Maj Gen Steve “Bucky” Butow, USAF, is the Military Deputy of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), Office of the Secretary of Defense.

General Butow joined the team in 2015 as an early plank owner when DIU was known as the Defense Innovation Unit Experimental (DIUx).  He initially served as  West Coast Military Lead and helped establish the organization’s operating locations in Silicon Valley, California; Boston, Massachusetts; and Austin, Texas.  In 2016, he was was selected as DIU’s first Space Portfolio Director.  Upon promotion to brigadier general, Butow continued this role at DIU as a DoD civilian.

General Butow continues to serve as the Commander of the California Air National Guard in a dual Title 10/32 status where he leads 4,900 Airmen assigned to five wings and a headquarters staff performing air, space and cyber operations as part of the Total Air Force.  He commanded the 129th Rescue Wing at Moffett Field, CA, from 2011 to 2014.