Our team

Founder and instructor for Griffin Gorge Associates.    

After graduating from Rutgers University, Chip worked numerous civilian positions including recreational fishing boats and retail leadership. He enlisted in the National Guard in 1980 and was commissioned at the end of 1984.  He had a dual career for 20 years.  In 2001 he took a full time position in the NY Army National Guard. Serving in the logistics community and in his last five years working on planning military responses to disasters. He retired in 2021 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. 

He is a graduate of the Infantry Officers Basic Course, the  Ordnance  Officers Advance Course, the Command and General Staff College and the Tank Commander's Course.  His positions included Chief of Sustainment for an Infantry Division and Director of Military Support for the NY National Guard. Awards include the Bronze Star and recognition for detailed planning for combat operations. 

Chip spends most of his day hanging out with Sandy, his wife of 39 years. They have a project of rebuilding an old cabin in the Adirondack Park wilderness. Clearing the land, and reviving an old apple orchard there. They are very active in riding their bikes and exploring nature. Their grandkids get a lot of attention. 

Jack is instrumental in directing our course development and inspires us all to do more. He provides great insights in methods to adjust the material to meet the unique needs for each of our customers.

Jack was born in Long Island, NY with a naturally prowess.  Through various careers and a stint down in Florida, he settled in the Albany, NY area.  He devoted 30 years serving in the military, starting off as a young man in the Marines.  He passed through the Army ranks and finally found a home in the Air Force.  A branch that pays the same and treats you better.

His last years in the Air Force were spent working Medical Logistics.  He is a Combat Medic, and certified Paramedic.  Jack spent many years working as a Mentally Ill/Chemically Addicted (MICA) Nurse.  He continues to  maintain currency as a civilian licensed nurse.  Jack is a Commercial Pilot, both airplane and helicopter, as well as an Instructor Pilot.

Jack resides in the Saratoga, NY area.  On his free time, Jack can be found over at the Glenville Queen Diner where the waitresses tip him for his grace. 

Mike is our expert on the Military Decision Making Process. He also advises us for cultural and business matters in our global operations. 

Mike is a native of Charleston, South Carolina.  He received a Bachelor of Science from The Citadel in 1983 and a Master of Science in International Relations from Troy University and MS in National Resource and Security Strategy from The National Defense University and The Eisenhower School.

Mike has completed an impressive number of military schools to include Airborne and Ranger School, Armor Officer Advanced Course, The Command and General Staff College, and the Special Warfare Center.   

His assignments included commands at all levels from Troop/Company to Group/Brigade.  He later served as the Senior Military Advisor to the Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy/Affairs, U.S. Department of State.  He worked with inter-agency counter terrorism programs leading to the apprehension and demise of wanted terrorists globally.  Traveled to more than 40 countries conducting operations.  His final military assignment was as the Director, SES 2 level for the U.S. Army Cyber directorate.  He has since conducted numerous contract assignments as an advisor to military training events around the globe for US forces and our allies.  

Chris is our Certified Everything DiSC Practitioner

Chris is a strategic and thoughtful senior executive leader with over 20 years of experience emphasizing innovation and creativity in solving complex problems. He has proven superior success in developing and leading diverse talent acquisition teams that achieve outstanding results.  Through human resource management concepts and innovative leadership methodologies he has delivered impactful results for managing large-scale organizations of several hundred personnel. He is also the founder and owner of Elite 9 Veteran Talent Acquisition Services, LLC, where he helps veterans, service members, and military spouses transition into the workforce. 

Originally from Greenville, SC, he now lives in Queensbury, NY with his beautiful wife and their son.  During his off time, he enjoys biking, running, golfing, and spending quality family time.  

Christopher holds a Master’s in Public Administration and is a graduate of numerous executive-level leadership development programs within the Department of Defense.

Delwar serves as the lead for our operations in Bangladesh.  

Delwar boasts a distinguished career spanning over 22 years across the military, UN, NGO, and corporate sectors. With a focus on high-risk humanitarian interventions in regions like Mali, South Sudan, and Bangladesh, he has demonstrated dynamic leadership in navigating complex challenges. His expertise in areas such as Protection of Civilians, Humanitarian Access, Safety and Security , and Civil-Military Coordination has been instrumental in fostering global peace and stability. 

Delwar's professional journey includes roles as Head of Humanitarian Access & Security at Brac Bangladesh, Deputy Commander in the Bangladesh Army, and Chief Coordination Officer at Peakward Enterprises (Holdings) Ltd., among others. 

Beyond his distinguished career in various sectors, Delwar  is also a published author and sought-after career coach. He has authored 11 books covering diverse topics such as peacekeeping, crisis management, self-help, and historical fiction, reflecting his depth of knowledge and experience. 

Mark serves as our Operations Officer. He keeps our business on the right path.

