VESS Welcomes JC Cardinale to lead Federal Strategy & National Security Affairs

Viele Exploratory Sustainable Solutions LLC (VESS), today welcomes Lieutenant Colonel JC Cardinale, U.S. Army, as Principal – Federal Strategy & National Security Affairs, where he will lead federal strategy, congressional engagement, and national security positioning across the firm’s defense and government portfolio.

JC brings more than a decade of experience shaping defense and national security outcomes at the highest levels of government. He previously served in senior roles in the U.S. Senate, where he led engagement on defense appropriations, acquisition strategy, and policy impacting the Department of Defense and the broader national security enterprise.

In parallel with his policy career, JC has held leadership roles throughout the U.S. Army, including multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, under Operation Enduring Freedom. Today, he continues to serve as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, where he supports global combatant commands as a joint operations planner.

In his role at VESS, JC will be responsible for advancing long-term federal strategy, strengthening congressional and interagency relationships, and aligning national security priorities with the company’s advanced technology and defense initiatives.

“JC’s combination of Senate experience, defense acquisition expertise, and operational military leadership makes him uniquely qualified to guide our federal strategy,” said Kody Viele, Founder and CEO of VESS. “His perspective will be critical as we continue to expand our role supporting national security missions across the Department of Defense.”

JC’s appointment reflects VESS’s continued investment in senior leadership with deep federal, defense, and national security expertise as the company scales its capabilities and impact across government and defense markets.