Lieutenant General (Ret.) Thomas Trask is the former Vice Commander of United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), where he oversaw a $12 billion annual budget and joint operations across the most sensitive missions in the U.S. defense apparatus. Over his 33-year career in the U.S. Air Force, he participated in and commanded forces in multiple theaters, including Afghanistan, Iraq, the Gulf War, the Balkans, and Panama. As Vice Commander of USSOCOM from 2014 to 2017, he played a central role in strategy, force development, and coordination across elite special operations units globally.
Following his military retirement, General Trask transitioned into advisory and leadership roles across the defense innovation landscape. He currently serves as President of SO&A Consulting, providing strategic guidance to early-stage defense startups and institutional actors seeking to align with U.S. and allied defense priorities. He is also a Senior Strategist at Navigators Global Security and Defense, where he advises on defense strategy, policy, and technology integration.
General Trask is widely respected for his deep understanding of both operational command and defense procurement strategy. He serves on the advisory boards of multiple defense-focused funds, innovation hubs, and research institutions, helping bridge the gap between government requirements and emerging technology solutions. His combination of senior-level military leadership and private-sector engagement makes him a highly valued advisor in the defense venture ecosystem.
