Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) has expanded its Disputes and Investigations (DI) group with the launch of the National Security, Trade and Technology (NSTT) practice, led by newly appointed Managing Directors Randall Cook and Vincent Mekles in New York, and Senior Director Rachel Woloszynski in San Francisco. The new NSTT practice will provide an integrated service for clients to navigate national security and industrial policy-related regulatory and operational risks to investment, trade and technology. These risks are growing due to dynamic geopolitical tensions, acceleration and convergence of technologies, and economic volatility.
NSTT will leverage practitioners’ backgrounds as former regulators, defense and security professionals, prosecutors, industry and subject matter experts, in-house counsel, and legal, compliance and security leaders to help organizations, investors and their advisors address complex risks at the intersection of national security, innovation, capital, and business. NSTT’s competency areas include sensitive data, technology, and infrastructure, foreign investment screening and controls, global cyber risk, government security, international trade controls and sanctions, and supply chain and third party risk management. They will provide solutions in each of these areas, such as conducting regulatory investigations and forensic support; executing audits and monitorships; assessing and mitigating transaction risks; and developing, assessing and enhancing compliance and security programs.
“The new NSTT practice, led by Randy, Vincent and Rachel, reflects the growing needs of the market,” said Jerry Dent, Managing Director and North America Lead of A&M’s DI. “National security risks are increasingly impacting organizations, affecting how they operate and the capabilities they need to succeed. The NSTT team will integrate with current A&M industry-leading competencies, including experts in Global Cyber Risk Services; Telecommunications & Digital Infrastructure; US Federal Government, Supply Chain Services; Tax; Aerospace, Defense, Aviation & Space; Private Equity Services and others to provide the market with comprehensive, integrated, and differentiated national security solutions. Our clients will greatly benefit from the proactiveness, technical expertise and security and regulatory perspective that this integrated team brings to A&M.”
“Our offering is designed to help clients and partners meet the challenges of an increasingly contentious world, built on our understanding of how the dynamic risk environment intersects with business, investment, and operational reality,” said Mr. Cook. “History is reawakening – national security threats and supply chain disruption from recent years have led policymakers and regulators to rediscover their national security and industrial policy muscles. Authorities are requiring the market to address the threats of adversary exploitation and to secure vital interests. The critical element is trust. Organizations and investors need to demonstrate their commitment to securing and building integrity in their infrastructure, networks, and relationships in order to establish trust with regulators and other key stakeholders.”
Mr. Cook specializes in complex internal and regulatory investigations, compliance, monitorship and oversight matters. With over 25 years of leadership, compliance and investigations experience, Mr. Cook’s primary area of concentration is navigating complex risks arising from national security concerns, including U.S. trade controls, sanctions, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., Foreign Ownership Control and Influence and technology security. His recent work has focused on helping global enterprises address risks and requirements associated with U.S. critical technologies through the implementation of trustworthy, integrated compliance programs.
“By leveraging DI’s existing capabilities and A&M’s broader ecosystem of industry and operational experts with our team’s decades of combined legal, regulatory compliance and technical expertise, we can respond to the market’s increasing desire for integrated services,” added Mr. Mekles. “We are a full-service capability that facilitates trust by helping companies establish working relationships with regulators, designing and implementing digital ecosystems, and mitigating risks related to the changes stemming from geopolitical and economic volatility.”
Mr. Mekles joins A&M with nearly 20 years of legal, regulatory and management experience advising public and private sector entities, and specializes in complex and cross-border investigations, compliance advisory and independent oversight matters. His primary areas of concentration include advising clients and serving in third-party fiduciary roles in connection with matters relating to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S.; developing and implementing sensitive data security programs; performing internal investigations; overseeing complex settlement agreements; and developing and enhancing compliance programs.
Ms. Woloszynski specializes in compliance advisory and third-party oversight. Her primary areas of concentration include independent monitorships, audits and assessments involving compliance risks. With more than 10 years of experience, Ms. Woloszynski has managed independent monitorships and audits related to matters involving ITAR, CFIUS and BIS regulations, as well as conducted compliance and ethics program effectiveness and risk assessments. She brings experience with receivership administration and consumer redress programs.
Prior to A&M, Mr. Cook was a Senior Managing Director at Ankura, where he built an industry-leading National Security, Trade & Technology practice. He previously served as Senior Counsel for two Fortune 50 global defense technology companies and was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the federal district of New Jersey. Earlier, he was an attorney for Covington & Burling LLP in Washington, D.C. Mr. Cook also was a U.S. Army Infantry officer and continues to serve as a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. Mr. Cook earned a bachelor’s degree in foreign service from Georgetown University, a master’s degree in international relations from Duke University and a J.D. from Duke University School of Law.
Previously, Mr. Mekles was a Senior Managing Director at Ankura. He served as Deputy Executive Director of the New Jersey Governor’s Office of Recovery and Rebuilding, where he developed, coordinated and oversaw all aspects of the state’s multibillion-dollar recovery effort following Hurricane Sandy. He also served as a litigation association at Latham & Watkins LLP and served as a law clerk to the New Jersey Supreme Court. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science/criminal justice (magna cum laude) from the University of Richmond and a J.D. (high honors) from Rutgers Law School.
Before joining A&M, Ms. Woloszynski was a Senior Director at Ankura Consulting Group. She previously was in the Business Control Office at Deutsche Bank. Ms. Woloszynski earned a bachelor’s degree in applied economics and management from Cornell University. She is a Certified Fraud Examiner and a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional.