An American defense executive, military commander, and national security expert who serves as Executive Vice President of International Business and Strategy at Shield AI.
Ranked #10 on Forbes’ list of the 50 most influential CEOs in the Middle East, his corporate executive career includes eight years as a senior executive at Lockheed Martin prior to joining Shield AI.
Before entering the private sector, he completed a distinguished career in the United States Navy, retiring at the rank of Vice Admiral (SEAL). His senior military and national security appointments include serving on the National Security Council and as Deputy Commander of U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM), alongside leading joint operational commands across Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Middle East.
His decorations include the CIA Donovan Award, the State Department Distinguished Service Award, three Defense Distinguished Service Medals, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, four Bronze Stars with "V" device, and two Presidential Unit Citations. He is fluent in Farsi and is a professional parachutist who holds a world record for the highest parachute landing on Mount Everest's West Col Base Camp.