Our Team

Our Story

Valens Global, a certified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), proudly thrives in the present, as a dynamic force in the realm of national security solutions. Established in August 2014, Valens stands as a beacon of innovation and impact under the leadership of COL (Ret) Derek Jones, a seasoned expert in strategic design, complexity theory, irregular warfare, and resilience capacity building.

At its core, Valens believes in the indispensable role of the private sector in advancing the national security interests of America and its allies. We are dedicated to safeguarding lives and protecting the public from violent non state actor threats and other forms of state violence. Yet, our mission goes beyond mere protection; it embraces the imperative for improvement within the national-security field itself.

Valens champions a nuanced, historically informed analysis, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and big data to provide unparalleled insights. Our holistic approach encompasses a spectrum of capabilities, from physical security and threat assessments to counter-messaging and the detection of insider threats. We recognize that in today’s interconnected world, comprehensive solutions are essential.

Our goal is clear: to understand, predict, and empower clients in the face of emergent challenges spanning security, technology, and global societal shifts. We deliver not just analysis, but actionable intelligence that drives impactful decisions. With a proven track record of excellence, our services and products consistently surpass expectations and endure the test of time.

In the present moment, Valens Global stands poised to shape the future of national security, navigating complexity with clarity and resolve.

Col (Ret.) Derek Jones, U.S. Army

Chief Executive Officer

Nina Epperlein Ponzeto

Chief Operating Officer

Cyclone Covey

Founder and Chief Legal Officer

Daveed Gartenstein-Ross

Founder and Senior Advisor

Brig Barker

Senior Advisor

Charlie Moritz

BD Senior Advisor

Brigadier General (Ret.) Christopher Burns, United States Army

Senior Advisor

Major General (Ret.) Edward Dorman, United States Army

Senior Advisor

Lexie Jones

Vice President of Operations

Brian Mehan

Director of Finance

David
Benson

Director of Training, Tradecraft & Innovation

Emelie Chace-Donahue

Director of Analysis

Leigh Lehenbauer

Chief of Staff

Abigail Hoague

Human Resources Associate

Amelia Thoreson

Analyst                                               

Aaron Epstein

Subject Matter Expert

Andrew MacKay

Subject Matter Expert

Cayden Jones

Operations Associate               

Samuel Hodgson

Senior Analyst, Training, Tradecraft, and Innovation

Scarlett Kennedy

Analyst

James W.

 Digital Exhaust Expert              

Scott DeAngelo

Senior Analyst, Project Manager

Gretchen Arndt

Senior Analyst, Project Manager

Zachariah Castle

Subject Matter Expert

Eddie Parachubutr

Subject Matter Expert

Skye Duncan

Subject Matter Expert

Varsha Koduvayur

Business Development Manager

Mark Grzegorzewski

Subject Matter Expert

Jason Martinez

Subject Matter Expert

JD Maddox

Subject Matter Expert

Jacob Zenn

Subject Matter Expert

Peter Chin

Subject Matter Expert

Nolan Peterson

Subject Matter Expert

Ryan Vogel

Subject Matter Expert

Gene Cowherd

Subject Matter Expert

Todd Ebitz

Subject Matter Expert

Kevin Stringer

Subject Matter Expert

Colin Clarke

Subject Matter Expert

James Derleth

Subject Matter Expert

Michael Ray

Subject Matter Expert

Eiman Behzadi

Subject Matter Expert

Mike Miklaucic

Subject Matter Expert

JP Carcenac

Subject Matter Expert

Clark Banach

Subject Matter Expert

Matt Chauvin

Senior Analyst

Chris Cadigan

Subject Matter Expert

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