Civilian Training

Mr. Joseph Augustyn is a senior management executive with Intelligence Community, homeland security and counterterrorism expertise, and is a former member of the CIA’s Senior Intelligence Service. He has over 30 years of combined experience in the federal government and private sector. He has comprehensive knowledge of, and extensive experience working with, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Intelligence and Law Enforcement Communities, and the private sector.

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Mr. Enrique “Ric” Prado is a twenty five year veteran of the Central Intelligence Agency where he served in six overseas posts, including as Chief of Station in a Muslim country. Domestically, he served as Chief of Operations for the DCI’s Counterterrorist Center under Ambassador Cofer Black during the 11 September, 2001 attacks and the subsequent war on terrorism. He also served as the Deputy on the original bin Laden Task Force. Highly decorated, he received the CIA’s Distinguished Career Intelligence …

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Mr. Steven Bailey honorably served a full career – 25 years – as a U.S. Navy Seal retiring as a Force Master Chief for Commander Naval Special Warfare Command. His experience as a Navy Seal, Force Master Chief has made him a highly sought after consultant and subject matter expert since his retirement from the Navy. His combined career of over 44 years has taken him to six of seven continents where he has conducted operations and taught weapons and tactics for USG, DOD – both domestically and internationally- and foreign governments.

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Mr. Vincent Cannatella brings an extensive background in Labor Relations to any platform he engages. Mr. Cannatella began his career with the NYPD and then moved on to the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office. After serving in multiple different venues of Law Enforcement for the Sheriff and rising to the rank of Lieutenant, Mr. Cannatella was elected to the position of President of the Officer’s Union. Fulfilling his duties to serve his Union Members included multi-level negotiating with the County …

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Mr. Tim Holden (In Memoriam) has over 30 years experience in a broad range of security solutions. As a career U.S. Navy SEAL, Tim served at all levels of command of Naval Special Warfare (SEAL) Teams, and was selected to establish the U. S. Navy’s Antiterrorism Force Protection and Information Operations and Information Warfare programs. He led the Navy’s efforts to create a new career field for the Force Protection Professionals who protect and defend the U.S. Navy’s ships, aircraft and bases from terrorist threats.

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Mr. Ralph J. Blincoe joined the Vertus Board of Advisors in July 2010 after having completed a distinguished 28 year career as a special agent with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). Through sustained results-oriented leadership he rose through the ranks and ultimately served as the agency’s Deputy Director. In this capacity he oversaw all major program areas including counterintelligence, counterterrorism, criminal investigations, training and administration.

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Ms. C. Suzanne Mencer is the Director of the Colorado Emergency Preparedness Partnership. The Colorado Emergency Preparedness Partnership (CEPP) is a broad coalition of Colorado leaders that is building a voluntary partnership between the public, private and non-profit sectors. CEPP has already enlisted a number of Colorado’s civic leaders and organizations, representing government, business, the philanthropic community, academia, and the US Northern Command.

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Mr. Jon Spaeth has been a practicing attorney for more than 26 years. A graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Virginia School of Law, Spaeth has a wealth of business and legal experience and knowledge gained at both prominent law firms and defense companies. Spaeth spent most of his career as a partner at the global law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, where he managed high-profile litigation on behalf of Fortune 500 and other corporate clients.

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