We are agile by design – leveraging our compliant, flexible infrastructure to rapidly plan, source, and manage teams to support partner-focused security capacity-building programs. Jordan Wilhelm Chris Stotts MEET THE CORE TEAM Anne Teppel Shakib Noori Neil Singh Ethiana Hacsh Mariya Chukhnova Alexandria Alamprese Keily Yemm ABOUT TCM The Critical Mass (TCM), LLC is a fast-growing, Service-Disabled Veteran Small Business (SDVOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned (EDWOSB) based in Alexandria, Virginia. We support a number of important initiatives with the US Department of State and other international partners. Key recent projects include identifying and mitigating Russian disinformation in Georgia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan; dual-use goods and border security projects in Iraq and Panama; WMD crime scene and evidence investigation in Morocco; and aviation security and chemical response initiatives in Kurdistan. We enable clients to demonstrate responsiveness, commitment, and innovation to international counterparts while achieving tangible and enduring progress toward objectives. PUBLICATIONS Contaminated Trust: Public Health Disinformation and its Societal Impacts in Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine Iraq 5th International CBRN Safety and Security Conference (#CBRNIraq2020) Magazine TCM Blog UPDATES & NEWS Deliberate Destruction of Ukrainian Scientific Infrastructure by Russia: The Urgency of Its Protection and Restoration Jan 18, 2024 The Critical Mass (TCM) and The Institute of General Energy of the NAS of Ukraine Sign Agreement #TCMPress May 22, 2023 TCM Welcomes Shakib Noori as Program Operations Manager #TCMTeamNews May 21, 2023 TCM Thoughts on Ukrainian Science and Innovation - Challenges in Days of War #TCMGovConInsights May 17, 2023

TCM is excited to share information on strategic partners to support client and sponsor global security and development objectives. Strategic Partners The Critical Mass LLC (TCM) is proud to establish strategic partnerhips with industry's leading organizations. Partner with TCM Joint Venture - TCM-KIS TCM-Kira Integrated Services LLC The Critical Mass LLC (TCM) is proud to partner with the Tlingit Haida Business Corporation (THTBC) to create a Joint Venture in order to support our client's global security and development needs. Learn More

TCM shares what we are reading and welcomes submissions from others Learn With TCM CBRNE Non-Proliferation Security WPS “Biodefense Posture Review 2023” The first of its kind, the Biodefense Posture Review is a Department of Defense project to catalog, organize and build on disparate biodefense projects aimed at protecting the United States of America from not only naturally developing diseases like Covid-19, but also from a complex array of other biological threats. Read More “Black Swans and Pink Flamingoes: Five Principles for Force Design” Over generations of American military planning, Frank Hoffman assesses that the record of foreseeing the location, nature and requirements of the next war have been dismal. As a result, he suggests, American planning techniques must fundamentally change to account for incorrect prediction and leave open to the United States a range of flexible avenues and responses to meet the needs of tomorrow’s crisis. Read More “Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin” Eastern and Central Europe’s political, social, economic and security ecosystem remains tinged with the blood spilled on its soil by the tyrants of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. Dr. Timothy Snyder’s analysis of the contexts, actions, and interactions of the two powers unveils the exponential violence inflicted on the countries and people of the region, leaving curses and scars that yet remain crucial to an understanding of Europe. Read More “Bridging the Gap: Integrating the Women, Peace and Security Agenda into the 1540 Regime” Partnered with Mexico’s Mission to the United Nations, the Norwegian Mission to the United Nations produced recommendations for WPS standard implementation consultations, to increase the involvement of women at these consultations Read More “Gender Balance in the Nuclear Sector” The OECD’s Nuclear Energy Agency published its first overview of gender imbalances and issues affecting women in the field of nuclear energy and nonproliferation in 2023. This report focuses on qualitative and statistical analyses. Read More “Handbook of Toxicology of Chemical Warfare Agents” A handbook on the forefront of the various chemicals that have been developed in the past century with uses in conflicts, war, and terrorism. Providing information on their developmental histories and effects, and the handbook provides tools and steps for detection, prevention, treatment, and best practice countermeasures. Read More “Hinge Points: An Inside Look at North Korea’s Nuclear Program” The North Korean nuclear program remains one of the worst failures of the nonproliferation regime till date. Despite strict protection of nuclear assets, fissile materiel and expertise, the 2005 nuclearization of the Korean peninsula owes its existence to glaring failures in the nonproliferation and materials security regime. Dr. Hecker’s overview of how the DPRK acquired its nuclear weapons serves as not only an indicator of holes in the nonproliferation system, but also in the failures of policy that led to it in the first place. Read More “The Effects of Nuclear Weapons” The quintessential manual on the effects of nuclear weapons, Glasstone and Dolan’s textbook describes the immediate effects of a nuclear detonation, providing valuable insight into proactive planning, treatment, rapid response protocols, protective measures and diagnoses. Read More “Why COVID probably hasn’t helped bioterrorists, despite fears” Whether it be the doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo or radical environmentalist group RISE, terror groups have historically attempted to deploy biological weapons against populations. Despite the grave difficulties of such an operation, has the environment of the Covid-19 pandemic made risks of another group successfully deploying enhanced pathogens for terror purposes? Though still unlikely, the pandemic has renewed fears of biological weapons of terror, and an interest in countering them. Read More “Women in Relief and Recovery: Putting Good Policies into Action” “Disasters are discriminatory”, points out Master Valerie Amos in her article for the US National Defense University’s Women on the Frontlines of Peace and Security . Master Amos leverages her lifetime of experience working to prevent and alleviate humanitarian disasters to bring light to the importance of focusing on a gendered lens of humanitarian data collection and disaster response, due to the often-unseen needs of women and girls in aid and response situations. Her recommendations provide concrete guidelines for aid organizations involved in development and disaster response, and for the leadership of countries sponsoring and funding these organizations. Read More “Wrestling with imponderables: assessing perceptions of biological-weapons utility” How have state level actors developed their perception of biological weapons and their use? And how does that affect development and use by sub state actors? Dr. Glenn Cross’ analysis of the case studies and developmental paths taken over the past century in bioweapons development and state diplomacy over it reveals the background in which the bioterrorists of tomorrow operate. Read More  "The First Political Order: How Sex Shapes Governance and National Security Worldwide" Women are involved with every single human endeavor, from Governance to business to radiological studies to weapons development, but they are not always recognized as such. Dr. Hudson's book describes the near universal and systematic subordination and alienation of women in institutions across the world, and the subsequent implications for security, governance and development. By providing this paradigm of analysis, Hudson's book brings new perspectives to every issue, and outlines the need for women inclusive institutions in every field. Read More Add to Our List - What Should We Read? First name Last name Email Book or Article Title Theme Submission Date Book or Article Link Author/Organiztion Tell TCM More About This Publication Submit Thank you! We'll review and be in touch

