NATIONAL SECURITY EXPERT

NOW BOOKING A LIMITED NUMBER OF COURSES ON TERRORISM FOR PUBLIC SAFETY ORGANIZATIONS AND FOR KEYNOTE SPEECHES

FEATURED SPEAKER

SARAH “SUPERBAD” ADAMS

FORMER CIA TARGETING OFFICER

SPEAKER

  • CO-AUTHOR OF BENGHAZI, KNOW THY ENEMY: A COLD CASE INVESTIGATION

  • NATIONAL SECURITY CONSULTANT

  • COLD CASE INVESTIGATOR

  • FORMER CIA OFFICER- LIBYAN CRISIS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE 9/11 ATTACKS

  • COUNTERTERROISM ANALYST AND TARGETER FOR CIA

  • SENIOR ADVISOR ON THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON BENGHAZI

  • NGO OFFICIAL WORKING ACROSS MULTIPLE CONFLICT ZONES INCLUDING AFGHANISTAN, UKRAINE AND SUDAN

     

Sarah is an award-winning targeting officer and global threat advisor with extensive domestic and international experience. Ms. Adams focuses her practice on intelligence and investigations and also supports risk mitigation and crisis management engagements. Previously, Ms. Adams held positions in the government and non-profit sectors, and has worked overseas on behalf of the U.S. Government’s intelligence mission in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia.

The Impending Homeland Attack | Sarah Adams & Dave "Boon" Benton | The Dangerous Skills

Sarah & Boon speaking at Emmanuel University on Community Preparedness | First Responders and Community Forum

CIA Targeter: "The Upcoming Attack in America" | Official Preview

YouTube Shawn Ryan Show

 

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SRS #149 Sarah Adams - Is the Pentagon Ignoring the Most Dangerous Threat of All?

In this episode of SRS, Sarah Adams exposes the hidden realities behind global security threats and government inaction. She discusses alarming intelligence gaps, Taliban funding, Al Qaeda’s evolving strategies, and the unsettling roles of China and Russia in shaping terrorist activities. Drawing from historical events like Benghazi, the conversation challenges listeners to rethink what’s being overlooked in today’s geopolitical landscape.

The discussion also highlights Hamza bin Laden’s influence, the challenges faced by abandoned allies, and the evolving nature of terrorist tactics. Through detailed analysis and candid reflections, Adams provides a nuanced perspective on the complexities of global and domestic security.

In part two, Adams exposes what was happening Stateside during the Benghazi attacks while U.S. Service Members were fighting for their lives. Shawn and Sarah discuss what measures could have been taken that night to provide support to the CIA Annex team on the ground. This episode brings the United States' strategy full circle with an often overlooked part of the puzzle–the intelligence that informs the strikes.

FULL BIOGRAPHY:

Sarah is an award-winning targeting officer and global threat advisor with extensive domestic and international experience. Ms. Adams focuses her practice on intelligence and investigations and also supports risk mitigation and crisis management engagements. Previously, Ms. Adams held positions in the government and non-profit sectors, and has worked overseas on behalf of the U.S. Government’s intelligence mission in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia.

 

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

From January 2015 to January 2017, Ms. Adams served as the Senior Advisor for the U.S. House of Representatives, Select Committee on Benghazi after being recruited as an executive appointment from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) by the committee’s Chairman.  Ms. Adams served as an expert to the committee on national security, foreign policy, and various global strategic issues.  As a professional staff member on the investigative team, she conducted all-source investigations and oversight activities related to the terrorist attacks that occurred in Benghazi, Libya in 2012 to mitigate future security risks to U.S. personnel serving overseas at U.S. Government facilities.  She was directly involved in outreach to multiple government organizations, the U.S. Government’s Intelligence Community (IC), and Congressional Members.  She recommended major changes in security and intelligence collection initiatives across the Intelligence and Diplomatic Communities that were included in the Committee’s final report titled Final Report of the Select Committee on the Events Surrounding the 2012 Terrorist Attack in Benghazi (H. Rept. 114–848).

