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

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

Executive Administrator

Abigail Hoague

Human Resources Associate

Amelia Thoreson

Analyst                                               

Cayden Jones

Operations Associate               

Gretchen Arndt

Senior Analyst, Project Manager

James Wieboldt

 Digital Exhaust Expert              

Mel Madarang

Analyst                                                       

Samuel Hodgson

Senior Analyst, Training, Tradecraft, and Innovation

Scarlett Kennedy

Analyst

Scott DeAngelo

Senior Analyst, Project Manager

Varsha Koduvayur

Business Development Manager

How can Valens Global partner with your organization to drive results?

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