HOPLITE GROUP
BOARD OF ADVISORS
Ioannis Koskinas,
CEO
Ioannis "Gianni" is a retired special operations military officer, published author, leader, coach, and mentor. Prior to retirement, Gianni focused on national security matters as senior advisor to General Stan McChrystal (twice), General Nordy Schwartz (Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force), and the Honorable Mike Vickers (Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict).
In commercial life, he has focused on extractive industries, capacity development, aviation, risk mitigation strategies, and bespoke consulting for Fortune 500 company initiatives.
BOARD OF ADVISORS
Milton Bearden,
Senior Member - Board of Advisors
Milt Bearden is a thirty-year veteran of the CIA's clandestine services. He was the chief of the Soviet/East European Division at the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union. As a Station Chief in Pakistan, he armed and trained the Afghan mujahideen who overthrew the Soviets. The CIA honored Milt with its highest award, the Distinguished Intelligence Medal. He is the recipient of the prestigious Donovan award.
Mr. Bearden is the President of AM&M Enterprises and is an accomplished business entrepreneur, author, and film advisor.
Charles T.Cleveland
Senior Member - Board of Advisors
Lieutenant General Cleveland retired as the Commander of the U.S. Army's Special Operations Command. LTG (R) Cleveland commanded the Special Operations Command-Central (SOCCENT), with responsibility for special operations throughout the Middle East and Central Asia, and Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH), focused on the Caribbean and Central and South America.
He is currently the Senior Mentor to the Chief of Staff of the Army’s Strategic Studies Group, a Senior Fellow at the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point, a Senior Fellow at the Monroe Policy Forum, and Adjunct at Rand. He serves on the Advisory Board of the nonprofit Spirit of America Foundation.
Eric Fiel,
Senior Member - Board of Advisors
Lt. Gen. Eric E. Fiel retired as the Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), Hurlburt Field, Fla. General Fiel entered the Air Force in 1981 as a graduate of Officer Training School. He has held a variety of assignments and has commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels.
Additionally, he has held a variety of staff positions at major command, unified command, Air Staff and Secretary of the Air Force levels. Prior to his assignment as AFSOC Commander, he was the Vice Commander, Headquarters U.S. Special Operations Command, Washington, D.C..
Peter Bergen,
Senior Member - Board of Advisors
Peter Bergen is the Vice President at New America Foundation, CNN's national security analyst, the professor of practice at the School of Politics and Global Studies at Arizona State University, a print and television journalist, documentary producer, and the author of five books, three of which were New York Times best-sellers and four of which The Washington Post named among the nonfiction books of the year.
The books have been translated into 20 languages and have been turned into three documentaries. Two of the latter were nominated for Emmys, and one of them received the award.
Ed Bachl,
Member - Board of Advisors
Ed Bachl is the CEO of Vykin Corporation, an award winning industry leader in information technology, intelligence, and cyber security to a variety of clients. Ed is a senior executive with over 25 years of global operational, strategy and executive experience in the defense market space, with an operational footprint in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.
He served with distinction in the military, in a variety of positions, retiring after a remarkable career that culminated with Ed holding senior positions in intelligence and public affairs, including command and staff postings.
Bill Turner,
Member - Board of Advisors
Chief Master Sergeant (ret) Bill Turner a member of our board of advisors. Until recently, he was our VP of Government Services and was is responsible for the oversight and direction of our U.S. government projects.
Bill served 30 years in the United States Air Force, with 21 years of that time in Air Force Special Operations Command. He flew AC-130H Spectre Gunships and AC-130U Spooky Gunships as an aerial gunner, seeing combat in Bosnia, Africa, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
Bill has served in numerous key strategic positions in the Department of Defense, including nearly 3 ½ years as the command chief master sergeant of Air Force Special Operations Command and, most recently, as the command senior enlisted leader of United States Transportation Command.
Farris El Nasser,
Member - Board of Advisors
Farris El Nasser connects people of quality. According to Hoplite Group CEO, Ioannis Koskinas “He is the best natural connector I’ve ever met.” Farris spent a 20-year military career leveraging his capacity to build teams and bridges with allies, while informing senior decision makers as a Special Operations Combat Aviation Advisor, intelligence officer, regional specialist, and a Military Attaché. Leveraging his deep knowledge and far-reaching networks in the Middle East and North Africa, Farris advises international renewable energy companies on the development and production of Green Hydrogen projects. Farris also serves as a faculty member with the Joint Special Operations University, focusing on counter insurgency and Special Operations curricula.
Farris is the CEO of Lion-Archer LLC, a board member on the Iraq Leadership Fellows program, and the founder and director of the Lafayette Colorado Warriors Rugby Club, leveraging the sport to help bridge the opportunity gap for underserved sectors in his community.