But if you have never heard of Academi, don't worry. I am sure you know who I am talking about. Academi is the company formerly known as Blackwater, one of the biggest U.S. contractors in the early stages of the occupation in Iraq and Afghanistan under billion-dollar military Defense Department contracts. The company is accused of killing 17 Iraqis in a massacre in Nisour square in 2007 and of other misdeeds that led to two changes of its name in the past 5 years.

This is the same company that trained the Greek police forces for the 2004 Olympics in Athens, a prominent player in a security market that covers form the protection of sensitive infrastructure like mines in Africa, to secure compounds in Afghanistan, and of course security of mega events. Most of the employees are former soldiers, and the proximity with the U.S. government means that many sensitive tasks -- from training foreign forces to protecting foreign diplomats -- are third partied to them.

As Wikileaks documents showed back in 2010, the U.S. has vamped up its assistance on anti-terrorism for the World Cup because it saw a right risk of danger -- and also a great business opportunity for its companies. However, opaqueness surrounds this support; the total investment of the U.S. embassy in the training was only revealed now -- U.S.$ 2.2 million over the past 2 years. The deal was never publicized in full, and many questions remain. The Ministry of Justice is yet to explain for instance, how many courses were funded by the U.S., and who were the trainers -- U.S. military? Mercenaries?

Under a new ownership group that acquired the company in 2010, Wright has been instrumental in the development of ACADEMI's impressive best in class compliance practices as well as management of its highly specialized operations serving U.S. Government clients in high-threat regions around the world.

Moving forward, Nixon will spearhead ACADEMI's dedicated support of our government clients, the company's continued growth into commercial and foreign markets as well as overseeing ACADEMI's world-class training facilities.

Before joining the McChrystal Group, Nixon served as the Deputy Director of Operations in U.S. Central Command.  He also previously served as the Director of Operations for U.S. Special Operations Command and commanded the 75th Ranger regiment during combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Nixon graduated from Auburn University with a degree in business and holds two Masters Degrees in Military History and Strategic Studies.

ABOUT ACADEMI

ACADEMI is a leading provider of training and security services in support of the U.S. Government and other customers, focused on worldwide operations including counterterrorism, force protection, law enforcement and security operations. The company serves multiple U.S. Government Agencies, the U.S. Department of Defense and numerous law-enforcement and commercial customers.

ACADEMI's proven ability to provide turnkey, end-to-end training and technical services, along with its unmatched track record of exceptional performance, has enabled the company to establish a competitive advantage well-recognized by its customers.

ACADEMI is a modern representation of Plato's Akademia, which was established in the third century B.C. as an institution that produced the best thinkers and warriors alike. These were elite individuals capable of facing the challenges of the time thanks to a strong foundation in training, strategy and strength, both mental and physical.