Michael Pocalyko

Pocalyko graduated from Muhlenberg College in 1976. He received his Master in Public Administration degree from Harvard Kennedy School in 1985. He earned his Master of Business Administration degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1995.{{Cite web |url=http://www.fdu.edu/newspubs/insidefdu/0009/trustees.html |title=Inside FDU: New Trustees Named (June 2000) |access-date=2012-03-16 |archive-date=2010-05-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527111337/http://www.fdu.edu/newspubs/insidefdu/0009/trustees.html |url-status=live }} He was a Trustee of Fairleigh Dickinson University and named by the International Association of University Presidents to the United Nations Commission on Disarmament Education, Conflict Resolution and Peace.{{Cite web |url=http://www.muhlenberg.edu/cultural/magazine/Dec2010.pdf |title="Class Notes," Muhlenberg Magazine (December 2010) |access-date=2012-03-16 |archive-date=2012-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125172136/http://www.muhlenberg.edu/cultural/magazine/Dec2010.pdf |url-status=live }}

Pocalyko has published a number of papers on a variety of subjects, especially in the areas of defense, international affairs, and corporate governance. He was a member of the Council on Foreign Relations{{Cite web|url=https://www.cfr.org/membership/roster|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727040345/http://www.cfr.org/about/membership/roster.html|title=Council on Foreign Relations|archivedate=July 27, 2014|website=Council on Foreign Relations}} and was on the CFR's bipartisan independent task force co-chaired by Madeleine Albright and Vin Weber that authored the influential study In Support of Arab Democracy: Why and How.{{Cite web |url=http://www.cfr.org/democracy-promotion/support-arab-democracy/p8166 |title=In Support of Arab Democracy - Council on Foreign Relations |access-date=2012-03-16 |archive-date=2012-01-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127130523/http://www.cfr.org/democracy-promotion/support-arab-democracy/p8166 |url-status=live }}

Pocalyko was commissioned as an officer in the US Navy in 1976 and qualified as a naval aviator in 1977. He later became dual-warfare qualified at sea as a surface warfare officer. He served in the US Atlantic Fleet flying the SH-3, SH-2, and SH-60 helicopters, deploying in destroyers and frigates in the LAMPS and LAMPS Mark III platforms.{{Cite web|url=http://nfl.navalaviationmuseum.org/NFLServiceMember.aspx?id=6078|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711150732/http://nfl.navalaviationmuseum.org/NFLServiceMember.aspx?id=6078|url-status=dead|title=Naval Aviation Museum Foundation National Flight Log|archive-date=July 11, 2012}} During his career as a pilot, Pocalyko made more than 1,000 helicopter small deck landings.{{Cite web|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1990s/1990/mj90.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901213306/http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1990s/1990/mj90.pdf|url-status=dead|title="Records," Naval Aviation News 72,4 (May-June 1990)|archive-date=September 1, 2009}}

He served in the Multinational Force in Lebanon and was the pilot in command of the only helicopter airborne at the moment of the Beirut barracks bombing on October 23, 1983.{{Cite web |url=https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/?id=51520 |title=Carol L. Bowers, "Marine Museum Honors Marines Who Served, Died in Beirut," American Forces Press Service, October 15, 2008 |access-date=March 16, 2012 |archive-date=April 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414110503/http://www.defense.gov//News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=51520 |url-status=live }} He also commanded special intelligence missions in the Persian Gulf.Carlos C. Campbell, "From Pilot to Politician: Pocalyko's Passion," Washington Metro Herald, October 22, 1999

