Cypress International is pleased to announce that Gen. Andrew Poppas, U.S. Army (Ret.), will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer effective June 1, 2026. A distinguished leader with nearly four decades of service at the highest levels of national defense, Gen. Poppas brings to Cypress International deep expertise in national security, risk management, transformation of large organizations, fiscal discipline, and taking care of people, along with an exceptional record of strategic leadership, operational excellence, and mission-focused execution.
Gen. Poppas retired from the United States Army in February 2026 after more than 37 years of service. He most recently served as Commanding General of U.S. Army Forces Command, where he led the Army’s largest and most consequential organizations, of more than 725,000 soldiers and civilians and an annual budget of approximately $4.1 billion.
Prior to that assignment, he served as Director of the Joint Staff and earlier as Director for Operations, helping guide global operations, strategic integration, and support to senior national leadership.
Over the course of his career, Gen. Poppas commanded and served in critical leadership roles across the Army and Joint Force, including command of the 101st Airborne Division. His experience leading large, complex organizations, managing risk in dynamic environments, driving transformation at scale, and prioritizing the welfare and development of people, positions him well to lead Cypress International into its next chapter. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, holds a master’s degree from Kansas State University, and completed advanced military and senior-level studies including a fellowship at Harvard University.
As Chief Executive Officer, Gen. Poppas will lead Cypress International’s continued focus on delivering trusted strategic insights, deep defense expertise, and mission-informed support to our clients across the defense and national security community. His leadership, judgment, commitment to sound risk management, ability to transform large organizations, and enduring focus on people, align strongly with the firm’s values and long-standing reputation for excellence.
