Building toward
a more understood world.

Mr. James A. Samuel, Jr. is the Founder & CEO of Pluribus Inc., a big data, geospatial analytics company headquartered in McLean, Virginia. Mr. Samuel founded Pluribus to lead the world in an entirely new industry: Identity-Based Navigation®. Mr. Samuel possesses an extensive set of skills and life experiences that uniquely qualify him to fulfill this vision.

As a former Tier-2 (2-Star General-equivalent) member of the Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service (SES), with over 30 years of federal service, Mr. Samuel solved numerous, national-level problems via positions of increasing responsibility, scope and complexity: National Geospatial Intelligence Officer for Aeronautical Issues; NGA Operations Center Director; NGA Country Lead – Djibouti, Africa; Senior NGA Representative to the ISAF Joint Command – Kabul, Afghanistan; Deputy Director of NGA’s Support Team to the U.S. Transportation Command; Geospatial Imagery & Data Analyst; U.S. Air Force Telecommunications Engineer and F-15C Fighter Pilot with over 1000 total flight hours.

Prior to founding Pluribus Inc., Mr. Samuel served as the Chief of Congressional Affairs at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), where he led the agency—comprising several thousand personnel—through 12 classified hearings, six public hearings, and three annual congressional budget cycles involving multi-billion-dollar portfolios. He also delivered two personal testimonies before Congress and successfully secured a $1.7 billion military construction appropriation for NGA’s new campus in St. Louis, Missouri. For these efforts, he and his team were honored with the 2017 Intelligence Community Legislative Affairs Team of the Year award by the U.S. Director of National Intelligence.

Mr. Samuel holds a B.S. in General Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy, an M.A. in Information Technology from Webster University, and he completed his Executive Education at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He holds multiple patents and is the recipient of numerous honors, including the prestigious Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Defense Intelligence Senior Professional and BAAE Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Mr. Samuel is happily married to Dr. Evelyn Teague Samuel.

Mr. Rodgers Allen, Jr. is the Vice President for Pluribus Inc., a big data, geosocial & geospatial analytics company headquartered in McLean, Virginia. Mr. Allen joined Pluribus to help lead the world in an entirely new industry: Identity-Based Navigation®.

After graduating from the Academy of Mathematics and Science High School in St. Louis, Missouri, Mr. Allen joined the United States Army where he served as a logistician while stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Mr. Allen deployed to Desert Shield/Desert Storm where he provided logistics support to the 82nd Airborne and 7th Corps Infantry Divisions. Mr. Allen joined the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department where he led several investigation bureaus, including Internal Affairs and Criminal Investigations. Due to his excellent service, Mr. Allen was recruited to join the Federal Bureau of Investigation where he served on the Joint Terrorism Task Force for eight years.

Mr. Allen was later recruited by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency to serve as an imagery analyst. There, Mr. Allen spent the next 10 years learning and deepening his knowledge, skill, ability and network as a geospatial expert in many different roles, culminating as the Deputy Director of NGA’s Office of Science and Technology. In this capacity, Rodgers oversaw the various scientific disciplines within the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, including Imagery Science and Data Science. As an additional duty in this position, he also managed his office’s Data Center and Cloud Portfolio.

Previously, Mr. Allen was an Executive Account Manager at Amazon Web Services, where he earned his AWS Cloud Practitioner and AI certification. In this role, he led a team that generated $500 million in annual revenue for three consecutive years by driving cloud adoption across all 18 agencies of the U.S. Intelligence Community.

A Webster University graduate with a B.A. in Political Science, Mr. Allen has earned several high-level honors. His accolades include the National Security Initiative, the Department of Justice Distinguished Service Award, and the Army Achievement Medal, which was awarded for his actions during combat. Mr. Allen is happily married to Marjorie Grace Allen.

Jeanne Wilkins Bisesi is a Senior Project Manager at Pluribus Inc., responsible for Guardian ANJEL and ANJEL Klaxon platforms. With a background in human factors engineering, neuropsychology, crisis action response, and command and control, Jeannie’s 31-year military career spanned Air Force Active Duty, Reserve and Air National Guard in critical leadership roles: plans officer, command post chief, logistics readiness officer, mission support group commander, and primary rep to operational planning teams, crisis action teams, and operations centers (AOC, EOC, DDOC).