Prior to being appointed to the U.S. House of Representatives, Ms. Adams was a lead Targeting Analyst at the CIA after joining the Agency in 2006.  As a former member of the IC, Ms. Adams identified and assessed global terrorist threats aimed at the US—its interests and its global allies—and formulated targeting assessments and risk studies to help the CIA mitigate such threats by avoiding, reducing or transferring risks.  She performed risk evaluation and operational analysis on a daily basis by identifying and comparing targets based on available intelligence, resources, legal requirements, country risk assessments, and potential security and political considerations.  She provided written and oral briefings on both the strategic and tactical levels to senior White House, Congressional, CIA and US Military leaders.  With over a decade of experience in operational targeting, intelligence analysis, and investigations, Ms. Adams has been granted several awards for her contributions to the U.S. Government’s intelligence mission overseas.  In one example, while serving in a warzone, she received an award for leading operational efforts coined to be a “game-changer” by then U.S. Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates.  In another example, while based in North Africa in 2012, as the lead counterterrorism targeter, the CIA’s Chief of Station referred to Ms. Adams, as the “backbone for counterterrorism operations” in that particular country.

Experience

  • Chief Of Operations Ukraine NGO Coordination Network (UNCN)
  • Proven leader with extensive experience managing operations for a network of 50+ non-profit organizations using the "Team of Teams" approach for efficient humanitarian aid efforts.
  • Spearheaded operations in Ukraine, providing immediate assistance within 24 hours after Russia's initial strikes.
  • Passionate crisis response leader adept at coordination and successfully supported those affected by crises in other locales including Sudan, Afghanistan, and during Hurricane Ian in Florida. Proven leader with extensive experience managing operations for a network of 50+ non-profit organizations using the "Team of Teams" approach for efficient humanitarian aid efforts. Spearheaded operations in Ukraine, providing immediate assistance within 24 hours after Russia's initial strikes. Passionate crisis response leader adept at coordination and successfully supported those affected by crises in other locales including Sudan, Afghanistan, and during Hurricane Ian in Florida.

 Skills:

