About
The Rural National Defense Initiative is part of a coalition of partner organizations including a Farmed, Gridvocate, and Data Center Frog (DC Frog). Our collective mission is to advance rural economic development in a way that benefits local communities and furthers American security and world leadership.
RNDI and partners are subsidiaries of THOS., a highly-specialized, strategic consulting group that brings large-scale infrastructure projects, local government capital improvements, and ambitious economic development initiatives to fruition the right way.
The Farmed portfolio, which includes RNDI, works to forge rural alliances to ensure major infrastructure benefits farm communities while being built away from people's homes.
We help the doers do it right, empowering rural citizens and their local governments in the process.
the R.N.D.I. TEAM
Meet the RNDI professional consultants organized under THOS., LLC below.
Tom Byrnes
Founder / President
Tom Byrnes has worked for U.S. Congressional leaders, high-profile mayors, and noted community officials. He has represented citizen organizations as well as business, government, and industry leaders to make "the big stuff" happen, including multimillion-dollar public-private partnership (P3) initiatives and visionary economic development projects. Tom is the founder and owner of THOS. and its' subsidiaries.
Eric Martin
Executive Vice President
Eric Martin holds a decades-long track record of major economic development achievements. He has represented national U.S. interest groups and political organizations, as well as having critical work experience inside America's most secure data centers. Eric is a real estate broker, has managed dozens of successful campaigns, and is owner of The MacGyver Group in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
James Rattling Leaf
Executive Land-Use Advisor
James Rattling Leaf, Sr. is the principal and founder of WoLakota Lab. He works to establish equitable indigenous / non-indigenous partnerships in land-use decisions with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, and U.S. Congressional leaders. James holds a B.A. in Lakota Studies from Sinte Gleska University, teaches Indigenous Knowledge, and is a Lakota, CQ® Certified Facilitator.
Crissy King
Senior Vice President
Crissy King is an entrepreneur, business leader, and former community resource specialist. She has over three decades of experience working in community engagement for people with disabilities and special needs. Crissy has worked regularly with federal, state, and local entities such as the U.S. Justice Department and Social Security Administration to benefit marginalized populations.
Josh Clements
Vice President
Ret. U.S. Navy LCDR Josh Clements is a private national defense initiatives advisor. His Department of Defense cyber-security and certifications include Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). Josh is a Navy-trained helicopter pilot and holds a B.S. from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and M.S. from the Naval Postgraduate School.
Amal Shanker
Vice President
Amal Shanker is an experienced, multilingual consultant with more than a decade of experience representing and contracting with state and jurisdictional governments. He has an M.B.A. in information technology and supply chain management. Amal’s certifications and licenses include AWS (Amazon) Certified Cloud Practitioner, ASQ Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (CLSSGB), and Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM).
Zane Robinson
Senior Director
Zane Robinson is a community engagement advisor and owner of two independent digital broadcast and media production companies, including Life's Interpretation based in the Hamptons region of Long Island, NY. His extensive field work, community engagement, and leadership advisory experience includes a decade serving a major, two-term capital-city mayor and chief administrative officer.
Greg Wilson
Senior Director
Greg Wilson is a film and Emmy® award-winning television producer, director, and writer. He is the co-founder of Wilbro Films. A graduate of the Hollywood Film Institute with an FAA certification to pilot UAV drones, Greg holds a B.A. in Business Marketing from Stockton University and has produced, directed, and contributed to numerous independent and feature films. He is based in the Orlando, FL area.
R.N.D.I. IN ACTION
Citizens are completely justified to be leery or suspicious when a developer or big energy or data center company comes knocking. RNDI is unique in the fact we both stand together with rural and non-rural communities in opposition to unchecked new development – like data centers proposed near people's homes – while supporting and advocating for sensible and thoughtful development.
What we do:
Community Engagement
RNDI partners work with farmers, ranchers, and rural property owners where "the rural solution" makes sense—and where locals invite new development.
Advance & Assessment Work
No project or major initiative should be proposed without knowing the landscape and people affected. Let RNDI partners help determine feasibility.
Government Relations
The "know-how" matters. RNDI leadership has engaged, induced, and partnered with local governments for nearly three decades.
Influencer Communications
When it is determined a new project or initiative furthers a local community's or its government's needs, RNDI partners puts the most effective communications into play.
Film & Video Production
Storytelling is often the most overlooked asset in bringing people together. The RNDI team is made up of experienced professionals who speak and succeed with film and video.
Strategies & Advancement
You have a truly worthy project or initiative to propose... Are you really sure about where, when, and how to start? RNDI partners know.