WHO WE ARE
Leadership Wisdom That Works
We are experienced leaders and advisers that deliver real results. We have distilled decades of leadership in the most demanding environments on earth into practical, transferable frameworks that work in boardrooms, on shop floors, and everywhere in between.
Clarity. Alignment. Execution.
By establishing common principles and practices, we deliver uncommon results. Our engaging, interactive sessions, will provide your team with greater trust, purpose, focus, and the tools to execute with confidence.
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Blayne Smith
PRINCIPAL
Blayne is a West Point graduate, former Green Beret, decorated combat veteran, and co-founder of Applied Leadership Partners. He is the coauthor of Perseverance > Endurance and one of the most trusted voices in the veterans landscape, serving as the health and wellbeing director at the George W. Bush Institute and on the boards of the Armed Services Arts Partnership and GORUCK.
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Brandon Young
PRINCIPAL
Brandon is a former U.S. Army Ranger, principal at Applied Leadership Partners, and coauthor of Perseverance > Endurance. For over 25 years, he has built and led winning teams in military special operations, corporate healthcare, and nonprofit sectors. He assessed, mentored, and trained more than 1,000 Ranger leaders at the 75th Ranger Regiment and serves on the board of directors for GallantFew.
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Sarah Holzhalb
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & CLIENT SUCCESS
Sarah is a former commissioned officer in the U.S. Coast Guard with nearly 20 years of experience as a leader, teacher, and advisor. She specializes in cultivating strategic and collaborative teams through work with private companies, large corporations, and legislative and public policy engagement, and serves on the Board of Commissioners for her local Water Works District.
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Ben Davis
Ben is a former Navy SEAL and Executive Director of the Veterans’ Outdoor Advocacy Group (VOAG). Since leaving the SEAL Teams, he has worked across defense tech, cybersecurity, and NASA’s Orion program. Ben writes extensively on veteran transition, identity, and life after service.
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Mike Wisecup
Mike is a retired Navy SEAL Commander, former College VP and Director of Athletics. He brings more than 25 years of experience across multiple industries, building high-performing teams, transforming organizations, and advising senior leaders. Mike lives in Maine and is an avid open-water endurance swimmer.
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Mike Kloepper
Mike is a former Army Ranger and Paratrooper with nearly 30 years of experience developing leaders, building high-performing teams, and leading cultural transformation. He is an expert in building capability, trust, accountability, and talent management across small senior leadership teams and large enterprises.