Edward Reeder
Major General (Ret) Edward Reeder retired from the United States Army on January 1, 2016, after nearly 35 years of service. He spent the last 30 years in uniform as a Special Forces Officer commanding at every level in the US Army Special Forces.
Reeder commanded the US Army Special Forces Command responsible for manning, equipping, training, and deploying the prestigious US Army Green Berets operating in 56 different countries each day. He also commanded the US Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, which is responsible for the entry-level training of the US Army Special Forces, Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations, and other select pieces of the greater US Special Operations community.
Reeder’s combat tours include National Civil Defense Advisor in the Republic of El Salvador in 1988. He commanded Special Forces Operational Detachment – Alpha 786, supporting Operation JUST CAUSE in 1989, assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, under Task Force Black in the Republic of Panama. He led Special Operations Task Force 32 in 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan in 2002, and again in 2003. Reeder commanded the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan, in 7th Special Forces Group, supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan in 2006, and again in 2007. He also established and commanded the first Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command – Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010. From 2014 to 2015, he commanded the Special Operations Joint Task Force/NATO Special Operations Component Command – Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Operation RESOLUTE SUPPORT.
Reeder’s personal awards include various US military and foreign decorations and badges, such as the Baryal Medal (1st Degree) from the President of Afghanistan and The Donovan Award from the Clandestine Service of the Central Intelligence Agency. He is married to Adrian Hopkins of Overland Park, KS. They have four children, Edward III, Jennifer, Andrew, and Morgan, and two grandchildren.
Mike Barbero
Lieutenant General (Ret) Michael D. Barbero served in the United States Army for 38 years as an Infantry Officer, executing the foreign policy objectives of the United States in a variety of tactical, operational, and international assignments. LTG Barbero commanded at every grade, from lieutenant colonel to lieutenant general, serving four years in combat in Iraq with over three separate tours of duty. After retiring from active military service, LTG Barbero has been very active in international infrastructure and security projects with a focus in the Middle East and holds advisory and board positions within international firms.