In the mid-1980s he was desk officer for the Navy’s Forward Maritime Strategy and then special assistant to Vice Admiral Henry C. Mustin II in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usnwc.edu/Publications/Naval-War-College-Press/Newport-Papers/Documents/19-pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616181707/http://www.usnwc.edu/Publications/Naval-War-College-Press/Newport-Papers/Documents/19-pdf.aspx|url-status=dead|title=Naval War College Press|archive-date=June 16, 2012|website=www.usnwc.edu}} In the early 1990s he was on the personal staff of Secretary of the Navy H. Lawrence Garrett III during the Tailhook scandal.{{Cite web |url=http://articles.mcall.com/1991-08-26/news/2811437_1_navy-lawrence-garrett-iii-naval-station-soviet-union |title=Susan Snyder, "Navy Secretary Speaks at Muhlenberg, Defends Base Closing," Allentown Morning Call, August 26, 1991 |access-date=2012-09-11 |archive-date=2014-04-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427082648/http://articles.mcall.com/1991-08-26/news/2811437_1_navy-lawrence-garrett-iii-naval-station-soviet-union |url-status=dead }} In his 1998 book Against All Enemies, investigative journalist Seymour Hersh wrote approvingly about Pocalyko's role as a veterans advocate with respect to the controversial Persian Gulf War Syndrome during his years in the Office of the Secretary of Defense from 1993 to 1995.Hersh, Seymour M. [https://books.google.com/books?id=YU_fAAAAMAAJ] Against All Enemies: Gulf War Syndrome, The War Between America's Ailing Veterans and Their Government (New York: Ballantine, 1998) {{ISBN|9780345427489}}

He retired from the Navy in the grade of commander in 1995.{{cn|date=March 2025}}

Starting in 1997, Pocalyko served as a managing director at the investment firm Monticello Capital.Alicia Biggs, "Catching Your Business Before A Fall" Loudoun Business 5,6 (May 2008)

Pocalyko served on more than a dozen corporate boards{{Cite web |url=http://www.directorship.com/battle-stations/ |title="Battle Stations," NACD Directorship 38,1 (January/February 2012) |access-date=2013-09-09 |archive-date=2014-04-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427091200/http://www.directorship.com/battle-stations/ |url-status=live }}Distinguished Eagle Scout Award Citation, Boy Scouts of America, Washington DC, October 3, 2011 and is a "public company audit committee financial expert" under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.{{Cite web |url=http://www.herley.com/pdfs/Schedule%2014D-9%20Solicitation-Recommendation.pdf |title=Herley Industries, Inc. SEC Schedule 14D-9 Solicitation/Recommendation Statement (March 16, 2011) |access-date=September 9, 2013 |archive-date=February 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217092822/http://www.herley.com/pdfs/Schedule%2014D-9%20Solicitation-Recommendation.pdf |url-status=live }} He was a director and audit committee chairman of defense contractor Herley Industries, brought in after that company’s chairman was indicted. He also chaired the board of TherimuneX Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.{{Cite web |url=http://www.therimunex.com/management.html |title="TherimuneX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Management Team" Retrieved 2013-09-30 |access-date=2013-09-09 |archive-date=2013-09-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923075228/http://www.therimunex.com/management.html |url-status=live }} Pocalyko served as a non-executive board chairman with water treatment firm Erdevel Europa Saudi Arabia and environmental management company Envambien SA.

In 1984, Pocalyko became one of The Heritage Foundation's "Third Generation," the "young leaders of [an] army of conservative activists."Hart, Benjamin. [https://books.google.com/books?id=-HOUlxj0cjgC] The Third Generation: Young Conservative Leaders Look to the Future (Washington: Regnery Books, 1987) {{ISBN|0815969244}} It was his "Third Generation Military Leadership" that first gained him national notice on the political stage.{{Cite web|url=http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/12231350/where-happening|title=Where It's Happening|date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304022736/http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/12231350/where-happening |archive-date=2016-03-04 }} Pocalyko served terms on the Fairfax County, Virginia's Industrial Development Authority{{Cite web |url=http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/bosclerk/summary/2000/00-09-25.pdf |title=Clerk's Board Summary: Report of Actions of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, September 25, 2000 |access-date=March 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709035834/http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/bosclerk/summary/2000/00-09-25.pdf |archive-date=July 9, 2013 |url-status=dead }} and on Virginia's Commonwealth Competition Council, appointed by Governor Jim Gilmore as the governor's representative and remaining during part of the administration of Governor Mark Warner.{{Cite web |url=http://www.egovcompetition.com/pdf/watch703.pdf |title=Competition Watch 8,1 (July 2003) |access-date=2012-03-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115144948/http://www.egovcompetition.com/pdf/watch703.pdf |archive-date=2010-01-15 |url-status=dead }}

