Wade Evans
Sarasota,USA
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience leading teams focused on change management, defense management advising, security cooperation planning and strategy development. Successfully managed over $1.4B in programmed funding and oversaw enterprises with over 1,500 people. Proven ability to transform teams, change cultures, drive impactful reforms and foster collaborative partnerships.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Principal for Regional Advising
Institute for Security Governance
12.2020 - Current
- Led 500+ government and contractor personnel in planning and executing $60M in institutional capacity building programs, enhancing regional capabilities
- Directed development of change management plans for improved defense and security sector management across 80 countries, fostering stability and resilience
- Advanced defense management advising by developing a framework and standardizing processes to implement an output-focused approach to institutional capacity building
Officer, Ensign - Captain
United States Navy (USN)
06.1992 - 06.2022
- Appointed as the Commanding Officer of six units, including NATO Allied Command Transformation Multinational Unit, USN Surface Forces Atlantic Headquarters Unit, and Commander Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) Theater Security Cooperation Unit.
- Developed updated curriculum for Afloat Culture Workshop program for USN and led organizational culture evaluation for over 30 ships
- Coordinated the efforts of over 1500 officers and enlisted personnel supporting USN Surface Forces Atlantic operations.
- Recognized as Navy Recruiting Region Midwest Officer, Medical Officer and Diversity Officer Recruiter of the Year for achieving over 200% increase in accessions
- Chosen as the Flag Lieutenant/Aide de Camp for the Commander of NATO Standing Naval Forces Atlantic.
- Acted as an Exchange Officer with the United Kingdom Royal Navy and graduated from the UK Joint Services Staff College Maritime Course.
- Qualified Surface Warfare and Joint Officer with multiple deployments to the Middle East, North Atlantic, Caribbean and Mediterranean
- Military Service Not Captured Elsewhere
Director, Planning and Program Design Division (PPD)
Defense Security Cooperation Agency
04.2018 - 12.2020
- Responsible for the planning, program design and budget justification for $1.4B in Department DOD Building Partner Capacity (BPC) Programs focused on Counter Narcotics, Maritime Security, Counter Terrorism, Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction and Border Security
- Oversaw planning, program design, and budget justification for $1.4B in DOD Building Partner Capacity programs focused on counter narcotics, maritime security, counter terrorism, counter weapons of mass destruction, and border security
- Directed team of subject matter experts in briefing Congressional staff to secure approval for DOD BPC programs, budget requests, and security cooperation authority reforms
- Facilitated SC Community of Interest comprising Geographic Combatant Commands, Joint Staff, and Office of Secretary of Defense Policy to advance security cooperation reforms and identify lessons learned and process improvements
- Led SC Community of Interest including Geographic Combatant Commands, Joint Staff, Office of Secretary of Defense Policy and others to advance SC reforms and develop lessons learned and process improvements
- Reviewed, validated, and prioritized GCC requests for State Title 22 Foreign Military Financing and International Military Education and Training.
- Led over 50 government civilian security cooperation (SC) planners and Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation (AME) contractors
President
GWE Group
07.2016 - 04.2020
- Developed strategies for foreign military sales and to enhance bilateral military cooperation
Chief, Office of Military Cooperation
United States Embassy Doha, Qatar
Doha, Qatar
08.2014 - 06.2016
- Hand-picked to be the only DOD civilian Chief, Office of Military Cooperation
- Led negotiations for multiple international agreements with the Qatari Deputy Minister of Defense
- Oversaw $11B in Foreign Military Sales (FMS) cases and advanced additional $14B through FMS process to enhance defense cooperation
- Managed military relationship with State of Qatar, overseeing security assistance, exercises, key leader engagements, and access, basing, and overflight to support ongoing operations
- Coordinated and executed in-country logistics for two Regional Ambassadors Conferences and the USCENTCOM Counter-Daesh Chief of Defense Conference.
