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Rich Mortimer is a retired Staff Sergeant from the United States Army with a distinguished career that also includes service in the United States Marine Corps and the Virginia Army National Guard. Throughout his years of military service, he deployed to Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan, where he honed his skills in leadership, crisis response, and team resilience under challenging conditions. Following his transition from active duty, Rich pursued higher education and earned a Master’s degree in Emergency & Disaster Management from Georgetown University. Building on his academic foundation and operational experience, he established Forge North EM LLC, a consulting firm focused on helping communities, organizations, and government agencies strengthen their preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities. As founder, Rich brings a mission-driven approach rooted in service, resilience, and strategic partnerships. In addition to leading Forge North, Rich contributes his expertise at IEM, Inc., a global leader in emergency management and disaster recovery. His dual roles reflect his commitment to advancing innovative solutions that improve readiness and continuity across public and private sectors. Rich is also actively involved with Project RELO, a nonprofit organization that leverages military leadership principles to connect corporate executives with veteran talent. Through this work, he continues his lifelong dedication to service — empowering veterans, educating business leaders, and building stronger communities. To learn more or support the mission, please go to:
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To hear or watch our interview with Richard, please go to either:
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