Late last year, President Barack Obama spent an agonizing three months deliberating over a possible troop surge in Afghanistan. He consulted experts from a variety of posts in the private and public sectors. A number of pundits hailed Obama’s deliberative style, seeking the advice of experts from a range of disciplines before making a decision that would have such a great impact on U.S. foreign policy.

Government contractors are on the front lines of U.S. foreign policy decisions and are in equal need of expertise on a variety of issues. Thought experts can serve a vital function in providing deliberative and quality advice. This advice is likely to remain untainted by corporate “group-think” and can provide contractors with a view from an alternate perspective. Most of the experts for these organizations have spent a number of years in government service, providing them with insider knowledge and contacts that still prove fruitful. Additionally, many of these thought experts are still consulted by government agencies and executives who seek expert opinion on important matters running from national security to healthcare to foreign policy.

GovConExec has assembled our first annual list of thought experts with the particularly adept ability to bridge the public private gap while maintaining a relationship free from “Organizational Conflict.”

American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy, The Ashcroft Group, The Brookings Institute, The Center for American Progress, The Center for New American Security, The Center for Security and International Studies, The Chertoff Group, The Cohen Group, The Heritage Foundation, The Lexington Institute, Renaissance Strategic Advisors, Ridge Global.

American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy

The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research (AEI) is a non-partisan think tank that researches and comments on issues related to government, economics, politics and social welfare. Their mantra is “competition of ideas is fundamental to a free society.” The organization is dedicated to strengthening free enterprise, expanding liberty and increasing individual opportunity. AEI seeks to serve leaders in the business, government and academic communities through informed research and analysis.

AEI boasts an impressive array of scholars who are thought leaders on a variety of issues including foreign policy, healthcare, law and political science. The majority of AEI’s scholars hold advanced degrees from prestigious institutions such as Johns Hopkins University and Princeton. These scholars conduct lectures and author books and position papers on relevant topics related to the organization’s major focus areas.

AEI has six major research focuses. These include Economic Policy Studies, Foreign and Defense Policy Studies, Health Policy Studies, Legal and Constitutional Studies, Political and Public Opinion Studies and Social and Cultural Studies.

While the organization does not conduct contract research, AEI is a privately funded organization. AEI’s funding stems from donations from corporations, individuals, foundations and investment of an internal endowment. The research direction undertaken by scholars at AEI is determined by the president, who seeks input from academic advisers, scholars and trustees.

Some of the recent research projects have included Airline Security, relief efforts in Haiti and the rise of China on the global stage. AEI has also carried out research and educational projects relating to the implications of the President’s recent strategy for Afghanistan. The ‘Critical Threats Project,’ which recently monitored ongoing events with Iran relating to the unrest following the rigged election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, aims to keep policy makers and the American public informed on the primary challenges to U.S. national security.

The scholars that AEI is able to attract are extremely impressive. AEI’s Foreign and Defense Policy Studies features a number of scholars with government experience. John Bolton, a former diplomat to the United Nations and trained lawyer, has had his commentary featured in the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Times. Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, has authored over twenty books, regularly contributes content for The Washington Examiner and is often featured on Fox News Channel.

The Ashcroft Group LLC.

The Ashcroft Group is a strategic consulting firm that specializes in Corporate Governance, Crisis Management, Entrepreneurial Ventures, Homeland Security, Litigation Strategy and Regulatory Advice. Founded in 2005 by John Ashcroft, David Ayers and Juleanna Glover, The Ashcroft Group is committed to providing quality service to corporate, government and international clients.

The Ashcroft Group operates where leadership and integrity intersect, producing solid and usable results. The consulting firm strives to fulfill Mr. Ashcroft’s vision of leadership being “the identification and pursuit of our highest and best.” The firm has significant and deep experience in the fields of crisis management and homeland security.

As a consulting firm, The Ashcroft Group is funded through its consulting practice and parallel law practice. This ensures that the work conducted by the firm is focused specifically towards client needs and requests. The firm, in addition to advising, invests in companies that operate in the law enforcement and security related industries. The executives of The Ashcroft Group serve on the boards of privately and publicly held companies.

