> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Blackwater - URL: https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/blackwater/ - Published: 2026-02-25T17:22:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-02-25T17:22:11.000Z - Author: Liam Sturgess - Tags: Profiles, #docs, #organization, Organization, #toc, United States, Military, North Carolina, Virginia **Blackwater**, also known as **Blackwater USA**, **Blackwater Worldwide** and **Xe Services**, was an American private military firm. It was initially based in Moyock, North Carolina, moving to Arlington, Virginia in 2011.[\[1\]](#fn1) It was co-founded by Erik Prince and Al Clark.[\[2\]](#fn2)[\[3\]](#fn3) ## History Former Navy SEAL Al Clark initially conceived of the idea for Blackwater, bringing it to Erik Prince who offered to fund the startup through The Prince Group.[\[4\]](#fn4) Blackwater Lodge and Training Center Inc. was incorporated on December 26, 1996 in Delaware.[\[5\]](#fn5) The facility officially opened on May 15, 1998.[\[6\]](#fn6) Clark left the company in 2000, citing "philosophical differences."[\[4:1\]](#fn4) In January 2002, Erik Prince and Jamie Smith co-founded [Blackwater Security Consulting](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Blackwater-Security-Consulting) (BSC). BSC was described as Smith's "brainchild."[\[7\]](#fn7)[\[8\]](#fn8) In the fall of 2003, Blackwater was awarded a $27.7 million contract from the [United States Department of Defense](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/United-States-Department-of-Defense) to create "a Frankenstein brigade of highly visible hired guns," and provide a security detail to the Iraq Survey Group.[\[6:1\]](#fn6) In the fall of 2006, Blackwater acquired a second training facility in Mount Carroll, Illinois called Impact Training Center.[\[9\]](#fn9) On April 1, 2009, [United States Department of State](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/United-States-Department-of-State) acting deputy spokesman Gordon Duguid announced that it had reassigned Blackwater's contracts for security services in Iraq to [Triple Canopy](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Triple-Canopy).[\[10\]](#fn10) ### Xe Services The company changed its name to Xe Services in 2009.[\[11\]](#fn11) In late 2010, Prince sold his stake in the company to USTC Holdings. He maintained ownership of the "Blackwater" name.[\[1:1\]](#fn1) Ted Wright became president and CEO of the rebranded company in June 2011, moving its headquarters to Arlington, Virginia.[\[1:2\]](#fn1) In the summer of 2011, the Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan recommended curtailing the government's use of private-security contractors, with Bernie Sanders and Jan Schakowsky introducing legislation to phase out private-security contractors in conflict zones.[\[1:3\]](#fn1) ### Academi In December 2011, the company announced it would be renamed once again to Academi.[\[12\]](#fn12) In early June 2014, Academi merged with Triple Canopy to form [Constellis Holdings](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Constellis),[\[13\]](#fn13) which subsequently acquired Constellis Group on June 6, 2014.[\[14\]](#fn14) ### COVID-19 On December 22, 2020, President Donald Trump pardoned former Blackwater contractors Nicholas Slatten, Paul Slough, Evan Liberty and Dustin Heard of their convictions of murder and manslaughter.[\[9:1\]](#fn9) ## Organization Blackwater operated a number of subdivisions, including: - [Blackwater Aviation](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Blackwater-Aviation)[\[15\]](#fn15) - [Blackwater Security Consulting](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Blackwater-Security-Consulting)[\[16\]](#fn16) - [Blackwater Target Systems](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Blackwater-Target-Systems)[\[17\]](#fn17) - Blackwater Vehicles - Impact Training Center ### Partners - [Total Intelligence Solutions](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Total-Intelligence-Solutions)[\[18\]](#fn18) ### Personnel | Name | Position | Notes | | ---------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Erik Prince | Co-founder[\[2:1\]](#fn2) | [United States Navy](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/United-States-Navy), [Frontier Services Group](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Frontier-Services-Group) (FSG), Christian Freedom International, Prince Foundation, Freiheit Foundation | | Al Clark | Co-founder[\[3:1\]](#fn3) | [United States Navy](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/United-States-Navy), Naval Special Warfare Development Group (SEAL Team Six), Strategic Tactical Services, Clark