Flag Officer Advisory Council

General Don Alston is the President of Alston Strategic Consulting, LLC, specializing in issues related to nuclear weapons operations, security, and system development. He has extensive experience in congressional relations, national and international media engagement, crisis management, and large-scale institutional change. He retired from active duty after 34 years of service.…

Admiral Atkin is Founder and Managing Principal of The Atkin Group, a firm that provides strategic and operational advice to senior government and corporate executives.  Prior to founding The Atkin Group, he served as the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Global Security.

Donna Barbisch, DHA, MPH, began her Army career in the Army Student Nurse program in 1967.  She is a Vietnam Veteran, having served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 91st Evacuation Hospital, Chu Lai, Vietnam.  During her Vietnam service (1969-1970), she administered care to military and civilian casualties of war.  The severity of casualties, limited resources, and collateral human…

Admiral Braun serves as Chair of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS), a Federal Advisory Committee chartered to provide recommendations to the Secretary of Defense on matters and policies relating to the recruitment, retention, employment, integration, well-being, and treatment of women in the Armed Forces of the United States. She retired from the U.S. Navy in…

Lieutenant General Brian Cavanaugh is the CEO of VigilanteX, a high-quality, made-in-the-USA product that sets a new benchmark for the surveillance industry. He has deep experience in global risk management, aviation operations, complex problem-solving and performance optimization. 

Major General Combs assumed the Office of the President of the Army and Navy Academy, Carlsbad, CA, on October 17th, 2022. Throughout her 33-year service tenure, MG Combs served in a variety of leadership and staff positions at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels. Tactical assignments included a myriad of diverse staff officer positions at the battalion, brigade, and division…

General Dail retired in November 2008 after serving 33 years in the United States Army.  At retirement, he was the senior military logistics professional in the Department of Defense.

General Findley is an independent consultant specializing in the defense industry and is the President of VMFindley Consulting LLC.  He consults for Collins Aerospace, BAE Systems and Applied Aeronautical Systems Inc (AASI).  He also serves on the Board of Directors of Black Mountain Investment Company.  He was the co-founder and past Vice…

General Goodman serves as Senior Advisor to U.S. Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), the U.S. Lead Oversight Agency. He advises and assists SIGAR to promote effectiveness and efficiency in the U.S.-funded reconstruction program in Afghanistan. Previously, he was the Director of the DOD Center for Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (COE) responsible for…

Lieutenant General Kevin Iiams leads Kevin Iiams Consulting LLC, providing professional organizational and strategic business advice to Omega Air Refueling Services. He is a native of New Orleans, LA and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1986. He was commissioned into the U.S. Marine Corps and was assigned to fly the FA-18 Hornet. His early operational tours included participation…

General Leonard, after 31 years of active military service, recently retired from the U.S. Air Force. He is the Founder and CEO of Leonard Strategic Consulting, LLC and is a Partner at Elara Nova, The Space Consultancy.

General Maxon served as a Judge on the Arizona Court of Military Appeals and as Judge Pro Tem in the East Valley Veterans Treatment Court (Tempe, Scottsdale, Chandler, Gilbert, Paradise Valley, Carefree/Cave Creek and Fountain Hills). He also served as the Director of the Arizona Department of Veterans Services from March 2007 to July 2008. He is an attorney with over 40 years of public…

Vice Admiral Michael McAllister, USCG (ret) is the president and owner of Banner Consulting LLC, providing professional advisory services on a wide range on national and homeland security, federal procurement, logistics, talent management, and both U.S. and international maritime safety and security issues.

General Chris Miller serves as the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Chair for the Study of the Profession of Arms in the Center for Character and Leadership Development at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He last served on active duty as the Air Force's deputy chief of staff for strategic plans and programs, leading the Air Force's multi-billion, five-year program formulation and longer-range planning…

Admiral Miller serves as the President and CEO of The Fozzie Miller Group, LLC and as a Principal Partner of Global Alliance Advisors, LLC, both Washington DC based national security firms positioned at the intersection of government policy, defense acquisition programs, and industrial performance. The firm teams with US and international clients to deliver solutions that blend national…

General Monahan supports clients in business development and strategic growth efforts, using her significant expertise and experience in military doctrine, force readiness and security requirements integration, as well as capacity building and sustainment programs and international relations.  She delivers strong industry and military experience in strategic and risk assessments,…

General Schmidle is the University Advisor on Cyber Capabilities and Conflict Studies at Arizona State University. Dr. Schmidle is also a Professor of Practice in the School of Politics and Global Studies. Additionally, he is a Senior Fellow in the Center on the Future of War at Arizona State University.

General Jennifer Short is a transformational executive leader with a 30-year track record of shaping strategy, leading enterprise operations, and driving cross-sector impact at the highest levels of national defense and government. Known for aligning diverse stakeholders through shared vision and outcome-driven leadership, she brings deep expertise in aerospace, governance, legislative affairs…

Admiral Keith M. Smith is a distinguished United States Coast Guard veteran of 41 years, having retired in August of 2022. A unique leader among his peers, rising from the ranks of the enlisted corp to his last position as Deputy Commander of Atlantic Area. His expertise lies in Homeland Security, Counter Terrorism, Drug Interdiction, and Emergency Management with leadership and mentorship as…

Admiral Sandy Stosz is an experienced senior leader who has served and operated in the military, maritime, homeland security, transportation, and academic sectors. Her expertise includes leadership development, strategic vision and planning, change management, training and education, and leading and managing complex organizations.

General Wharton has served the Nation for more than three decades and has extensive experience in leadership, technology, acquisition, and logistics. He is currently a public and private sector advisor to numerous industries, universities, and governments. His focus is on support of national priorities and homeland security. John also serves as Senior Advisor at The Chertoff Group and advises…