In 2023, defense tech recruiter Peterson Conway VIII arrived at the offices of nuclear fusion startup Fuse in a black Suburban, wearing his signature cowboy hat. He picked up a recent Fuse hire and shared stories of his past recruiting days, including one about prostitutes at a recruiting event (which he clarified was not for sex).
The new hire was upset. Conway admitted he was being “an a–hole” and apologized.
Fuse founder JC Btaiche heard about the conversation and promptly fired Conway, citing other inappropriate behavior as well. Despite this, Conway, a prominent figure in the defense tech industry, continued to pitch candidates for Fuse, using his private plane to entice prospects with offers like “go blow s— up out in the desert.” After a few months, Fuse rehired Conway, and he successfully recruited several people for the company.
Conway’s unconventional recruitment methods have made him successful in luring talented individuals away from stable jobs into startup life. With a focus on defense tech, Conway has worked with companies like Palantir and Mach Industries, becoming a key player in Silicon Valley’s recruitment scene.
