At Emissary Ventures, we define ourselves by a culture of radical responsiveness and operational flexibility. We understand that in the fast-paced worlds of defense and commercial aerospace, windows of opportunity close quickly; therefore, we have engineered our firm to be as agile as the platforms we support. Our team prides itself on rapid-reaction engagement, ensuring that when a request arrives, our decades of SOF and aviation expertise are mobilized immediately. We reject the "one-size-fits-all" consultancy model, opting instead for a highly adaptable business approach that pivots to meet the specific budgetary, temporal, and strategic needs of our partners. When you work with us, you aren’t just hiring advisors—you are gaining a versatile strike team dedicated to your mission's success.

Jonathan Harless As the CEO of Emissary Ventures, I leverage over 20 years of combined military and civilian aviation expertise to drive strategic innovation and operational excellence. My background includes extensive experience in Special Operations Forces (SOF) aviation, where I successfully navigated high-stakes environments across both CONUS and OCONUS theaters. Today, my primary mission is leading a dedicated team and defining the long-term vision and growth trajectory for our organization. By applying the discipline and precision cultivated through decades of aviation leadership, I ensure that Emissary Ventures remains at the forefront of industry advancement and sustainable development.

Roger Schilling Our COO serves as a cornerstone of the leadership team at Emissary Ventures, overseeing day-to-day operations and collaborating directly with the CEO and President to architect the company's growth strategy. With more than 20 years of Army Aviation experience, he brings a unique global perspective shaped by over 3,000 flight hours across multiple theaters of operation. His distinguished military career includes service with INSCOM and USASOC, where he operated as an FAA-certified pilot in both fixed-wing (FW) and rotary-wing (RW) aircraft. By merging this elite technical expertise with a disciplined approach to operational management, he ensures that our organization achieves sustainable scale while maintaining the highest standards of excellence in the aviation and defense sectors.

Ryan Sullivan is the President of Emissary Ventures, bringing decades of military leadership and operational experience across austere, complex, and combat environments throughout Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. His career has been defined by the execution of mission-critical operations where precision, timing, and accountability directly impact outcomes, including the planning and movement of personnel, equipment, and capabilities in high-risk and rapidly evolving conditions. Sullivan’s background is rooted in disciplined leadership, strategic coordination, and the ability to operate effectively in environments where conventional solutions fail and adaptability is essential. At Emissary Ventures, he drives the company’s strategic vision and operational execution, aligning global partners and capabilities to deliver aviation, mobility, and logistics solutions that meet the demands of clients operating in the world’s most challenging environments. His leadership reflects a commitment to reliability, discretion, and mission readiness—ensuring every operation is executed with the same rigor and precision that defined his career.

John Eklund Our Chief Business Development Officer brings a dynamic and unconventional approach to growth strategies at Emissary Ventures. He is the highly experienced founder of one of America's fastest-growing 12-step Recovery Programs, demonstrating a proven ability to scale start-ups from nascent stages to multi-million dollar revenue streams. In addition to his role as President of Hakuna Wellness, he leverages a diverse background that includes being a practicing pastor and therapist. This unique fusion of entrepreneurial instinct, therapeutic insight, and spiritual guidance results in "outside-the-box" techniques that drive market expansion and forge meaningful partnerships across new sectors. His multifaceted expertise is instrumental in identifying unique opportunities and fostering sustainable, purpose-driven growth for our organization.