Anne Teppel serves as Director of Compliance and Performance at The Critical Mass, bringing over 15 years of multidisciplinary experience from both governmental and non-governmental organizations combining international law, military operations, policy making, organizational development, human resources, and management. Anne Teppel Title: Strategic Advisor Email: anne.teppel@thecriticalmass.com Anne Teppel serves as Strategic Advisor at The Critical Mass, bringing over 15 years of multidisciplinary experience from both governmental and non-governmental organizations combining international law, military operations, policy making, organizational development, human resources, and management. Prior to joining The Critical Mass Anne served as Head of Department (acting) at the Danish Ministry of Defense where she took part in shaping major policy initiatives while also contributing to the internal development of the ministry as an organization and of its leadership. Anne previously served as a military legal advisor to the Danish Armed Forces and did so for more than 7 years, starting at the Military Police and later moving on to the Danish Special Operations Command. In this role she served as an advisor to the senior levels of the Danish military, at home as well as on several multinational deployments to Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa. She proudly continues to serve the Danish Special Operations Command as a reserve officer. Anne started her career specializing in refugee and human rights law working with the Danish immigration authorities and later the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Anne holds a Bachelor of Laws from Copenhagen University and a Master of Laws from Hong Kong University and Copenhagen University. She recently completed her Executive Certificate in Organization Development and Change Leadership at Georgetown University. In addition to Danish, Anne speaks fluent professional English and has a working knowledge of Norwegian, Swedish, and German.

Dr. Timothy Snyder < Back “Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin” Dr. Timothy Snyder Eastern and Central Europe’s political, social, economic and security ecosystem remains tinged with the blood spilled on its soil by the tyrants of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. Dr. Timothy Snyder’s analysis of the contexts, actions, and interactions of the two powers unveils the exponential violence inflicted on the countries and people of the region, leaving curses and scars that yet remain crucial to an understanding of Europe. https://timothysnyder.org/ https://www.amazon.com/Bloodlands-Europe-Between-Hitler-Stalin/dp/0465031471 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloodlands Previous Next

Dr. Samuel Glasstone, Phillip Dolan < Back “The Effects of Nuclear Weapons” Dr. Samuel Glasstone, Phillip Dolan The quintessential manual on the effects of nuclear weapons, Glasstone and Dolan’s textbook describes the immediate effects of a nuclear detonation, providing valuable insight into proactive planning, treatment, rapid response protocols, protective measures and diagnoses. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Glasstone https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_J._Dolan https://www.amazon.com/Effects-Nuclear-Weapons-Samuel-Glasstone/dp/160322016X Previous Next

