Robert Kirila
Co-Founder, Business Development and Veteran Relations
Biography
Robert Kirila is co-founder and Managing Partner for Black Powder Partners, Black Powder Holdings and Black Powder Search — a family of purpose-driven companies investing in and supporting America's founder-owned infrastructure service businesses.
Previously Robert was CEO of the Special Operators Transition Foundation, focused on giving Special Operators the support they need to find their next career in the private sector. Before that he was Chief Operating Officer of DEFENSEWERX, guiding disruptive innovation practices for the Air Force Research Laboratory at Eglin AFB, United States Special Operations Command at MacDill AFB, and the Air Warfare Center at Nellis AFB. He also served as Director of Military Affairs for the 1st Congressional District of Florida.
In 2016 Robert completed more than 26 years of service in the United States Army, the last seven as a senior commanding officer. Since 2001 he led Special Operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, and in Central and South America against the Colombian and Mexican cartels, disrupting supply chains and supporting humanitarian efforts. He has lectured at the Colombian Defense University and served at the U.S. Department of State as a National Security Policy Fellow in the Western Hemisphere Bureau.
Robert holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Richmond and graduate degrees from Central Michigan University and the United States War College. His awards include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Service Medals, the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman's Badge and the Green Beret.