Principal – Jayson P. Ahern has an impressive 33 years of federal service to both the U.S. Customs Service and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. He has served as Acting Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and was responsible for securing, managing and controlling our Nation’s borders.

At Chertoff Group, Mr. Allen will bring to bear his extensive experience in intelligence program management, analysis and production; intelligence collection management; system acquisition and warning intelligence.
During his more than 40 years at the CIA, Mr. Allen became as much a legend as a respected senior official. He earned a reputation for plain speaking, even when his opinions differed from those of senior officials.

Mr. Castro advises Chertoff Group on information assurance and cyber security, Federal, state and local government information sharing, intelligence support for crisis and special event management as well as general intelligence community matters.

As an associate within The Chertoff Group, Mr. Cato uses his solid experience in corporate financial advisory services to help research and provide strategic information on both buy and sell side assignments.

As Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from 2005 to 2009, Mr. Chertoff led the country in blocking would-be terrorists from crossing our borders or implementing their plans if they were already in the country. At Chertoff Group, Mr. Chertoff provides high-level strategic counsel to corporate and government leaders on a broad range of security issues, from risk identification and prevention to preparedness, response and recovery. “Risk management has become the CEO’s concern,” he says. “We help our clients develop comprehensive strategies to manage risk without building barriers that get in the way of carrying on their business.”

Innovative problem solving and science and technology have always been among Jay M. Cohen’s strong points: Early in his naval career he mastered Nuclear Power Training and later commanded a nuclear submarine. He provides scientific and technological expertise to clients of Chertoff Group – expertise that goes far beyond typical recommendations for application of both proven technology and cutting edge solutions.

Debbie Eng is Deputy Chief Operating Officer for The Chertoff Group. She joined the firm in July 2009 after three years of service at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, where she helped bring best business practices to this newly formed Cabinet Department and one of the most complex government mergers in U.S. history.

Dr. Richard A. Falkenrath is a Principal with The Chertoff Group, where he advises clients on a broad array of homeland and national security issues relating to counterterrorism, law enforcement, physical and digital network security, and risk management. In addition, he is a contributing editor at Bloomberg News, a Shelby Cullom and Kathryn W. Davis Adjunct Senior Fellow for Counterterrorism and Homeland Security at the Council on Foreign Relations, a member of the Director’s Review Committee of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a member of the Defense Threat Reduction Advisory Committee, and a member of the Aspen Strategy Group.

Ms. Farkus brings a tremendous amount of national security experience to The Chertoff Group, specificlly in counterterrorism with an emphasis on transportation security. Previously, Ms. Farkus served in several key positions including DHS Acting Assistant Secretary for International Affairs as well as Assistant Administrator for the Office of Global Strategies and Assistant Administrator for the Office of Intelligence at TSA. During her time at DHS, Ms. Farkus ensured that strategic international relationships stayed on track during the early stages of the presidential transition, worked proactively with international partners and those involved in securing overseas transportation operations to influence global security standards and enforce regulations throughout the global transportation network, and oversaw day-to-day intelligence activities providing key insights to directly influence TSA operations around the globe.

Mr. Fogg comes to the Chertoff Group after two and a half years serving in a senior operating role at FEMA where he was instrumental in restructuring the agency and improving its response and recovery capabilities in the wake of the federal response to Hurricane Katrina. He was significantly involved in the development and execution of successful evacuation and sheltering plans for Louisiana and Texas during Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008, and numerous other effective responses to natural disasters and emergencies around the country.

As Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, General Hayden was responsible for overseeing the collection of information concerning the plans, intentions and capabilities of America’s adversaries; producing timely analysis for decision makers; and conducting covert operations to thwart terrorists and other enemies of the US. At Chertoff Group, General Hayden will use his broad geographic and political knowledge to brief clients on intelligence matters worldwide – including developments in cybersecurity – that may affect their businesses.

Jason brings to The Chertoff Group over twelve years of investment banking and private equity investing experience, exclusively focused on middle market defense and government services companies. During his career, he has advised on over 50 merger, acquisition, private placement, and corporate divestiture transactions worth over $2.5 billion in deal value.

As a Senior Associate, Lauren Lotko brings an incredible desire to help clients achieve their goals while also serving our nation’s own interest in improving public safety and security. Prior to joining The Chertoff Group, Ms. Lotko worked as an equity research associate at BayStreet Research providing quantitatively driven analysis on the wireless communications and video games sectors in order to assist clients in their investment making decisions. Since 2008, Ms. Lotko has served in the United States Navy as a Reserve Intelligence Officer where she continues to serve the Commander of the Pacific Fleet, providing maritime domain awareness and exercise support through her reserve duties.