As a crisis action team exec officer at Yokota Air Force Base, Jeannie waited to see if Y2K mitigations had been successful as midnight approached on Dec 31st, 1999, with the world watching Japan as one of the first countries to cross into the new millennium. She was Command Post Chief of 193 SOW/CP, Pennsylvania ANG on 9/11, and communicated with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) to respond to the forced crash of hijacked Flight 93, Shanksville PA. As a primary A4 logistics, engineering, and force protection rep to the AMC Crisis Battle Staff during COVID 19 operations, Afghan withdrawal, Operation AFGHAN REFUGE and Operation AFGHAN WELCOME, and HURCON responses to Michael (Cat 5), Florence (4), Dorian (5), Sally (4), Ida (4), and Helene (4). From inside AMC’s Crisis Battle Staff (CBS) she witnessed the Abbey Gate attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) on August 26th, 2021, through a direct satellite video feed. The increase in situational awareness for Air Mobility Command leadership—from actual video footage during the explosion—was exponential and immediate.

She served as a branch chief, deputy division chief, and division chief on the A4 staffs at Air Force Materiel Command, Air Mobility Command, as well as deputy division chief of CENTCOM DDOC Current Operations. She was the emergency operations center (EOC) Director for several exercises and two hurricanes, as well as a three wing (AFR, ANG) combined operational readiness inspection. The Air Force awarded her special experience identifiers in aerial port transportation operations, SAPR victim advocate, influence operations, OPSEC, MILDEC, and Influence Planning. She holds a level 3 certification in LPDP Professional Deployment, Distribution and Transportation.

As a civilian, Jeannie is a published research assistant under her maiden name in functional magnetic resonance imaging studies, reading assessments (rapid automatized naming), and the effects of oxytocin and vasopressin on emotional expression and readiness to learn. She has worked with severely behaviorally disabled children on the neurobehavioral unit of Kennedy Krieger Institute, John Hopkins Hospital campus, as well as a youth counselor with the Children’s Home of York, a 25-bed shelter housing both diagnostic and emergency shelter children between the ages of 9 to 18 years.

Degrees:

• PhD Coursework, Neuroscience, Bowling Green State University
• MS, Developmental Psychology, The Johns Hopkins University
• BS, Experimental Psychology/Human Factors Engineering, US Air Force Academy

Professional Training & Courses:

• 2022 – USAF Emergency Operations Center Director Course, MLMDC813
• 2020 – AMC Nuclear Leadership Course, in-residence, Scott AFB, IL
• 2020 – Joint Logistics Enterprise (JLEnt), JKO J40 P-US1122
• 2020 – AFIT LOG 399, Strategic Logistics Management
• 2020 – AF Expeditionary Mobility Operations
• 2019 – Enterprise Leadership Seminar, 19B, Washington DC
• 2019 – JOPES Course, JKO JDTC-US351
• 2019 – Introduction to Automated Identification Technology
• 2019 – Contingency War Planners Course, Class 19E, Maxwell AFB, AL
• 2019 – 2019B MASC, MAF AFFOR Staff, AF Expeditionary Ops School, JBMDL
• 2018 – SLMG Senior Leader Mission Generation Course
• 2015 – AFIT W500, Enterprise Logistics Executive Capstone Course
• 2015 – Commander’s Readiness Reporting, E6OZWXX, PDS:1JY
• 2014 – Air War College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL
• 2010 – Air Force Emergency Response Operations (AERO) Command and Control
• FEMA IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-775, IS-800 Equivalent
• 2011 – Commander’s Antiterrorism Level III – MLMDC001
• 2011 – E7AST1C351 Commander SORTs DATA Handler, PDS:Y13
• 2008 – AMC Air Mobility Operations Stage Manager Course, Scott AFB, IL
• 2004 – Contemporary Insurgent Warfare Course, SOED-CIWC, PDS: LZP
• 2001 – Joint Psychological Operations Course, AFSOC: 152002, PDS: 98V 193 SOW
• 1999 – USCINCPAC JFACC Augmentation Cell Course
• 1999 – Air Mobility Ops Course, Class 99-03, Air Mobility Warfare Ctr, Fort Dix, NJ
• 1998 – USAF Tactical Deception Course, PDS:2EY, Misawa AB, Japan
• 1998 – JOPES Specialty Course, USTRANSCOM, Yokota AB, Japan
• 1998 – JOPES Basic Operations Course, USTRANSCOM, Yokota AB, Japan
• 1997 – Global Command & Control System Course, USTRANSCOM

Honors and Awards:

• 2022 – Legion of Merit, AMC Reserve Advisor to the Director, AMC A4
• 2014 – Defense Meritorious Service Medal – CDDOC, Deputy Division Chief, CUOPS
• 2009, 2008, 2005 – Command Post Chief/OIC, Command Post of the Year
• 1997 – Meritorious Unit Citation from Director of Central Intelligence
• CORAL MAT Combined Exploitation Force and Management Team – National Air and Space Intelligence Center, 1995–1996

Her greatest honor and achievement in life is being mother to five beautiful children, Jim, Leo, Isabel, Lily, and Joe.

