Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Epstein currently serves as the Commander of an Air Force Special Operations Squadron conducting sensitive activities and counterterrorism operations. He leads over 120 military and civilian personnel located throughout various continents and has over 15 years of experience in the U.S. Air Force and Special Operations. As a trusted military planner to multiple ambassadors, embassy staffs, and intelligence agencies, Kevin oversees sensitive operations and nation-building efforts focused on deterring adversaries and safeguarding freedom worldwide. Kevin has been awarded two Bronze Stars with valor for deployed combat operations, multiple Defense Meritorious Service Medals, and 12 Air Medals for combat flying operations. Kevin has experience leading small teams and Joint Task Forces in Afghanistan and various classified locations in Africa, where he led a 200-member joint task force that countered violent extremism, while fostering cooperation and nation-building. Furthermore, Kevin obtained a Master of International Public Policy and a Master of Arts in National Security Studies from Johns Hopkins University during his tenure as a 2020 Chief of Staff of the Air Force Fellow. Outside of his work, Kevin coaches youth hockey and enjoys participating in adventure sports with his wife and three kids. Kevin is a Fellow of the Civil Society Fellowship and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.