< Back The Critical Mass (TCM) and The Institute of General Energy of the NAS of Ukraine Sign Agreement / The Critical Mass та Інститут загальної енергетики НАН України підписали договір про співпрацю The Critical Mass LLC , a leading security and consulting firm, is pleased to announce a cooperation agreement signed with The Institute of General Energy of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine . This partnership seeks to support the activities of domestic scientists and create opportunities for the implementation of joint scientific projects at the international level. News of this partnership is shared in Ukrainian on the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine website. Learn more Project Gallery Previous Next

< Back Support to Ukrainian Scientists CRDF Global and The Critical Mass on behalf of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (ISN/CTR) is pleased to invite scientists, technicians, and engineers (STEs) whose work and livelihood have been impacted by the full Russian invasion into Ukraine to apply to this program which will give scientists access to a consolidated repository of short-term grants, research collaboration projects, fellowships and other work opportunities in the civilian chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) sector. Through this program, CRDF Global and The Critical Mass, will support Ukrainian STEs to identify existing professional development opportunities that align with their expertise and interest, by connecting them with short-term, funded positions in European and global institutions, labs, or research groups. If you are interested in learning more, please contact The Critical Mass LLC, at Ukraine@thecriticalmass.com for more information. Glory to Ukraine! CRDF Global та The Critical Mass від імені імені Бюро міжнародної безпеки та нерозповсюдження Державного департаменту США й управління спільного зменшення загрози (ISN/CTR), запрошує науковців, техніків та інженерів, чия професійна діяльність та засоби для існування постраждали після повномасштабного російського вторгнення в Україну, подати заявку на участь у програмі, яка наддасть вченим доступ до консолідованої бази даних із короткостроковими грантами, дослідницькими проєктами співпраці, стипендіями та іншими можливостями роботи в цивільному хімічному, біологічному, радіологічному та ядерному (CBRN) секторі.   За допомогою даної програми, CRDF Global та The Critical Mass наддадуть підтримку українським експертам у визначенні існуючих можливостей професійного розвитку, які відповідають їхньому досвіду та інтересам, шляхом пошуку короткострокових оплачуваних посад у європейських та глобальних установах, лабораторіях або дослідницьких групах. Якщо ви зацікавлені, повідомте нам на електронну пошту:  Ukraine@thecriticalmass.com .   Слава Україні! The Critical Mass (TCM) has partnered with Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) to help ensure the continuity of Ukraine's research and provide resources to scientists that have been displaced both in and outside of the country following Russia's full-scale invasion. TCM and SNL have jointly developed a support program which includes a no-cost, remotely accessible certificate course training for dual-use scientists on best practices in identifying professional opportunities in their field and protecting intellectual property. We are grateful to #ScienceForUkraine , a grassroots initiative run by an international community of scholars for helping us spread the word about our program and other critical efforts focused on supporting the Ukrainian academic field in strengthening Ukraine's presence in the international scientific arena. For more information about the course and/or questions on how to register for the training, please contact our team: Ukraine@thecriticalmass.com . Glory to Ukraine! The Critical Mass у партнерстві з Sandia National Laboratories (США) створили програму для надання тимчасової підтримки українським науковцям, технікам та інженерам, які були змушені покинути рідні професійні установи або ж знаходяться в ризику примусового переміщення через повномасштабне вторгнення російської федерації. Ця програма підтримки включає безкоштовний дистанційний сертифікований курс для науковців подвійного призначення на теми передового досвіду визначення професійних можливостей та захисту інтелектуальної власності. Ми вдячні #ScienceForUkraine , ініціативі міжнародної спільноти науковців за допомогу в розповсюдженні інформації про нашу програму та інші критично важливі зусилля, спрямовані на підтримку української академічної сфери у зміцненні присутності України на міжнародній науковій арені. Щоб отримати більш детальну інформацію та умови реєстрації, повідомте будь ласка на поштову скриньку: Ukraine@thecriticalmass.com . Слава Україні! This initiative is managed by TCM Project Coordinator Mariya Chukhnova #ukrainianscience #supportukraine #sustainability Project Gallery Previous Next

