WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 1, 2021 – Epirus, a high-growth technology company developing directed energy systems and power management solutions for a range of use cases and mission needs, announced today the additions of Secretary James “Hondo” Geurts and Major General Joseph Reynes, Jr., United States Air Force (ret.) to the company’s Advisory Board. Epirus announced the formation of their Advisory Board in May 2021 and the expansion of the group in September 2021. Epirus’ Advisory Board – comprised of globally recognized leaders from the national security and high-technology sectors – provides counsel to internal leadership and their strategic vision has proved integral to the company’s continued growth.
Secretary Geurts most recently performed the duties of the Under Secretary of the Navy and, from 2017 to 2021, served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development & Acquisition. Maj Gen Reynes held multiple Pentagon posts throughout his distinguished career in the U.S. Air Force and served most recently as Deputy Chief of Staff of Operations, Headquarters Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum, Netherlands.
Sec. Geurts and Maj Gen Reynes have decades of national security leadership and, in line with Epirus’ mission, a proven track record of accelerating acquisition of next-generation technologies to equip U.S. warfighters with world leading capabilities. In the past few months alone, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) have wreaked havoc at a Saudi airport, been identified as the source of an attack on a Pennsylvania power grid and were the weapon of choice in an assassination attempt against the Iraqi Prime Minister. With weaponized UAS usage on the rise, what remains all but certain is that a large-scale drone attack is imminent. The deep tactical knowledge and mission experience of Sec. Geurts and Maj Gen Reynes are welcomed additions for Epirus as the company works to field its unmatched counter-electronics capabilities to address the pressing counter-UAS mission need and help government and commercial customers defend against a growing list of electronic threats.
HON. JAMES “HONDO” GEURTS
Former Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development & Acquisition
Secretary James Geurts, known to most as Hondo, has over three decades of leadership in the national security sector. Known for his abilities to rapidly field emerging technologies, create and scale innovative solutions, inspire teams, and develop diverse talent, he is a proven leader in the most challenging and complex situations. Most recently, he performed the duties of the Under Secretary of the Navy, where he served as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Management Officer for the Department of the Navy and was responsible for the effective global business operations of the over 1 million person / $200B U.S. Navy and Marine Corps team. After his unanimous Senate confirmation in 2017 and until 2021, he served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development & Acquisition, where he was responsible for overseeing a budget in excess of $140B annually and ensuring procurement and sustainment of platforms, systems, technologies, and services to enhance the capabilities and readiness of Sailors and Marines serving around the globe in defense of the nation.
MAJOR GENERAL JOSEPH REYNES, JR., U.S. AIR FORCE (RET.)
Former Deputy Chief of Staff Operations, Headquarters Allied Joint Force Command, Brunssum, Netherlands
After 35 years of active duty service, Maj Gen (ret.) Joseph Reynes, Jr. served as Vice President of Staff Operations at USAA for four years, delivering a complete upgrade of all computer systems and inventory update. Prior to that, he led U.S. efforts for SOSI to restore Balad Air Base and deliver the first Iraqi F-16s.
Maj Gen Reynes served as the Deputy Chief of Staff Operations, Headquarters Allied Joint Forces Command Brunssum, Netherlands as his final active duty service. General Reynes entered the Air Force in 1978 after graduating from the USAF Academy. He graduated from undergraduate pilot training in 1979 and the USAF Fighter Weapons School in 1984 and has more than 3800 flight hours in fighter aircraft. His commands include the 35th Fighter Squadron at Kansan Air Base, South Korea; 53rd Test and Evaluation Group at Nellis AFB Nevada; 53rd Wing at Elgin AFB, Florida; 51st Fighter Wing Oscan AB South Korea and Detachment 2 9th Expeditionary Task Force Iraq.
General Reynes has also held several positions at the Pentagon, including F-16 program element monitor and military assistant to the Executive Secretary of the Department of Defense. The General was later appointed by Former Secretary of Defense William Cohen as the Executive Secretary of the Department of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense. In addition, he has served as Air Combat Command’s Deputy Director for Requirements and Inspector General. He was also selected to serve as the CENTCOM Commander’s Executive Officer for General Franks and General Abizaid. Later, he served in Iraq as the ACCE Director, Director of Strategic Engagement and Senior Air Commander Iraq. Prior to his final assignment, General Reynes served as the Joint Forces Command J-7 Director for Joint Experimentation and simulation analysis under Gen Odierno.
About Epirus:
Epirus is a high-growth technology company that develops solid-state, human-safe directed energy systems that enable unprecedented counter-electronics effects and power management solutions to enhance power efficiency in defense and commercial electronics. With a constant emphasis on innovation, we are redefining modern power systems to increase the velocity of change for our customers and bring tomorrow's capabilities to life, today.
