James Acuna

CEO

Tallinn, Estonia34 yrs 3 mos experience

Key Highlights

Over 37 years of experience in security and intelligence.
Former CIA Senior Operations Officer with extensive geopolitical expertise.
Founder of a center of excellence for unmanned systems.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a strategic leader in security and intelligence consulting for Eastern Europe.

Contact

Skills

Other Skills

Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)Social Media MarketingFirearms HandlingMedia ProductionMarine EngineeringEmergency Medical Services (EMS)FirefightingPhotographyVideo ProductionTraining & DevelopmentRussian HistoryCryptocurrencyTeam LeadershipManagementMicrosoft Office

About

James Acuna has over 37 years of experience across corporate and government enterprises, specializing in advanced technology, intelligence, investigations, foreign policy, security, special operations, and emerging technologies and markets. His expertise focuses on security, geopolitics, and intelligence operations in Eurasia and Central Asia. Throughout his career, James has been a featured speaker at leading forums and media outlets including VTE Finland, Kyiv Independent, Politico.eu, Krave, Postimees, and engagements in Romania. Today, James applies his extensive background to assist venture capital and private equity firms, start-ups, and corporations seeking to navigate Eastern and Central Europe and Central Asia. From in-depth due diligence to security consulting and evaluating corporate leadership, James provides unique, high-value insight to organizations aiming to understand and succeed in complex markets.

Experience

Ondas capital

Chief Operations Officer

Sep 2025 – Present · 6 mos

Ondas holdings

Strategic Advisor

Aug 2025 – Present · 7 mos · Tallinn, Harjumaa, Estonia · On-site

Baltic ghost wing center of excellence

Founder

May 2024 – Present · 1 yr 10 mos · Jõhvi, Ida-Virumaa, Estonia · On-site

Sensusq

Advisory Board Member

Aug 2023 – Jan 2025 · 1 yr 5 mos · Tallinn, Estonia

European defense investor network

Member

Jan 2023 – Present · 3 yrs 2 mos · Tallinn, Harjumaa, Estonia · Remote

Verde magnesium

Vice President Business Strategy

Dec 2022 – Present · 3 yrs 3 mos · Bucharest, Romania · Remote

Vice President of Strategy providing strategic guidance on geopolitical and market issues.

Frontier vectors

Founder

Jul 2022 – Present · 3 yrs 8 mos · Tallinn, Harjumaa, Estonia

Founder of European Based security and business consultancy service for eastern European start-ups, established companies and American/European VCs, PEs, Family Offices and corporations wanting to do business in eastern Europe. Frontier Vectors also provides specialized security solutions and due diligence for your company including new startups, Venture Funds, sports teams, agents, leagues, and any others doing business in EE.

Central intelligence agency

Officer

Feb 2002 – Jan 2022 · 19 yrs 11 mos

20 years in operations as Directorate of Operations senior operations officer specializing in geopolitical and technological affairs in Eurasia and Asia

System planning corporation

Senior Program Manager

Jun 1994 – Feb 2003 · 8 yrs 8 mos · Arlington, Virginia, United States

Provided liaison services and technical analysis/program management between the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DAPRA) Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) and the United States Special Operations Command for a variety of projects related to potential defense technologies including OLEDs and other visual, IR, and low light technologies. From 1995-2002 I worked with several DARPA Program Managers to secure 54-million-dollar five year program to advance research into an advanced MTO technology.
Provided program management and technical analysis skillset for DARPA Tactical Technology Office Director for special projects including advanced intelligence technologies, amphibious vehicles, and veterinary sciences.
In this role I worked with various technology start-ups, universities, defense contractors, and U.S. DOD labs with end users in the special operations and DOD communities.
From 1995-2001 I also provided project management services for various DOD elements to evaluate technology in the stealth (RCS, VIS, IR), advanced camouflage, robotics, veterinary science, OLED, maritime, and wearables technology sectors. Project funding ranged from 100k to $54 million dollars.