Our LEADERSHIP

Global Scout was founded by two intelligence professionals with over 45 years of experience between the two of them in both the private and public sector.

Through that time, Mark and Jason have been exposed to a wide range of topics and intelligence organizations and have built a deep network of trusted and proven intelligence professionals.

Each has had his own success running intelligence organizations and each has an established track record of providing clear and cogent advice to his customers.

MARK KESTER
Chairman & CEO

Mark Kester is a seasoned executive and intelligence consultant, with significant experience leading diverse organizations utilizing advanced technologies and high-skilled individuals for organizational success. 

Prior to becoming a consultant, stood up and led an open-source analytical center based overseas, where his team provided timely and critical analytical support to a range of high-level customers faced with serious challenges. 

Mark also served in the U.S. Navy for over 26 years, where he led intelligence teams operating worldwide focused on the most critical problem sets. 

In addition to running Global Scout, Mark serves as the Chairman of the Board for Saddles in Service, a non-profit organization focused on combating the suicide rates of Veterans, Active-Duty Military, and First Responders through equine-assisted learning and activities. 

Jason Cherish
PRESIDENT & COO

Jason Cherish is a field savvy primary research specialist with over 20 years experience serving international clients in the public, private, non-profit, and academic sectors. 

Prior to Global Scout, Jason founded Atlas|Bear, an Africa-based competitive intelligence and risk advisory firm with extensive experience supporting elite teams in emerging and frontier markets through-out EMEA, Latin America and South East Asia.

He is also an experienced mentor and instructor having trained students from six continents on corporate intelligence for high risk markets at Groningen University’s ‘Illicit Trade School’ in the Netherlands.