Powerus Taps Former SEAL Commander for Board Ahead of Public Listing

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – May 06, 2026 – Autonomous defense firm Powerus has appointed Rear Admiral (Ret.) Milton “Jamie” Sands III, a former commander of the elite U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command, to its Advisory Board. The move signals a significant deepening of military expertise within the company as it prepares to go public through a merger with Aureus Greenway Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: AGH).

Sands’ appointment places one of the nation's most seasoned special operations leaders at the strategic heart of a company aiming to revolutionize how the U.S. military and its allies procure and deploy autonomous systems. His arrival comes as Powerus seeks to accelerate its growth and solidify its position in a fiercely competitive defense technology market, leveraging deep operational knowledge to bridge the gap between cutting-edge innovation and battlefield reality.

From Battlefield Command to Boardroom Strategy

Rear Admiral Sands brings more than three decades of distinguished military service, with a career that spans nearly every facet of modern warfare. His leadership experience includes commanding SEAL Team 8, serving as a Joint Task Force Commander in Iraq, and holding top posts such as Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command Africa and, most recently, Commander of U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command.

This extensive background provides a unique perspective that Powerus intends to leverage. The company, which builds a portfolio of autonomous drones and maritime systems, sees Sands’ expertise as critical to navigating the complex defense landscape. He joins a formidable advisory roster that already includes former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General (Ret.) Charles Q. “CQ” Brown, Jr., and former U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine, Lt. General (Ret.) Keith Kellogg.

In a statement, Sands highlighted the urgency of the company’s mission. “Powerus is addressing a problem that I've watched build for years across every theater I served in — the gap between the technology that exists and the speed at which it gets to the people who need it,” he said. “That's a mission I'm proud to support. Our adversaries have moved fast, and this company is built to help the U.S. and allies move faster.”

Powerus CEO Andrew Fox emphasized the value of Sands' experience and character. “Admiral Sands has dedicated his career to the defense of this country — and his commitment to the families of fallen special operations personnel through the Special Operations Warrior Foundation reflects exactly the kind of values we want around this table,” Fox stated. “His operational depth across naval warfare, joint special operations, and strategic command gives Powerus a perspective that spans the full spectrum of how autonomous systems get used, procured, and integrated.”

A Mission to Close the 'Technology Gap'

The “gap” that Sands refers to is a well-documented challenge within the Department of Defense: a slow, bureaucratic procurement process that often struggles to keep pace with rapid technological advancements and the evolving tactics of adversaries. Modern conflicts have exposed critical vulnerabilities, particularly the “missile math problem,” where multi-million-dollar defense systems are used to counter low-cost, mass-produced drones, creating an unsustainable economic and logistical burden.

Powerus was founded by a team of U.S. Army Special Operations veterans to directly address this issue. The company operates as a platform that acquires, integrates, and scales domestically manufactured autonomous systems. Its portfolio includes heavy-lift drones from its subsidiary Kaizen Aerospace, tactical defense platforms from Tandem Defense, and maritime surveillance systems from Agile Autonomy.

A key product in its arsenal is the Guardian-2, a low-cost, high-speed counter-drone interceptor designed to defeat threats like the Shahed-type drones used in recent conflicts. Following a successful demonstration, the U.S. Air Force placed a limited procurement order for the system to address what it called “critical capability gaps for small teams.”

Brett Velicovich, Co-Founder of Powerus, who served with Sands in Iraq, underscored the importance of embedding operational experience into the company’s DNA. “I served with him on the ground in Iraq and I’m proud to serve with him again in a new capacity, getting drone technology into the hands of the warfighters who need it most,” Velicovich said. “His experience gives us a perspective that spans the full spectrum of how our autonomous systems get used, procured, and integrated — and that’s directly valuable as we scale.”

Public Ambitions and the Competitive Arena

The strategic appointment of Sands comes at a pivotal moment for Powerus. The company is finalizing a merger with Aureus Greenway Holdings, a special purpose acquisition company, which is expected to close in the summer of 2026. Upon completion, the combined entity will trade on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “PUSA.”

The move to the public market is backed by significant capital, including a $50 million investment commitment from Seoul-based private equity firm KCGI and a recent $9 million private placement by AGH. This funding is intended to fuel Powerus's growth, allowing it to scale its U.S.-based manufacturing and further develop its unified systems architecture.

Powerus enters a competitive field populated by traditional defense giants like Raytheon and Northrop Grumman, as well as agile, venture-backed startups like Anduril Industries. Powerus aims to differentiate itself with its veteran-led, operationally-focused model and its commitment to providing cost-effective, rapidly deployable, and American-made solutions to the military’s most pressing autonomous system needs.

The Revolving Door: Expertise or Influence?

The trend of high-ranking military officials joining the boards of private defense firms is not new, but it has become a defining feature of the modern defense-tech landscape. Proponents argue that this “revolving door” is essential for companies developing complex military technology. Former commanders like Sands bring unparalleled insights into operational requirements, procurement intricacies, and the strategic needs of the warfighter, ensuring that products are effective and relevant.

This direct pipeline of expertise can help companies avoid costly missteps and accelerate the delivery of critical capabilities. For a company like Powerus, which defines its mission by speed and operational relevance, such guidance is invaluable. However, the practice also attracts scrutiny from government watchdogs and critics who raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest and undue influence over military procurement decisions.

As Powerus steps onto the public stage, its reliance on a decorated cadre of former military leaders will be central to its identity and strategy. The company is betting that this deep integration of military expertise is not just a competitive advantage but a necessary component for fixing a defense acquisition system that many believe is falling behind.