About
Jay Powers is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces Colonel who spent 26 years leading in some of the world’s most complex, high-stakes environments. Within months of 9/11, he deployed to Afghanistan with a Special Forces A-Team and later received the prestigious MacArthur Leadership Award for exceptional command. Over the next two decades, he led joint forces in Iraq and Syria, building partnerships across 13 countries and commanding organizations from small teams to a 2,500-soldier group. These experiences shaped his leadership philosophy: clarity, alignment, and culture as drivers of success.

After retiring in 2022, Jay turned those lessons toward business. As Chief Operating Officer of Tampa Bay Wave, Florida’s #1 accelerator, and other advisory positions, he helped tech startups grow their businesses. He also teaches leadership at the University of South Florida, equipping executives with practical tools to build resilient, high-performing teams.

Today, as founder of Legion Consulting, Jay helps growth-minded CEOs scale profitably without chaos. His philosophy is simple: greater efficiency, precision, and alignment lead to stronger cultures, more sustainable businesses, and — just as importantly — more fun in the process.

Professional Highlights
•Retired U.S. Army Special Forces Colonel with 26 years of service
• Commanded elite teams on 10 combat deployments across Afghanistan, Iraq & Syria
• Recipient of the MacArthur Leadership Award for exceptional command
• Advisor, mentor & community leader in Tampa Bay’s business and sports ecosystems
• Leadership instructor for the University of South Florida

Personal Highlights
Beyond work, Jay finds energy in the outdoors and by spending time with his wife, two sons, and two beagles. He also coaches high school wrestling, where his passion for developing people extends to the next generation. For him, it’s about more than winning matches , it’s about building character, resilience, and discipline - qualities that shape success in every area of life.

A Personal Note from Jay:
“Leadership at the top can feel lonely. I’ve been there. What I know is that clarity, discipline, and a strong culture make all the difference. The same process-driven approach that helped Special Forces succeed under pressure can help your company grow with focus and resilience. If you’re ready to scale without chaos, I’d be honored to guide you.”

Coaching Regions
US - Southeast

Industry of Expertise
Administrative/Clerical
Automotive
Banking/Real Estate
Biotech/R&D/Science/Chemicals
Building/Construction
Coaching/Business Consulting
Computer/IT/Software Development
Creative/Design
Customer Support
Education/Training
Engineering
Food Services/Hospitality
Human Resources/Training/Development
Installation/Maintenance
Insurance
Legal Services
Logistics/Transportation
Manufacturing/Production/Operations
Marketing
Medical/Health
Retail