Consulting, Colonial Shooting Academy | | Gary Jackson | President (2007-2009)[\[6:2\]](#fn6)[\[19\]](#fn19) | [United States Navy](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/United-States-Navy)[\[4:2\]](#fn4) | | Ted Wright | President and CEO[\[1:4\]](#fn1) | \- | | Cofer Black | Vice-Chairman (2005-2008)[\[20\]](#fn20) | [United States Department of State](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/United-States-Department-of-State), Counterterrorism Mission Center | | Joseph Schmitz | Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel[\[4:3\]](#fn4) | [United States Department of Defense](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/United-States-Department-of-Defense) | | Bill Mathews | Executive Vice President[\[4:4\]](#fn4) | \- | | Robert Richer | Vice President of Intelligence[\[21\]](#fn21) | [Central Intelligence Agency](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Central-Intelligence-Agency) (CIA), Directorate of Operations, United States Marine Corps, [Total Intelligence Solutions](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Total-Intelligence-Solutions), International Advisory Partners (IAP) | | Jamie Smith | Vice President[\[8:1\]](#fn8) | [Blackwater Security Consulting](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Blackwater-Security-Consulting), SCG International, [Central Intelligence Agency](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Central-Intelligence-Agency) (CIA)[\[22\]](#fn22) | | Chris Taylor | Vice President[\[4:5\]](#fn4) | \- | | John Ashcroft | Independent Director[\[23\]](#fn23) | Ashcroft Group, United States Department of Justice (DOJ), Federalist Society | | Bobby Ray Inman | Independent Director | [United States Navy](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/United-States-Navy), Office of Naval Intelligence, [National Security Agency](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/National-Security-Agency) (NSA), [Central Intelligence Agency](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Central-Intelligence-Agency) (CIA), Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, SAIC, [Council on Foreign Relations](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Council-on-Foreign-Relations) (CFR), International Signal and Control | | Jack Quinn | Board member | Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Arnold & Porter, Office of the Vice President, Quinn Gillespie & Associates, Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Fannie Mae, Alternative Packaging Systems, The Water Company, Constellis, CNN, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips | | Red McCombs | Board member[\[13:1\]](#fn13) | Clear Channel Communications, Constellis Group | | Danielle Morrison | Director of Operations/Sales [\[19:1\]](#fn19) | \- | | Jim Dehart | Director of Facilities[\[19:2\]](#fn19) | [Blackwater Target Systems](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Blackwater-Target-Systems), [United States Navy](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/United-States-Navy) | | Thomas Williams | Director of Special Programs[\[24\]](#fn24) | Protection from Abuse, Lincoln Group, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, United States Marine Corps, [Amyntor Group](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Amyntor-Group), [Cold Harbour](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Cold-Harbour) | | Carol Confer | Comptroller[\[19:3\]](#fn19) | \- | | [David Lopez](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/David-Lopez) | Special Projects Manager[\[25\]](#fn25) | [The Wellness Company](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/The-Wellness-Company), [Mission Six Zero](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Mission-Six-Zero), [Mission Safe Harbour](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Mission-Safe-Harbour), [Operation Underground Railroad](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Operation-Underground-Railroad) (OUR), [Integro Capital](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Integro-Capital), [WatersMark](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/WatersMark), [International Health Brands](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/International-Health-Brands), [Liberty Blockchain](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Liberty-Blockchain) | | Joe Dickinson | Program director | \- | | Gloria Shytles | Lead detailer[\[4:6\]](#fn4) | \- | | Frank Gallagher | Contractor[\[26\]](#fn26) | United States Marine Corps, Henry Kissinger, Gallagher Security Advisors, [Amyntor Group](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Amyntor-Group) | | A. B. Krongard | Advisory Board