Experience in Numbers

20+

years

Special Agent on the U.S. Secret Service Presidential Protective Division and Assistant Team Leader on the elite Counter Assault Team, DOI/JTTF & the Las Vegas Regional Intelligence Center, Executive Director of Security, TCISD

Countries

Served as a BLM Special Agent and FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force Officer, conducting high-profile investigations, coordinating security operations across 28 countries.

1000s

schools

Designed and executed one of the highest-rated K–12 security programs in the United States as Executive Director of Security & School Safety for Texas City ISD.

bills?

DOI/JTTF & the Las Vegas Regional Intelligence Center, Executive Director of Security, TCISD to equate to the 20 plus years. I now have 35 countries.

David Kalinske

Chief Strategy Officer

Bio

Transformational Aerospace & National Security Executive

David Kalinske is a transformational executive and visionary strategist with over two decades of leadership at the nexus of aerospace innovation, artificial intelligence, national defense, and high-growth ventures. A distinguished veteran and seasoned CEO, Kalinske has consistently driven scalable growth, guided emerging technologies to market, and led elite cross-functional teams across the private sector and federal government.

Previously serving as Chief Executive Officer of Plana U.S. Inc., a pioneering aerospace startup focused on hybrid-electric aviation, Kalinske spearheaded strategic partnerships, operational scale-up, and venture development in one of the most competitive and dynamic sectors of the modern aerospace economy.

His prior roles include Vice President of Defense & Strategic Applications at Vivum A.I., where he built a $700M+ federal pipeline and secured the company’s largest contract; and Head of Government Enterprise Account Management at SpaceX’s Starlink, where he led the fastest-growing team to a 300% revenue increase in just 90 days.

Kalinske also served as President of the Government Services Group at TDX Holdings, managing a $140M business portfolio across seven federal services companies and delivering the highest profitability of any division. As Chief Revenue Officer of Morpheus Space, he helped drive market expansion across the satellite sector, while at Flex Ltd., he established and led the U.S. Government Programs business unit, securing a multi-year $100M+ contract—then the largest in the firm’s history.

A decorated U.S. Marine Corps officer, Kalinske’s military career is marked by high-impact leadership and national-level trust. He commanded an F/A-18 fighter squadron with more than $1B in assets and 250+ personnel, earning back-to-back distinctions as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron of the Year. He is a TOPGUN graduate, recipient of the Air Medal for combat valor, and held senior roles in operational logistics and weapons systems strategy.

Notably, Kalinske served in the White House Military Office as Presidential Aide to both President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama—entrusted with the nation’s nuclear codes and operational oversight of more than 2,300 military and civilian personnel. His ability to lead under the highest pressure reflects the trust placed in him at the most critical levels of government.

Kalinske earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Michigan State University, completed the prestigious National Security Fellowship at Harvard University, and graduated from the UCLA Anderson School of Management’s Executive Education Program. He is also a certified FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP).

He is the recipient of numerous awards including the Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award, with direct commendations from both U.S. Presidents he served.

"Security isn’t about reacting to threats.

It’s about preventing them before they surface."

Federal Protective Operations & Counterterrorism Experience
Mike’s federal career spans more than two decades and includes service as a Special Agent on the U.S. Secret Service Presidential Protective Division and Assistant Team Leader on the elite Counter Assault Team.He also served as a BLM Special Agent and FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force Officer, conducting high-profile investigations, coordinating security operations across 28 countries, and providing tactical support during the Route 91 Harvest Festival mass-casualty incident in Las Vegas.Mike maintained a Top-Secret / SCI clearance and has testified as a subject-matter expert before multiple Texas Senate panels.

National Leader in K–12 & Campus Safety
Before founding M6, Mike served as Executive Director of Security & School Safety for Texas City ISD, where he designed and executed one of the highest-rated K–12 security programs in the United States.

His work directly influenced the passage of Texas Senate Bill 11, the state’s landmark school-security legislation. Programs he implemented—including district-wide Emergency Action Plans, multidisciplinary threat-assessment teams, and a pioneering FirstNet priority-communications deployment—are now regarded as industry benchmarks and models replicated nationwide.

Advisory Boards & Public Service
Mike currently serves as Vice-Chair of ZeroNow’s National Council for School Safety Directors and sits on the advisory board of Total Executive Security.
He previously served as an elected Trustee at Large for Texas City ISD, reinforcing his long-standing commitment to public safety, education, and governance at both the policy and operational levels.

Education & Strategic Perspective
Mike holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University and is completing a Master’s degree in International Affairs & Leadership at Arizona State University.