In the field of homeland security, The Ashcroft Group is able to bring significant senior level experience to bear. The staff includes former senior government managers who have handled large government agencies during times of national crisis.
Notable members of the firm include John Ashcroft, who has served in the U.S. Senate and as the Governor of Missouri. Mr. Ashcroft was also the Attorney General at the Department of Justice when the terror attacks on September 11, 2001 occurred. Mr. Ashcroft worked to revamp the DOJ to focus on countering the rise of international terrorism. Mr. Ashcroft has been interviewed by Fox News and MSNBC where he has provided expert analysis on national security decisions taken by the Obama Administration.

Another senior member of The Ashcroft Group is David Ayers, CEO. Mr. Ayers formerly served as the chief of staff with the Justice Department, managing the crisis operations following the September 11th attacks and reformatting the FBI to ensure a focus principally on counter terrorism operations.

Juleanna Glover, the third founding member of The Ashcroft Group, brings a long a distinguished career to her work. She has served on the senior staffs of then President-elect George W. Bush, Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Vice President Dick Cheney, Senator John McCain and then Senator John Ashcroft. She also served as the government affairs advisor for Iraq’s first ambassador to the US following the Iraq War in 2003.

The Brookings Institution

The Brookings Institution is a non-profit organization that conducts independent research and provides recommendations that advance security, opportunity and economic and social welfare for Americans, strengthens democracy, and secures a safe, cooperative, open and prosperous international system.

Brookings draws on a wide range of scholars from a variety of disciplines with experience in government and academia. They seek to inform public debate through quality research and analysis that accompanies actionable recommendations for policy makers. Experts are commonly called upon to provide advice to policy makers and to testify before Congress.

The organization is funded through a private endowment, corporations, private individuals and philanthropic organizations. Brookings also occasionally conducts small scale government contract studies for unclassified use. The research direction of Brookings is determined by the president and Board of Trustees.
Brookings has five overarching research focuses on Economic Studies, Foreign Policy, Global Economy and Development, Governance Studies and a Metropolitan Policy Program. Some of the centers at Brookings focus on the Middle East and Asia and several current research projects include Arms Control, the 21st Century Defense Initiative, Managing Global Insecurity and a Middle East Democracy and Development Project.

One of the significant advantages of the Brookings Institution is its long history of research excellence. The majority of scholars maintain fluency in at least one language other than English. A number of scholars actually speak two or more foreign languages that are pertinent to their areas of study, ensuring that any research projects take into account local information.

Brookings features a number of experienced scholars with a wealth of experience in the federal government. Daniel Byman, who focuses on counterterrorism issues, is a former staff member of the 9/11 Commission and the Joint 9/11 Inquiry for the House and Senate Intelligence Committees. His articles have been featured in Foreign Affairs and he has authored a book titled The Five Front War: The Better Way to Fight Global Jihad, in which he argues that the propaganda effort used by al-Qaeda is more effective that the US effort.

Two of Brookings’ scholars are former senior level CIA directors. John Deutch, who served as CIA director, and John McLaughlin, who served as the deputy director for Intelligence at CIA, are each widely sought for their opinions. McLaughlin has appeared on the Charlie Rose Show and Deutch’s articles have appeared in Harvard Magazine, the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal.

The Center for American Progress

The Center for American Progress (CAP) is a think tank that seeks to improve the lives of Americans by helping to shape the national debate on current issues. CAP predominately focuses on Economics, Energy, Foreign Policy and Health Care. CAP is a non-profit organization that is funded by donations from corporations, foundations and private citizens.
Through engaging scholars, the public and policy makers CAP hopes to shape national policy. Their research projects focus on Domestitc Issues, the Economy, Energy and the Environment, National Security and Media and Culture. In National Security, CAP promotes policies that “secure our country from attack and protect our national security interests abroad.”

