Before joining Potomac, Mr. Warshel served as the Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Operational Energy, Safety, and Occupational Health and concurrently as Chief of Staff overseeing a $7.4 billion annual portfolio. He led the acquisition of $900 million in funding for next-generation aviation technologies including the blended wing body platform, software development, AR/VR technology, sustainable aviation fuel, and legacy fleet upgrades. He regularly coordinated with Congressional Appropriations Committees to draft legislation, collaborated on congressional testimony, worked closely with Milcon and Energy Congressional Subcommittees on budget and program issues, and was a key player in drafting groundbreaking policy to support DoD critical mineral acquisition.
Earlier, as Director of Operations in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, he forged global partnerships and coordinated efforts with the State Department, CIA, USAID, DoE, PowerAfrica and Congress to direct defense energy security programs spanning Africa, South America, and the Middle East. He partnered with DOE to spearhead the first of its kind effort to pilot the use of small modular nuclear reactors to enhance energy resilience at military installations, worked hand in hand with Defense Logistics Agency to lead efforts to modernize bulk fuel policy and with all 5 military branches to improve mission-critical infrastructure resilience through the acquisition and integration of new technologies and process improvements.
Prior to reporting to the OSD Energy Office, he was the Resource Manager for the Army’s counter-IED office with responsibility for a $1.8 billion dollar budget. He worked closely with JIEDO and Congressional Appropriations Committees to use supplemental appropriations to fast-track innovative counter IED technologies, saving countless warfighter lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Before embarking on his federal executive service career, Troy Warshel was known as “Pooh” – his callsign as a career Naval Aviator. He served in the United States Marine Corps for 20 years in roles including F/A-18 instructor pilot, infantry company commander, Aide de Camp to two Deputy Commandants in Marine Corps Programs and Resources, and Pentagon Chief of Staff, Manpower and Reserve Affairs. In addition to flying fighter jets, his military service included serving in combat as the Forward Air Controller/JTAC for Task Force Tarawa during the initial push into Iraq in 2004, and program development for multi-billion-dollar aviation portfolios.
Troy is also actively involved in the veteran community, and serves as the President of Operation Enduring Warrior, a nonprofit that empowers wounded veterans and first responders through their recovery from injuries, both mental and physical. His leadership since 2020 and 9-year commitment to the veteran founded, volunteer run organization led to a 100%+ increase in the number of honorees who have benefitted from the OEW programs that utilize fitness based outdoor challenges to help veterans overcome adversity and hardship through innovation, teamwork, and perseverance. He is committed to showing those who have been wounded in defense of our country that their injuries do not define them.
Troy lives in Maryland with his wife of 25 years, Jodi. They have two sons, one a Marine Officer and helicopter pilot and the other a former infantry Marine, three grandchildren, and a rotating pack of rescue dogs. He is a colon cancer survivor, commercial pilot, lover of being on his boat and all things outdoors and a passionate advocate for our military and veterans.