Former Head of Training & Development at SpaceX is founder of BUILT, transforming engineers into team leaders
RALEIGH, N.C. (July 6, 2026) – French/West/Vaughan (FWV), one of the nation’s leading independent public relations, advertising and digital media agencies, today announced it has been retained as agency-of-record (AOR) for Los Angeles-based hardtech Learning & Development expert Matt Gjertsen, founder and CEO of BUILT and author of “Minimum Viable Manager,” scheduled for release in August.
FWV will lead media relations efforts for Gjertsen and his upcoming book, while also supporting industry conferences and keynote speaking opportunities.
A former Air Force flight instructor and Head of Training & Development at SpaceX, Gjertsen founded BUILT to create a better future through leadership development, helping hardtech engineers become effective project managers. He has partnered with leading innovators, including the XPRIZE Foundation, Lockheed Martin, Virgin Orbit and others, to address one of humanity’s defining challenges: preparing the next generation of leaders to build teams capable of solving the world’s hardest problems.
“FWV brings a diversified range of experience, both in specialized industries and integrated marketing strategies,” said Gjertsen. “Their support and expertise will help amplify our story and generate attention for the book at a time when leadership is more important than ever.”
BUILT delivers a suite of professional development programs, including advanced workshops on team building, culture and leadership for hardtech engineering teams. In “Minimum Viable Manager,” Gjertsen presents a simple but powerful framework for managers and technical leaders to transform culture, efficiency and outcomes in complex, high‑stakes environments.
“Matt Gjertsen represents a new generation of tech leadership—one that advances innovation by helping engineers become effective managers,” said FWV Chairman and CEO Rick French. “We are proud to support Matt and his team in this important mission.”
The partnership with Gjertsen underscores FWV’s history of working with industry visionaries and its continued commitment to advancing innovation and thought leadership in technology and other sectors.
About French/West/Vaughan
French/West/Vaughan (FWV) is one of the nation’s leading public relations, public affairs, advertising and digital media agencies. Headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., with offices in NYC, Detroit, L.A. and Tampa, FWV has received 45 Global or National Agency of the Year honors since its founding in 1997, along with more than 1,800 PR, advertising and digital marketing awards on behalf of its global roster of blue-chip clients. FWV is the parent company of fashion and lifestyle PR firm AMP3; pet and animal health practice Fetching PR; and Prix Productions, a feature and documentary film production company. FWV is a partner in IPREX, a $508 million network of communication agencies with 1,100 staff and more than 60 offices worldwide. For more information, visit fwv-us.com or follow us on Facebook, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Vimeo or Instagram.