Spider Marks

Major General (Ret.) James A. Marks is a leader in both military and corporate sectors, serving as head of geopolitical strategy and senior advisory board member at Academy Securities. Over a career spanning more than four decades, Marks held command positions from infantry platoon leader to commanding general, culminating as the commanding general of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center and School at Fort Huachuca. He served as the senior intelligence officer during operations including the liberation of Iraq, the LA Riots, and missions in the Balkans and Korea. His military honors include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and multiple expeditionary and service ribbons. Marks is an honor graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School and a master parachutist authorized to wear Korean and Canadian Airborne wings.

After retiring from the military, Marks held leadership roles in the private sector. He served as CEO of Global Linguist Solutions, a major employer of native Iraqis supporting U.S. military operations, and CEO of InVisM, a firm specializing in training and simulation tools. As founder and president of The Marks Collaborative, he advises corporate leaders on development and transformation, and he is a co-founder of Willowdale Services, a boutique advisory firm. Marks is also an adjunct professor at Georgetown University and has served as executive dean of the College of Security and Criminal Justice at University of Phoenix.

Marks is a public speaker and media analyst, serving as a national security contributor to CNN and appearing on Fox News, CBS, MSNBC, and BBC, providing commentary on military and geopolitical affairs. He sits on several boards, including the Call of Duty Endowment, and is a member of the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame. Marks' experience in military leadership, national security, and global strategy informs his ongoing work in public engagement and advisory roles.