Real Experts. Real Results.
Erik Brine
Chief Executive Officer
Erik Brine is the CEO for Brackish Consulting, LLC. He has served as the Director of Defense R&D Initiatives and Operations at the University of Rhode Island since May 2021 following two years as the founding Executive Director of the National Institute for Undersea Vehicle Technology (NIUVT), a partnership between academia, industry, and government built to accelerate the research, development, and transition of key enabling technologies. Prior to this he spent over four years at the White House as a Defense Science and Technology Program Examiner for the Office of Management and Budget. Erik’s additional federal service includes positions in the Offices of the Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs at the Pentagon, the State Department, and in the Senate in the office of Tim Kaine (D-VA). Over a 24-year military career, he flew C-5, C-17, and C-21 aircraft and served at every level, from the flight line to the Pentagon serving three Secretaries of Defense in OSD Public Affairs. Colonel Erik Brine most recently served as the Vice Wing Commander of the 514th Air Mobility Wing at Joint Base MDL leading over 2300 airmen. In the private sector, he led Security Cooperation and Partnership Programs for the Perduco Group, a Dayton-based Operations Research and Data Analytics solutions firm. Erik holds a Master of Policy Management from Georgetown's McCourt School of Public Policy, a Master of Science in Logistics from the Air Force Institute of Technology, a Master’s of Arts in Strategy and Security Studies from the Naval War College and a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from Boston University. Additionally, Erik remains heavily involved in veteran advocacy groups and his local community. Email — LinkedIn
Robert Raymond
Chief Operating Officer
Rob Raymond joined Brackish Consulting after retiring from the Air Force as a Colonel following a 24 year career that included assignments as a Commander, staff officer, F-16 instructor pilot, and weapons officer. He has extensive experience in Joint Operations and Planning, Security Cooperation, Airpower Employment, and Legislative Affairs. Rob’s military career spanned multiple regions, including duty in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, Israel, South Korea, and throughout the European theater. Additionally, as a legislative liaison while stationed at the Pentagon, he was responsible for developing and implementing strategies for Congressional engagement in support of over 30 procurement programs including the F-35. During his time at Headquarters United States European Command, he served as a Joint operations planner focused on multilateral coordination across Geographic Combatant Command seams and contingency planning focused on the Eastern Mediterranean and Levant regions. Rob later led the Command’s Office of Defense Cooperation-Support Division. He most recently entered the private sector as Chief Operating Officer for Nautilus Defense, an engineering firm specializing in advanced textile-integrated systems for defense, medical and commercial applications. Rob is a graduate of the United States Air Force Weapons School (F-16 Division), holds a Master’s Degree in Strategic Intelligence from the National Defense Intelligence College, a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the Air War College, and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Boston University. Email — LinkedIn
Steve Engberg
Senior Program Manager
Steve Engberg serves as the Senior Program Manager for Brackish Consulting. Throughout a 22-year Air Force career, Steve served as a Commander, security cooperation officer, educator, and fighter pilot in multiple regions, including Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. He has considerable experience educating and coaching large multi-disciplinary teams, planning and overseeing large-scale operations and programs, and formulating sound strategies for preparing and allocating multimillion-dollar budgets and equipment inventories. As a security cooperation officer at the US Embassy in Seoul, Steve advised the U.S. Ambassador on allied air power capability requirements critical to theater security while managing the Republic of Korea Air Force’s $7.5B foreign military sales portfolio. Steve concluded his military career as a faculty member at the United States Naval War College, where he developed and delivered Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-approved Joint Professional Military Education instruction and taught a graduate-level course in policy analysis pertaining to national security decision making. Additionally, he served as the National Security Affairs department’s Capstone Exercise Deputy Course Director and curriculum development team lead. Steve was a command pilot with over 2000 hours in the F-16, T-38, and T-37. He holds a Master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College, a Master’s degree in Operational Art and Science from Air Command and Staff College, a Master’s in Business Administration from American Public University, and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and language minor (Mandarin) from the United States Air Force Academy. Email — LinkedIn
Angel Santiago
Managing Director, Security Cooperation & International Programs
