Joe “Digger” DiGuardo spent 36 years in the United States Navy as a Special Operation Officer, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer, Deep Sea Diving Officer, Naval Parachutist and Small Combat Craft Officer as well as Surface Warfare Officer. He led at all levels of Navy Special Operations, executing 8 combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan as well as multiple more around the globe. He retired in December 2022 as the Commanding Admiral of all Navy Special Operations and Navy Expeditionary Forces totaling more than 20,000 Sailors and Marines and a budget of $2.1B annually. His leadership spanned complex, high-risk operations, including special operations to Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD), Counter Terrorism, Navy Expeditionary Operations and Fleet support worldwide. Digger has over three decades of distinguished service in national security, counterterrorism, and counter-proliferation. He received, among other awards, The Distinguished Service Medal, The Bronze Star, 4 Legions of Merit, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the 3 Meritorious Service Medals, the Combat Action Ribbon and was appointed an Honorary Chief Petty Officer. Currently, Digger is the principal of DiggerWorks Consulting, where he advises clients on defense and national strategy, security, and operations. He also serves as a Fellow at the American College of National Security Leaders, responding to questions directly from the National Security Council (NSC) and chairs the Undersea Warfare Department at the Naval Postgraduate School. He is a senior director for countering terrorism and weapons of mass destruction for the Nevada Nuclear Security Sites, under the National Nuclear Security Agency and is an advisor to several defense industry boards of directors.