Several current projects include Open Government, Global Terrorism, Homeland Security, Intelligence, U.S. Military and WMDs. CAP has produced reports on reforming government spending to support the counterinsurgency in Afghanistan and improving national security.
CAP blends a combination of bright and upcoming scholars with scholars who are seasoned veterans of government and industry service. Rudy deLeon, who serves as SVP for National Security and International Policy at CAP, has served in the government and private sectors. deLeon, has held staff positions with the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. He also served as undersecretary of the Air Force and Deputy Secretary of Defense as well as serving as senior vice president with Boeing Company.
Dr. Lawrence Korb, a senior fellow at CAP, also currently serves as an advisor to Center for Defense Information. He is a former senior fellow and director of National Security Studies with the Council on Foreign Relations. He also served as VP of Corporate Operations at Raytheon Company and has held fellowships with several other leading think tanks in the Washington, DC area. He also served as the assistant secretary of defense. Dr. Korb has authored over 20 books and more than 100 articles which have appeared in Foreign Affairs, The New York Times, International Security, The Wall Street Journal and The Christian Science Monitor. He has also appeared on 60 Minutes and Good Morning America.

Brian Katulis, also a senior fellow at CAP, focuses on national security issues dealing with the Middle East and South Asia. As an Arabic speaker, Katulis has spent time in Jordan, Israel and Egypt. His articles have been featured in Middle East Policy, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Baltimore Sun and the Boston Globe.

The Center for New American Security

The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) is a newly established non-partisan think tank that burst onto the scene within the past few years. CNAS seeks to promote and protect U.S. national interests by focusing on developing pragmatic defense and national security policies. CNAS is funded by a collection of companies, private and corporate foundations and the U.S. government.

The experts of CNAS look to engage the public, policy makers and other experts through informed research and analysis while also training the next generation of national security professionals. CNAS research focuses on the link between national security and natural resources, challenges to regional security, terrorism and asymmetric warfare, U.S. foreign policy, the U.S. military, U.S. national security strategy and WMDs and proliferation.

CNAS maintains research projects on a host of topics that are relevant to the present debates in national security. The projects include research on Afghanistan, Asia-Pacific Security, Energy Security and Climate Change, the U.S. Military in the 21st Century, Iran, Special Forces, Iraq, Civilian Capacity and Contracting Operations in Conflict Zones.

The Center has also published several timely and extremely relevant studies. These include a preliminary study of “Contractors in American Conflicts” and the publication of Major General Michael Flynn’s blueprint for fixing intelligence in Afghanistan.
CNAS is host to a number of thought leaders with experience in government and the military. Nathaniel Fick, CEO, is a former Marine Corps infantry officer who saw service in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has authored a book titled One Bullet Away and his articles have been featured in Forbes, Foreign Policy, the New York Times, and the Washington Post.

Dr. John Nagl, a former Army officer who saw service in the Gulf War and in Iraq, helped to write the U.S. Army/Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Field Manual. He also published a study titled Learning to Eat Soup with a Knife: Counterinsurgency Lessons from Malaya and Vietnam. His articles have been published in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Washington Post and Foreign Policy. He has also appeared on 60 Minutes, National Public Radio and The Daily Show.

CNAS also includes Andrew Exum, who recently served as an advisor to CENTCOM and General Stanley McChrystal. He is a former member of the Army where he saw action in Afghanistan and Iraq. His book is titled This Man’s Army: A Soldier’s Story from the Frontlines of the War on Terror and he has published articles in The New York Times, The Washington Post and the Guardian.

The Center for Security and International Studies

The Center for Security and International Studies (CSIS) is a leading non-profit think tank which seeks to provide “strategic insights and bipartisan policy solutions to decision makers.” CSIS focuses on areas ranging from climate and energy to defense and security to regional stability. It is funded by corporations, philanthropic foundations, private individuals, the government and an endowment.

CSIS research focuses on Defense and Security, Energy and Climate Change, Global Health, Global Trends and Forecasting, Governance, Human Rights, Technology and Trade and Economics. The Center regularly hosts events featuring policy makers and experts who provide timely and relevant discussion on the issues of the present and future. CSIS also produces The Washington Quarterly, a journal covering international affairs.

CSIS scholars are renowned for their experience and knowledge. Scholars are often called to provide advice to policy makers and testify before Congress. Prior to President Obama taking office, CSIS put together the Commission on Cybersecurity for the 44th Presidency, which included thought leaders from industry and academia and policy makers.

