Peterson Conway, a charismatic and unorthodox recruiter, has become a behind-the-scenes power broker in the defense tech industry. With his signature cowboy hat and private plane, Conway has convinced top talent to join startups like Fuse, Mach Industries, and Palantir, often using unconventional methods to win them over.

Conway's rise to prominence began when he started recruiting for Palantir in 2003. He built a reputation for finding candidates with an "internal compass and conviction," often using handwritten letters with wax seals to get their attention. His methods were successful, landing people like Michael Leiter, the former director of the National Counterterrorism Center, and many of Palantir's international hires.

Today, Conway is the head of talent at venture firm A*, where he's recruited for companies like Mach Industries, which has raised over $80 million from investors like Bedrock and Sequoia Capital. His ability to talk about candidates in a more human way, rather than just looking at résumés and credentials, has made him a valuable asset to these startups.

Conway's recruitment tactics are often unorthodox, involving private plane rides, trips to the Mojave desert, and even surprising founders with rides and telling them to interview the driver for a job. His methods may be unconventional, but they've proven effective in luring top talent to the defense tech industry.

Despite his success, Conway has also faced controversy. He was fired by Fuse founder JC Btaiche after sharing an inappropriate story with a new hire, but was later reinstated after continuing to pitch candidates to Btaiche and wooing prospects with his private plane and other perks.

Conway's larger-than-life personality has also led to some eyebrow-raising stories. He once took a 6 a.m. flight from the Carmel area to Silicon Valley, only to realize he didn't have enough fuel to make it to the nearest airport. He landed his plane on Highway 85, touching down toward oncoming traffic in hopes that it would be safer for drivers. Miraculously, his two-seater glided onto the concrete, leaving Conway and the surrounding cars unharmed.

Love him or hate him, Peterson Conway is a singular figure in the defense tech industry. His ability to convince top talent to join startups and his unorthodox methods have made him a valuable asset to companies like Palantir and Mach Industries. As the industry continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how Conway's influence evolves.

For now, Conway remains a key player in the defense tech industry, using his cowboy charm and private plane to lure top talent to startups. As one observer put it, "He's a super unconventional recruiter." Yet, he's also "better than any other recruiter." Only time will tell if Conway's methods will continue to pay off in the competitive world of defense tech.