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SENIOR TEAM

MARK KELTON, PARTNER

KARYN ELIOT, PARTNER

Mark served in senior positions at CIA for more than 30 years, completing his tenure as Deputy Director, Counter Intelligence, National Clandestine Service.  A 4-time station chief, Mark has served in hostile environments for much of his career, and was responsible for protecting the nation’s most sensitive secrets. Mr. Kelton is a recipient of the CIA Distinguished Intelligence Medal, the CIA Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal, the Director of National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, the CIA Director's Award, the 2015 Rank Award of Meritorious Senior Intelligence Officer, the CIA Intelligence Medal of Merit, the CIA Donavan Award and many other honors.

Retired CIA senior executive with extensive experience in US national security science and technology programs, intelligence operations, acquisition, policy, and strategic industry partnerships. Assignments span the Agency and the IC, including tours in the NRO, the European region, and Pacific Rim, with a focus on identifying and applying technology to mission. Began career in the private sector developing defense and intelligence systems.
 

MATT GUNNING, PARTNER

JON SCOTT HOFFMAN, PARTNER

A Former CIA Senior Operations Officer and Deputy Director for Operations at the DIA, Matt has 30-plus years of operational, analytical, and commercial experience. He was three time Chief of Station and served as operations officer in five different components of CIA's Clandestine Service. He is also the former Director of Cyber Research and Operations with the Ntrepid Corporation.

24 years in tactical and operational units—including external operational assignments.  Conducted operations in four of the six Geographic Combatant Command (GCC) Areas of Responsibility (AORs) supporting Inter-agency, Joint and Combined-Coalition operations. 14 years in the commercial sector directing capture of multiple US Government and Coalition Partner Programs of Record within the Intelligence and Cyber domains for the Defense, Intelligence, and Federal Law Enforcement communities.

JON LOEW, PARTNER

KARESSA AARON, CTO

More than 20 years of private sector collaboration with U.S. and international military intelligence and law enforcement agencies. Direct experience with counterterrorism training, cyber security, kinetic weapons systems, secure communications platforms, and complex international information sharing, co-development, licensing, distribution, and teaming.

20 year career in federal government, having most recently served as a Technical Director managing strategic technology investment to support warfighters and national policy makers. Prior to that she was CTO at two domestic locations focused on strategic requirements and emerging threats. She also previously served as the Deputy Chief of a government Interface Center concentrating on commercial partner engagements and the venture capital community to help integrate new technology into government offices.
Karessa earned her B.S. Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Clemson University, and her M.S. Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering with a focus on Digital Signal Processing from John Hopkins University. She also studied Engineering Management at George Washington

EDWARD EBBERN, SR. ADVISOR, UK

HIROSHI NAKATA, SR. ADVISOR, JAPAN

CEO of K2 Capital, Inc. with over 35 years of experience of executive leadership in financial and technology organizations, including CFO & GM of Corporate Strategy at Yoshimoto Kogyo. He has founded and invested in multiple start-up and enterprise companies with successful exits over a long and successful career, including those related to government and cybersecurity, and serves as an advisor to multiple financial institutions and technology companies. Has unique experience in international relations and Japanese corporate environment.

Founded the Defence BattleLab tech incubator based in the UK. With a wealth of military operational experience and fostering emerging technology for Defence and National Security he has a deep understanding of the current and future challenges faced in these sectors and the utility that technology can bring.

BRODY EHRLICH, GENERAL MANAGER

MONIKA MERCER, SR. EXEC. ASSISTANT

International business and technology consultant, with a long history of advising and building up technology companies from seed stage through Series B in both strategic operations and finance. Direct experience in cyber security and USG procurement, including challenges related to pairing foreign entities with DoD and civilian agencies. 

Served in various capacities in government contracting in both DoD and IC areas. She also has Industry experience which includes Information Technology (software and hardware), financial and insurance, and professional services in domestic and international government.

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