Unlike other supply chain consulting and management companies, Gravick Group offers clients the ability to build a team tailored to their particular needs throughout business cycles. This is achieved through Gravick Group’s vast network of advisors and industry experts.
James Kniestedt
James Kniestedt is the Founder and President of Gravick Group. Recognizing the need to manage the complex vulnerabilities in global supply chains, James Kniestedt established Gravick Group, LLC in 1996. Veteran-owned and privately-held, Gravick Group is an international company that offers an array of risk mitigation consulting and training programs.
Charles Thrash
Charles “Chuck” Thrash is the Executive Vice President of Operations. Mr. Thrash brings a unique blend of military intelligence and international business experience. His range of experience includes operational roles in the U.S. military and intelligence community, as well as strategic business development in the private sector. Mr. Thrash leads the company’s focus on supply chain traceability, scalable technology, and secure corridors in high-risk environments.
William Elliott
William Elliott is the Executive Vice President of Corporate Strategy. He is an accomplished leader with diverse government and private sector experience in the US, Latin America, the Middle East and Europe, including over twenty-two years with the US Department of State. Mr. Elliott oversees the company’s strategic vision to provide clients with innovative solutions through practical implementation of effective process and technology.
James Kninestedt
Recognizing the need to manage the complex vulnerabilities in global supply chains, James Kniestedt established Gravick Group, LLC in 1996. Veteran owned and privately held, Gravick Group is an international company that offers an array of risk mitigation consulting and training programs. Focused on supply chain traceability, scalable technology, and secure corridors in high-risk environments, Kniestedt and his team members have a proven track record with government agencies, as well as private and public global companies.
In addition to his role as Founder and President of Gravick Group, Mr. Kniestedt is a developer of multiple computer applications and technologies to mitigate risk and protect international supply chains. This IT unit of the Gravick Group allows the team to customize programs to match the specific needs of each client.
Mr. Kniestedt began his military and business success by enlisting in the United States Army Special Forces in 1983. Availing himself of the vast training opportunities, he became fluent in Spanish with a unique understanding of specific dialects and vernaculars. In addition, he became an extraordinary leader during international conflicts.
After retiring from the military, Mr. Kniestedt used his extensive knowledge of global security matters to implement a risk mitigation consulting firm serving private and government sectors. He has worked with the United States Department of Defense on various projects, as well as high-profile clients and international corporations.
With more than forty years of fieldwork, exceptional knowledge of defense strategies, and unwavering commitment to confidentiality, Mr. Kniestedt is regarded as a leading expert in the field of international supply chain security.
Understanding the sacrifices made by dedicated military veterans, he established the Kniestedt Foundation. This volunteer organization is committed to helping veterans of the United States military recognize and achieve their full potential as they return to civilian life.
James Kniestedt resides in Texas with his family and enjoys the outdoors and sharing time with fellow veterans.
William Elliott
Mr. Elliott began his professional career with Barnett International Consulting, a boutique firm in Philadelphia focused on process improvement and data analytics in the pharmaceutical industry. During his tenure with the company, he oversaw comprehensive personnel training programs and data management projects for a range of clients. His initiatives delivered impact on clinical research metrics required to meet customer goals.
Mr. Elliott joined the US Department of State in 2003, driven by a calling to public service. His career was distinguished by a proven track record in managing significant personnel and financial resources while leading key international engagements. Mr. Elliott also gained vast experience in crisis management and innovation in a range of dynamic environments.
Through his postings as a Foreign Service Officer at US embassies in Colombia, Jordan, Yemen and Belgium, Mr. Elliott worked extensively with host-country partners on security and counterterrorism initiatives to mitigate instability generated by foreign and domestic threat actors. He further fostered collaborative relationships with inter-agency partners across the United States Government to achieve meaningful results. Mr. Elliott also held a number of roles for the Department in Washington, DC, covering regional security and migration issues in South America, Europe and the Middle East.
