BOKA Group Bolsters 2024 Growth Ambitions with Senior Team Enhancements

New York – January 9, 2024 – BOKA Group, at the forefront of deep tech investment, is excited to unveil major additions to its senior team through the appointment of five distinguished industry experts. This initiative represents a pivotal advancement in strengthening our commitment to dual-use deep tech enterprises and propelling robust growth across the defense, national security, technology, and space sectors. The latest additions to the BOKA Group team are:

• Teresa Smetzer (Operating Partner), is a distinguished leader with over 30 years in the intelligence community and private sector and has been pivotal in national security mission evolution. After a number of years in the private sector, Ms. Smetzer returned to the CIA as the first Director of Digital Futures in the CIA's Directorate of Digital Innovation, she established critical partnerships with the private sector, accelerating technology adoption for intelligence missions. Her significant roles include service in the CIA as well as Salesforce’s Vice President of National Security Programs. She has also founded and managed a number of consulting businesses focused on leading digital innovation and change management initiatives in the national security community. Ms. Smetzer was awarded the CIA's Distinguished Intelligence Medal and Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal. Additionally, Ms. Smetzer’s earlier career involved technical analysis and senior management at the CIA. During her tenure she participated in and led multiple transformation-related task forces and programs aimed at modernizing the business of intelligence, including the development of the first Directorate of Intelligence strategic plan. She conceptualized and led an innovative initiative aimed at aligning fragmented intelligence production processes into a secure, web-based, collaborative, real-time production environment. Ms. Smetzer served on the White House Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities of the United States Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction. She has served on multiple corporate boards, and invested in and mentored several emergent technology companies.

• Rich Julien (Operating Partner), is an experienced operator in both government and commercial domains across technology, analytics, operations, programmatics, and management. Known for his expertise in technology innovation, risk, and change management, Mr. Julien has a proven track record of driving progress and innovation. He was formerly Global Head, National Security and Space Startups for AWS Worldwide Public Sector and previously held impactful roles at HawkEye Systems and Booz Allen & Hamilton. Mr. Julien previously served as an officer in the US Army.

• Gregory Pepus (Operating Partner), is a seasoned technology leader with extensive experience spanning government, commercial, and startup sectors. His expertise includes building and managing dynamic teams and technical solutions in areas such as analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), cybersecurity, cryptography, key management, and cloud technologies. In his distinguished career, Mr. Pepus has held pivotal roles in major organizations. He served as the AI/ML, cybersecurity, and quantum Computing lead for AWS Worldwide Public Sector, focusing on Venture Capital and Startups. Prior to this, Mr. Pepus was the Chief Solutions Architect and Founder at several innovative companies, including FUTURA Cyber, Semper Fortis Solutions, Flex Analytics, and Air Fusion Inc. Mr. Pepus’s tenure at In-Q-Tel, the CIA’s not-for-profit venture capital firm, was marked by his contribution as the Senior Director of Systems Integration Outreach.

• Grant Hume (Operating Partner), is an accomplished senior executive with over 30 years of experience in corporate multinational and UK Government sectors. Specializing in innovative technical solutions, particularly in cloud-based environments, he has notably served as CEO of a defense-focused cloud IT services company. Mr. Hume’s expertise in cyber, AI, and ML has been instrumental in delivering solutions to UK National Security and Defence clients. His roles at Amazon Web Services (AWS) have included Business Development Manager for National Security, Defense, Space, and Sustainability sectors, as well as leading the EMEA, UK National Security & Defence AWS Venture Capital Startup Innovation Accelerator programs. Mr. Hume’s further experience include Chief Information Officer and Head of Practice ICT at ForceSelect and MoD Software Client Leader at IBM UK. He is a former Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army and spent a number of years at Joint Forces Command. He is an advisor to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) Industry 100.

• Joanne Isham (Partners Council), is a senior intelligence professional and former Senior Executive at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) before joining BAE Systems as the Vice President, Deputy General Manager of Network Systems and later COO of High Performance Technologies, Inc. and Senior Vice President at L-1 Identity Solutions. She previously served as Deputy Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and as Deputy Director for Science and Technology at the CIA as the senior technical advisor to the Director of Central Intelligence. During this time Ms. Isham played a significant role in the creation of In-Q-Tel, the CIA’s not-for-profit venture capital firm. Other roles at the CIA included Director of Congressional Affairs, Deputy Director of the Resource Management Office, and Director of Program Analysis of the Community Management Staff. Ms. Isham spent a number of years on assignment to the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) as Director of Legislative Affairs and a Program Manager. She was awarded the CIA's Distinguished Intelligence Medal, the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement, and received the Director’s Award in recognition of extraordinary service.

John James, Managing Partner at BOKA Group, expressed his enthusiasm: "We are thrilled to have our new team members on board, bringing with them a wealth of experience and expertise crucial for realizing our ambitious goals. Their leadership will be pivotal not only in propelling our portfolio companies forward but also in advancing dual-use deep technologies, including supporting defense technology development in alignment with AUKUS objectives. Our commitment is to harness our collective skills, networks, and resources to spur growth and yield significant outcomes for our investors and society at large. These new additions to our team are key to driving this growth. As we embark on 2024, we foresee a year filled with opportunities and a growing demand for cutting-edge dual-use deep technologies.”

About BOKA Group

BOKA Group, a deep tech strategic company is building and empowering great innovation and technology companies through a premier synergistic asset base. Focused on category leaders across the deep tech sector, including cutting edge technologies that advance military, intelligence, and commercial markets, BOKA Group applies a mission-driven approach to transcend traditional verticals and business models to solve crucial global issues with subsidiary companies providing advanced technological solutions across defense, national security, communications, aerospace, and space. Learn how BOKA Group is leading the charge in dual-use, mission driven, deep technologies at www.boka-group.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.