Jim Steele is a proven senior business executive, military leader, security expert, personal trainer, and author whose extraordinary life journey spans some of the most complex, dangerous, and transformative arenas in the world. With a career built on courage, innovation, and resilience, Jim has consistently demonstrated a rare ability to lead in adversity, build high-performing organizations, and inspire through action and example.
From the jungles of Vietnam to the power corridors of global business, Jim’s story is a testament to leadership under pressure. After a distinguished 24-year career in the U.S. Army, marked by frontline combat in Vietnam and strategic command roles in Latin America, Jim transitioned seamlessly into the business world. His impact was immediate and profound: at Enron, he rose to Managing Director, responsible for developing multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects across Europe, Latin America, and Africa. Later, as President and CEO of Mosbacher Power Group, he successfully led the development, financing, and operation of energy projects valued at over $4 billion. Jim’s leadership has directly shaped industries, empowered communities, and advanced U.S. foreign policy objectives.
Jim’s military service is legendary. He is a Silver Star Medal recipient for gallantry, a Purple Heart honoree, and holder of numerous high-level U.S. and foreign decorations, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal and El Salvador’s Gold Medal of Honor. His combat prowess was forged in the fierce battles of Vietnam, where General George Patton Jr. called him “the best small unit combat leader he had witnessed during two wars.” In Latin America, Jim played pivotal roles in counterterrorism and law enforcement reform, from rebuilding Panama’s police forces post-Noriega to securing the safe return of El Salvador’s president’s daughter after a guerrilla kidnapping.
Following 9/11, Jim’s expertise was once again in high demand. In Iraq, he worked in the most volatile regions, training and leading Iraqi SWAT teams, rescuing hostages, apprehending high-value targets, and organizing the protection of the fledgling government’s leaders. His courageous actions in Mosul, Fallujah, and Baghdad earned him the Department of Defense Medal of Valor and the Distinguished Public Service Medal, with accolades from the U.S. Congress and Department of Defense leadership. As described by The New York Times Magazine, Jim became “one of the United States military’s top experts on counterinsurgency.”
Jim’s influence extended beyond the battlefield. As CEO of Buchanan Renewables in Geneva, he spearheaded critical energy initiatives in Liberia, providing sustainable biomass energy solutions for Europe while navigating the challenges of a post-conflict environment. His real-world insights into unconventional warfare, foreign policy, and security have made him a sought-after speaker, with guest lectures at the Harvard Kennedy School and engagements with the Premiere Speakers Bureau.
Today, Jim is the founder and owner of JS Steele Enterprises, LLC, a Texas-based private security firm specializing in guard services, personal protection, security consulting, and private investigations. He continues to shape the security landscape with the same drive and precision that have defined his entire career. Simultaneously, as a certified personal trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine, he helps others achieve peak physical performance, reinforcing his lifelong commitment to discipline, strength, and personal excellence.
An accomplished author, Jim has penned the critically acclaimed “Move to the Sound of the Guns,” a riveting memoir of leadership in combat, alongside two action novels available on Amazon. His writing reflects a deep understanding of human resilience and the complexities of modern conflict.
Jim’s academic credentials mirror his professional achievements. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Dayton and a Master’s degree in International Affairs from the University of Florida. He graduated with highest distinction from the Naval War College, completed a special fellowship at the Army War College, and studied German at the Defense Language Institute. Certified in law enforcement operations and an honorary doctorate recipient from the International Institute for Counterterrorism, Jim embodies a commitment to lifelong learning.
Fluent in Spanish and conversational German, a licensed pilot, a martial arts black belt, and a decorated public servant, Jim Steele continues to live a life of service, leadership, and impact. Deeply rooted in Bryan, Texas, since 2006, Jim proudly supports Texas A&M University — a tradition carried on by his father, son, and daughter, all Aggie graduates.
Whether in the high-stakes worlds of international security, global business, or personal development, Jim Steele’s life work is defined by a singular mission: to lead with honor, inspire with courage, and serve with unwavering dedication.
Character
Jim Steele’s character is defined by courage, integrity, and a relentless commitment to service, demonstrated through decades of leadership in military, security, and business environments where trust, resilience, and personal sacrifice were essential to success.
Knowledge
Jim possesses unparalleled expertise in security, foreign policy, counterterrorism, and business development, gained through direct operational experience in conflict zones around the world and executive leadership of billion-dollar energy projects and private security firms.
Strategic
Jim consistently applies a strategic mindset to complex challenges, whether orchestrating military operations, building security infrastructures, developing international business ventures, or advancing U.S. policy objectives in some of the world’s most volatile regions.
Communication
Jim is an articulate and persuasive communicator whose experience as an author, lecturer, and advisor to senior government officials showcases his ability to convey complex ideas clearly, inspire diverse teams, and foster trust across cultural and organizational boundaries.