Jordan Wilhelm is a founding member and serves as CEO of The Critical Mass, bringing over 15 years of program management and International Post Conflict Stabilization and Hazard-Reduction experience to the sustainability enterprise. Alexandria Alamprese Title: CNC Technician, Journeyman - Water Jet, NSROC* Email: ali.alamprese@thecriticalmass.com Alexandria brings nearly a decade of combined CNC and manual machining experience to her role. As a CNC Technician, Journeyman specializing in Water Jet operations, she supports the NSROC mission. Formerly a Lathe Machinist, she previously specialized in manufacturing electrical connector bodies for aircraft and spaceflight applications at Amphenol. She is currently the youngest machinist on-site, and notably, the only female machinist to ever serve NSROC. Hailing from the hills of upstate New York, Alexandria is bilingual in English and French. While her academic background is in Criminal Justice, which she pursued at SUNY Broome, she transitioned into machining through hands-on learning and determination. Known for her energy and positive influence, Alexandria is also the go-to person for boosting morale in the machine shop. Over the past three years at NSROC, Alexandria has contributed to the majority of rocket launch missions, supporting scientific and research efforts. *NASA Sounding Rocket Operations Contract, Wallops Flight Facility

TCM and Kira/THTBC Joint Venture - TCM-Kira Integrated Services (TCM-KIS) TCM-Kira Integrated Services LLC (TCM-KIS) Partner with TCM-KIS

Dr. Valerie M. Hudson < Back  "The First Political Order: How Sex Shapes Governance and National Security Worldwide" Dr. Valerie M. Hudson Women are involved with every single human endeavor, from Governance to business to radiological studies to weapons development, but they are not always recognized as such. Dr. Hudson's book describes the near universal and systematic subordination and alienation of women in institutions across the world, and the subsequent implications for security, governance and development. By providing this paradigm of analysis, Hudson's book brings new perspectives to every issue, and outlines the need for women inclusive institutions in every field. https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-hudson-6206a127 https://www.amazon.com/First-Political-Order-Governance-Worldwide/dp/0231194668 https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/first-political-order-how-sex-shapes-governance-and-national-security-worldwide-book-launch Previous Next

Dr. Glenn Cross < Back “Wrestling with imponderables: assessing perceptions of biological-weapons utility” Dr. Glenn Cross How have state level actors developed their perception of biological weapons and their use? And how does that affect development and use by sub state actors? Dr. Glenn Cross’ analysis of the case studies and developmental paths taken over the past century in bioweapons development and state diplomacy over it reveals the background in which the bioterrorists of tomorrow operate. https://www.aiche.org/community/bio/dr-glenn-cross https://armscontrolcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Klotz-Cross-V5-unpublished-draft-for-CACNP.pdf https://warontherocks.com/2017/08/long-ignored-the-use-of-chemical-and-biological-weapons-against-insurgents/ Previous Next

Master Valerie Amos < Back “Women in Relief and Recovery: Putting Good Policies into Action” Master Valerie Amos “Disasters are discriminatory”, points out Master Valerie Amos in her article for the US National Defense University’s Women on the Frontlines of Peace and Security . Master Amos leverages her lifetime of experience working to prevent and alleviate humanitarian disasters to bring light to the importance of focusing on a gendered lens of humanitarian data collection and disaster response, due to the often-unseen needs of women and girls in aid and response situations. Her recommendations provide concrete guidelines for aid organizations involved in development and disaster response, and for the leadership of countries sponsoring and funding these organizations. https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerieamos https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerie_Amos,_Baroness_Amos https://vimeo.com/169713139 Previous Next

< Back The Critical Mass and Local Alexandria, VA Partners Raise $4,500 for Razom for Ukraine Learn more Project Gallery Previous Next

Dr. Gary A. Ackerman, Zachary Kallenborn, Dr. Phillip C. Bleek < Back “Why COVID probably hasn’t helped bioterrorists, despite fears” Dr. Gary A. Ackerman, Zachary Kallenborn, Dr. Phillip C. Bleek Whether it be the doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo or radical environmentalist group RISE, terror groups have historically attempted to deploy biological weapons against populations. Despite the grave difficulties of such an operation, has the environment of the Covid-19 pandemic made risks of another group successfully deploying enhanced pathogens for terror purposes? Though still unlikely, the pandemic has renewed fears of biological weapons of terror, and an interest in countering them. https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-ackerman-a667453/ https://www.zkallenborn.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipp-bleek-24894a9/ Previous Next

Connect with TCM and learn about partnering on current on future projects or proposals PARTNER INTEREST FORM Learn More About Partnering With TCM First Name Last Name Email Code Phone Company Company Website Please Describe Your Interest. Active Or Future Project Or Proposal? Set-Aside Partnership? Timeline? Other Key Partners? Focus Areas Or Countries For TCM? Focus Areas Choose an option Send Thanks for submitting! We’ll get back to you shortly.

