Our Respected Team & Advisors

The strength and impact of our work is drawn from the diversity and integrity of our organization. Catai’s leaders and experts offer more than 100 years of military and public service, experience in over 80 countries, deep acumen across an array of industries, sectors, and verticals, and a vigilant desire for results.

Joseph M. Shields, Esq.

Managing Director, President

Joseph is Catai’s managing director, founder, and President. He is former counsel and an executive serving both Republican and Democratic Governors, in New York and New Jersey. His policy and technology work earned recognition in the media and awards from the Council of State Government for innovation. For over two decades, Joe is a successful attorney and executive representing companies and causes across the nation. His representative clients include the Rockefeller Foundation, General Motors, Zoll Medical, and emerging tech companies in a range of areas including the defense and security space, health care and pharmacy supply chains, engineering and logistics. Joseph earned his law degree from Temple University’s Beasley School of Law and is a cum laude graduate of Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Public Affairs and Citizenship.

LTG. Lawrence D. Nicholson (Ret.)

Senior Advisor

Lieutenant General (Ret.) Nicholson is Catai’s senior advisor.  He has enjoyed a highly decorated military career in his over 40 years of service.  His last command, was leading a roughly 30,000-strong Marine Expeditionary Force in Indo-PACOM,  and he has extensive experience in Iraq having led Regimental Combat Team 1 during Operation Phantom Fury, where he was wounded in action; served as a staff officer with the 1st Marine Division in Ramadi and commanded the 5th Marine Regiment in Fallujah. In Afghanistan he commanded Task Force Leatherneck and the 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade in Helmand Province along with serving as Deputy Commander for Operations of the International Security Assistance Force.  Prior to assuming command of 1st MARDIV he was Senior Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense. Lieutenant General (ret.) Lawrence Nicholson graduated from The Citadel in 1979, and the NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy in 2002.  His military awards include the Purple Heart, the Legion of Merit, the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal.

Margaret C. Sullivan

Former CEO and Chief of Staff, U.S. Agency for International Development

Margaret C. Sullivan is a former Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Staff for the U.S. Agency for International Development. Before she joined the Obama Administration, she served as Director of Political Risk Management at Farallon Capital Management, a large investment firm based in San Francisco, California.  Sullivan began her federal career on Capitol Hill, where she served as a Professional Staff Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and as National Security Adviser to the House Majority Leader. In 1994, Sullivan  served as The Special Assistant to Defense Secretary William Perry, helping to manage his relationship with the White House, Congress and national press corps. She has also served as Chief of Staff for the United States Trade Representative in the Executive Office of the President.

Cory Simpson, Esq.

Strategic Advisor, CEO of Gray Space Strategies

Cory is CEO of Gray Space Strategies and an advisor to Catai. Cory has more than twenty years of experience in government, the military, and the private sector at the intersection of cybersecurity, law, and strategy. He has served and worked in more than 70 countries. Cory was selected to serve on two of the most consequential, congressionally chartered commissions in modern times. Cory first served as the principal legal advisor for the National Commission on the Future of the Army, where he helped oversee the Commission’s staff, research, and delivery of its final report to the Congress and President. The Commission’s report and recommendations resulted in enduring improvements to the Army’s force structure, readiness, and modernization. Cory subsequently served as a senior director for the U.S. Cyberspace Solarium Commission, where he led staff in producing a comprehensive strategy for protecting the United States from cyberattacks of significant consequence, including draft policies and legislation required to implement that strategy. Cory served on active duty in the Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps from 2004 to 2016 and continues to serve in the Army Reserve. Cory has spent most of his Army career supporting the special operations and airborne communities, including multiple combat tours. He earned a Master of Laws, Military Law from The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School; a Juris Doctorate from West Virginia University College of Law; and a BA in accounting with a minor in philosophy from Transylvania University.

Jason G. Brown

Strategic Advisor

Jason is the Vice President of Global Digital Marketing Strategy at Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Management (PWM) and advises Catai’s marketing and media efforts. Jason holds his MBA from St. Joseph’s University and a communication degree from the University of Pennsylvania with additional certification and training at the University of London.

Robert S. Garrison, Esq.

Board of Directors Chair

Robert serves as Catai’s Board Chair and is a successful attorney, working on a range of issues, from labor matters, food security, and educational efforts. Rob holds a masters’ degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s Fel School of Government Administration and his law degree from Rutgers University’s School of Law.

Kevin T. Medina, Esq.

Treasurer, Chief Compliance Officer of GoldPoint Partners LLC

Kevin is Catai’s Treasurer and is Chief Compliance Officer of GoldPoint Partners LLC an SEC registered investment adviser that manages over $14 billion of private equity assets for a global client base of leading institutional and high net worth investors. Prior to joining GoldPoint, Mr. Medina was Chief Compliance Officer at the investment banking firm Allen & Company LLC, as well as their investment advisory business. Mr. Medina has also held senior compliance roles at Asia based SPARX Group Co. Ltd., Allianz Dresdner Asset Management, Zurich Scudder Investments, and Citibank’s Private Bank. He holds FINRA Series 7, 24, 63, 65, 79 and 99 registrations. Mr. Medina earned a BA from Syracuse University and a JD from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law.