Academy Securities, the nation’s first Post-9/11 veteran owned and operated investment bank, today announced the addition of Shelby Pierson to its Geopolitical Intelligence Group. The Academy GIG consists of 35 US and UK Admirals & Generals, former NASA Astronauts, and former CIA/FBI Leadership. Academy has been advising clients for over a decade and is the preeminent Advisory on geostrategic risk to the markets.

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Shelby Pierson

Shelby Pierson joins Academy after over 25 years in the national security community including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). Most recently, she served as NGA’s Director of Analysis, overseeing a $400M global intelligence portfolio and leading over 6,000 personnel. Prior NGA roles included Acting Director of Operations, Deputy Associate Director of Operations, and Deputy Director for Source Operations & Management. At ODNI, she served as National Intelligence Manager for Russia/Europe/Eurasia and as the Election Threats Executive. She also helped drive a $2B modernization effort embedding AI/ML, automation, and governance standards into mission workflows.

“Shelby’s impact across the intelligence community is extraordinary,” said Academy’s Chairman and CEO Chance Mims. “Her leadership in major national security missions and large-scale modernization efforts brings invaluable perspective to our team.”

Ms. Pierson commented on joining the firm: “In a geopolitical landscape that is shifting by the day, thoughtful expertise matters more than ever. I look forward to supporting Academy Securities and its clients as they navigate what is both an exciting moment and a challenging one.”

Ms. Pierson holds a B.A. in International Affairs from Lewis & Clark College and completed executive education in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. Her leadership has been recognized with two Presidential Rank Awards, the NGA Director’s Medallion, and multiple ODNI awards for intelligence excellence.

“Shelby has spent her career driving outcomes on the nation’s most complex intelligence challenges,” said Academy’s Vice Chairman Phil McConkey. “That depth of experience will significantly strengthen our Advisory Board.”

About Academy Securities

Academy Securities is a FINRA registered Broker Dealer and a preeminent veteran owned investment bank with strengths in capital markets, asset management, public finance, geopolitical intel, fixed income, and equity trading. Leadership and staff have had intensive military training prior to entering and gaining in-depth financial services experience in global capital markets. We are mission driven with a high ethical code, a solid sense of accountability and strive for excellence in the pursuit of our clients’ success. Academy is our nation’s first post-9/11 veteran owned and operated investment bank and is certified as a DVBE, SDVOB, and MBE. The firm has a strong top and middle tier client base served by a national platform with offices in New York, Chicago, San Diego, Chapel Hill, Louisville, Austin, Dallas, Sacramento, and West Palm Beach. Information about Academy Securities is available at www.academysecurities.com.

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“In a geopolitical landscape that is shifting by the day, thoughtful expertise matters more than ever. I look forward to supporting Academy Securities and its clients as they navigate what is both an exciting moment and a challenging one.”