. General Dynamics Mission Systems president Chris Brady and vice president of Manufacturing and Supply Chain Troy Larson, along with the entire executive leadership team, are deeply committed to small business inclusion — making it a visible, embedded priority across the organization.
"When executive leadership champions small business engagement, it changes everything," said Trinh. "It means resources are allocated, doors are opened internally and small business considerations are part of our strategic conversations — not an afterthought."
Advice for Small Businesses Ready to Take the Leap
For small business owners eager to explore a partnership with General Dynamics Mission Systems, the team offers this roadmap:
- Do your market research. Understand what General Dynamics Mission Systems builds and how your capabilities align.
- Craft a customized elevator pitch. Generic pitches get lost — targeted ones get remembered.
- Build relationships with resource partners. They know General Dynamics Mission Systems and can make introductions.
- Show up in person or at virtual events. Real relationships are built in real conversations.
- Have patience. Defense contracting moves deliberately — but the investment is worth it.
- Value every connection. Every connection has value and it is a smaller industry than people think, and the relationships built today have a way of opening doors never expected.
Celebrating Small Business Day — and Every Day After
Small Business Day is a celebration, but at General Dynamics Mission Systems, it is also a year-round commitment. A commitment to the small business owners whose dreams fuel innovation; to the employees and families behind every contract; and to the communities that grow when small businesses win. And above all, to the warfighters whose missions depend on getting this right.
"Of all my responsibilities, connecting the right small business with the right opportunity within General Dynamics Mission Systems is what energizes me most," said Trinh. "Seeing that connection come to life — watching a small business grow and contribute to our mission — that is deeply rewarding."
Interested in exploring a partnership with General Dynamics Mission Systems? Connect with APEX Accelerators, your regional SBA office, or an MEP Center near you to get started on your path to partnership.