Newt McKissick

Captain (Retired) Newt McKissick is Vice President of Business Development and Strategy of Red Cell’s National Security Practice. A proven executive leader with deep experience in financial management, budget development, and congressional affairs, CAPT McKissick brings to Red Cell a strong record of aligning Department of War priorities with private-sector innovation.

Prior to joining the firm, CAPT McKissick had an illustrious 27-year career as an officer with the United States Navy. Most recently, he was the Military Deputy and Navy Service Lead at the Defense Innovation Unit, serving as the senior uniformed advisor to the DIU Director. In that role, he led and synchronized a 120+ member joint team of active duty, reserve, civilian, and industry personnel, driving rapid adoption of commercial technology across the Department of War. While at the DIU, he also served as the Senior Military Advisor for the Energy Portfolio, supporting Joint matters, congressional affairs, maritime, and aviation as the lead military liaison. Before DIU, CAPT McKissick was the Commanding Officer of the Naval Base in Coronado, Calif., the birthplace of Naval Aviation and the hub of Naval Special Warfare.  In that role, he led more than 40,000 sailors and civilian employees across eight separate installations supporting 150+ tenant commands. Previous positions with the U.S. Navy also include Director of the U.S. Navy Office of Appropriations Matters and Commanding Officer of the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron SEVEN SEVEN.

CAPT McKissick is a 1999 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a degree in mathematics. He holds an MBA in acquisitions and financial management from the Naval Postgraduate School and a master’s degree in strategic studies and public policy from the Naval War College.