Robert Kirila is the co-founder and Managing Partner for Black Powder Partners, Black Powder Holdings, and Black Powder Search. The Black Powder family of entities are purpose driven companies investing in and supporting America’s founder owned infrastructure service businesses.   

Previously Robert served as the CEO for the Special Operators Transition Foundation focused on providing Special Operators the support needed to find their next great career in the private sector.  

Before that, Robert was the Chief Operating Officer for DEFENSEWERX and guided the growth of disruptive innovation practices for the United States Air Force Research Laboratory at Eglin Air Force Base, the United States Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base and the Air Warfare Center at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.   

Rob also served as the Director of Military Affairs for Congressman Matt Gaetz, 1st Congressional District of Florida. 

In 2016 Robert completed more than 26 years of service in the United States Army.  Serving as a Senior Commanding Officer in the last seven years of his career, he developed a unique portfolio of experiences. Since the war on terrorism began on September 11, 2001 Rob has led Special Operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.  In the “War on Drugs”, Rob led Special Operations in Central and South America to fight the Colombian and Mexican cartels, destroy sophisticated supply chains and support humanitarian efforts.  He has lectured at the Colombian Defense University, served in the United States Department of State in Washington D.C. as a National Security Policy Fellow in the Western Hemisphere Bureau.  

Robert holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Richmond and graduate degrees from Central Michigan University and the United States War College. Among his awards are the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Service Medals, the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Green Beret. Robert and Chrissie, his wife of 26 years, have two children.