John Choate is the managing director of SA-720TM, a consulting firm providing seminars on cross-functional teamwork and strategic planning based on principles derived from the U.S. Special Operations community.
John began his professional career as a naval officer in the SEAL teams. Following completion of SEAL training as the officer-in-charge of class 218, he spent the next 12 years in both active and reserve billets deploying overseas in support of national security objectives. In addition to receiving various personal awards for classified special operations, more significantly, his teams have received numerous distinguished awards including three Navy Unit Commendation medals, two Meritorious Unit Commendation medals, and the Presidential Unit Citation personally awarded to his SEAL platoon by the President of the United States.
In 2005, John founded the Procinctu Group, a global risk management firm providing specialized security services and training to U.S. and foreign government entities, multinational corporations and select individuals. He is currently the chairman of the board.
In 2010, John was recruited to serve as the CEO of Defense Venture Group (“DVG”), part of the $1.2 billion portfolio of J.F. Lehman & Company, a private equity firm.
In 2016, John was recruited to serve as the Executive Director of Security for the Wynn Resorts in Las Vegas with responsibility for designing, implementing and managing a state-of-the-art security system comprised of over 400 personnel and a myriad technologies.
John’s professional experience is backed with a B.S. in History from the United States Naval Academy, as well as an M.A. in National Security Studies from California State University. He also holds an MBA from Columbia University (finance) and an MBA from London Business School (strategy), as well as a Certificate in Hotel Revenue Management from Cornell University.
John is a member of Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), a board member of Pike Electric, a founder and former director of the nonprofit Phoenix Patriot Foundation, and sits on the Service Academy Selection Board for certain members of Congress. An avid waterman, marginal piano player, and a truly horrific golfer, he spends most of his free time with his wife, Tammy, and two young children, Sofie and Tristan.