Mark T. Esper

Dr. Mark T. Esper served as secretary of defense from 2019-2020, and as secretary of the Army from 2017-2019. A distinguished graduate of West Point, he spent twenty-one years in uniform, including a combat tour in the Gulf War. Esper earned a Ph.D. from George Washington University while working on Capitol Hill and at the Pentagon as a political appointee. He was also a senior executive at a prestigious think tank, business associations, commission, and Fortune 100 technology company. Esper is a recipient of multiple civilian and military awards. He is a Partner and Board Member at Red Cell Partners VC, and sits on several public policy and business boards.