Business Executives for National Security

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Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks at the 2019 BENS Gala and Award Ceremony Secretary Pompeo Delivers Remarks to Business Executives for National Security (47745857141).jpg
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks at the 2019 BENS Gala and Award Ceremony

Business Executives for National Security (BENS) is an American nonpartisan, nonprofit organization. Prominent members include Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, former Cisco chairman John P. Morgridge, and former Infor CEO Charles E. Phillips. [1] The organization's current President is retired U.S. Army General Joseph Votel, the 13th commander of U.S. Central Command, and their current chairman is Mark J. Gerencser, former Managing Partner of Booz Allen Hamilton. [2]

Founded in 1982 by mining executive Stanley A. Weiss, BENS provides a channel through which senior American business leaders volunteer their experience and expertise to help national security agencies become more efficient and effective. [3] BENS has 7 regional offices across the country, with a national office based in Washington, D.C.

BENS’ early work focused extensively on initiatives aimed at U.S.-Soviet threat reduction and inefficiencies within support functions of the Department of Defense, e.g., the maintenance and construction of military housing. The organization was also active in BRAC, championing the process and helping develop transition plans for locations affected by base closure. Over the last decade, the organization expanded their focus, addressing issues such as cybersecurity, domestic counterterrorism, and talent management. They have also broadened their partnerships to include other government agencies such as the Departments of State, Treasury, and Homeland Security; the Office of the Director of National Intelligence; and the unified combatant commands. Work provided by BENS members is pro bono.

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Joint Chiefs of Staff Senior-most military leaders who advise U.S. executive government

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) is the body of the most senior uniformed leaders within the United States Department of Defense, that advises the president of the United States, the secretary of defense, the Homeland Security Council and the National Security Council on military matters. The composition of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is defined by statute and consists of a chairman (CJCS), a vice chairman (VJCS), the service chiefs of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and the chief of the National Guard Bureau. Each of the individual service chiefs, outside their JCS obligations, work directly under the secretaries of their respective military departments, e.g. the secretary of the Army, the secretary of the Navy, and the secretary of the Air Force.

The United States order of precedence is an advisory document maintained by the Ceremonials Division of the Office of the Chief of Protocol of the United States which lists the ceremonial order, or relative preeminence, for domestic and foreign government officials at diplomatic, ceremonial, and social events within the United States and abroad. The list is used to mitigate miscommunication and embarrassment in diplomacy, and offer a distinct and concrete spectrum of preeminence for ceremonies. Often the document is used to advise diplomatic and ceremonial event planners on seating charts and order of introduction. Former presidents, vice presidents, first ladies, second ladies, and secretaries of state and retired Supreme Court justices are also included in the list.

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Mike McConnell (U.S. Naval officer)

John Michael McConnell is a former vice admiral in the United States Navy. During his naval career he served as Director of the National Security Agency from 1992 to 1996. His civilian career includes serving as the United States Director of National Intelligence from 20 February 2007 to 27 January 2009 during the Bush administration and also seven days of the Obama administration. He is currently Vice Chairman at Booz Allen Hamilton.

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Center for Strategic and International Studies American think tank in Washington, D.C.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a think tank based in Washington, D.C., in the United States. CSIS was founded as the Center for Strategic and International Studies of Georgetown University in 1962. The center conducts policy studies and strategic analyses of political, economic and security issues throughout the world, with a specific focus on issues concerning international relations, trade, technology, finance, energy and geostrategy.

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References

  1. "Business Executives for National Security - Business Executives for National Security".
  2. "About BENS - Leadership - Business Executives for National Security".
  3. "About BENS - Our Mission and Tenets - Business Executives for National Security".