Prior to retirement from federal service in 2025, Mr. Elliott worked with law enforcement and military partners on initiatives for the dynamic US-Mexico border region. In this capacity, he coordinated with senior leadership in Washington and Mexico City on a variety of high-level policy objectives.
Mr. Elliott was born and raised in Hershey, Pennsylvania. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Basis of Behavior from the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Elliott currently resides in Texas and enjoys running, soccer, history and spending quality time with his family.
Charles Trash
Charles “Chuck” Thrash, brings more than 4 decades of international business experience to his role as Gravick Group’s Executive Vice President of Operations.
Mr. Thrash began his military career at the United States Military Academy, where he graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a concentration in Computer Science. After graduation, he served as an Infantry Officer, gaining experience leading teams during combat operations in Iraq, implementing operational processes that optimized unit lethality and survivability. It was in the austere, resource constrained environment of Iraq where he first learned the critical importance of resilient supply chains.
In 2004, Mr. Thrash moved into international business at Shell Oil Products U.S./Motiva LLC. There, he implemented the design of a critical materials management plan for a major plant expansion project with supply chains spanning the globe. He consistently engaged with internal customers from Operations and Maintenance Departments to streamline material delivery inside the refinery and optimize warehouse stocks. All while earning his Master of Business Administration at University of Houston, Bauer College of Business in 2006.
Fusing his military experience with his business prowess, Mr. Thrash took a position in the U.S. Intelligence Community as an Operations Lead and Program Manager in July 2008. Always a leader of diverse interdisciplinary teams, he employed numerous technical and operational tools to create and field customized solutions for critical foreign policy initiatives. Mr. Thrash continued his extensive experience engaging and building relationships with customers and partners inside the international foreign policy community. For fifteen years in leadership roles, he routinely communicated program goals and initiatives with C-Suite level leadership to effectively influence support for program resourcing and priority.
Mr. Thrash’s most recent position as a strategic business developer at Independent Rough Terrain Center, a heavy equipment manufacturing operation, rounds out his diverse and accomplished career. His unparalleled success in both government service and the competitive business world is what Gravick Group customers lean on to maximize their own success.
Chuck Thrash currently resides in Texas with his family and enjoys being the number one fan for both his kiddos and Executive Chef for family “Breakfast for Dinner” Nights.
Jose Uribe
Trade Security Consultant Jose ‘Joe’ Uribe possesses an extraordinary depth of knowledge with forty plus years of United States government service and six years of private trade experience. His exceptional career began with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from Texas A&M University in 1977. Upon graduation, Mr. Uribe laid the foundation for his career in a variety of roles with the United States Department of Interior and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Drawing upon his tremendous leadership and talent at the Department of Agriculture, Mr. Uribe was promoted to Assistant Port Director of APHIS in 1995.
After serving as Chief Agriculture Specialist, the Department of Homeland Security elevated him to Assistant Port Director of Trade Operations in 2005. During his tenure, he worked with the City of Laredo to expand the World Trade Bridge Primaries from 8 to 12, increasing the cargo through-put and reducing wait times. He also collaborated with the City of Laredo in the construction of two large, refrigeratedinspection warehouses at the World Trade Bridge and the Colombia International Bridge. These improvements protected the “cold chain” of refrigerated produce protecting the produce quality.
Mr. Uribe partnered with Customs and Border Protection Headquarters to install roll–by “VACIS” units and, subsequently, upgraded them to “High Energy” roll–by units at the Laredo International Rail Bridge. Additionally, he ensured a smooth transition to the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) by working with the Laredo Trade Community.
Appreciating the complex and ever-changing demands of international trade, Mr. Uribe championed and diligently worked with the Laredo Trade Community to incorporate the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) program. The result was a modification of the cargo primary lanes to incorporate the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) lanes.
