September 12, 2023
Washington, D.C. – WestExec Advisors announced today that General Richard “Rich” Clarke, United States Army (Ret.), has joined the firm as a Principal. As a member of the WestExec team, Gen. Clarke will provide strategic guidance on an array of issues to clients operating in the technology, financial services, and industrial sectors, among others, helping them seize new business opportunities, while simultaneously navigating an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.
General Clarke retired from the United States Army in August 2023, after nearly four decades of active service, having most recently served as Commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), where he led a joint force of over 75,000 personnel that included Army Rangers, Special Forces, Navy SEALs, Air Force Commandos, and Marine Raiders, and managed an annual budget of more than $25 billion. As USSOCOM Commander, he personally advised the Secretary of Defense on the deployment of special operations personnel to accomplish the nation’s most sensitive missions and directly supervised operations critical to national security.
Prior to leading USSOCOM, General Clarke spent two years as Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy on the Joint Staff, supporting the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs in his role as principal military advisor to the President. In this position, he regularly represented the Joint Staff at meetings of the National Security Council. His other assignments include service as the Deputy Commanding General for Operations, 10th Mountain Division; 74th Commandant of Cadets, United States Military Academy at West Point, his alma mater; and Commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, the nation’s largest and most responsive crisis reaction force.
“Richard Clarke is an exemplary public servant who, in a career devoted to protecting the United States, has developed significant strategic acumen and geopolitical expertise. We are delighted to welcome him to the WestExec team, where we know he will be instrumental in further enhancing our ability to serve our clients,” said Michèle Flournoy, Managing Partner and Co-founder of WestExec Advisors.
General Clarke holds a BS from the United States Military Academy at West Point, an MBA from Benedictine College, and is a distinguished graduate of the National War College. He is a recipient of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, has twice been awarded both the Army Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit, has been recognized three times with the Defense Superior Service Medal, and has been awarded five Bronze Stars.
WestExec Advisors, LLC helps business leaders make the best decisions by advising on geopolitical risk and emerging opportunities. To learn more, visit www.westexec.com or email info@westexec.com.