September 6, 2023

Washington, D.C. – WestExec Advisors announced today that General Mike Holmes, USAF (Ret.), has joined the firm as a Principal. He will advise a wide range of clients on their approaches to global operations and new growth opportunities, bringing to bear his considerable geopolitical knowledge and experience leading a globally deployed organization. General Holmes will also provide clients operating in the emerging technologies space with a unique view of U.S. military and government approaches to technology adoption, assisting these critically important firms in advancing key national security priorities.

General Holmes retired from the Air Force in October 2020, after nearly 40 years of service. He completed his Air Force service leading the reorganization and transformation of Air Combat Command (ACC), a global organization operating and sustaining conventional fighter, C2, rescue, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), cyber, and electronic warfare forces, operating from 11 Air Force Bases and more than 300 operating locations around the world. He also served as the Air Force’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Programs and as the Deputy Commander of Air Education and Training Command. Prior to these roles, he served as the Air Force’s Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Requirements and also was the Principal Director for Mid-East Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

General Holmes graduated from the U.S. Naval War College National Security Strategy program with the highest honors and completed both the U.S. Air Force’s School for Advanced Air and Space Power Studies program and the Fighter Weapons Instructor Course. He received a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee and a MA in History at the University of Alabama at Maxwell Air Force Base. He is a fighter pilot with over 4,000 hours of flight time in the F-15 and T-38, including over 500 combat hours, and he continues to fly general aviation aircraft.

Michèle Flournoy, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of WestExec said, “The entire WestExec team is thrilled to extend a warm welcome to Mike. We are confident that with his deep knowledge of the evolving defense and geostrategic environments, he will provide our clients with unique insights that positively impact their business decisions, further enhancing WestExec’s leading array of advisory services.”

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