Citadel Security Group is proud to announce that CEO Justin Hale has been selected to join the 2026 CEOcircle cohort, a national program led by Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) and J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking.
The CEOcircle initiative recognizes and supports veteran and military-spouse business leaders across the United States who are scaling their companies and strengthening their communities. This year’s cohort includes 60 executives representing industries such as technology, government contracting, and manufacturing—with a combined workforce of more than 2,500 employees nationwide.
Since its launch in 2021, CEOcircle has guided more than 250 veteran and military-spouse founders through executive education, mentorship, and peer collaboration designed to accelerate growth. Participants gain access to leadership development, tailored business resources, and a powerful network of like-minded entrepreneurs who continue to serve through innovation and impact.
“It’s an honor to represent Citadel and the veteran-owned business community in next year’s CEOcircle program,” said Justin Hale, CEO of Citadel Security Group. “I’m looking forward to engaging with a community of veteran entrepreneurs who share a commitment to excellence and applying the insights to Citadel as we continue to serve our clients with integrity and purpose.”
Justin’s selection reflects Citadel’s continued commitment to service-driven leadership and operational excellence. Under his direction, Citadel has grown to protect more than $3 billion in client assets, providing trusted security solutions across commercial, government, and critical-infrastructure environments.
The CEOcircle program, now in its fifth year, exemplifies how military experience and business leadership intersect to build stronger companies and communities.
Read the full announcement on Business Wire and visit the IVMF website to learn more about the 2026 CEOcircle cohort.
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