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Rhino Company Representative

Background​

  • Representative from Rhino company discussing potential CTO partnership with Lael Alexander
  • Works with older, experienced engineers that Lael respects
  • Has Northrop background mentioned in conversation
  • Appears to be in leadership/business development role

Company Context - Rhino​

  • Technology/engineering company
  • Works on projects requiring CTO-level technical leadership
  • Has partnerships and relationships with various clients
  • Working on projects in Texas with capital stack development
  • Mentions having senior debt, tax credits, and other financing structures

Partnership Discussion with Lael Alexander​

Mutual Respect​

  • Appreciates Lael's technical capabilities and experience
  • Recognizes Lael's ability to "move mountains"
  • Values Lael's Northrop background and experience with established engineering teams

Proposed Engagement Model​

  • Discussed remote CTO position for Lael
  • Open to flexible arrangements recognizing Lael's existing commitments
  • Interested in Lael developing "Rhino scrum works" and bringing team assets
  • Focus on problem-solving and product development capabilities

Project Context​

Texas Operations: Working on first batch of projects in Texas with capital stack including:

  • Senior debt financing
  • Tax credit structures
  • Working toward seed funding completion
  • Close to having full funding for land acquisition and development

Timeline and Communication​

  • Planning follow-up meeting in approximately two weeks
  • Committed to weekly check-ins during development phase
  • Flexible approach to traditional engagement timelines
  • Understanding of Lael's bandwidth limitations with existing projects

Business Philosophy​

  • Values experienced engineers over younger talent with egos
  • Appreciates collaborative approach to problem-solving
  • Understands the importance of proper capitalization for scaling

Relationship Dynamics​

  • Shows genuine enthusiasm for Lael's capabilities
  • Respectful of Lael's existing commitments and schedule
  • Willing to adapt engagement model to accommodate Lael's needs
  • Views partnership as mutually beneficial rather than transactional

Current Status​

  • Active discussions ongoing as of June 5, 2025
  • Planning formal follow-up meeting
  • Working on documentation and specifications
  • Assessing bandwidth and commitment levels for both parties

Connection Points​

  • Shared Northrop background with Lael
  • Mutual contacts in engineering/defense sectors
  • Similar appreciation for experienced, non-ego-driven engineering talent

Notes​

The conversation suggests a promising partnership opportunity where Rhino values Lael's unique combination of technical expertise and practical experience. The representative demonstrates understanding of Lael's value proposition and willingness to structure an engagement that works for both parties rather than forcing a traditional consulting model.

The mention of Texas projects and capital stack development aligns with Lael's interest in large-scale implementations of his technologies, potentially providing the "scale wallet" that Lael identified as their primary limitation.

Transcripts​

Transcript IDDateSummary
2025-06-05-lael-alexander-rhino-partnership-and-mayors-office-visit-summary2025-06-05Lael Alexander Conversations - Rhino Partnership & Mayor's Office Visit
2025-04-08-alpha-nano-team-meeting2025-04-08Alpha Nano Team Meeting - Summit Brainstorm & Platform Updates