Special Operations Association of America – “A Voice for Special Operations”
We advocate for all past, present, and future members of the Special Operations community and their families. Fighting for those who fight for us to ensure the mission success and lethality of those that bear the greater burden. SOAA is a 501c19 Veterans Non-Profit organization, registered with the IRS. Learn more about our team.
Find information on SOAA’s IRS 990 here:
SOAA IRS 990 for 2021 | SOAA IRS 990 for 2022
Who We Are
Our team is made up of accomplished professionals who are passionate about advocating for, defending, and protecting the benefits of those in the Special Operations community and their families. Interested in joining our team? Contact us.
Lt. General John F. Mulholland, Jr. (Ret)
LTG Mulholland (Ret) is a career Army Special Forces officer who graduated from Furman University in 1978 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Infantry from the Furman ROTC program. Since joining the 1st Special …
Dr. Newton Howard
Dr. Newton Howard is the founder of ni2o, Inc.–a start-up developing novel, AI-driven, brain-computer interfaces to treat a wide range of debilitating neurological disorders. ni2o’s eventual aim is to improve cognitive and athletic performance for all people affected …
Jaclyn Scott
Jaclyn “Jax” is a tenured Special Operations Warrant Officer, with over 17 years’ experience. She is an expert in military cyber policy and has led global development operations in cyber countermeasures to mitigate near-peer attacks. …
Morgan Luttrell
Morgan is a retired United States Navy SEAL officer, a current member of Congress, a former Senior Advisor and Director at the Department of Energy, and an environmentally-focused entrepreneur. He brings his 14 years of …
David Cook
David served in the US Army for a decade, beginning in the 82nd Airborne Division and later 4th Psychological Operations Group. Most recently, David served as the National Security Advisor for a Member of Congress. …
Sarah Verardo
Starting as a volunteer with The Independence Fund, Sarah’s steadfast devotion, experience, and drive led to her eventual selection as the organization’s first Chief Executive Officer. Based on personal experience from her husband’s military unit, Sarah …
Daniel Elkins
Daniel is a founding member of SOAA and is a proud member of the military community.
Jenn Aupke
Colonel Jennifer Aupke is the Division Chief for Irregular Warfare and Special Operations, Air National Guard in Washington, DC as well as the Co-Founder of The Milieux Project, Inc a 501 (c) 3 Non profit …
Andrew Marr
Andrew is a Retired Special Forces Green Beret, entrepreneur, and best-selling co-author of TALES FROM THE BLAST FACTORY: A Brain Injured Special Forces Green Beret’s Journey Back from the Brink. His book has been turned …
Keith Pellegrini
Keith is a retired Special Forces Officer with nearly three decades of diverse National Security experience. His unique career as a Special Mission Unit Operator included immersion within both the Intelligence Community and State Department. This background, …
Doug Livermore
Doug is a Special Forces officer in the Army National Guard and Director of Special Programs for the Dept. of the Navy. In addition to his work with SOAA, Doug is National Director of External …
Brigadier General Harrison “HB” Gilliam
Brigadier General Harrison “HB” Gilliam was commissioned in OCS and served as an Infantry Officer and Platoon Leader later graduating Q Course and earning his Green Beret joining 19th Special Forces Group. After a decorated career …
Conwey Casillas
Conwey Casillas has more than 25 years experience working on public policy and legislative matters involving higher education. In his role as vice president for federal and public affairs, he advocates for higher education institutions …
Chris Miller
Chris brings the experience and accolades to help us in our mission to support Operators and their families. Chris most recently served as the Acting Secretary of Defense of the United States, and prior to …
Ryan Ziegler
Ryan is a Physician Assistant and a Green Beret. He has led US and foreign troops in combat in addition to having run successful start-up businesses. His leadership experience in both the military and civilian …
Junaid Lughmani
Junaid is a veteran of the US Army, and former civilian Pashto interpreter for the US military in Afghanistan. Having the rare distinction of serving as both Infantry Rifle Platoon Leader and interpreter in Afghanistan, …
Evanna Hu
Evanna is the CEO of Omelas, an AI company that detects digital influence operations. She is also the Senior Advisor for Cyber and Info Ops at the International Republican Institute, Nonresident Senior Fellow at the …
David Maxwell
David is a retired US Army Special Forces Colonel with command and staff assignments in Korea, Japan, Germany, the Philippines, and The U.S. He served as a member of the military faculty teaching national security …
Eric Tomaz
Eric Tomaz is an international defense technology professional and a Special Forces Warrant Officer in the Army National Guard. He has led U.S. and foreign troops in Afghanistan and Ukraine. His experience and relationships with …
Alex Plitsas
Alex Plitsas is a nonresident senior fellow with the Forward Defense practice at the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security. Additionally, he is currently a principal and industry director for aerospace and defense and high-tech …
Christopher Lay
As Co-Founder and CEO of Endeavour, a leading financial services provider to US National Security, Defense, and Space entrepreneurs Chris knows first-hand how a lack of resources can deny many people the chance to fully …
Tripp McCullar
Tripp is a national security & global risk advisory leader with international experience throughout the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. He previously served 20+ years as an Army Paratrooper, Special Forces (Green Beret) officer, US …
Dr. Joseph Long
Dr. Joseph Long is a retired Special Forces officer who served in 1st Special Forces Group and as an instructor and Commander in various phases of the Special Forces Qualification Course, culminating his career as …