Angel Santiago is the Managing Director of Security Cooperation & International Programs at Brackish Experts. Having served nearly 27-years in the U.S. Air Force, Angel is a retired Colonel who spent his career as a C-130 pilot and Foreign Area Officer, fluent in both Dutch and Spanish. He brings extensive international affairs and cross-cultural expertise to the team having worked with Allies and Nations across Europe, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Angel is an accomplished tactical airlift pilot with ~3,000 flight and combat hours in the C‑130E/H and H‑30 aircraft, flying for both the U.S. and Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF). His career includes roles as Exchange Officer and Pilot with the RNLAF, Senior Executive Officer to the Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs at the Pentagon, Director of Operations and Adjunct Professor of Joint Military Warfare Studies at Air University, and Director of Key Leader and Internal Training at NATO Allied Combined Operations (ACO). Angel has also served as Chief of Standardization and Evaluation for all CONUS-based Air Advisor cadre. Angel developed comprehensive C-130 Standard Operating Procedures for the RNLAF, collaborated within the U.S. interagency, international nations, and technical experts to support more than $140B in Foreign Military Sales, and has led deployed teams training and assisting foreign aviation forces, employing tailored instruction to strengthen interoperability and compatibility with foreign nations. Angel holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from St. Mary’s University, a Master’s degree in Strategic Leadership from Touro University, and a Bachelor of Science in History with a Language Minor (Spanish) from the U.S. Air Force Academy. Email — LinkedIn
Robert Firman
Managing Director, Global Strategy & Communications
Robert Firman is the Managing Director of Global Strategy & Communications at Brackish Experts. A career U.S. Air Force Colonel with nearly 28 years of service, Robert served as a Public Affairs Officer and Foreign Area Officer, fluent in both French and German. He brings extensive diplomatic, operational, and strategic communications expertise to the team, having aligned U.S. and Partner Nation objectives across Europe, Africa, and the Indo-Pacific. Rob is an accomplished operational leader who has commanded at multiple levels leading large and complex teams including at the 42nd Mission Support Group, the 344th Recruiting Squadron, and Regional Command - Capital in Kabul. His career has included pivotal roles as Public Affairs Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Director of Public Affairs for U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa; Director of Public Affairs for U.S. Forces Japan; Chief of Defense Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa; and Director of Strategy and Assessments for the Secretary of the Air Force Office of Public Affairs at the Pentagon. Robert led and developed AFRICOM’s largest humanitarian assistance program, including a major public health effort; managed high-stakes multinational crisis communications; and navigated complex interagency environments to develop strategy and implement vital national security programs. Before joining the Air Force, he worked in DC and in South Dakota for the U.S. Senate. He also holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the Air War College, a Master’s degree in International Relations from the Naval Postgraduate School, and is a two-time distinguished and honors graduate of the Defense Language Institute. Email — LinkedIn
Stephen Piper
Strategic Advisor, Maritime and Digital Transformation
Stephen Piper is a senior technology and public-sector strategy executive with more than 25 years of experience leading growth, business development, and complex digital transformation initiatives across government and enterprise environments. Through his work with Brackish Experts, Stephen advises public agencies, emerging technology companies, and innovation ecosystems on strategy, commercialization, and partnership development at the intersection of AI, digital twins, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure. He brings deep expertise in building and executing go-to-market strategies, winning and delivering large-scale consulting engagements, and aligning advanced technologies to real-world operational outcomes. He has led $20M+ portfolios, directed global teams of up to 500 professionals, and played a central role in securing major competitive and sole-source wins across state and federal programs. His work spans cloud, AI/ML, analytics, IoT, and cyber domains, with particular strength in public-sector procurement, stakeholder engagement, and multi-partner delivery models. Well known across New England governments and innovation landscape, Stephen has worked closely with governors’ offices, CIOs, and economic development leaders, and has helped shape regional initiatives in ocean technology, cybersecurity, and applied AI. At Brackish Experts, he focuses on helping clients translate emerging technology into deployable solutions, sustainable revenue, and long-term institutional impact.
Jon DeRosa
Strategic Advisor, Maritime and Digital Transformation
Jon DeRosa is the Chief of Staff at Brackish Experts. Jon spent 25 years in the civilian sector in international trade prior to joining the Brackish team. During that time he managed international raw-material supply chains for the industrial textile market. Jon coordinated the supply of fibers, fabric and composites for the aerospace, satellite and automotive industries. He controlled the shipment, warehousing and just-in-time delivery of key raw materials for commercial energy storage production. He brought together companies from around the globe to collaborate, innovate and produce vital industrial components. Jon is former professional writer, with pieces included in published anthologies and online forums. He has authored award-winning short-films and plays. Jon graduated from Georgetown University with a BA in Economics.