Contractors, are you seeking entry into a foreign marketplace in the UK, South America, Europe, or Africa (or elsewhere)? Well, good news!
We have the perfect consultant for you.
Meet Gary Slack, former Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and DoD civil servant with the background, expertise, and overseas connections to help you succeed. Gary’s expertise lies at the intersection of military service and international relations, gained over his 33-year-long career (25 of them on overseas assignments), during which he served as a navigator, university professor, Foreign Area Officer/Security Assistance Expert, and civilian International Relations Specialist. Gary didn’t join the service immediately after high school; instead, he got a Bachelor's in Education and spent the next 3 years teaching in elementary and high schools. But shortly after completing a Master’s in Administration, Gary felt called to join the US Air Force. Brief as it was, Gary considers his time in education well-spent, noting (half-jokingly) that it cured his fear of public speaking and presenting!
During his 23 years in uniform, Gary served as an accredited diplomat and Foreign Area Officer at 2 US Embassies: first, in Caracas, Venezuela - where he also got his Master's in Air Power Employment from the Command and Staff College - and second in Madrid, Spain. Through his work in security assistance and disaster relief, he became deeply familiar with the intertwined workings of military procurement, defense industry contracting, diplomacy, operations, and security; and, importantly, he also built a strong network of contacts in the UK, Europe, and Africa.
In his operational postings, Gary performed as a Master Navigator. Over four flying tours - three of which he served at RAF Mildenhall in the UK - he accrued 2700+ flight hours in the KC-135, T-43, and myriad other aircraft. He also held positions in leadership, operations, staff, and training and gained extensive experience in both combat and humanitarian relief during notable periods of conflict in Southwest Asia, the Balkans, Africa, and South America.
In the Air Force, Gary resumed his role as a teacher: first as an Assistant Professor of Military Studies at the US Air Force Academy (where he was also the head rugby coach) and many years later, as an adjunct professor of International Relations at the University of Maryland. A dedicated scholar himself, Gary holds three graduate degrees. In addition to the aforementioned degrees in Administration and Air Power Employment, he also has a Master's in International Relations from the University of Cambridge.
The majority of Gary's career was spent in the UK, so, perhaps unsurprisingly, he met a lovely English woman named Belinda. The pair married and became parents to two sons. In 2012, following his retirement from the Air Force, his family returned home to the UK, where Gary began his civilian career as Chief of International Relations in the UK under US European Command. In this role, Gary and his team directed treaties and agreements between the US and UK defense establishments regarding security, policing, basing, and day-to-day maintenance of US forces’ relations with local military and civil authorities. He served as a Political Advisor to US commanders in the UK and as a bridge to UK government and industry until his retirement in 2023.
Gary is also a devoted family man. He and his wife Belinda live near Manchester, as do their now-adult sons. They enjoy hiking the trails at Peak District National Park, refueling at the local country pub, and traveling to the coast and the Mediterranean to indulge their passion for sailing. And though Gary's rugby days are far behind him now, he's still an ardent fan who loves to cheer on his home club, Bury St. Edmunds.
Learn more about Gary Slack and his consulting in the Q&A section below.
Want to work with Gary? Let's discuss. Schedule a free info call via the form on our Contact page - subject: Gary Slack, or by phone at (571) 309-5884.
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Q & A with Gary
1. What were some of the biggest challenges you encountered while working in the UK?
One was the COVID lockdown. It was a combination of getting US Commanders and forces accustomed to the UK restrictions while also pushing the UK to allow our mission to continue, so both sides had to compromise. There are so many issues that arise when you’re supporting numerous US bases and 25,000 US service members in a foreign country. Every day presented new challenges.
2. Which successes from that time stand out to you?
The reversal of US decisions to close RAF Mildenhall and RAF Alconbury/Molesworth was pretty big - and we played a role in that, both in London and DC and with the Combatant Commands. We also created and led an enduring education and training program for first responders, disaster relief agencies, military, and civil organizations from both countries on how to cooperate, train, and respond together as a multinational team capable of responding to emergencies, which they did for COVID, flooding, aircraft mishaps, and sea rescues.
3. As a consultant, how do you help your clients?
My work focuses on helping companies identify and connect to existing support programs provided by US agencies, allied governments, and multinational organizations like NATO and the European Defense Agency. I help facilitate relationships with industry or government contacts that can allow clients to compete on otherwise unattainable contracts. In 2024 alone, my team members and I connected clients to contacts in the following spaces: NATO (procurement, requirements, and US delegations), officials in 13 allied governments, leadership in US European Command, US Africa Command, US Air Forces Europe and Africa, US Navy Europe, US Army Europe and Africa, and Special Operations Commands. I’ve also escorted clients to meetings with US and allied commands/civil agencies and industries and represented my clients at trade and industry shows.
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