Daniel Neustadter is a Development Operations, Data and Cyber Engineer at Pluribus Inc., joining the company after serving as a Software Development Operations Airman with the U.S. Air Force's BESPIN Software Factory at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.

At BESPIN, Daniel worked to support Air Force applications on AWS GovCloud and Cloud One, helped build out the organization's penetration testing program, and led threat-hunting efforts that remediated hundreds of vulnerabilities. He also helped build and harden a secure enterprise network supporting more than 100 personnel.

He holds a security clearance and the following credentials:

Degrees:

• M.S., Cybersecurity & Information Assurance, Western Governors University
• B.S., Cybersecurity & Information Assurance, Western Governors University
• A.S., Computer Science Technology, Community College of the Air Force

Certifications:

• Associate of ISC2 (CISSP and CCSP exams passed; full certification pending experience requirement)
• ISC2 SSCP, CC
• PMI PMP, CAPM
• ITIL 4 Foundations
• AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
• HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate
• CompTIA SecurityX, PenTest+, CySA+, Security+, Network+, Server+, A+, Linux+, Project+, ITF+
• LPI Linux Essentials
• GitLab Certified Associate

Honors:

• Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America

Outside of work, he contributes to open source software projects and has spent many years as a Boy Scouts of America instructor, supporting scouts across the Southeastern United States.

Mr. James Balkcom is an Investor and Advisor for Pluribus, Inc., with a deep and distinguished career in military service, entrepreneurship, finance, business leadership and more.

Current & Professional Leadership:

• Chairman, EndoChoice. 2009–present.
• Lead Director, Reach Health. 2010–present.
• Lead Director, State Bank and Trust; Chairman, Independent Director Committee. 2009–present.
• Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for Georgia. Appointed 2002–present.
• Founding/Operating Partner, Council Capital, L.P.; CEO Council and Investment Committee. 2001–present.
• Chairman of the Advisory Board, TalentQuest. 2004–present.
• Director, Ikobo, Inc., Online Money Transfer. 2006–2009.
• Director, eVault, Inc.; Executive Chairman. 2001–2003.
• Director, Data Path, Inc.; Chairman, Audit Committee. 2007–2009.
• Chairman, Georgia Military Affairs Committee – appointed by Governor. 2008.
• Chief Executives Organization (CEO).
• World Presidents’ Organization (WPO).
• USO Council of Atlanta; Executive Committee.
• Executive Committee, Metro Atlanta Association of U.S. Army.
• Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Businessmen Association.
• Advisory Board, Shepherd Center.

Past Responsibilities:

• Owner, Chairman, President and CEO, Techsonic Industries, Inc. 1976–1995. Humminbird®. A leading manufacturer of marine electronics.
• Director, BankTrust Financial Group, a $1.6 billion multi-bank holding company; Executive Committee.
• Group Executive/Consultant to Chairman/CEO, Equifax, Personal Solutions, direct-to-consumer online/offline business. Achieved 40% growth over the prior year. 2004.
• Director, Executive Chairman, interim CEO, PAMECO Corporation. 1996–2000. IPO; led turnaround and $185 million refinancing/re-capitalization. $400 million distributor with over 300 locations.
• Director, non-executive Chairman, American Remanufacturers, Inc. Revenues grew from $50 million to $400 million. 1996–2003.
• Director, Century South Bank, a $1.6 billion bank holding company; Chairman, Compensation Committee. Sold to BB&T. 1998–2002.
• Chairman, Commerce South Bank, $350 million bank holding company. 2001–2005. Sold to BankTrust.
• 10 years Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for Alabama.
• Founding Director of Leadership Alabama.
• International Board of Directors, Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO); Chairman, Rebel Chapter.
• Board of Directors of National Marine Manufacturers Association.
• Chairman, National Association of Marine Products and Services.