Mr. Love works with Chertoff Group clients to provide strategic advice on mergers, acquisitions and private equity investments, science and technology research, development, testing and evaluation, technology transfer across government and private sector

Mr. Marshall brings to the Chertoff Group a broad base of expertise in intelligence and cyber-related matters after nearly 35 years of service at the National Security Agency/Central Security Service (NSA/CSS), where he held a variety of senior leadership, management, and analysis positions in support of the U.S. Intelligence Community and Department of Defense.

Katy Montgomery is a senior public affairs advisor focused on creating thoughtful and strategic communications plans to help clients be prepared and navigate through both anticipated challenges and unpredictable events. During her career, she has served as a strategic advisor and spokesperson for senior government officials at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, The White House, and U.S. Department of Education.

At The Chertoff Group, Ms. Ostendorf utilizes her background in corporate finance and investment banking to provide strategic information to companies wishing to expand within the defense, aerospace and security industries and to help private capital groups evaluate investment opportunities within the sector.

Dr. John Reid has dedicated his career to public service serving as a Member of Parliament for 23 years, half of which were in service as a Government minister. He is often described as one of the most experienced Cabinet ministers in modern times having held more ministerial posts at the Cabinet level than any other politician in recent history.

Nicolle Sciara Rippeon joins The Chertoff Group from ABM LLC, an advisory services firm specializing in supporting the government’s implementation of border security and immigration programs as well as technology modernization projects. She also worked with both large and small companies in developing and pursuing federal strategies in the homeland security market space.

Dr. Runge has decades of clinical, research, leadership and administrative experience. In addition to seven years as the head of two government agencies with as many as 1000 employees and contractors under his direction, he brings nearly 30 years of experience as an emergency medicine physician. Until 2001 he practiced and taught in North Carolina’s busiest emergency department and trauma center, while performing research in injury prevention, trauma care, and emergency service delivery.

At Chertoff Group, Mr. Schneider counsels clients on budgeting, procurement and overall management issues related to security programs. He also serves as a strategic consultant to the defense and aerospace industries. “Risk management always requires an investment – often a large one,” he says. “Even amidst the vast uncertainties we have to deal with, we can help ensure that your investment delivers optimal returns.”

Dr. Shiffman brings to the Chertoff Group a deep terrorism/counter-terrorism expertise married with successful P&L experience at a Fortune 200 corporation. A prominent economist, he is well known for his perceptive application of economic insights to business leadership, and national and homeland security.

At the Department of Homeland Security, Chad Sweet worked directly with Secretary Michael Chertoff to restructure and optimize the flow of information between the CIA, FBI and other members of the national security community and DHS.
At Chertoff Group, Mr. Sweet utilizes his unique background in intelligence, homeland security and investment banking to provide M&A advice to companies wishing to expand within the defense, aerospace and security industries, and to help private capital groups evaluate investment opportunities within the sector.

Sir David Veness served as Under-Secretary-General of the UN Department of Safety and Security from its creation in 2005 until June 2009. This role carries responsibility for UN operations globally. Prior to this appointment, he was Assistant Commissioner (Specialist Operations) New Scotland Yard from 1994-2005.

Dr. Waters spent more than a decade in the private sector where he held strategic, financial and operations roles in early-stage organizations and turnaround situations. He brings to Chertoff Group a successful record of senior leadership experience in a variety of public, private and federal government settings. Dr. Waters specializes in developing and implementing entrepreneurial programs that balance the need to minimize risks with maintaining the flow of commerce.

Richard Weiblinger brings a unique skill set and perspective to the Chertoff Group having served in the Legislative and Executive branches of the U.S. Government and in the private sector on a range of critical policy issues, including public health, bioterrorism preparedness, emerging homeland security technologies, and a strong understanding of the Federal budget and appropriations process during his career as a staffer in the U.S. Senate. At the Chertoff Group, Mr. Weiblinger works with a range of clients to provide his first-hand knowledge of trends and requirements in national and global security to better position the private sector to provide critical capabilities to enhance security both at home and abroad.

Mr. White provides strategic advice on mergers, acquisitions and private equity investments and focuses on global border and supply chain security, cyber security and international homeland security.