ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The process of writing a book is interesting and challenging in and of itself, requiring a great deal of help from many people. The whole story behind Secret Weapon made it even more interesting and challenging, as it was like living out a spy novel in the real world and then writing about it. When investment banker turned novelist H. T. Narea was set to roll out his latest work, The Fund, he learned about my research. He immediately contacted me so I would know that he hadn’t borrowed the story, even though his novel was eerily similar to our work. Sometimes life does imitate fiction.

One result of experiencing and writing a real-life spy novel is that there are many people to thank. First and above all, I must express thanks to God for His mercy and Grace. Without His Holy Spirit, none of this would be possible. Next, I owe so much to my wife and children. They have been wonderfully supportive despite the overabundance of travel and innumerable late nights dedicated to the research and book based on a zealous passion to keep our nation safe. I must also thank the team of people who worked with me directly or indirectly to complete the research and get the word out. Of course, I must also thank my extended family, friends, clients, and our Church. Thank you for always being there. I’ve been blessed with a rather large group of people praying or otherwise supporting me, the team, and our mission. I am also thankful for a curious media that found the concept intriguing as well as a great group of professionals who helped turn the research into the book you are now holding. Finally, I am grateful for the large and growing number of dedicated men and women in the fields of politics, national security, law enforcement, academics, research, economics, and financial markets who were willing to listen to our findings. Some of them are currently helping to address the problem.

Because the number of people to thank is extensive, I am just listing names without title or personal comment. I have grouped them into categories. Some fit into more than one group so names may be repeated. They are mostly listed alphabetically by first name.

THE TEAM, VOLUNTEERS, AND OTHERS WHO PLAYED A PART

Even though I was the primary author of both the report to the Department of Defense and the book you are now reading, there was a significant team and numerous volunteers who made these projects possible. Thank you to Ann Canfield, Caren Wheaton, Carol Taber, David Hemenway, Ducky Hemenway, EJ Kimball, Frank Gaffney, John Actis, John Guandolo, Jonathan Low, Marilyn Britton, Michael Del Rosso, Mitchell Morgan, Pat Calhoun, Patrick Maloy, Paul Janiczek, Rachel Ehrenfeld, Roger Robinson, Stephen Coughlin, Steve Zidek, Steven Tipton, and many others, some of whom must remain unnamed.

