Business Executives for National Security (BENS)
Non-profit OrganizationsDistrict of Columbia, United States51-200 Employees
Business Executives for National Security (BENS) is a nationwide, non-partisan nonprofit that mobilizes senior business leaders to support national security agencies. By translating private-sector expertise and cross-industry best practices into government problem-solving, it helps the Department of Defense and other national security entities carry out their missions. Founded in 1982 and based in Washington, DC, BENS operates at no cost to government, pairing private-sector experience with senior national security leadership to address complex security challenges. Its work targets federal security agencies as its primary partners, providing seasoned perspectives to inform defense and security operations facing evolving threats. As a mid-sized nonprofit, it maintains a network-based model that aligns business experience with government needs. In 2026 the organization expanded its leadership and governance with the appointment of a Chief Operating Officer in April and the recognition of Distinguished Senior Fellows drawn from retired senior military officers, signaling ongoing collaboration between the private sector and national security leadership.