member (former)[\[27\]](#fn27) | [Central Intelligence Agency](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Central-Intelligence-Agency) (CIA), Apollo Global Management, Alex. Brown & Sons | | Matthew Marshall | Contractor[\[28\]](#fn28) | [Central Intelligence Agency](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Central-Intelligence-Agency) (CIA), Force Reconnaissance, [Amyntor Group](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Amyntor-Group) | | Craig Stephens | Senior driving instructor | \- | | John Worthington | Part-time instructor[\[4:7\]](#fn4) | Camden County Sheriff’s Office | ## External links - [Military Wiki](https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Academi#1997%5FBlackwater%5FUSA) - [SourceWatch](https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Blackwater&redirect=no) - [Website (archived)](https://web.archive.org/web/20020701010630/http://blackwaterusa.com/index.html) - [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackwater%5F%28company%29) - [Wikispooks](https://wikispooks.com/wiki/Blackwater) --- 1. Hodge, N. (2011, September 28). *Contractor Tries to Shed Blackwater Past.* Wall Street Journal. [↩︎](#fnref1) [↩︎](#fnref1:1) [↩︎](#fnref1:2) [↩︎](#fnref1:3) [↩︎](#fnref1:4) 2. Flintoff, C. (2007, September 25). *Blackwater’s Prince Has GOP, Christian Group Ties.* NPR. [↩︎](#fnref2) [↩︎](#fnref2:1) 3. *Obituary information for Alfred (Al) Ray Clark.* (2015). H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments. [↩︎](#fnref3) [↩︎](#fnref3:1) 4. Sizemore, B., & Kimberlin, J. (2006, July 24). *Blackwater | Part 2: Profitable Patriotism.* The Virginian-Pilot. [↩︎](#fnref4) [↩︎](#fnref4:1) [↩︎](#fnref4:2) [↩︎](#fnref4:3) [↩︎](#fnref4:4) [↩︎](#fnref4:5) [↩︎](#fnref4:6) [↩︎](#fnref4:7) 5. Falconer, B. (2007, October 9). *Making a Killing: A Blackwater Timeline.* Mother Jones. [↩︎](#fnref5) 6. Pelton, R. Y. (2010, November 30). *An American Commando in Exile.* Men’s Journal. [↩︎](#fnref6) [↩︎](#fnref6:1) [↩︎](#fnref6:2) 7. Scahill, J. (2009, August 21). *Making Sense Of The Blackwater Connection.* CBS News. [↩︎](#fnref7) 8. Smith, J. (2015). *Gray Work: Confessions of an American Paramilitary Spy* (p. 19). Harper Collins. [↩︎](#fnref8) [↩︎](#fnref8:1) 9. *Private Military Companies: Blackwater.* (2019, March 21). Silent Professionals. [↩︎](#fnref9) [↩︎](#fnref9:1) 10. Radia, K. (2009, April 1). *Blackwater gets replaced in Iraq.* ABC News. [↩︎](#fnref10) 11. Ukman, J. (2011, December 12). *Ex-Blackwater firm gets a name change, again.* Washington Post. [↩︎](#fnref11) 12. *Former Blackwater firm renamed again.* (2011, December 12). BBC News. [↩︎](#fnref12) 13. Brannen, K. (2014, July 1). *Blackwater’s Descendants Are Doing Just Fine.* Foreign Policy. [↩︎](#fnref13) [↩︎](#fnref13:1) 14. *Constellis Holdings, Inc. Acquires Constellis Group, Inc.* (2014, June 6). PR Newswire. [↩︎](#fnref14) 15. *Blackwater Aviation.* Blackwater USA. Retrieved February 4, 2005, from [↩︎](#fnref15) 16. *BSC Home.* Blackwater Security Consulting. Retrieved September 24, 2002, from [↩︎](#fnref16) 17. *Home.* Blackwater Target Systems. Retrieved August 5, 2004, from [↩︎](#fnref17) 18. *Strategic Partners.* Total Intelligence Solutions. Retrieved April 1, 2007, from [↩︎](#fnref18) 19. *Admin Staff.* Blackwater USA. Retrieved October 20, 2002, from [↩︎](#fnref19) [↩︎](#fnref19:1) [↩︎](#fnref19:2) [↩︎](#fnref19:3) 20. *Ambassador Cofer Black Becomes Vice-Chairman at Blackwater USA.* (2005, February 4). Blackwater USA. [↩︎](#fnref20) 21. *Mr. Robert Richer.* (2014). United States Naval Academy. [https://web.archive.org/web/20231117170027/https://www.usna.edu/LeadershipConference/Archive/2014/Panelist - Richer.php](https://web.archive.org/web/20231117170027/https://www.usna.edu/LeadershipConference/Archive/2014/Panelist%20-%20Richer.php) [↩︎](#fnref21) 22. Black, B. (2010, July 29). *Learn how to Gather Intel with SCG International: The Graduate School of Tactical Training.* ITS Tactical. [↩︎](#fnref22) 23. Ackerman, S. (2011, May 4). *Blackwater’s New Ethics Chief: John Ashcroft.* Wired. [↩︎](#fnref23) 24. Dana, S. (2017, March 2). *Thomas Williams Joins Protection From Abuse.* Protection from Abuse. [↩︎](#fnref24) 25. *David Lopez.* Mission Six Zero. Retrieved August 30, 2023, from [↩︎](#fnref25) 26. Moon, M. E., Gallagher, F., & Del Vecchio, J. M. (2015). *Review of The Bremer Detail: Protecting The Most Threatened Man In The World.* Journal of Strategic Security, 8(1-2), 86–89\. [↩︎](#fnref26) 27. *Alvin B. Krongard.* Icahn Enterprises. Retrieved August 7, 2024, from [↩︎](#fnref27) 28. Kirsch, N. (2021, December 22). *Lewd Texts & Secret Missions: Inside Billionaire Michael Goguen’s Wild Life.* The Daily Beast. [↩︎](#fnref28)