THOSE WHO PROVIDED SUPPORT, ENCOURAGEMENT, OR PRAYER

There is an even broader group who supported me in a variety of ways including prayer. At the top of this list are my wife and our children, family, and extended family (including Miss Joy). My heartfelt thanks go to Aaron Wronko, Adam and Tara Ross, Al Proo, Al and Tracie Denson, Alan and Michelle Schnacke, Allen and Dolores Wood, Allen and Leslee Unruh, Ambree Stone, Amy Duncan, Amy Dunn, Andy and Jenny Hickl, Andy and Jennifer Strachan, Angie and John Anderson, Ann and Bill Quest, Ann and Cliff Bruder, Annette McPhetridge, Arch Bonnema, Barry Armstrong, Ben and Melanie Lasoi, Bernie and Lee Reese, Beth Palmer, Bill Garaway, Bill Mauerman, Bill and Anne Ashton, Bill and Carolyn Doughty, Bill and Patty Stoner, Blake and Margaret Keating, Bill and Caren Wheaton, Bill and Jane Mason, Billy Joe and Sharon Daughtery, Bob Reccord, Bob and Char Reehm, Bob and Rita Fisher, Brad and Patty Harber, Brad and Tammy Worley, Brannon and Noelle Preston, Brent and Carrie Blake, Bridget and Rick Losa, Bruce Hallett, Bruce and Laura Bellamy, Buddy and Hazel Atkinson, Byron and Sally Todd, Carl and Sue Richards, Carlos and Marilyn Morales, Carolyn Hunt, Casey and Amy Cook, Casey and Angela Jones, Charles and Jana Fay Bacarisse, Chris and Amy Davis, Chris and Kathy Howard, Chris McKinzie, Chuck and Elaine Hewitt, Cindi Sherrod, Clynt Taylor, Dale Gibson, Dan Sullivan, Dana Pollard, Dane and Twyla Bartel, Darin and Christy Sloan, Dave and Michael Cook, David and Cheryl Barton, David and Rochelle Bader, David and Shelli Manuel, David Keyston, Dean Forman, Dean and Kim Gillitzer, Dean and Michelle DeCavitte, Deb Gatzke, Denise Gerrich, Dennis and Beth Dribin, Don and Tiffany Willet, Don and Vivian Blakeman, Doug and Cynthia Nurss, Doug and Suzanne Wright, Doug and Sylvia Carter, Drew and Linda Springer, Ed Belan, Ed Smith, Elizabeth Tolhurst, Ellen Grigsby, Evan Loomis, Erik and Lori Davidson, Foster and Lynn Friess, Fran Sherwood, Frank Bragg, Gabe and Karen Joseph, Gail Gause, Gateway Church Pastoral Staff, Gene and Barbara Graves, George Mauerman, Gordon and Nita Chen, Hiram Sasser, Jack and Rose Fredricks, James and Lynda Dickey, Jamie Waller, Jason and Abi Landry, Janet Sullivan, Jason Noble, Jay and Shonda Wagner, Jensine Bard, Jerry and Martina Ledzinski, Jeff and Carolyn Wakefield, Jeff and Kim Hassell, Jeff and Melanie Burns, Jen and Zach Neese, Jessica Juarez, Jessica Spawn, Jim Czirr , Jim and ‘Gene Edwards, Jim and Jeanne White, Jim and Laurie Bolton, Jim and Tisha Ghormley, Jim and Patti Jo Peevy, Jim Griffith, Joe Musser, Joe and Peggy Smith, John Anderson, John and CJ Early, John and Kelley Kasperbauer, John and Lynn Pohanka, John Hemenway, John Spurling, John Templeton Jr., Johnson and Feyi Obamahinti, Jonathan and Jennifer Weiss, Jonathan Low, Jonathan Rotenberg, Jonathan Saenz, Joshua and Casey Tolhurst, Julie and Jeff Luke, KT Freeman, Kay and Paco Jordan, Ken Davidson, Kent and Christie Glesener, Keet Lewis, Kellie Black, Kelly and Scott Luttenberg, Kelly and Karen Shackelford, Ken and Joanna Wiesinger, Ken and Sandy Campbell, Kerrie and Phillip Oles, Kerry and Donna Freeman, Kevin and Liz Horn, Kevin Blacquiere, Kirk and Nancy Freeman, Kris Humber, Kristi Davis, Kyden and Melanie Reeh, Larry and Joan Ezell, Larry and Staci Wallace, Lawrence and Joanne Kersten, Les Pierce, Liberty Institute Prayer Team, MM Freeman, Madge and Forest Williams, Marc and Libba Hanna, Marla and Chad Swandt, Mark and Rebecca Ritchie, Mark and Robyn Tolhurst, Mark Swafford, Mark Yearout, Mary K. Boston, Matthew Taylor, Michael Farris, Michael and Peggy Lee, Michael Del Rosso, Michelle Smith, Mike and Julie Katzorke, Mike and Jayne Carter, Mike and Lisa Moore, Mike McGuire, Mike Studer, Miriam (Joy) Mager, Mitchell and Deana Morgan, Nathan and DeeDee Ng, Nic and Janine Stevens, Ollie and Marlaina Wick, Pat and Deborah Calhoun, Patrick and Amy Maloy, Patricia Lee, Paul and Grace Hallen, Paul and Nancy Pressler, Paul and Paula Martin, Peggy Dau, Phil Wiltfong, Phillip Jauregui, Prasad and Beulah Rao, Randall Swanson, Randy and Becky Isbell, Ray and Sharon Loveless, Rebecca Hagelin, Rex and Janie Lake, Richard and Jacquie Patterson, Richard Bott, Richard Headrick, Rob Smith, Rod and Sherri Martin, Roger and Moe Westfall, Rolla and Lisa Goodyear, Ron and Christy Brooks, Roy Stuart, Russ and Laura Finlay, Russell and Karen Lake, Salina Duffy, Sarah and David Area, Scott and Gaylynn McBrayer, Scott and Megan Richards, Shay Beard, Shawn and Anita Maloney, Simon Bull, Stephen Luttenberg, Steve and Wendy Riach, Steve Dulin, Steve Gritton, Steve Monson, Steve Weinberg, Steve and Tracy Gallemore, Steven and Emily Dilla, Steven and Kim Tipton, Sue Freeman, Sue and Lanny Peden, Sue Richardson, Tarek Saab, Ted Baehr, Tim and Tuyet Cahill, Tim and Virginia Shepherd, Tim and Amy LeFever, Tod and Tammy Williams, Todd and Maria Horchner, Todd and Salina Lorch, Tommy Jarrell, Trayce and Scott Bradford, Travis and Vanessa Howard, Troy and Erica Andrews, Tricia Erickson, Vicki and Dan Nohrden, Wade Parkhill, Wanda and Bev Brown, Will and Kelly Angus, Will King, and all others who have prayed and helped so much.

MEDIA WILLING TO REPORT

While financial terrorism, economic warfare, and secret weapons are intriguing concepts, it took a courageous media to look beyond the popular narrative for the truth. I appreciate all who have studied and/or reported on the story, including Alex Frean, Anthony Martin, Ben Shapiro, Bill Gertz, Bill Lunden, Brad Watson, Bryan Biggs, Chris Graham, Craig Johnson, Dan Cofall, David Arnett, David Hahn, David Morris, Doug Urbanski, Frank Beckman, Gayle Ruzicka, Glenn Beck, Hugh Vail, Joseph and Elizabeth Farah, JR Nyquist, Jeff Stoffer, Jerry Corsi, Joey Bourgoin, Ken Chandler, Maria Bartiromo, Mark Mitchell, Matt Drudge, Megyn Kelly, Michael Reagan, Mike Porenta, Paul Sperry, Ray Dunaway, Rich Bott, Richard Miniter, Robert England, Ron Insana, Steve Malzberg, and Stuart Epperson.

