Dennis McCarthy is a Principal in Military Experts, LLC, a consulting firm that since 2011 has advised hundreds of attorneys nationwide on military issues. Dennis began his Marine Corps service as a platoon leader in Vietnam, and completed it as Commander of Marine Forces Reserve, having led that force for four years during the Corps’ largest reserve mobilization in history. He retired in 2005 as the Marine Corps’ senior Lieutenant General with over 40 years of active and reserve service.

After completing his service in uniform, he was Executive Director of the Reserve Officers Association of the United States, a 60,000 member professional association in Washington, D.C. In 2009, he was nominated by President Obama and confirmed by the Senate to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense. As Assistant Secretary of Defense, he was responsible for policy development and execution for over one million members of the National Guard and Reserves of all services.

He was also responsible for the activities of the National Committee for Employer Support of Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense entity tasked with establishing and maintaining positive relationships with the nation’s large and small employers whose support is so essential to members of the Guard and Reserve. His office also supervised activities relating to reserve mobilization, training, and facilities. He worked closely with key administration officials, with Members of Congress and with Congressional Committee staffs.

In 2013-2014, Dennis was appointed by the President to the National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force, where he served as its Chair. From 1978 to 1999 while serving in the Marine Corps Reserve, Dennis was a civil trial lawyer in Columbus, Ohio and was managing partner of his own firm. He was Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy; an Adjunct Faculty member at Capital University Law School; a leader in state and national legal organizations; and a frequent CLE lecturer and contributor.

He is currently of counsel to McCarthy Law Offices, LLC in Columbus, Ohio. Dennis graduated from the University of Dayton and the Capital University Law School. In 2010, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Capital University Law School, and was named the Distinguished Alumnus for 2011. He currently serves on several advisory boards.

After leaving active duty and before to his return to government service, Dennis was Vice Chairman of the Board of Medifast, Inc. (NYSE: MED) and was a member of the Board of Directors of Rivada Networks, Inc.