Cooke & Associates, Inc. (CAI), a trusted global leader in executive protection and corporate security risk management, is excited to announce that Senior Chief Special Warfare Boat Operator Robert D. Fredrich has joined CAI’s Client Development team. Senior Chief Fredrich joins CAI as we continue to expand our global footprint and continue our goal of providing the highest quality of professional, bespoke risk management services.
The addition of Robert Fredrich reflects the firm’s commitment to hiring the best in the industry and continue the growth that CAI has experienced since CEO Harry Arruda took the reins in 2018.
“We’re excited to have Rob join Cooke & Associates, Inc.” said Arruda. “Rob is part of two incredible programs – the United States Special Operations Commands Care Coalition Career Transition Program and the Honor Foundation – both of which assist special operators with education, retraining and networking for future employment in the private sector. CAI and USSOCOM have entered into an agreement to sponsor Rob’s Fellowship for his career transition after 20+ years of honorable military service. Upon successful completion of the Fellowship Program, Rob will transition from active duty to a role with CAI.”
More about Rob
Robert is a native of Waco, Texas and in September of 2001, he enlisted in the United States Navy completing basic training in Great Lakes, IL. His most recent position was the Strategy and Plans Department Senior Enlisted Advisor at Naval Special Warfare Group FOUR in Virginia Beach VA. In this daily role he educated special operations command in Europe, Indonesian-Pacific and the Middle Eastern theaters on current and emerging capabilities of Naval Special Warfare next generation combatant craft. He provided subject matter expertise to senior leadership to make informed decisions on theater campaign plans, crisis response plans, risk mitigation, force protection, logistics, and employment of special operations forces. Throughout his career he served in various leadership roles from boat crew leader of seven personnel to senior enlisted advisor of 56 personnel and 6 special operations boats valued at $50M.
Fredrich’s continental United States assignments include:
- USS Harry S. Truman, Norfolk VA, serving as ships armorer and small arms trainer.
- Special Boat Team TWENTY, Virginia Beach VA, serving as machine gun operator, radio operator, navigator, boat crew leader and trainer
- Special Boat Team TWELVE, Coronado CA, serving as team chief and senior enlisted advisor
- Naval Special Warfare Group FOUR, Virginia Beach VA, serving as future operations department leading chief and as the strategy and plans department senior enlisted advisor.
His overseas duty assignments include:
- Joint Special Operations Task Force-Arabian Peninsula, Manama Bahrain, serving as the Kuwait country officer.
- United States Embassy, Kuwait City Kuwait, serving as the special operations liaison element.
Fredrich has completed seven overseas deployments in his career. Four deployments to the Middle Eastern theater and three deployments to the Indonesian-Pacific theaters.
Robert’s decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five awards), 2009 Sailor of the Year for Special Boat Team TWENTY and various other awards.
Robert enjoys spending time with his family, volunteering to help local Naval Junior Officer Training Corps and advocating for the special needs community. He is a natural public speaker who enjoys teaching leadership courses to the next generation of special operations leaders.
Please help us in welcoming Robert Fredrich
