Mark Thaller

Mark earned BS degrees in marine engineering and naval architecture from the U.S. Naval Academy, an MS in mechanical engineering from the University of Hawaii, an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and a PhD in conflict analysis and resolution from Nova Southeastern University. His dissertation focused on the relationship between corruption and death in regions of extreme violence. 

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Mark has a passion for uniquely competitive athletics, including Ironman triathlon, open-ocean kayaking, and being a former contender on the American Gladiators TV program. He supports Type-1 Diabetes camps in Gulu, Uganda, and resides in metro DC with spouse Kate and their four children.

Mark Thaller is the Managing Director of Jebel Associates, focusing on advisory services and private investment in Iraq, Liberia, Afghanistan, Uganda, Djibouti, Sudan, and South Sudan. He has independently lived and worked in each of these areas on behalf of American as well as foreign clients. 

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Previously, Mark held several executive positions at government contracting firms, focusing on counter-terrorism, counter-intelligence and homeland security. 

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Prior to working in business development, Mark served as a General Partner at several venture capital funds, including Sprout Group (as a Kauffman Fellow) and at Zero Stage Capital. Mark subsequently left his partnership to form Patriot Ventures in close collaboration with the CIA on July 4, 2001. Although enormously successful, Patriot Ventures was voluntarily terminated at the request of the U.S. Government just two years after its formation; specific details cannot be shared. However, Mark was personally recognized by the Director of the FBI for significantly impacting our national security. 

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Mark began his career by spending 9 years as a naval officer conducting covert operations with the nuclear Fast Attack submarine force.

Mark's Fellowship was hosted by Sprout Group in New York City, and involved Rick Kroon and Scott Meadow as world class, blue-chip mentors. He is a member of Class 2.