Leadership

About the President

Matt Blakley is the Founder and President of 4D Risk Management, bringing more than three decades of national security leadership, industrial security expertise, and management experience to organizations operating in high-stakes environments.

Experience

Before launching 4D Risk Management, Mr. Blakley served 22 years with the Defense Security Service (DSS), later known as the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), the Department of Defense organization responsible for overseeing the protection of classified information within cleared industry. During his tenure, he became the agency’s first Foreign Ownership, Control, and Influence (FOCI) specialist in the field, and went on to lead regional Industrial Security operations for a decade addressing some of the field’s most complex and sensitive security challenges.

He went on to serve as a Deputy Regional Director, overseeing the mission support to more than 700 employees and contractors across 21 states. In that role, he led the mission support functions to allow all four field missions (Personnel Security, Industrial Security, Cyber Security, & Counterintelligence) to focus on their mission. He retired in 2025 after 32 years of distinguished government service.

Prior to his federal civilian career, Mr. Blakley served in the United States Marine Corps, earning the rank of Major. His military service instilled the disciplined, mission-first mindset that continues to define his professional approach.

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Matt Blakley

Founder and President — 4D Risk Management

Mr. Blakley Specializes In:

  • Industrial Security Program compliance and oversight
  • Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) mitigation strategies
  • Management of investment risk and due diligence in the mergers and acquisition process
  • Advisory services for organizations supporting national security missions

Philosophy and Credentials

He leads with a philosophy of servant leadership — prioritizing mission success, organizational integrity, and the development of people at every level. Clients value his ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into practical, executable solutions that protect both national security interests and business objectives.

Mr. Blakley holds a Senior Executive Fellows certificate from Harvard University’s Harvard Kennedy School for Executive Education, a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri–Rolla, and a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction from Texas A&M University.

He is a member of NCMS, as well as a member of the National Industrial Security Program Policy Advisory Committee (NISPPAC) FOCI Working Group.

At 4D Risk Management, he partners with corporations — large and small — as well as government stakeholders who require trusted guidance in navigating the demanding landscape of national security compliance and risk management.