Chuck Wald

General Charles F. Wald (USAF, Ret.) is the Chief Executive Officer of RG5 LLC (RG) and its subsidiaries, Robbins-Gioia, LLC and PM Telco, LLC. He is responsible for overseeing all of RG’s business development and operations. Prior to joining RG, General Wald was the President of Jones Group Middle East (JGME), responsible for overseeing all of JGME’s business development and operations in the region. General Wald is a subject matter specialist in best commercial business practices, doctrine and strategy, military procurement and sustainment, counterterrorism, technology innovation and international energy security policy.

An acknowledged leader on global military strategy and development, General Wald is sought after to deliver speeches at private industry events, national policy institutions as well as colleges and universities. He routinely conducts radio and television interviews on topics including supply chain, defense budget planning, cost reduction, foreign military sales, and weapons systems such as the Joint Strike Fighter Program. General Wald was named by the Defense News “as one of the 100 Most Influential People” listing for U.S. Defense and a Top 100 Airpower Advocate. He has had Op-Eds published in many leading periodicals to include the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and New York Times. He has testified before the United States Congress on numerous occasions.

General Wald retired from the U.S. Air Force as a four-star general after serving over 35 years in the U.S. military as a command pilot with more than 3,600 flying hours and 430 combat hours. In his last position, he served as deputy commander of U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) from 2002 until his retirement from the U.S. Air Force in July 2006. In that role he was responsible for U.S. forces operating across 92 countries in Europe, Africa, Russia, parts of Asia, the Middle East, and most of the Atlantic Ocean. During his command, he developed the European Command’s first ever Strategic Plan that included energy assurance and sustainment for the EUCOM Area of Responsibility (AOR).

General Wald earned his commission through the Air Force ROTC program in 1970. He was an All-American wide receiver and played on two National Championship football teams. After graduation he was drafted into the National Football League by the Atlanta Falcons. He has combat time as a Forward Air Controller in Vietnam and as an F-16 pilot flying over Bosnia and Iraq. He was the Chief of the U.S. Air Force Combat Terrorism Center, was selected as the USAF’s first Support Group Commander, commanded a Combat Operations Group, and was the special assistant to the Air Force Chief of Staff for the Quadrennial Defense Review. He was the Director of Strategic Planning and Policy at Headquarters U.S. Air Force, served on the Joint Staff as the Vice Director for Strategic Plans and Policy and was the U.S. Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for the Air and Space Operations in the Pentagon.

General Wald commanded the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy, where on August 30, 1995, he led one of the initial strike packages for NATO in the Bosnia-Herzegovina conflict. From 1999 – 2001, he commanded the 9th Air Force and U.S. Central Command Air Forces where he was responsible for all USAF Combat Forces East of the Mississippi and in the Middle East. In September 2001, as the Supported Commander, General Wald led the development of the coalition response and air campaign against the Taliban in Operation Enduring Freedom, including the idea of embedding tactical air control parties in coalition ground special operations forces. The operation led to the initial defeat of Taliban forces in Afghanistan.

Prior to joining Jones Group Middle East, General Wald served as Vice Chairman, Federal Practice Senior Advisor, Deloitte Services, LP. He provided senior leadership in strategy and relationships with the U.S. Department of Defense as well as Deloitte’s Commercial Aerospace and Defense Clients globally. As a Managing Director for Deloitte’s Defense Sector practice, General Wald managed the single largest account in the U.S. firm with annual revenue of over $300 million. Prior to being recruited to join Deloitte as a Director in 2009 and a “Brand Transformation Leader”, General Wald served as the Vice President of International Programs for L-3 Communications Corporation, based in Washington D.C. from 2007-2009.

General Wald has received numerous major military awards and decorations. He holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations from Troy University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in pre-law from North Dakota State University. He has completed coursework at Harvard University and the National War College. He has also been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from North Dakota State University.

General Wald currently serves on numerous non-profit and Think Tank Boards of Directors. Of note, he is on the Board of Trustees for the Bipartisan Policy Center, the Atlantic Council and the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. He also serves as a Senior Military Advisor to the United States Institute for Peace.