Farewell 2022!
2022 was a big year! It was the year that I retired from active duty military service, and the year that I founded Gray Knight Advisory Group! In my final military assignment, I served as a strategic planner and innovator in the Defense Intelligence Agency’s Directorate for Operations (DO). As an Army senior leader within DIA, I enjoyed many opportunities to develop unique strategic, operational, and technological solutions for the Agency.
- I had the privilege of working closely with leaders in information technology across the Intelligence Community (IC) and in the private sector to develop the technical foundation for a next-generation Human Intelligence (HUMINT) database.
- Working with elements of the DIA Financial Management Office, I developed a long-term framework to assist DO organizations in developing strategy-focused, Future Years Defense Program (FYDP)-aligned resource plans.
- I was honored to separately lead both the Defense Clandestine Service and the Defense Attache Service in developing long-term strategies and corresponding implementation plans to ensure these strategies were integrated into their daily operations.
- Finally, as a capstone to my nearly thirty years in uniform, I provided the DIA Director with a comprehensive organizational assessment focused on enhancing innovation and operational outcomes. This over fifty-page assessment was well received across the DIA enterprise and will inform strategic processes in the coming years.
New Relationships
As I transitioned from military to civilian life, I was the beneficiary of countless hours of friendship, mentorship and support from retired and former military members, business executives, and entrepreneurs. Through this process I met many amazing leaders, who all generously gave me the gift of their time and counsel. Such an incredible investment of time, counsel, and kindness from so many amazing leaders!
New Community
During our transition from Army to civilian life, my wonderful wife of 20 years and our four amazing “Army brats” spent a wonderful summer creating memories as we vacationed across the East Coast. We then relocated to our wonderful new home near Des Moines, IA and began to put down roots in our new community.
New Direction
Throughout this journey, I developed a vision and desire to leverage my three decades of military experience to support small and medium-sized companies in developing, enhancing, and preserving growth by integrating people, processes, and technology across a strategic horizon. From this vision, the idea and reality of Gray Knight Advisory Group was born!
Welcome 2023!
As we enter 2023, Gray Knight Advisory Group is poised to take off. The mission of Gray Knight Advisory Group is to enhance the value of small to medium-sized businesses for investors, customers, employees, and communities. Gray Knight will do this for our clients by:
Developing a strategic vision, and integrating future planning and implementation with current and near-term operational goals and objectives.
Helping organizations integrate people, process, and technology to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness with short and long-term returns.
Supporting leaders and executives through advanced analysis and problem-solving.
I am excited by the possibilities that 2023 will bring. I hope to remain in contact with all of our friends, mentors, and partners as the journey of Gray Knight begins!
Best regards and Happy New Year!
-Matt
COL (R) Matt Templeman
President and Senior AdvisorGray Knight Advisory Group