He was a district chairman for six years in the Republican Party of Virginia.{{cn|date=March 2023}}

In 1999, he was the endorsed Republican candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates from the 36th District, in Reston and western Fairfax County, Virginia, and ran against incumbent Democrat Ken Plum, then chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia.[https://archive.today/20120713154517/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/45884895.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Oct+28,+1999&author=William+Branigin&pub=The+Washington+Post&edition=&startpage=V.08&desc=DISTRICT+36;+Plum+Faces+Lively+Opponent;+10-Term+Delegate's+GOP+Challenger+Backs+Gun+Limits William Branigin, "District 36: Plum Faces Lively Opponent," Washington Post (October 28, 1999)] Pocalyko campaigned as a "progressive Republican" in the left-leaning district with strong backing from Senator John Warner, a Capitol Hill mentor, and from Governor Jim Gilmore. He took conservative positions on limited government, fiscal matters and taxation (although he refused to sign the Americans for Tax Reform "Taxpayer Protection Pledge"{{Cite web |url=https://twitter.com/mikepocalyko/status/97480119697948672 |title=@mikepocalyko July 30, 2011 Twitter.com "In my 99 campaign I never signed #pledge" |access-date=January 25, 2016 |archive-date=December 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215072736/https://twitter.com/mikepocalyko/status/97480119697948672 |url-status=live }}), law and order, Second Amendment rights, faith-based initiatives, and backing the death penalty, but was moderate on issues like the environment, immigration, and public education."The Pocalyko Campaign Toughens as Vote Nears," Reston Times (October 27, 1999) He was among the very few Virginia GOP candidates who met with gay community leaders; he pledged active support for expanded gay and lesbian rights and appeared at Log Cabin Republican events.Robert A. Jones, "Pocalyko Cites Need for Change, Reaches out to Moderates," The Reston Connection, October 20–26, 1999"Election 99: 36th House of Delegates – Mike Pocalyko," The Connection, McLean, Virginia (October 27-November 2, 1999) Pocalyko was endorsed by former Director of Central Intelligence Stansfield Turner.

Pocalyko was criticized by The Washington Post for a leaflet distributed by his campaign accusing his opponent of "voting to protect child molesters who murder children."{{cite news |author= |date=October 27, 1999 |title=Smear Time in Virginia |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPcap/1999-10/27/070r-102799-idx.html |url-status=live |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=A30 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230316014955/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPcap/1999-10/27/070r-102799-idx.html |archive-date=March 16, 2023 |access-date=March 15, 2023}} Pocalyko lost the election to Plum by 61.83 percent to 35.42 percent of the vote.[http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/ElectionResults/1999/Results-HOD-Nov99-Gen--by_dist-loc.htm Commonwealth of Virginia, State Board of Elections, "Election Results, November 2, 1999 General Election"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228232647/http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/ElectionResults/1999/Results-HOD-Nov99-Gen--by_dist-loc.htm |date=December 28, 2012 }}

Since the 1970s, Pocalyko has published newspaper features, academic papers, essays, reviews, and opinion pieces.{{cn|date=April 2023}}

His novel The Navigator was published by Forge Books, an imprint of Macmillan Publishers.