The scholars of CSIS boast impressive records in government and industry service. President and CEO Dr. John Hamre is the former deputy secretary of defense. Dr. Hamre has also served as under secretary of defense (comptroller) and as a professional staff member for the Senate Armed Services Committee. He has also served in the Congressional Budget Office. Dr. Hamre has given testimony before Congress on the roles of civilian and military agencies in US foreign policy and has provided advice to Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn.

Dr. Jim Lewis, director and senior fellow, Technology and Public Policy Program, headed the CSIS Commission on Cybersecurity. He has testified before members of Congress on cyber security issues and has authored numerous articles on cyber security. Prior to joining CSIS, Dr. Lewis served in the US Foreign Service and Senior Executive Service. During that time, he worked on national security and technology issues including helping to develop counterinsurgency strategy in Asia and Central America and Internet security. Dr. Lewis has published articles in publications like Policy Monitor and Space News and has been featured on 60 Minutes and the Charlie Rose Show.
Rick Nelson, a senior fellow, has over twenty of intelligence and operational experience. He covers areas relating to counterterrorism and counterinsurgencies and has authored a study on the compatibility between counterterrorism operations and intelligence gathering.

The Chertoff Group

The Chertoff Group is a consulting firm that looks to provide local government and business leaders with quality advice. Chertoff Group focuses on Crisis Management, Mergers and Acquisitions Advisory Services and Risk Management and Security Services. The Group has a strategic partnership with Burson-Marsteller, a leading public relations firm.

The experts of the Chertoff Group are capable of analyzing risk and developing effective plans to mitigate risk and damage. They also help clients to handle unforeseen situations and provide insight into growth opportunities.

The Chertoff Group possess a wealth of experience in government service, particularly in the field on national security. Some of their areas of focus include CBRN weapons, intelligence, counter terrorism, biometrics, critical infrastructure protection, cybersecurity and border protection.

The expert team of at the Chertoff Group is composed of individuals who worked with one another while in government service. Michael Chertoff, co-founder and managing principal, is the former Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Serving from 2005 to 2009, Mr. Chertoff led DHS is blocking terrorist actions against the U.S. and oversaw the changes to FEMA following Hurricane Katrina. He also served as a Federal Judge and as Associate Attorney General. He provides advice on a range of issues including risk identification, response and recovery.

Chertoff Group also boasts General Michael Hayden, former director of the National Security Agency and the Central Intelligence Agency. During his tenure, General Hayden oversaw the collection and analysis of intelligence on the disparate threats facing the United States. At the Chertoff Group, General Hayden provides advice to clients on matters relating to intelligence and cybersecurity.

A number of consultants are former members of the Department of Homeland Security during Mr. Chertoff’s tenure. Charles Allen served as the Undersecretary for Intelligence and Analysis at DHS and has over 40 years experience in the CIA. Jay Cohen served as the Undersecretary for Science and Technology and Jeffrey Runge was the Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs and Chief Medical Officer. Paul Schneider served as the deputy secretary and Chad Sweet was the Chief of Staff.

The Cohen Group (TCG)

The Cohen Group (TCG) provides advice on strategic and tactical opportunities and business consultancy services for companies. TCG seeks to aid multinational clients in exploring overseas opportunities while working to solve any problems that develop. The firm also has a strategic alliance with DLA Piper, a global law firm specializing in technology, business and real estate.

Some major focus areas for TCG Group include Aerospace and Defense, Biotechnology, China, Homeland Security, Information Technology, International Trade and Agriculture and Transportation and Logistics. TCG has successfully helped US based aerospace and defense firm compete for a multi-billion dollar European contract with two European firms. TCG have also helped a U.S. biotechnology firm expand into the lucrative Chinese market and developed a successful strategic plan for a subcontractor to become a prime contractor in the government contracting space.

The firm has an impressive list of former government officials with experience in Congress, the Department of Defense, State Department and White House. William Cohen, Chairman and CEO, has served as a former Congressman, Senator and Secretary of Defense. Cohen has published 11 works and currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of CBS Corporation.

Lt. Gen. Harry Raduege serves as a senior counselor to TCG and is also Chairman, Deloitte Center for Cyber Innovation. During his 35 years of distinguished service in the US military he served as Director of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), Command, Joint Task Force- Global Network Operations and as the deputy commander for Global Network Operations and Defense, USSTRATCOM Joint Forces Headquarters- Information Operations.

