Chip Daniels

Chip is a retired U.S. Army officer and seasoned government affairs executive whose career has spanned combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, strategic defense leadership, and high impact federal engagement. His last role in uniform was as the Division Chief, Programs Division, in the Army’s Office of the Chief Legislative Liaison. In this capacity, he liaised with various Congressional committees to secure authorities and funding for the Army. He also served as the Chief of Staff for U.S. Forces Afghanistan, where he led a 730-person team and managed a $3.4 billion operating budget supporting over 13,000 service members. He served in multiple roles on the Joint Staff in the Pentagon and commanded combat arms units at multiple levels over a 28-year career.

In industry, Chip was the Vice President for Strategy & Transformation, as well as VP of Government Affairs at SolarWinds, an industry-leading IT software company. Chip and his team were responsible for monitoring and assessing the legislative and regulatory environments, liaising with U.S. federal administration and policy thought leaders.

Chip serves as President of the 1-5 Cav Black Knight Foundation, a nonprofit formed in May 2025 to help veterans turn trauma into growth. The foundation focuses on programs that enhance the well-being of veterans and service members, fostering resilience, and a sense of belonging. The foundation is producing a documentary that captures the unit’s sacrifice and resilience both during and after its historic deployment to Baghdad from 2006-08.

Chip holds a B.S. from Virginia Tech, an MBA from Duke University, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. Chip and his wife Lisa have three children and reside in Fairfax Station, VA.