  • Team Leadership
  • Program Analyst United States Department of the Air Force
  • Concepts, Development and Management Office’s Intelligence Systems Support Office (ISSO)Concepts, Development and Management Office’s Intelligence Systems Support Office (ISSO)
  • Senior Consultant Wolf Global
  • Experienced in corporate counterintelligence, due diligence, global threat intelligence, insider threat mitigation, risk analysis, security assessments, and travel/study abroad security awareness
  • Serves as a global threat advisor and intelligence analyst team member with the firm's crisis management and international legal consulting practices
  • Support the firm's intelligence and investigations practice
  • Proficient in public records research and intelligence tools to include TLOxp, CLEAR and LexisNexis Accurint. Experienced in corporate counterintelligence, due diligence, global threat intelligence, insider threat mitigation, risk analysis, security assessments, and travel/study abroad security awareness. Serves as a global threat advisor and intelligence analyst team member with the firm's crisis management and international legal consulting practices, Supports the firm's intelligence and investigations practice.
  • Project Manager UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
  • Office of Special Technology (OST)Office of Special Technology (OST)
  • Senior Analyst, Security Intelligence JetBlue Airways
  • Senior Advisor U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on Benghazi
  • Appointed by the committee's Chairman, Representative Trey Gowdy, as an executive appointment to serve as the Senior Advisor; Expert on national security, foreign policy, counterterrorism, and various global strategic issues
  • Conducted investigations and oversight activities related to the terrorist attacks that occurred in Benghazi, Libya in 2012
  • Reviewed past policies, decisions, and events; Formulated proposals, recommendations, and policy guidance
  • Performed outreach to multiple government organizations, the Intelligence Community (IC), and Congressional Members
  • Recommended major changes in security and intelligence collection initiatives across the Intelligence and Diplomatic Communities (included in the Committee’s final report); Proposed recommendations to ensure that programs and policies are resourced to improve security training and standards at U.S. diplomatic facilities overseas; Proposed refinement to performance standards for Diplomatic Security personnel; Recommended threat information be communicated and shared in a more robust manner to include the magnitude of intelligence gaps when intelligence collection is severely limited, and that responses to security requests are documented, follow-up on and that changes are implemented and adjusted as necessary; Requested a process be implemented to continually assess that security and safety program improvements are followed, and that specific leadership positions are identified as being responsible for ensuring continuous improvements. Appointed by the committee's Chairman, Representative Trey Gowdy, as an executive appointment to serve as the Senior Advisor; Expert on national security, foreign policy, counterterrorism, and various global strategic issues Conducted investigations and oversight activities related to the terrorist attacks that occurred in Benghazi, Libya in 2012 Reviewed past policies, decisions, and events; Formulated proposals, recommendations, and policy guidance Performed outreach to multiple government organizations, the Intelligence Community (IC), and Congressional Members Recommended major changes in security and intelligence collection initiatives across the Intelligence and Diplomatic Communities (included in the Committee’s final report); Proposed recommendations to ensure that programs and policies are resourced to improve security training and standards at U.S. diplomatic facilities overseas; Proposed refinement to performance standards for Diplomatic Security personnel; Recommended threat information be communicated and shared in a more robust manner to include the magnitude of intelligence gaps when intelligence collection is severely limited, and that responses to security requests are documented, follow-up on and that changes are implemented and adjusted as necessary; Requested a process be implemented to continually assess that security and safety program improvements are followed, and that specific leadership positions are identified as being responsible for ensuring continuous improvements
  • Targeting Officer Central Intelligence Agency
  • Assessed developments related to terrorism to affect policy in high-threat environments vital to national security
  • Developed targeting studies and profiles of terrorist groups and assessments of their sponsors
  • Produced a range of operational traffic, current and strategic intelligence products and brief key US policymakers
  • Provided support to intelligence operations to include high-level debriefings
  • Proficient in numerous intelligence tools, software packages, and databases to include Analyst Notebook i2, Palantir, XRY Software, Google Earth, Falcon View, and Terrorism Identities Datamart Environment (TIDE)
  • Completed the Targeting Officer Certification Course (TOCC) and the Career Analyst Program (CAP)
  • Overseas Assignments: Middle East: Mar-April 2014 and Dec 2013-Jan 2014; North Africa: Jan-Apr 2012 and Aug-Nov 2012; South Asia: Aug-Oct 2011, Jul-Sep 2010, Feb 2009-Feb 2010, Jun-Oct 2008, and Aug-Oct 2007; Europe: Sep-Oct 2006Assessed developments related to terrorism to affect policy in high-threat environments vital to national security Developed targeting studies and profiles of terrorist groups and assessments of their sponsors Produced a range of operational traffic, current and strategic intelligence products and brief key US policymakers Provided support to intelligence operations to include high-level debriefings Proficient in numerous intelligence tools, software packages, and databases to include Analyst Notebook i2, Palantir, XRY Software, Google Earth, Falcon View, and Terrorism Identities Datamart Environment (TIDE) Completed the Targeting Officer Certification Course (TOCC) and the Career Analyst Program (CAP) Overseas Assignments: Middle East: Mar-April 2014 and Dec 2013-Jan 2014; North Africa: Jan-Apr 2012 and Aug-Nov 2012; South Asia: Aug-Oct 2011, Jul-Sep 2010, Feb 2009-Feb 2010, Jun-Oct 2008, and Aug-Oct 2007; Europe: Sep-Oct 2006
  • Operations Associate The Critical Path Institute
  • Managed operational functions for a start-up organization, including Human Resources, Public Relations/Marketing, facilities, reporting and fundraising
  • Provided executive support to the Chief Operating Officer and assisted Directors in the Programs department. Managed operational functions for a start-up organization, including Human Resources, Public Relations/Marketing, facilities, reporting and fundraising Provided executive support to the Chief Operating Officer and assisted Directors in the Programs department
  • Project Intern-Puerto Nuevo (formerly Tucson-Mexico Trade Office) City of Tucson
  • Provided input on organizing task force members efforts and other resources including community advisory groups
  • Researched inland port comparison info to improve the probability of success for the future Tucson inland port project. Provided input on organizing task force members efforts and other resources including community advisory groups Researched inland port comparison info to improve the probability of success for the future Tucson inland port project
  • Assistant to Director of Academic Publications & Graduate Assistant University of San Diego
  • Assistant to Director of Academic Publications: Edited and reviewed university publications and materials, Assisted students in course selection and registrations
  • Graduate Fellowship/Assistant: Assisted Graduate Advisor, Faculty Members and Professional Staff Members; Assisted with student grading; facilitated lower-level courses. Assistant to Director of Academic Publications: Edited and reviewed university publications and materials Assisted students in course selection and registrations Graduate Fellowship/Assistant: Assisted Graduate Advisor, Faculty Members and Professional Staff Members; Assisted with student grading; facilitated lower-level courses
  • Project Intern University of Central Florida
  • Worked on a database management system to help increase international business to the Central Florida region
  • Interacted and coordinated with decision makers of the World Trade Center-Orlando, The Orlando Chamber of Commerce, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, The Orlando Aviation Authority and the Port Canaveral Authority. Worked on a database management system to help increase international business to the Central Florida region Interacted and coordinated with decision makers of the World Trade Center-Orlando, The Orlando Chamber of Commerce, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, The Orlando Aviation Authority and the Port Canaveral Authority
  • Business Management Intern, Walt Disney World College Program The Walt Disney Company: Specialty live, work and earn program; enhanced skills in: time management, teamwork, product knowledge, diversity, communications, guest services, leadership, and continuous improvement

