The Atlanta Journal-Constitution highlights BENS member Zach Knight and SE Regional Director, Sidney Talley among others as they salute Veterans on Veterans Day.
New BENS member, MG John F. King, won his bid for re-election as Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner on November 8th. Along with being the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, John is also a Major General in the US Army National Guard assigned to NORAD and US Northern Command. Congratulations MG King!
BENS EVENT RECAP
On November 12th General Votel participated in a live discussion between Vermont Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray and Michael Abramowitz, President of Freedom House, on the economic consequences of global democratic decline and how the business community can push back against authoritarianism, support human rights, and help build a more secure and prosperous world. You can watch the session here.
On November 17th, VADM Whitworth visited New York members to discuss “The Geospatial Intelligence Advantage” – what Geospatial intelligence brings to our country’s leaders and policymakers to strengthen national security.
As the first snowfall of the year fell in Chicago, members met with BENS’ CEO General Votel over a private luncheon hosted by BENS Chicago member John Geiringer, Partner at Barack Ferazzano. The conversation was wide ranging, from the rise of China in US markets to the current American sentiments re: US national service corps. Special guests included, SAIC Doug Zloto, USSS, TAG MIARNG Major General Paul Rogers, and Seve Herman, Civilian Aide to Secretary of the Army.
BENS Washington D.C. members joined member Pete Dordal, visiting Crisis24 Intel Command Center in Annapolis, Maryland for an up-close look at Crisis24 (A GardaWorld Company) and an opportunity to learn more about their unique approach to security, intelligence, and risk management.
BENS NY Metro members, family, and friends toured USS Arlington (LPD-24), a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, during the ship’s port visit to NYC for Veterans Day.
PODCASTS
Building the Base Interviews Secretary Leon Panetta, Former Secretary of Defense, Director of the CIA, and White House Chief of Staff
In this week’s episode of Building the Base, we were proud to host Secretary Leon Panetta. Secretary Panetta served as the 23rd Secretary of Defense, the 3rd Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, the 18th White House Chief of Staff, the 29th Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives for California. In a fascinating conversation with our hosts, Hondo Geurts and Lauren Bedula, Secretary Panetta emphasizes the need for a strong defense industrial base to ensure the United States remains the strongest global military power and force for good.
Opinions expressed in the Executive Brief are those of the authors and do not represent policy positions of BENS.
The Effects of Combat Deployments on Veterans’ Outcomes
Working paper from the Becker Friedman Institute for Economics at the University of Chicago on the effects of combat deployments on soldiers’ well-being.
Last week, the BENS Special Working Group on Workforce Development hosted CBP’s Office of Field Operations for a virtual roundtable to discuss recruitment challenges including time to hire and keeping applicants engaged throughout the application process. This engagement marks the second interaction between BENS and CBP. Last March, CBP NY hosted our members for a demonstration at Newark Airport. The Workforce Development Special Working Group looks forward to continue assisting CBP OFO and our other partners overcome their toughest workforce challenges.
JOINT CYBER SECURITY ADVISORY
#StopRansomeWare: Hive Ransomeware
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are releasing this joint CSA to disseminate known Hive IOCs and TTPs identified through FBI investigations as recently as November 2022.
THE WEEK’S BEST READS
Ukrainian Analysis Identifies Western Supply Chain Behind Iran’s Drones (Wall Street Journal)
The BENS Executive Brief will be on hiatus for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and will be back on December 4. We appreciate your understanding in advance. Thank you!
HAVE AN ARTICLE FOR EXECUTIVE BRIEF?
Contact Hannah Beitler, Policy Associate, to submit content for consideration in this newsletter: HBeitler@bens.org
BENS EVENTS
November 30 | Dallas Luncheon Discussion of the Southern Border with Todd Bensman, Author, America’s Covert Border War: The Untold Story of the Nation’s Battle to Prevent Jihadist Infiltration.
December 7 | Washington, DC A conversation with Lt. Gen. Dagvin “Dag’” Anderson, the Director for Joint Force Development (J7). Dag and his team support the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in advancing the operational effectiveness of the current and future joint force across six functional areas: Doctrine, Education, Concept Development & Experimentation, Training, Exercises, and Lessons Learned.
NOTE:We will utilize a hybrid model for this session, with Lt. Gen. Anderson coming to the DC Office.
December 10 | New York, NY Please join BENS NY Metro and our partners the New York Council Navy League for our inaugural “Army-Navy Game Watch Party” at Stout Grand Central. Families and guests are welcome and encouraged.
December 13 | Virtual (Members Only) Virtual (Members Only) discussion with Dr. Tymofiy Mylovanov, the Former Ukrainian Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture to discuss the Ukraine’s other frontline – It’s Economy.
December 13 | Holiday Open House Join us to put some jingle in your jangle! Finalizing 40 years of festive fun with the return of BENS’ DC Holiday Open House, we are looking forward to an evening of heavy hors d’oeuvres, bubbly beverages, and captivating conversations!
Multiple Dates, Locations BENS Texas luncheon discussions on China and the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party with Col Heino Klinck, USA (Ret.), Senior Associate, CSIS, and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia.
In episode one of Building the Base, hosts Lauren Bedula and Hondo Geurts chat with Balan Ayyar, retired US Air Force General Officer and now CEO of Percipient AI, a…
BENS hosted a panel for the State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) to discuss communication and cooperation between the private sector and federal law enforcement. In attendance were law…
BENS NY Member Bob Sappio, CEO of SeaCube Containers LLC
September 17, 2023
BENS NY Member Bob Sappio, CEO of SeaCube Containers LLC, will be honored with the 2023 Connie Award from the Containerization & Intermodal Institute. The Connie Award, founded by CII…