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rian J. Jones is a retired United States Navy Lieutenant Commander with over 25 years of distinguished service, currently serving as the Director of Program Management for IBEX IT Business Experts. He also serves as the Senior Vice President of VFW Post 7122 in Floral City, Florida, and is an active business owner and community leader dedicated to supporting veterans and service members.

Brian enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1998, beginning his career as a Boatswain’s Mate and serving for ten years in the enlisted ranks before earning his commission through Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island in 2008. As an enlisted Sailor, he served as a rescue swimmer and boat coxswain aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), and later as a Search and Rescue Swimmer and Special Boat Team member with Special Boat Unit TWELVE (SBU-12). His early career also included assignments as a Navy recruiter in Baltimore, Maryland, and as part of a specialized security unit supporting U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) in Manama, Bahrain. During this time, he deployed multiple times in support of Joint Task Force 5-1 (JTF-51) and Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (COMUSNAVCENT), conducting non-combatant evacuation operations in Syria and Lebanon and supporting expeditionary missions throughout Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Northern Arabian Gulf.

Following his commissioning, Brian served as a Surface Warfare Officer aboard USS Anzio (CG-68) as a Weapons Officer, and later aboard USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19) as Assistant First Lieutenant and Amphibious Warfare Lead in support of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. In 2012, he was selected to attend the Naval Postgraduate School, where he earned a graduate degree in National Security Affairs with a focus on Homeland Security and Anti-Terrorism.

Brian continued his leadership at sea aboard USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) as First Lieutenant and Amphibious Warfare Lead before serving on the staff of Commander, Amphibious Squadron SIX (COMPHIBRON 6). In this role, he acted as a tactical advisor for amphibious operations across the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. His assignments frequently placed him in forward-deployed environments, including operations near Sigonella, Sicily, where he supported U.S. Department of State and USAID missions throughout North Africa and Somalia as part of a deployable security element.

He concluded his naval career at Afloat Training Group, Norfolk, Virginia, where he served as Director of Training and Readiness. In this capacity, he was responsible for the scheduling, training, and certification of U.S. Navy deployable forces across the East Coast and Mediterranean theaters, ensuring operational readiness for fleet-wide missions.

Brian holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Colorado Technical University, a master’s degree in National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Joint Professional Military Education certification from the U.S. Naval War College.

In addition to his professional career, Brian is a majority owner in two business ventures. He co-founded Liquid Motivation Coffee Company, an online business that supports deployed service members by funding and shipping care packages through the MacDill Air Force Base Adopt-A-Unit Program. He is also a partner in Nine State Brewery in Inverness, Florida, a community-focused taproom known for its handcrafted, award-winning beers.

A dedicated advocate for veterans, Brian was recently appointed to the Board of Advisors for Soldiers Freedom Outdoors, an organization he has actively supported as a volunteer since his retirement in 2023. His commitment to service continues through his leadership, mentorship, and community engagement efforts aimed at improving the lives of fellow veterans.

Originally from Sonora, California, Brian now resides in Inverness, Florida, with his wife, Jen. He is the proud father of three adult children. In his personal time, he enjoys classic cars, firearms, and staying actively involved in his local veteran community.