Beginning in 2012, Mr. Uribe also served as Acting Port Director while continuing his duties as Assistant Director. He facilitated the transition of Laredo Import Specialists to the Centers of Excellence, under the Department of Homeland Security Office of Trade. In addition, he worked with the City of Laredo to construct a new General Aviation Facility and Commercial Air Cargo facility. This facility incorporated the first “Unified Cargo Processing” facility for two different countries. It housed both U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers and Mexican Customs Officials. This critical initiative was evolutionary in processing commercial import and export air cargo.
Although officially retired in 2014, Mr. Uribe is never one to rest. He re-engaged as Program Analyst with the United States Department of Homeland Security Office of Field Operations in 2016. Just a few years later, he became a Trade Consultant specializing in Mexican Border Trade and Customs Trade and Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) issues.
Since 2020, Mr. Uribe has continued to share his vast reservoir of insight with clients of Gravick Group as a Trade Security Specialist. He resides in South Texas where he enjoys gardening and running a cow and calf ranching operation.
Bob Parker
Bob Parker possesses a commendable dedication to public service and boasts a substantial leadership track record in government operations. His career, spanning over 32 years, has encompassed pivotal roles within U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP), illustrating his deep-rooted expertise in the realm of commercial trade across various transportation modes such as land, rail, air, and sea.
Mr. Parker embarked on his public service journey as a Plant Protection and Quarantine Officer at the Port of Brownsville, Texas. His unwavering commitment and adeptness paved the way for successive promotions, including tenure as the Port Director of Plant Protection and Quarantine in San Antonio, Texas, USDA Regional Program Manager in Fort Collins, Colorado, and Chief Agriculture Specialist at the Dallas Fort Worth Airport in Dallas, Texas.
Transitioning to Customs and Border Protection, Parker assumed the role of Chief CBP Officer at the Port of Hidalgo, Texas, where he oversaw Cargo Processing. Subsequently, he ascended to the position of Watch Commander at the Port of Brownsville, Texas, progressing to serve as Assistant Port Director and Deputy Port Director.
In his culminating role prior to retirement from CBP, Parker held the esteemed position of Deputy Director of Customs Trade Partners Against Terrorism (CTPAT) at CBP Headquarters in Washington, DC.
Throughout his distinguished career, Parker’s steadfast commitment to advancing trade facilitation and his visionary leadership have been pivotal in driving key operational initiatives, such as the establishment of the inaugural cold storage facility for the Port of Brownsville and the expansion of the West Rail International Bridge.
Hailing from Harlingen, Texas, Parker holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture education from Texas A&I University. Beyond his professional pursuits, Parker is actively engaged in civic organizations and assumes leadership roles within the community. Additionally, he and his family savor outdoor activities, with a particular penchant for raising showgoats.
Jose Uribe
Jose Uribe is an Executive Advisor of International Trade. Mr. Uribe possesses more than forty years of experience in government and business. After retiring from leadership positions in the United States Department of Homeland Security, Mr. Uribe became a Trade Consultant specializing in Mexican Border Trade and Customs Trade and Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) issues. Mr. Uribe works in tandem with the executive team at Gravick Group, focusing on supply chain traceability, scalable technology, and secure corridors in high-risk environments.
Bob Parker
Bob Parker is an Executive Advisor of International Trade. Mr. Parker has over three decades of experience in government operations, including as Chief Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer. Prior to retiring from CBP, Mr. Parker held the position of Deputy Director of Customs Trade Partners Against Terrorism (CTPAT) at CBP Headquarters in Washington, DC. Mr. Parker works in tandem with the executive team at Gravick Group, focusing on supply chain traceability, scalable technology, and secure corridors in high-risk environments.
Gravick Group Offers Global Supply Chain Industry Solutions
Gravick Group stands as a beacon of innovation and expertise in an era where supply chain complexities continue to evolve. With decades of hands-on experience, we deliver customized, data-driven solutions that transform supply chain operations, enhancing efficiency and ensuring compliance.
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PO Box 6477, San Antonio, TX 78209, USA
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