{{Main|Suicide of Eden Knight}}

In 2014, Pocalyko founded Special Investigations Limited Company, "a professional services firm and government contractor in the investigations, intelligence, and cyber sectors."{{cite magazine |last=Liebman |first=Jennifer |date=January–February 2022 |title=Michael Pocalyko, CFE |url=https://www.fraud-magazine.com/article.aspx?id=4295016824 |magazine=Fraud Magazine |publisher=Association of Certified Fraud Examiners |access-date=March 16, 2023}}{{Cite web |title=Michael Pocalyko at BASD Nation |url=https://www.basdnation.org/pocalyko |access-date=2023-03-15 |website=BASD Nation}} As of March 2023, Special Investigations had received three awards of not more than $95,000 from the United States Department of Commerce for "Investigation and Personal Background Check Services."{{cite magazine |author= |date=March 29, 2023 |title=Private investigators allegedly involved in trans woman's forced return to Saudi Arabia |url=https://www.intelligenceonline.com/corporate-intelligence/2023/03/29/private-investigators-allegedly-involved-in-trans-woman-s-forced-return-to-saudi-arabia,109929295-eve |url-access=subscription |magazine=Intelligence Online |publisher=Indigo Publications |access-date=March 2, 2025}}

In March 2023, Special Investigations faced criticism for Pocalyko's role in allegedly luring a transgender woman back to her family in Saudi Arabia, where she was forced to detransition and later died by suicide.{{cite magazine |last1=Zoledziowski |first1=Anya |last2=Marchman |first2=Tim |date=March 16, 2023 |title=A Young Saudi Trans Woman Is Believed Dead After Being Lured From the US and Forced to Detransition |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/eden-knight-believed-dead-after-forced-detransition-saudi-arabia/ |url-status=live |magazine=Vice |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230316120604/https://www.vice.com/en/article/jg5ey4/eden-knight-believed-dead-after-forced-detransition-saudi-arabia |archive-date=March 16, 2023 |access-date=March 16, 2023}}{{cite magazine |last=Leonard |first=Lana |date=March 16, 2023 |title=Family forced Saudi trans woman Eden Knight to detransition. Now she's dead. |url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/03/family-forced-saudi-trans-woman-eden-knight-forced-to-detransition-now-shes-dead/ |url-status=live |magazine=LGBTQ Nation |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230316140918/https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/03/family-forced-saudi-trans-woman-eden-knight-forced-to-detransition-now-shes-dead/ |archive-date=March 16, 2023 |access-date=March 16, 2023}}{{cite magazine |last=Riedel |first=Samantha |date=March 17, 2023 |title=A Saudi Trans Woman Is Presumed Dead After Claiming She Was Forced to Detransition |url=https://www.them.us/story/eden-knight-saudia-arabia-detransition |url-status=live |magazine=Them |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318180355/https://www.them.us/story/eden-knight-saudia-arabia-detransition |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |access-date=March 18, 2023}}

Pocalyko married his classmate Barbara Snelbaker after their college graduation in 1976. They have two children. He lives in Reston in Northern Virginia and on the Blue Ridge in the Shenandoah Valley.Alexander Walker AIA, "Designing Hamatreya" Custom Wood Homes 5,2 (Summer 2007) Pocalyko is a member of the Cosmos Club, serving as vice president and treasurer before being chosen as the club's president in May 2023.{{cite magazine |author= |date=July 6, 2023 |title=Cosmos Club's new president Michael Pocalyko comes with Saudi baggage |url=https://www.intelligenceonline.com/corporate-intelligence/2023/06/07/cosmos-club-s-new-president-michael-pocalyko-comes-with-saudi-baggage,109991423-art |url-access=subscription |magazine=Intelligence Online |publisher=Indigo Publications |access-date=March 2, 2025}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.monticellocapital.com/Professionals/tabid/84/modId/450/AutoLaunchElementId/7/Default.aspx Michael Pocalyko's web page at Monticello Capital]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20131029210857/http://us.macmillan.com/thenavigator/MichaelPocalyko Official website for The Navigator at Macmillan Publishers]
• [http://nacd.cambriasurvey.com/auth/client/nacd/en-US/media/document/michael_pocalyko.pdf Biography at the National Association of Corporate Directors]
• [http://algonquinredux.com/author/pocalyko/ Blog posts at Algonquin Redux]

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