John Pendleton Email & Phone Number

Experienced former senior government executive looking to help businesses and government organizations at all levels cut through the noise and find solutions to persistent, wicked problems. Wide and deep skill set honed over more than 35 years.After retiring from government at the end of 2021, I formed Plain Talk Consulting to seek out wicked problems to help solve. I have consulted on the need for a government backstop for cyber insurance risks as well as the potential perils associated with the growing reliance on a handful of cloud service providers as a Nonresident Scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace--a prominent and non-partisan worldwide think tank.My government career (1987-2021) took me from Germany at the end of the Cold War to Qatar in the run-up to the second Gulf War to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and then to Japan to investigate the deadly Navy collisions that claimed 17 sailors' lives during 2017, among many other adventures. In each case, I led my teams to find the heart of the issues and tell the truth about them in a straightforward way.At the end of my time in government, after the pandemic struck, my GAO portfolio pivoted to focus on analyzing and reporting to Congress on housing, insurance, and small business issues, including responses in the wake of COVID-19. Previous portfolio oversaw military strategy and force structure issues; efforts to rebuild readiness and modernize for the future and overseas force posture. My skills include:* Strong leader, staff developer, and project manager with exceptionally positive client and internal feedback. * Clear, concise writer with a command of graphics to convey key points; also skilled at editing the writing of others. * Experienced public speaker including testifying before Congress more than a dozen times. * Extensive public affairs and media experience including frequent appearances in print, radio, and TV media. * Highly effective member of GAO’s adjunct faculty, teaching classes for over 20 years on writing, Congressional relations, and leadership, among others.* Billions of financial savings (typically resources put to better use) have been realized based on my reports as well as hundreds of non-financial accomplishments associated with my recommendations.* Decades of experience working directly with Congressional committees including Members and staff. International experience, including living in Europe and traveling throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Listed skills include Strategic Planning, Project Management, Leadership, Government, and 30 others.