Michael J. Penney

Founder/CEO & Chairman

Michael J. Penney is a combat-tested leader, author, speaker, patented inventor, entrepreneur, and United States Marine Corps combat veteran. He is the Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of Truth Trench Think Tank and the architect behind an integrated ecosystem designed to advance public research, entrepreneurship, and economic development through principled leadership and disciplined execution.

Building an Ecosystem for Societal Benefit

Penney serves as Founder/CEO & Chairman of:

Truth Trench Think Tank
Truth Trench Accelerator
Truth Trench Ventures, LLC

Together, these organizations form a complementary ecosystem designed to move ideas from research to implementation.

Truth Trench Think Tank serves as the public benefit research institute, dedicated to independent research, public education, civic engagement, and empowering Americans to participate in lawful campaigns of positive change. Through education and research, the organization seeks to strengthen transparency, accountability, and constitutional self-government.

Truth Trench Accelerator operates as a program of the Think Tank and helps entrepreneurs and second-stage businesses build sustainable organizations. Through education, mentorship, leadership development, and application of the 5 Paragraph Operating System, the Accelerator equips founders to create solutions capable of generating meaningful economic impact.

Truth Trench Ventures, LLC serves as the operational and investment arm supporting commercialization and long-term growth. Working alongside the Think Tank and Accelerator, Truth Trench Ventures helps identify, develop, and support mission-aligned businesses. Together, the three entities create a pathway from research and leadership development to execution and market impact.

Military Service and Leadership

A combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, Penney served in the United States Marine Corps infantry and completed three combat deployments.

During his first two tours with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, Weapons Company, Combined Anti-Armor Team (CAAT), he served with CAAT Red during Operation Iraqi Freedom 2005–2006 and CAAT White during Operation Iraqi Freedom 2007 in Ramadi, Iraq. In these assignments, he served as a lead vehicle driver, vehicle commander, and dismounted patrol leader, leading Marines and Navy Corpsmen in complex, high-threat environments.

Following his combat tours, Penney served with 1st Battalion, 5th Marines as an Embedded Advisor Team Leader. Assigned to the Special Operations Training Group (SOTG), Advisor Training Cell, and Advisor Training Group, he helped prepare deploying forces for combat missions. Deploying to Kajaki/Sangin Afghanistan in 2011, he served as Team Leader to a Special Operations advisory element responsible for Assessing, Training, Advising, and Assisting local national forces—an experience he often refers to as his first true consulting role.

Throughout his career, Penney served as a Combat Marksmanship Coach and Trainer, formal school instructor, curriculum developer, and Master Instructor Trainer. Over the course of his military and civilian careers, he has instructed and trained more than 50,000 personnel and leaders in planning, execution, leadership, and instruction based upon lessons learned in combat and business.

He was honorably discharged in 2012 with the rank of Sergeant.

Security and Information Protection

Penney is certified as a Facility Security Officer (FSO) and has completed professional training in Insider Threat Program Management and Information Systems Security Management. His background combines operational leadership with experience in security awareness, information protection, and organizational risk management.

Entrepreneurship and Veteran Leadership

Following military service, Penney transitioned into entrepreneurship and dedicated himself to helping leaders create clarity, accountability, and disciplined execution inside growing organizations.

He is a patented inventor and has developed products for military and civilian applications in a wide range of industries. This experience helped structure how he would lead teams in the future; taking something from an idea to a sellable product.

In 2014, he was selected as a cohort member of the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans at Syracuse University. During the July 2014 class, his venture earned the Most Outstanding Venture Award, recognizing both the strength of the business and his leadership potential.

In 2016, Penney joined Bunker Labs Raleigh as a cohort member and later became Director of Programs for Bunker Labs Raleigh, where he worked alongside entrepreneurs, mentors, and community leaders to support and accelerate veteran-owned businesses throughout North Carolina.

Author, Speaker, and Creator

Penney is the creator of the 5 Paragraph Business Plan and the 5 Paragraph Operating System, leadership frameworks adapted from military operations planning and used by leaders to drive clarity, accountability, and results.

He is the author of the Truth Trench Accelerator Curriculum:

• DOMINATE – The Special Operations Way To Win In Business
• 5 Paragraph Business Plan
• 5 Paragraph Operating System

He has also authored:

• Wear It Right Marine – Marine Corps Uniforms Book

He has advised Fortune 500 companies, small and mid-sized businesses, and nonprofit organizations and has been featured in TEDxRaleigh, SHIFT Advanced Life Design Magazine, podcasts, media interviews, and numerous publications.

His TEDx talk centered on a principle that continues to guide his life and work:

Add value to the world.

Personal Philosophy

Michael is father to five amazing people – two are grown. He has over sixteen years sober from alcohol (April 22, 2010), a milestone he credits as foundational to his discipline, clarity, and leadership. Above all, seeks God in all things – faith, family, fellowship and service, striving to lead with integrity, responsibility, and purpose in every area of life.

His philosophy is simple:

Master yourself. DOMINATE your business. Serve something greater than yourself.