Mariya Chukhnova serves as Project Coordinator at The Critical Mass. Before joining TCM, Mariya worked as Project Manager at Sovereign Ventures, a management consulting company that specializes in fighting systemic corruption in developing democracies by using innovative solutions. Mariya is a tri-lingual Ukraine-native professional with strong regional expertise. She was born and raised in Lutsk, Ukraine, and immigrated to the United States in 2007. Mariya Chukhnova Title: International Security Specialist and Operations Manager Email: mariya.chukhnova@thecriticalmass.com Mariya joined The Critical Mass in 2022 and currently serves as International Security Specialist and Operations Manager. She is responsible for a variety of tasks, including offering her expertise on international relations, anti-corruption strategies, and practical/research-backed strategies and recommendations to achieve project objectives; conducting in-depth research and analysis of international security issues, such as geopolitical conflicts, terrorism, cyber threats, and regional stability; overseeing day-to-day operations, monitoring progress, and addressing issues as they arise. Mariya is a trilingual (Ukrainian, Russian, English) expert in international security and regional knowledge, specializing in Eastern Europe, particularly Ukraine and Russia. With a diverse background in cybersecurity, rule of law, anti-corruption, and international security, Mariya possesses a distinctive skill set that is instrumental in formulating and executing programs and seeking solutions for complex global challenges. Mariya also acts as a United Nations representative for the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations (WFUWO), advocating for Ukrainian women and promoting their rights. Since August 2020, Mariya has been actively involved in instructing the course "Systemic Corruption in Eurasia: Competition, Conflict, and War" at Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs/Harriman Institute, where she conducts a seminar, " Ukraine on the Eve of War and the Fight for Independence and Sovereignty,” that covers deoligarchization and other important initiatives to reform the system in Ukraine. Mariya earned her bachelor's degree in Slavic Studies from Columbia University School of General Studies and a master's degree in Regional Studies with a focus on Ukraine-Russia relations from The Harriman Institute at Columbia University. Mariya was born and raised in Lutsk, Ukraine, and immigrated to the United States in her early twenties.

Dr. Ramesh C. Gupta < Back “Handbook of Toxicology of Chemical Warfare Agents” Dr. Ramesh C. Gupta A handbook on the forefront of the various chemicals that have been developed in the past century with uses in conflicts, war, and terrorism. Providing information on their developmental histories and effects, and the handbook provides tools and steps for detection, prevention, treatment, and best practice countermeasures. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramesh-gupta-32732769/ https://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Toxicology-Chemical-Warfare-Agents/dp/0128190906 https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780128190906/handbook-of-toxicology-of-chemical-warfare-agents Previous Next

US Department of Defense < Back “Biodefense Posture Review 2023” US Department of Defense The first of its kind, the Biodefense Posture Review is a Department of Defense project to catalog, organize and build on disparate biodefense projects aimed at protecting the United States of America from not only naturally developing diseases like Covid-19, but also from a complex array of other biological threats. https://media.defense.gov/2023/Aug/17/2003282337/-1/-1/1/2023_BIODEFENSE_POSTURE_REVIEW.PDF https://www.csis.org/analysis/biodefense-posture-review-raises-alarms-about-new-threats-speaks-softly-china https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3495836/dod-unveils-collaborative-biodefense-reforms-in-posture-review/ Previous Next

Catherine serves as Research Analyst BD at The Critical Mass, bringing over nine years of experience in research, analysis, business management, and acquisitions. Catherine Reynolds Title: Research Analyst - Business Development Email: Catherine.reynolds@thecriticalmass.com Catherine serves as Research Analyst - Business Development at The Critical Mass, bringing over nine years of experience in research, analysis, business management, and acquisitions. In addition to her work at TCM, Catherine develops wargames and crisis simulations at Strategic Crisis Simulations, with a specialization in force-on-force simulations, autonomous weapons systems, operational anomalies, and cybersecurity breaches. Prior to joining The Critical Mass, Catherine held the role of Program Director at Dana West Yacht Club, a culmination of eight years building and managing multiple maritime training facilities within the United States. Catherine previously served as an OSINT Research Analyst for projects in the Middle East, in addition to teaching negotiation skills in the private sector. Catherine is concluding a MA in International Affairs with concentrations in International Security and Emerging Technologies. She holds a double BA with Dean’s Honors in Global Studies and Middle East studies, with language training in Arabic and Spanish. In her free time, Catherine serves as a captain, tactician, and navigator in the maritime industry. She has sailed upwards of 80,000 nautical miles, in addition to representing the United States internationally as a professional athlete.