Vice Chairman Joseph Ralston is the former Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. He served 37 years in the Air Force as Commander, U.S. European Command and Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff. While serving as NATO commander, Ralston oversaw the deployment of 65,000 troops in peace-keeping operations in the Balkans. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Lockheed Martin, The Timken Company and URS Corporation.

Marc Grossman, an experienced diplomat, serves as vice chairman at TCG. Grossman is the former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, where he helped to gather international support for the ‘War on Terror’ and invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. He has also served as Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs and as the Ambassador to Turkey. He spent close to 30 years in public service. He serves on the Board of Directors/Trustees with a number of educational and non-profit institutions.

The Heritage Foundation

The Heritage Foundation is a public policy research institute that seeks to promote and formulate public policies that are based on free enterprise, individual freedom, limited government, strong national defense and traditional American values. Heritage receives funding from over 580,000 corporate, foundation and individual donors with an expense budget of over $60 million.

Heritage Foundation conducts research on both domestic and foreign issues. These include economics, energy and environment, border security, national security and defense, foreign aid, homeland security and ballistic missile defense. Heritage regularly hosts events that bring in policy makers and thought leaders to discuss issues currently facing the U.S.

Scholars at the Heritage Foundation carry impressive credentials in their field. All of the scholars hold advanced degrees and many have experience in government service.

Dr. Kim Holmes, Vice President, Foreign and Defense Policy Studies and Director, also serves as the director of Kathyrn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for International Studies at Heritage Foundation. Dr. Holmes is a former Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs. He is a founding editor of the Index of Economic Freedom, published annually by The Wall Street Journal. He has authored or co-edited a number of books relating to foreign policy. He has also appeared on CNN, Fox News and NBC.

As Director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom, Dr. Nile Gardiner specializes in post-war Iraq, U.S.-British relations and the role of European forces in U.S.-led operations against international terrorism. Dr. Gardiner previously worked as Foreign Policy Researcher and aide for former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The London Daily Telegraph recently named him as one of the 50 most influential Britons within the U.S. Dr. Gardiner has testified before Congress and given briefings to policy makers. He has also appeared on BBC World News, CNN, Fox News and MSNBC.

Dr. James Carafano directs the Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies at the Heritage Foundation. He is a former member of the US Army and is a distinguished historian and has testified before Congress. Dr. Carafano is a weekly columnist with the Washington Examiner and has also been published in New York Post, Boston Globe, Baltimore Sun, Philadelphia Inquirer, USA Today and Washington Times. He has appeared on Fox, MSNB, PBS, NPR and the History Channel. He is the author or co-author of a number of books including Public Sector/Private Wars: Contracting in Combat-Iraq, Afghanistan and Future Conflicts.

The Lexington Institute

The Lexington Institute is a think tank that seeks to educate and inform the public while helping to shape the public debate on national issues that are vital to the success of democracy. These include education reform, immigration, federal policy regarding science and technology, national security and tax reform.

The Institute advocates a strict constructionist view of interpreting the Constitution and the role of the federal government. They “believe a dynamic private sector is the greatest engine for social progress and economic prosperity.” The Lexington Institute is primarily funded by corporate sponsors.

Major research areas of the Lexington Institute include Cuba, Defense, Economy, Education, Energy, Logistics and Postal. They maintain a newsletter and early warning blogs written by Lexington Institute experts.

The experts employed by the Lexington Institute bring years of experience in academia, government and the private sector. Jim Courter, Chairman of the Lexington Institute, has served as a member of Congress and has been present in New Jersey politics. He served as chairman of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission and has published a work related to national security. He also serves as CEO and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the IDT Corporation.

Dr. Daniel Goure, VP with the Lexington Institute, is involved in the institute’s national security program. He has served in senior positions with the government and private sector. Dr. Goure was a member of the 2001 Department of Defense Transition Team, Director of the Office of Strategic Competitiveness in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He has also help senior analytical positions with the Center for Naval Analyses, SAIC, SRS Technologies, R&D Associates and System Planning Corporation. He has served as a consultant with the DoD, Department of State and Department of Energy. He has appeared on BBC, CNN and Fox and has been interviewed by The Christian Science Monitor, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post.

