Washington, D.C. – January 16, 2025 – WestExec Advisors is pleased to announce that General Mark Kelly and General Glen VanHerck have been named Principals of the firm. With extensive leadership experience in the U.S. Air Force and a deep understanding of national security, defense strategy, and emerging technologies, they will provide invaluable counsel to clients navigating the evolving global security landscape and developing the tools to meet critical U.S and allied security needs. General Kelly recently retired following 38 years [...]

Washington, D.C. – September 19, 2024 – WestExec Advisors today announced that former Deputy National Security Advisor Dr. J.D. Crouch II has joined the firm as a Principal. A distinguished public servant with decades of experience at the seniormost levels of government, he will advise clients working to address pressing national security concerns and navigate complex geopolitical challenges. J.D. currently serves as President and CEO of the United Services Organization (USO), the leading non-profit supporting U.S. service members and their families. He previously led QinetiQ [...]

Washington, D.C. – August 13, 2024 – WestExec Advisors today announced that former Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Shawn Barnes and former Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator in the National Security Council Katie Tobin have joined the firm as Senior Advisors. Distinguished public servants, they will advise clients on matters ranging from defense budgeting to space and border security, and beyond. Shawn served in the Senior Executive Service at the Department of Defense from 2014 to 2024, most recently [...]

Washington, D.C. – June 13, 2024 – WestExec Advisors today announced that Ambassador Erica Barks Ruggles, former Head of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has joined the firm as a Senior Advisor. A highly respected diplomat and national security policymaker, she will advise clients on a variety of geopolitical risk and business strategy issues, including those related to operations and investments in African countries. Erica has an illustrious career spanning over three decades in [...]

Washington, D.C. – June 5, 2024 – WestExec Advisors today announced that former State Department official Henry Haggard has joined the firm as a Senior Advisor. Henry brings the firm deep geopolitical expertise and an active global network, especially in the Republic of Korea. Following a distinguished 25-year career with the State Department, Henry retired in 2024 as a member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Counselor. His final posting was as Director for Energy Diplomacy responsible for policy related to [...]

Washington, D.C. – May 9, 2024 – WestExec Advisors today announced that former Director of NASA’s Glenn Research Center, Dr. Janet Kavandi, and former Director of the Defense Department’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick, have joined the firm as Senior Advisors. With unrivaled understanding of both the technology and policy issues central to the future of space, they will advise innovative companies on navigating this complex and critical area. Janet most recently held the role of President and CEO [...]

Washington, D.C. – April 10, 2024 – WestExec Advisors today announced that former Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman has been named a Principal of the firm, and former Energy Department Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Jonathan Elkind has joined as a Senior Advisor. Drawing on their deep experience spanning government service, the private sector, and academia, they will assist clients who are innovating and investing in the energy space and working to address critical climate change issues around the world. Dan [...]

Washington, D.C. – March 28, 2023 – WestExec Advisors today announced that former U.S. Assistant Trade Representative, Dr. Harry G. Broadman, former Commerce Department Senior Advisor, Kevin Gallagher, and former General Dynamics Vice President, Col. Kevin Merrigan, USA (Ret.), have joined the firm as Senior Advisors. With their deep expertise spanning a range of global economics, trade policy, and defense acquisition matters, they will provide clients with unparalleled understanding of critical business issues in an evolving geopolitical and government policy landscape. Harry [...]

Washington, D.C. – WestExec Advisors announced today that Dr. Christopher Smart, has joined the firm as a Principal. A respected economist, economic and national security policy advisor, and investment industry leader, Christopher will help clients navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical and security environment. Christopher served as Special Assistant to the President at the National Economic Council and the National Security Council from 2009 to 2015, where he was principal advisor on trade, investment, and global economic issues. Christopher also spent four [...]

Washington, D.C. – WestExec Advisors today announced that Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley has joined the firm as a Senior Advisor. A veteran diplomat and policy advisor, Gina will assist clients as they navigate complex geopolitical situations, especially in the Middle East, build and leverage diverse and inclusive teams, and address concerns surrounding cybersecurity. Gina currently serves as President of the Middle East Policy Council, a think tank that works to advance American understanding of the political, economic, and cultural issues that affect [...]