Our Team
Basil Catanzaro
Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Basil Catanzaro has extensive experience which includes planning, civil affairs, infantry, intelligence, and special operations. He led Soldiers in the conduct of stability operations and civil affairs activities throughout the Middle East, South and Central Asia (2003-2014). He retired from the Army after 34 years attaining the rank of colonel. He holds a Bachelors of Arts in Russian Studies from George Mason University, a Master of Science from the Naval Postgraduate School in Defense Analysis and a Master of Science in National Security Strategy from the National Defense University.
Jodie Sweezey, Ph.D.
Director of Research
Dr. Jodie Sweezey’s experience includes work in governmental, non-governmental, and industry sectors. She spent 12 years in the United States Marine Corps with combat tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as a civil affairs officer. She received her doctorate in applied cultural anthropology with research focused on veteran’s health, gendered military engagements, and the impacts of trauma on culture.
Fritz Little
Chief Strategy Officer
Mr. Frederick “Fritz” Little was the founder of Civil Military Consultants, the predecessor of ICG. He currently works as the chief of readiness within a U.S. Government agency. Fritz is a retired US Army Special Operations Civil Affairs lieutenant colonel who served in four wars, with 11 combat deployments. He commanded the U.S. Civil Affairs School at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, was the Director of Civil-Military Studies at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, and an adjunct professor at the Joint Special Operations University. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology, and a Master of International Relations from Troy University.
Alix Daniel
Chief Compliance Officer
Ms. Alix Daniel is an attorney based out of Athens, Georgia and was a founding member of Civil Military Consultants. She received her Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctorate from the University of Georgia and has been practicing law for over ten years, primarily as an Assistant District Attorney, prosecuting felonies.
Brian Michelson
Senior Executive Consultant
Mr. Brian M. Michelson, Colonel USA, Retired, holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from West Point, a Master of Business Administration from Webster University, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. He has served as a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council and is currently a Senior Fellow at the Center for European Policy, both in Washington D.C. Over the course of his career, his diverse assignments included four commands, service at two embassies, and staff assignments in diverse units including XVIII Airborne Corps, United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), and Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). As a Civil Affairs officer, he worked extensively in support of operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Laos, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Cambodia while serving in positions of increasing responsibility from Team Leader though Battalion Commander. He has published a book and numerous articles on the future of warfare.
Derek Pisani
Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Derek Pisani, spent over thirty years working in the financial sector with experience in back and middle office operations, contract negotiations, compliance, settlements, and operational due diligence. In addition to supporting ICG, he is an elected official currently sitting on the Legislative Council for District 1 in Newtown Connecticut. He is also vice chair for the Municipal Operations Committee, a member of the Financial Administration Committee, and Treasurer for State Representative Mitch Bolinsky’s re-election campaign. Derek holds a BM from the University of Arizona, an MM from New York University, and studied music at the Julliard School.