Larson brings a background rooted in both public service and emerging technology to the firm. Before his tenure at OpenAI, he served as the inaugural Deputy Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer for Algorithmic Warfare at the Department of Defense. In that role, he managed autonomy and machine-learning initiatives for the military. He continues to serve as a Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, working as an intelligence officer at the MAGTF Staff Training Program in Quantico, Virginia.

Arkenstone aims to consolidate the fragmented operational requirements of defense contracting—including payroll, personnel security, and accreditation—into a single managed platform. The company secured its $35 million seed investment earlier this month, with backing from J2 Ventures, Susa Ventures, Granite Hill Capital Partners, and Artis Ventures. Larson’s appointment signals a push to bridge the gap between Silicon Valley's rapid software development and the rigid regulatory framework of federal defense procurement.