- Established Integrated Program Office to coordinate all implementing agencies supporting Qatar FMS program
- Elected President of Embassy Doha Employee Association
Senior Security Cooperation Analyst
USCENTCOM, Camber Cooperation
07.2013 - 08.2014
- Directed USCENTCOM initiatives to establish FMS cases with Gulf Cooperation Council, enhancing defense collaboration
- Managed Commander USCENTCOM engagements at Manama Dialogue, promoting strategic partnerships and regional stability
- Led Yemen Quad Border Talks with Oman and Saudi Arabia, facilitating regional dialogue and security cooperation
Independent Consultant
MBO Partners
03.2013 - 07.2013
- Delivered non-lethal targeting expertise to enhance effectiveness of USCENTCOM Threat Finance Program
- Coordinated with Interagency (IA) and military elements to establish tactical special compartmented information facility, supporting regional threat finance initiatives
- Created standard operating procedures to streamline integration of counter threat finance operations into USCENTCOM non-lethal targeting efforts
Chief, Combating Terrorism Division and Targets and Operations Coordination Branch
USCENTCOM, USN Commander
05.2009 - 02.2013
- Supervised 30+ multi-service personnel, military contractors and government civilians coordinating counter terrorism, counter threat finance, counter improvised explosive device (C- IED) and counter narcotics operations, actions and activities (OAA) with USG IA
- Facilitated information sharing and developed strategic and operational OAA between IA and DOD to counter regional threat networks and adversary nations.
- Analyzed threat networks and adversary nations, identified targets and vulnerabilities for non-lethal action, and created information packages to support DOD and IA initiatives
- Led the development of whole of government targeting strategies using law enforcement, rewards, sanctions, designations, cyber, information operations and other non-lethal tools
- Managed the planning and execution of USCENTCOM Joint Targeting Coordination Board integrating cyber, Information Operations, and IA OAAs to achieve regional security goals
- Led quarterly assessments on USCENTCOM's ability to integrate the IA into military operations and conduct counter terrorism
- Planned and led the execution of five Commander USCENTCOM and Director CIA co-chaired Counter Terrorism Executive Council meetings attended by USG senior counter terrorism leadership
- Executed five Commander USCENTCOM and Director CIA co-chaired Counter Terrorism Executive Council meetings, engaging USG senior counter terrorism leadership
- Oversaw USCENTCOM DOD Rewards Program
Operational Planner
United States Special Operations Command
07.2007 - 04.2009
- Led interagency effort to analyze and leverage counter threat finance and counter narcotics OAAs, disrupting terrorist networks
- Developed legislative proposals for authorities enhancing partner capacity
- Identified funding shortfall and secured resources to create Common Operating Picture of ODO and IA OAAs, strengthening partner capacity
- Developed legislative proposals for new authorities to build partner capacity
Education
MA - National Security Studies
Nova Southeastern University
06-2014
Joint Forces Staff College -
02-2012
Air Command and Staff College -
12-2006
BS - Political Science
United States Naval Academy
05-1992
Skills
- Change management
- Defense management advising
- Institutional capacity building
- Security cooperation
- Strategic planning
- Risk management
- Foreign military sales
- International relations
Timeline
Senior Principal for Regional Advising
Institute for Security Governance
12.2020 - Current
Director, Planning and Program Design Division (PPD)
Defense Security Cooperation Agency
04.2018 - 12.2020
President
GWE Group
07.2016 - 04.2020
Chief, Office of Military Cooperation
United States Embassy Doha, Qatar
08.2014 - 06.2016
Senior Security Cooperation Analyst
USCENTCOM, Camber Cooperation
07.2013 - 08.2014
Independent Consultant
MBO Partners
03.2013 - 07.2013
Chief, Combating Terrorism Division and Targets and Operations Coordination Branch
USCENTCOM, USN Commander
05.2009 - 02.2013
Operational Planner
United States Special Operations Command
07.2007 - 04.2009
Officer, Ensign - Captain
United States Navy (USN)
06.1992 - 06.2022
MA - National Security Studies
Nova Southeastern University
Joint Forces Staff College -
Air Command and Staff College -
BS - Political Science
United States Naval Academy