Dr. Rebecca Grant is a senior fellow at the Lexington Institute. She focuses on national security areas, particularly airpower, cyberspace and joint operations. Dr. Grant has worked in the offices of the Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff of the Air Force. She has also worked for the RAND Corporation and has authored studies for the Air Force on Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. Dr. Grant founded IRIS Independent Research and worked at DFI International. Her work is often featured in Air Force Magazine and she serves at the director of the Mitchell Institute for Airpower Studies. She is also the author of the report “Victory in Cyberspace” which focuses on steps the U.S. should take to secure cyberspace.

Renaissance Strategic Advisors

Renaissance Strategic Advisors is a consultancy group that provides support to the aerospace, defense and government services communities by focusing on complex and critical strategic issues. By integrating information from business, financial, military, policy, political and technology trends, Renaissance Strategic Advisors provides analysis on situations that impact the aerospace and defense industries.

Renaissance Strategic Advisors focus on three primary areas; corporate strategy services, merger and acquisition/due diligence support, venture/early state company services. Renaissance Strategic Advisors’ clients are generally senior decision makers in government contracting markets at the Board of Directors, CEO, CFO and sector president levels.

Extensive government and industry experience is a highlight of the experts with Renaissance Strategic Advisors. Lt. Gen. Charles Franklin is a senior advisor with Renaissance Strategic Advisors. He has held senior level positions with Raytheon Company and Lockheed Martin. Prior to his positions in industry, Gen. Franklin served with distinction in the U.S. Air Force. During that time, he served as commander of the Electronic Systems Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Deputy Commander, Tactical Systems and Deputy Commander for the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System.

Gen. David Maddox is also a senior advisor at Renaissance Strategic Advisors. He also serves as an independent consultant to corporations and government agencies. Gen. Maddox is the former Command in Chief of US Army in Europe and has also served as Commanding General of TRADOC’s Combined Arms Operations Research Activity. He has served on the Army Science Board, Defense Science Board and National Academy of Sciences task forces which have examined the future of warfare in the 21st century and conducted studies on C4ISR and Defense Modeling, Simulation and Analysis.

George Pickett, senior advisor, specializes in corporate strategy, planning, C4ISR, public policy, defense budgets and analysis. He is currently supporting the Office of the Secretary of Defense and is working on a book about applying competitive strategies to firms in the defense industry. He is a former VP at Northrop Grumman and has also held positions with Booz Allen Hamilton and the MITRE Corporation. He also served as an officer in the U.S. Army.

Ridge Global

Ridge Global is a consultancy firm that provides clients support and strategies to companies for competitive success. The firm’s subject areas include risk management, strategic business generation, security, technology, crisis management and communications.

Ridge Global maintains both in-house and outside experts who possess years of experience in government and the private sector. The firm provides services to clients in industry and government. These services are in campus security, crisis management and communications, event security, leadership guidance and strategic business generation, risk management and global trade security and technology innovation and integration.

Thomas Ridge serves as the president and CEO of Ridge Global. He served as the first Assistant to the President for Homeland Security following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In 2003, he became the first Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. He is a former Governor of Pennsylvania and served a Congressman. He served with distinction in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and currently serves on the boards of the Institute for Defense Analyses and the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress. Ridge often appears at speaking engagements where he discusses issues relating to homeland security, leadership, security and technology.

The Advisory Board includes a number of former members of the U.S. military. Admiral Tom Collins served as Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard and General John Gordon was Assistant to the President and Homeland Security Advisor and served as Deputy National Security Advisor for Combating Terrorism. He has also held a variety of senior positions within the Intelligence Community. Lisa Gordon-Hagerty is founder, president and CEO of LEG, Inc. She has served as an expert of security and counter-terrorism to the National Security Council, Department of Energy and House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Christopher Furlow, who heads the U.S. Public Sector section of Ridge Global, served in a variety of positions within the federal government. He has served as Executive Director of the Homeland Security Advisory Council at DHS and Director for State Affairs in the Office of Homeland Security at the White House. Furlow has served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs and as Communications Director for a member of Congress.