Continuing Education Seminars:
Communicating with Style
The Cultural Adjustment Process
Career Development
The Art of Leadership
The World of Corporate Change
Advertising/Marketing

EDUCATION

  • M.A., International Relations, University of San Diego
  • B.S.B.A., International Business, University of Central Florida, College of Business Administration
  • Career Analyst Program (CAP), Central Intelligence Agency’s Sherman Kent School, 2006 

SERVES ON THE FOLLOWING BOARDS

  • Vice President of Ukraine Operations and Board Member
  • Member Board of Directors Humanitarian Aid and Rescue Project Advisor Metis Analytics 

 

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Benghazi: Know Thy Enemy: A Cold Case Investigation

Authors and Speakers Sarah Adams and Dave Benton were both involved in the 2011 attacks in Benghazi

Starting on September 11th, 2012, al-Qa'ida carried out a series of terrorist attacks on the U.S. Consulate and CIA Annex in Benghazi, Libya, killing four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens. With over 150 attackers at the Consulate alone, the attack was the largest terrorist attack on a U.S. diplomatic mission in history. And yet, the case remained unsolved. The terrorists were never brought to justice because they had not been identified until now.

Two former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Officers involved in the Libyan crisis before, during, and after the attacks decided they would not allow an al-Qa'ida terrorist attack to become a cold case. Inside these pages, you will find a first-hand account of the attacks showcasing the terrorists involved. For the first time, they open their files into a self-funded, open-source investigation into the perpetrators. Drawing on their extensive experience and knowledge of the region, to offer a unique and valuable perspective on the events.

This important and timely book provides crucial insights into a tragedy as the CIA Officers share their findings with the reader. The hope is to honor the memory of those killed by exposing and bringing justice to the real enemies of the United States.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

CO-AUTHOR, SARAH ADAMS, FORMER CIA TERRORIST TARGETER

CO-AUTHOR, DAVE "BOON" BENTON 

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DAVE "BOON" BENTON - FORMER US MARINE SCOUT SNIPER & CIA GRS CONTRACTOR IN BENGHAZI - 13 HOURS IN BENGHAZI MOVIE

Boon grew up in Ohio, and also calls Florida home. He is one of the founders of ShootingClasses.com, and has over 26 years serving in specialized teams and leadership roles in the military, law enforcement, protective security, and the U.S. Government’s Intelligence Community. He was part of the Central Intelligence Agency’s Annex security team that responded to the September 11, 2012 terrorist attack at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya. His story is told in the book "13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi " written by Mitchell Zuckoff.

TRAIN WITH BOON

Dave " Boon" Benton has a combined 26 years serving in specialized teams and leadership roles in the military, law enforcement, protective security, and intelligence community. He has held many positions on various teams from assaulter, sniper, breacher, tactical medic, team leader, and instructor positions from explosive entry to SWAT.

  

Courses Taught
CCW, Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Rifle, Shotgun, Long Range Precision, NRA Courses, Active Shooter Response Training, In Home Defense Training, Scenario Based Training, Scenario Based Training (Simunitions, Man Marking Cartridge), Women's Only Courses, Instructor Training Courses, Instructor Coach Training Courses, LEO / MIL / SEC Courses, Seminars / Lectures, Security Training & Certification, Tactical Casualty Care (TCCC / TECC), Specialty Other

Please Contact Judy at [email protected] | (706)518-2116 if you are interested in hosting Boon to train a group in your area.

 

MEDIA

The Career Path of One Former CIA Targeting Analyst

 / Jan 16, 2023
CAREER ADVICE
Central Intelligence Agency

For this episode of the Security Clearance Careers podcast, we speak with Sarah Adams, a targeting officer and global threat advisor with extensive domestic and international experience. From 2015 – 2017 she served on the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on Benghazi, and prior to the committee, was a lead Targeting Analyst at the CIA. She joined the Agency in 2006 to identify and assess global terrorist threats aimed at the U.S., its interests, and its allies.