Mark served many years in the US Air Force, traveling to many places around the world.  After serving, he got lost in life and spent some time tending bar in Burlington, VT back in the mid-1980s (where he originally met our founder Chip as one of his regular customers).

Mark served many years with the New York Guard where he spent many long days supporting our community during times of disasters.  He retired from Verizon a few years ago, serving as a lineman.  

He and his wife Carol have relocated to Florida.  Between pickle-ball games, he volunteers his time working Honor Flights for our World War II veterans.  These flights bring WWII vets to Washington DC to visit the memorials there and to honor their sacrifice.

Warren is one of our primary instructors for planning and personal development.

Warren is a 20-year army veteran. He retired after 20 years of Army Service, including four combat tours to Iraq. In addition to Iraq, he served tours in Fort Devens, Massachusetts; Grafenwöhr, Germany; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Camp Casey, Korea; Fort Knox, Kentucky; and finally, in the 2nd and 3rd Brigades of the 25th Infantry Division, Hawaii. 

He has also served in various positions, including as an Academy instructor at the University of Hawaii Army ROTC, Observer Controller, Battle Staff Instructor, Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Operations Non-Commissioned Officer, Truck Master, and First Sergeant. 

His service medals include four Bronze Star Medals, the Meritorious Service Medal, and four Army Commendation Medals. He is a member of the coveted Sergeant Audie Murphy Club for Non-Commisioned Officers (NCOs). He now works as an Independent Training analyst for the Department of Defense.

He also runs a YouTube Channel titled Renaissance Man: Taking Good Men and Making Us Better. The channel aims to empower men, though not exclusive to men, to be better citizens and men by adapting the Renaissance Man's Ideal of living a good and meaningful life through our actions. Sharing our wealth of knowledge and experiences and giving back to our communities. 

Warren is married to Dr. (Maj) Caitlin Pennicooke, a Foreign Area Officer serving in the army. They enjoy the company and shenanigans of their Golden Retriever, Arya'

Link to his YouTube channel below. 

Ash is one of our primary instructors.  His specialty is personal motivation & development.  He also sets up Human Resource functions for new businesses.  

Just look at that picture - he is ready to motivate you.  He is an accomplished, results-oriented U.S. Army Master Sergeant (Retired) with over 23 years of progressively higher leadership and management experience.  An expert instructor who trained and certified over 125 Army Instructors. Led, managed and supervised the formal training of over 800 students. Proven success in leadership, instruction, mentorship, staff management, operations management, human resources and complex organizational projects. A respected leader and a dedicated team player with a strong work ethic; dedicated to surpassing organizational objectives. 

Chris Jensen is our Director of Training.

Chris is responsible for ensuring employees in assigned positions have the appropriate training required to perform their jobs based on policy, contractual obligations (statement of work), state and organizational requirements.  Chris reviews and approves all leadership training modules prior to publication and distribution.  Chris also works to secure our contracts with the state of New York.

Chris was previously a Senior Analyst supporting the National Guard Bureau analysis of capability shortfalls across the nearly 350,000-person organization.  As a member of the National Guard Studies Program, he provided analysis, findings, and recommendations for research studies on National Guard shortfalls and gaps.  

He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from SUNY Empire State and possesses over twenty years’ experience as a military officer analyzing complex problems and systematically finding vetted solutions.  He spent four years as a federal contractor supporting the Department of Defense (DoD) as a senior analyst. 

Scott is one of our primary instructors.   His specialty is the decision making process.

Scott comes to GriffinGorge as a recently retired Sergeant Major from the Army National Guard after 32 years as a Senior Logistics NCO.

While his wife Susan kept things under control at home Scott moved forward in his career.  At SUNY Albany he earned a B.A. History/M.A. Education/A.G.C. School Building Administration while working full-time. He taught Social Studies for 9 years at Draper Middle School in Rotterdam, NY followed by 7 years as Assistant Principal before retiring and returning to full-time National Guard employment.  Scott had many other odd jobs along the way to include selling souvenirs and Native American jewelry in the desert southwest, then back to New York where he was dishwasher, then late-night cook, taxi driver.  

In his spare time, Scott enjoys outdoor activities with his wife and friends such as camping, kayaking, and snowshoeing. He is an ADK 46er having climbed all 46 High Peaks in the Adirondacks. He also golfs, but rarely enjoys it.  Scott is a volunteer firefighter in the Porter Corners Fire Department and a Fire Commissioner in the Greenfield Fire District. He is active in the VFW and is a volunteer bartender at Post 420 in Saratoga Springs, New York. 

Beth is our business development lead.

Beth is a Registered Dietitian with over 10 years' experience working  with a wide variety of clients: from weight gain, addiction recovery  support, oncology, digestive disease, and fitness support, to the ever  present topic of weight loss.  Beth graduated from Russell Sage College  with a BS in Nutrition Science and received her Master’s in Public  Health from SUNY Albany.  She is also a Certified Diabetes Educator.