Elm Grove Woman's Club
13885 Watertown Plank Rd
Elm Grove WI 53122
Doors Open 5:30pm
John Choate is the managing director of SA-720™ Strategies, a consulting firm providing seminars on cross-functional teamwork and strategic planning based on principles derived from the U.S. Special Operations community and successfully employed in the corporate world.
John began his professional career as a naval officer in the SEAL teams. Following completion of training as the officer-in-charge of SEAL training class 218, he spent the next twelve 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 operational 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.
After leaving active duty 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 currently serves as chairman of the board.
John was later recruited to serve as the CEO of Defense Venture Group (“DVG”), the parent company of one turnaround and two start-up subsidiaries part of the $1.2-billion portfolio of J.F. Lehman & Company private equity firm. DVG was exited under John’s leadership in 2014.
Following the tragic shooting event in 2015 in San Bernardino, CA, John was subsequently recruited to serve as the Executive Director of Security in Las Vegas for the 5th largest hotel in the world and one of a select few resorts with Forbes 5-Stars in all three categories: hotel, restaurant, and spa. John was responsible for the new design, implementation, and management of a state-of-the-art security system comprised of over 400 personnel and numerous technologies for the safety of 9,000 employees and 25,000 visitors every day.
John’s professional experience is backed with a B.S. in History from the United States Naval Academy, as well as a M.A. (with distinction) in National Security Studies from California State University, a program sponsored by the Director of National Intelligence and designated the U.S. Intelligence Community’s Center of Academic Excellence. He also holds an MBA from Columbia University(finance), an MBA from the 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 non-profit Phoenix Patriot Foundation, and a board-certified
Physical Security Professional (PSP™). 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
Anthony Cassino is a Partner at SA-720™ Strategies, a consulting firm providing seminars on cross-functional teamwork and strategic planning based on principles derived from the U.S. Special Operations community and successfully employed in the corporate world.
Anthony is the President & CEO of Procinctu Group, a global risk management firm founded in 2005 that provides specialized security services and training to U.S. and foreign government entities, multinational corporations, and select individuals. Anthony is a 1997 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and was a four-year member of the Navy pistol team, competing against other Branches of Service and the top shooting teams in the nation. He completed seven years of active duty service as a Surface Warfare Officer. Anthony’s operational deployments include serving as the Lieutenant in charge of an 8-man non compliant boarding assault team in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in the Arabian Sea. Achievements include recognition for leading the team that conducted the first Maritime Leadership Interdiction Operation of the Global War on Terror.In 2007, Anthony received his Juris Doctor cum laude from Roger Williams University School of Law in Bristol, Rhode Island, where he was elected by his peers to serve as Chairman of the Ethics & Conduct Board. He has served as an Assistant District Attorney in Bristol County, Massachusetts, and is admitted to the Rhode Island and Massachusetts state bars.
In 2008, Anthony joined Procinctu Group as General Counsel and Director of Executive Protection Services. He manages corporate compliance for all facets of the business, including directing the company’s International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITARs) program with the U.S. Department of State. Practice areas include contract administration with both commercial & governmental clients, labor & employment law compliance, and intellectual property protection.
In 2015, Anthony was named President & CEO of Procinctu Group. He possesses over a decade of
personal experience managing multi-year, multi-million dollar security services contracts. He has
served as an Agent-In-Charge and Team Member of several hundred Executive Protection Details on five different continents, working with A-list celebrities, C-Suites from Fortune 500 companies, and ultra-high net worth individuals and families.
Anthony is an ASIS International-certified Physical Security Professional™ and a Department of
Defense-certified Master Training Specialist. He is a fanatical golfer, an avid distance runner, and a die-hard Yankees fan. Anthony lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with his wife Sharon and son Charlie.