CH(LTC) John L. Craven is originally from Atlanta, Georgia. In 2001,
he was ordained to the ministry after graduating from the University of Georgia. Later that
same year, he received his commission as a US Army Chaplain while attending the
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. In 2007, John transitioned
from the US Army Reserves to Active Duty. He has since served with numerous units
around the globe, with his most recent assignment being a Senior Instructor at the United
States Army Institute for Religious Leadership at Fort Jackson. John’s other deployment and
overseas experiences include Iraq, Afghanistan, and three tours in Germany. He holds a
Master of Divinity Degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of
Ministry Degree from Erskine Theological Seminary. He is happily married to his wife
Jessica and is the father of six children. His research interests focus on optimizing the
integration of religious affairs policies and resources through interoperability, interagency
collaboration, and joint service coordination.
COL Jake Carlisle is originally from Wisconsin. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in Business before serving as an Infantry officer in a variety of operational assignments. As a Congressional Fellow, he earned a master’s degree from George Washington University while gaining experience at the intersection of national security and public policy. He and his wife, Jami, have two children. His interests include military decision-making and raising great kids.
COL Ryan Q. Flaherty is originally from South Windsor, Connecticut. He graduated from
Sacred Heart University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. Upon
completion of his Master of Business Administration in 2004, Ryan earned his commission
through the University of Connecticut ROTC program as an Air Defense Artillery officer. He
later transitioned to Psychological Operations and served in a variety of command and staff
positions across the U.S. Army Special Operations Command and Joint Special Operations
Command. Ryan has extensive operational experience in Iraq, Afghanistan, East Africa, and
Europe. In 2016, he earned a Master of Science in Defense Analysis from the Naval
Postgraduate School. Ryan and his wife, Lynsey, have one daughter. His research interests
include information operations, irregular/unconventional warfare, and organizational leadership.
Colleen Hickman was a senior intelligence analyst in the FBI prior to her retirement in September 2026. Colleen is originally from New Jersey. She received a B.A. in History and English from the University of Delaware in 1996, and an M.A. in English from Villanova University in 2000. Colleen began her career in national security and counterterrorism (CT) in 2003, serving as a tactical and strategic analyst and as a subject matter expert for CT matters in Southeast Asia and the United Kingdom. She has written products for senior policy makers, the U.S. Attorney General, the White House, and National Security Council. During her 23-year career, Colleen served in overseas assignments in Europe and Asia. She completed the Intelligence Community Advanced Analyst Program (ICAAP) in 2024. Colleen is married and has three children. Her research interests include how the rise of the digital age during the past two decades has and continues to impact CT mitigation efforts.
COL Matthew J. Mesko is originally from Harrison Township, Michigan. He graduated
from Michigan Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering in 2001 and
worked in the microelectronics industry until joining the U.S. Army in 2003 as a
Chemical Officer. He later transitioned to Special Forces and has extensive operational
and leadership experience in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. He holds a Master of
Science in Defense Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School. Matt and his wife,
Caroline, have three children. Matt’s research interests include national security,
unconventional warfare, and the proliferation of artificial intelligence and autonomous
systems.
COL Dan Mitchell is an Army Infantry officer from Olympia, Washington. He
commissioned from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2006 and over a
20-year career has served in a variety of command and staff roles, primarily within airborne
and special operations units. Over the course of his service, he has led soldiers on multiple
operational deployments across the Middle East. Dan holds a Bachelor of Science in
Engineering Management from West Point and a Master’s degree in International Relations.
His professional interests include national security policy, decision-making processes in
complex environments, organizational development, and talent management. He and his
wife, Jackie, have been married for 14 years and are proud parents of two children.
Following his studies at Duke University, Colonel Mitchell will assume command of the 1st
Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
CDR Derek Mittlefehldt is a Coast Guard intelligence officer originally from Buffalo, New York.. He received his commission in 2011 after graduating from the United States Coast Guard Academy with a degree in Operations Research and Computer Analysis. He served in operational and intelligence
assignments across the Coast Guard and earned his Master’s degree in Strategic Intelligence from
the National Intelligence University. He served in Coast Guard and Department of Homeland
Security budget formulation offices where he regularly engaged with the Office of Management
and Budget and Congressional Appropriations staffs to help secure vital funding for the Coast
Guard. Derek and his wife April have been happily married for 15 years and have two children.
His research interests include national security policy, great power competition, and
organizational leadership and development.
COL Jo Newell, a 2001 graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology, and a native of New Jersey,
has served in the United States Army for over 24 years. Jo has been a Force Manager for the US
Army since 2010, with assignments in Hawaii, North Carolina, Germany, Texas, and DC,
supporting both conventional and special operations forces. Prior to 2010, she served 8 years as
Logistics Officer. Jo has deployed to Iraq three times and Afghanistan once. COL Newell
received her MBA from the University of Texas, McCombs School of Business. She has been
married to her husband, Sean, for 20 years, and her daughter Sophia Joli is studying Computer
Science at Clemson University. Jo’s research interests include National Security Policy and
Decision Making.