About Us

Leadership

Al Lay - Founder & Chair

“The Center Must Hold”… These four simple words capture the principal purpose behind the creation of Clear & Present Strategic Solutions. Al Lay has devoted over four decades of his life studying and analyzing the connections between National Security, Governmental Affairs, Geopolitics, U.S. & World Military History and Sociopolitical Psychology. His expertise continues to be sought out by a growing number of political and governmental figures. This lifelong focus was first introduced and nurtured at the young age of seven by his military historian and psychologist Father on the one hand, and by his Uncle, a WWII Veteran Lt. Colonel, on the other. This early education cultivated, in Lay, a deep appreciation for core American Values and those of the Free World, while also leading him to investigate the complex psychological forces that drive human behavior. By continually analyzing and researching key events throughout history, Lay came to understand that extreme positions are nothing short of extremely dangerous. This conclusion made him aware of the potential threats and pitfalls of competing forces. Lay’s warning comes at a time when our Country is divided unlike ever before and the threat of Domestic Violent Extremism is steadily growing. Clear & Present Strategic Solutions was born out of the need to defend the “Central Pillars of Our Democracy” against destructive radical forces by developing actionable solutions to not just reestablish Pragmatism, but to make it vital again.

Rich Henrich - Co Founder & Vice Chair
Scott Houston - Co Founder & Vice Chair

Advisory Board

Daryl Johnson is one of the foremost experts on domestic terrorism in the U.S. Beginning his career as a civilian in the U.S. Army, Johnson has held several government positions, most recently as senior analyst at the Department of Homeland Security. He is the Owner of DT Analytics, a private consulting firm for law enforcement, academia, and other organizations.

In 2020, Daryl was invited to serve as an Honorary Board member for We Are Many-United Against Hate in Madison, Wisconsin. He also accepted the position of Non-Resident Fellow at the Center for Global Policy in Washington, D.C. In 2019, Daryl co-founded Jolly & Johnson Consulting to provide specialized training for BSA/AML professionals.

Daryl is regularly cited, featured, and quoted in the media, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, National Public Radio, MSNBC, CNN, and NBC Nightly News, among many others at home and abroad. He is the author of "Hateland: A Long, Hard Look at America's Extremist Heart" (Prometheus Books, 2019) and "Right-Wing Resurgence: How a Domestic Terrorism Threat Is Being Ignored" (Rowman & Littlefield, 2012). Daryl is also a freelance writer for various media and civil rights organizations. In 2012, he testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on hate crimes and the threat of domestic extremism.

Senior Strategic Advisor - Daryl Johnson

Advisory Board

Senior Strategic Advisor -

Daryl Johnson

Daryl Johnson is one of the foremost experts on domestic terrorism in the U.S. Beginning his career as a civilian in the U.S. Army, Johnson has held several government positions, most recently as senior analyst at the Department of Homeland Security. He is the Owner of DT Analytics, a private consulting firm for law enforcement, academia, and other organizations.

In 2020, Daryl was invited to serve as an Honorary Board member for We Are Many-United Against Hate in Madison, Wisconsin. He also accepted the position of Non-Resident Fellow at the Center for Global Policy in Washington, D.C. In 2019, Daryl co-founded Jolly & Johnson Consulting to provide specialized training for BSA/AML professionals.

Daryl is regularly cited, featured, and quoted in the media, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, National Public Radio, MSNBC, CNN, and NBC Nightly News, among many others at home and abroad. He is the author of "Hateland: A Long, Hard Look at America's Extremist Heart" (Prometheus Books, 2019) and "Right-Wing Resurgence: How a Domestic Terrorism Threat Is Being Ignored" (Rowman & Littlefield, 2012). Daryl is also a freelance writer for various media and civil rights organizations. In 2012, he testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on hate crimes and the threat of domestic extremism.