THOSE WHO HELPED ME WITH THE BOOK

The professionals at Regnery have been terrific, as have other successful authors who have provided wise insights. I especially want to thank Ben Shapiro and Jack Langer for sharing their experienced wisdom in crafting this book. Others who have helped make this book a reality include Gene Brissie, HT Narea, Harry Crocker, Marji Ross, Mary Beth Baker, Maria Ruhl, Lisa Pulaski, Laura Bentz, Jeff Carneal, Joe Musser, and Randy Tunnell.

SOME OF THOSE WHO WERE WILLING TO LISTEN

I went through my travel schedule and emails over the past three years to get an idea of how many briefings I had given all across the country. There were hundreds of people involved, some of whom I briefed as many as six times each. I can’t list all the names, as some must be withheld for security reasons. Thank you to all who took serious time to listen, including Adam Kaufman, Adam Miller, Al Micallef, Al Santoli, Alan Jackson, Alec Bierbauer, Alida Jacob, Andrew Davenport, Andy Wehrle, Andy Polk, Ann Canfield, Anthony Arend, Avi Lipkin, Bill Federer, Bill Floyd, Bill Pascoe, Bill Posey, Bill Tucker, Bill Walton, Bob Reccord, Bob McEwen, Boone and Madeleine Pickens, Brady Cassis, Brett Heimov, Brian Kennedy, Brian Halstead, Carol Taber, Chris Barkley, Charles Worrell, Christian Beckner, Clarine Nardi-Riddle, Cliff May, Connie Hair, Craig Shirley, Dan Brandt, Dana Crane, Dane Bartel, David Bobb, David Britz, David Hamon, David Jackson, David Kotz, David Lane, David Patch, David Reist, David Yerushalmi, Diana Banister, Ed Koch, Ed McCallum, Ed Royce, Ed Soyster, Edwin Meese, EJ Kimball, Eric Bleiken, Everett Piper, Erik Davidson, Foster Friess, Frank Bragg, Frank Gaffney, Frank Wolf, Fred Grandy, Gary Fletcher, George Cecala, George Strake, Harold Lanier, Herman Cain, Howard Kaloogian, HT Narea, James Hoge, James McGarrah, Jason Lee, Jay Rosser, Jeff Staubach, Jeff Taylor, Jeffrey Roach, Jerry Boykin, Jerry Jones, Jim Woolsey, John Craig, John Guandolo, John Lenczowski, John Mauldin, John Miri, John Russo, John Ryan, John Sandoz, John Shadegg, John Sloan, Johnny A. Moncayo, Jon Kyl, Kara Schoeffling, Keith Poole, Kelly Shackelford, Ken Jensen, Kevin Gates, Kevin Gentry, Kevin Hassett, Larry Arnn, Lisa Pollard, Luke Miller, Mac Thornberry, Marc Colby, Marcus Brubaker, Mark Hafner, Matthew Elias, Michael Del Rosso, Michael Hoehn, Michael Leary, Michael Mukasey, Michele Bachmann, Mike Moen, Mike Moore, Mike Moncrief, Mike Pillsbury, Mike Rogers, Nancy Duncan, Neal Freeman, Newt Gingrich, Patrick Byrne, Patrick Maloy, Paul Blocher, Paul McRory, Paulette Standefer, Peter King, Peter Wallison, Rachel Ehrenfeld, Rich Higgins, Richard Stoyeck, Richard Viguerie, Rick Bremseth, Rinelda Bliss, Rob Schwazwalder, Robert Boland, Robert Maguire, Robert Morgenthau, Roger Robinson, Roger Staubach, Ron Burgess, Roscoe Bartlett, Russ Ramsland, Ryan Morfin, Serge Kabud , Sharron Angle, Shaun Brady, Stephen Coughlin, Steve Feiss, Steve Stockman, Steve Weinberg, Stuart Burns, Stuart Epperson, Ted Cruz, Thomas Connolly, Thomas Culligan, Tim Cahill, Tim Morrison, Tim Slemp, Todd Wagnor, Tom O’Connell, Tom Pauken, Tony Perkins, Van Taylor, Walid Phares, and William Wright.

My final acknowledgement recognizes the reality that our American way of life has clearly been under attack. We must understand, however, that our vulnerabilities are the natural result of spiritual and moral failure. There has been too much greed on Wall Street, cutting corners through efforts of financial alchemy—hoping to earn profits without real productivity. Likewise, there has been too much corruption in the government and bureaucracy—using the strong arm of the law and regulation to advance partisan political agendas rather than supply liberty which creates opportunity. On Main Street, we have too often forgotten compassion and have placed too much faith in government to solve our problems. These are not the principles from our nation’s founding. From my heart, I know that the best means of achieving a moral and spiritual renewal is to return to God in repentance and restore the greatness of our land. In the words of Ronald Reagan:

I believe with all my heart that standing up for America means standing up for the God who has so blessed our land. We need God’s help to guide our nation through stormy seas. But we can’t expect Him to protect America in a crisis if we just leave Him over on the shelf in our day-to-day living.

May we return our hearts to Him, and may God bless the United States of America.