Military Service & Education:

A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Mr. Balkcom attended The Georgia Institute of Technology before his appointment to The United States Military Academy, where he majored in engineering and graduated from West Point in 1967.

• Meritorious Service Medal, 3rd Armored Division, Germany
• Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam
• Vietnamese Distinguished Service Medal
• Ranger
• Airborne
• Order of St. Maurice
• 2011 Distinguished Graduate, West Point Society of Atlanta

Education & Professional Recognition:

• MBA, Harvard Business School, Finance
• Hay Associates Management Fellowship
• Paul Harris Fellow

Community & Personal:

Mr. Balkcom has served as a deacon of First Baptist Church of Eufaula and an elder of Peachtree Presbyterian.

He resides with Linda, his wife of 45 years, in Atlanta, Georgia. They have two daughters: Julie, a graduate of the University of Alabama with an MBA in International Business from Georgia State University, who is married with two children and lives in Montgomery, Alabama; and Katie, a graduate of Vanderbilt University with an MBA in Marketing from Georgia State University, who is married, has three children, and lives in Atlanta.

Mr. Balkcom is also the proud grandfather of five beautiful grandchildren.

Ambassador Gentry O. Smith is a Strategic Advisor to Pluribus Inc., as a globally recognized leader in diplomatic security, national defense, and international law enforcement. With over 30 years of distinguished service in the U.S. Department of State, Smith has been at the forefront of securing diplomatic operations in some of the world’s most complex and high-threat environments. His expertise spans over 170 countries, including critical postings in Cairo, Tokyo, and Yangon (Rangoon), where he has shaped security strategies and strengthened international partnerships.

Most recently, Smith was the 11th Assistant Secretary (AS/DS) for Diplomatic Security at the United States Department of State, where he oversaw a $6 billion security budget and provided leadership to a global workforce of 48,000 personnel.

As a seasoned security professional, Smith has played a pivotal role in advancing public safety and national security through leadership in essential organizations such as the Office of Foreign Missions, Diplomatic Security, Security Countermeasures, and Research & Development Security Programs. His impact extends beyond government operations, as he has collaborated with Fortune 500 Chief Security Officers (CSOs), major corporations, faith-based organizations, educational institutions, and NGOs to enhance security resilience in high-risk areas.

A trusted advisor to the highest levels of government, Smith has worked alongside over 400 ambassadors, the U.S. Intelligence Community, the U.S. Military, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the U.S. National Security Council. He has also been directly involved in protecting three U.S. Secretaries of State and visiting foreign dignitaries.

His influence extends to premier global events such as the World Cup and the Olympics, where his expertise has strengthened counterterrorism awareness and physical and cybersecurity measures.

Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from North Carolina State University and has received extensive law enforcement training through the North Carolina Justice Academy and Federal Law Enforcement programs. His credentials include Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearances, as well as certifications in security clearance investigations and high-threat foreign deployments.

As a Strategic Advisor to PLURIBUS Inc., Smith brings unparalleled expertise in global security operations, risk management, and strategic defense initiatives. His vast experience, expansive network, and proven leadership will be instrumental in guiding PLURIBUS as it continues to drive innovation in defense technology, national security, and global security sectors.

Dr. Daniel Barbará is a Research Partner for PLURIBUS Inc., in the areas of Air Force STTR/SBIR research and development. Dr. Barbará has taught at George Mason University since 1997. His areas of expertise are data mining and machine learning. He served as the program chair of the SIAM International Conference on Data Mining in 2003, and he has received numerous grants from the National Science Foundation, the Army, and other federal and state institutions.

Research:

• 2023–2024: STTR Phase I – Metadata Overlay + Live Streaming and Geolocating Security Incident Reporting System. Funded by the U.S. Air Force – AFWERX.
• 2012–2015: II-NEW: An Experimental Infrastructure for Cross-domain Research in Wireless Computing, Cybersecurity, and Data Mining. Funded by the National Science Foundation.
• 2012–2013: Discovering Area Anomalies to Support Detection of Geospatial Stressing Factors. Funded by the U.S. Army.
• 2011: A Visualization and Analysis Tool for a Large-Scale Sensing and Surveillance System. Funded by Invertix Corp.

Honors and Awards:

• Outstanding Researcher, CS Department, George Mason University

Degrees:

• PhD, Computer Science, Princeton University
• MS, Computer Science, Princeton University
• BS, Electrical Engineering, Universidad Metropolitana