Joshua J. Potter

CEO
Klashnikov USA (KUSA)

Joshua is the CEO of Kalashnikov USA (KUSA), an all-American firearms and munitions manufacturing powerhouse that brings AK-pattern precision to the modern battlefield and commercial market alike. Under his leadership, KUSA delivers operational excellence with a sharp edge—literally and figuratively—in defense manufacturing, product innovation, and national security support. KUSA’s strives to build better firepower – in America and always pursue innovation.

As a retired military officer, Josh completed over 27 years of servant-leader experience, culminating as a Colonel with U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), where he orchestrated global operations, led elite teams, and helped shape the modern doctrine of unconventional warfare. He served in over 47 countries – some of which are still trying to figure out what just happened—and specialized in Special Forces, Civil Affairs, PATRIOT missile defense, and multi-domain reconnaissance.

Josh earned five Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart (the enemy marksmanship badge) and has not worn a watch since 2006. He also established the Department of Defense’s first cybercrime and business intelligence fusion unit—because sometimes the best weapon is knowing what your enemy had for breakfast, digitally speaking.

In his “retirement,” he took up the light hobby of directing multimillion-dollar security and intelligence contracts, managing a $760M pipeline, forming strategic joint ventures, and writing proposals that won over $1B in federal awards. He also serves as Deputy Executive Director of the International Coalition Against Illicit Economies (ICAIE), where he assists global leaders and policy makers in cutting off illicit trade at the knees. He balances his time providing national security solutions and benefits for those customers in the government and commercial sectors, who require specialized security assistance programs.

Armed with two master’s degrees, a mild caffeine addiction, and vorpal sense of humor, Josh loves puppies and hates Hezbollah. He has served as an executive-level director in multiple disciplines and programs including firearms and munitions design and manufacturing, advanced technology integration, strategic planning, community development, full-spectrum security, intelligence, counter terrorism, counter threat finance, anti-money laundering, and special operations. He has successfully run organizations of over 500 employees across a distributed territory with a solid sense of purpose and excellence.