 

CAREER PATH TO THE CIA

More recently, she has worked in a number of other roles to try to answer complex national security challenges, and coauthored Benghazi: Know Thy Enemy: A Cold Case Investigation. Her journey can lend insight to younger professionals who may be interested in a career at the CIA.

She didn’t always envision herself at the CIA and found the analysis world in 2006. Adams offers advice to our younger generation about getting a job with the intelligence community. It wasn’t until grad school that Adams started learning about national security topics and consequently intelligence community careers.

Adams actually pivoted careers from some of the internships she worked in during college. One thing to note is that mentors played an important role in that transition – and having many mentors across multiple industries helps to develop your network.

Three tips to getting a career at the CIA

  1. Use internships to meet your three-year probation period (i.e., three summer internships can mean you come into the agency at a more senior level).
  2. Don’t box yourself in to security clearance careers. There are many internships with open source that may better suit you now to get to that security clearance later.
  3. Work on the issues that you’re really interested in, perhaps with think tanks or firms, and you will eventually get yourself into the intelligence community to do great work.

Know Thy Enemy: Former CIA Members Seeking Justice for Benghazi

Professionals should tune in to this episode of the Security Clearance Careers podcast to have an inside look on the controversy of Benghazi, how politics should not be part of national security investigations, the 2014 congressional Benghazi committee, terrorist events, and what role CIA targeting officers have inside the Agency, and what life looks like for Sarah Adams after.

Katie Keller is a marketing fanatic that enjoys anything digital, communications, promotions & events. She has 10+ years in the DoD supporting multiple contractors with recruitment strategy, staffing augmentation, marketing, & communications. Favorite type of beer: IPA. Fave hike: the Grouse Grind, Vancouver, BC. Fave social platform: ClearanceJobs! 
Read Full Article: https://news.clearancejobs.com/2023/01/16/the-career-path-of-one-former-cia-targeting-analyst/

Full Article: https://sofrep.com/news/sofrep-world-exclusive-the-benghazi-mortar-teams-identities-revealed-for-the-first-time/

Full Episode: https://www.zerolimitspodcast.com/ep-76-dave-boon-benton-former-us-marine-cia-contractor-and-sarah-adams-former-cia-targeting-officer-both-involved-in-the-2011-attacks-in-bengazhi/

https://theandressegovia.com/the-blog/classic-episode-benghazi-aint-going-away-episode-279/

SPEECH TOPICS:

- THINK LIKE THE ENEMY #1 TOPIC

- BENGHAZI: KNOW THY ENEMY

- FAILURES IN AFGHANISTAN

- PREVENTING ANOTHER BENGHAZI

- UKRAINE

- NATIONAL SECURITY THREATS & OPEN BORDERS

- al-Qa’ida IS STILL A THREAT

- THE CAREER PATH OF A FORMER CIA TARGETING ANALYST

- THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING POLITICS OUT OF NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES

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Community Preparedness Course Description: 

(This 3 hour training seminar is followed by 1 hour q&a and can be shortened to fit your needs)

Inside Al-Qaeda: Know Thy Enemy and the Homeland Plot

This course offers a comprehensive analysis of Al-Qaeda’s operations, ideology, and its evolving threat to Western interests. We begin with a brief case study of the 2012 Benghazi attacks investigation, setting the stage to explore the broader global terrorism landscape and the rise of Islamist terrorism over the past five decades. From there, we delve into the origins of Al-Qaeda, its current organizational structure, and its long-term objectives, which include the establishment of an Islamic Caliphate and the formation of an Islamic Army composed of both Sunni and Shia terrorist factions.

The course then shifts focus to Al-Qaeda’s ongoing plotting against the U.S. homeland, specifically examining their evolving tactics and innovations in terrorism, including a deep dive into aviation threats and the advancement of the "invisible bomb." Through this lens, we trace the evolution of their plotting against the West, understanding how these threats have adapted to security measures over time.

By the end of the course, participants will have a clearer understanding of the current and future threat landscape posed by Al-Qaeda and its affiliates. They will also explore strategic recommendations to counter and mitigate this evolving risk, with an emphasis on proactive and reactive measures to safeguard national security.