Dr. Cătălin Constantin Mihalache, was born in 1968, in Craiova, Dolj County, Romania. He graduated "Tudor Vladimirescu" Military High School in 1987, and "Nicolae Bălcescu" Land Forces Academy in 1990, when he was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in a Mechanized Regiment.

Throughout his military career his postings included: military instructor within the "Tudor Vladimirescu" Military High School, platoon commander at 26th Infantry Battalion “Red Scorpions”, staff officer within the Romanian Land Forces Staff.

Between 2001 and 2023, he served in various demanding position within the Romanian Military Intelligence Directorate, as branch, service and department chief. From 2006 and 2010 he served as Defense, Military, Naval and Air Attaché in Morocco and Tunisia. From 2011 to 2018 he lead the Special Joint Intelligence Unit.

From 2019 to 2023, dr. Cătălin Constantin Mihalache was appointed Defense, Military, Naval and Air Attaché to the United States of America where due to his professionalism was appointed by DIA director as Vice Dean of the Washington Corps of Defense Attachés, and elected as Vice Chairman of the Defense Attaché Association in Washington DC.

During his military career, he deployed in 1996 for a six months operational tour to UNAVEM III Angola as legal adviser and CIMIC officer, a follow on twelve months tour of duty with KFOR, Kosovo 2001/2002, and he was deployed also to Afghanistan (2004), and Iraq (2005).

Since September 2023, dr. Cătălin Constantin Mihalache founded B2S - Black Sea Strategies, a veteran-owned small business consulting company. Black Sea Strategies, is committed to fortifying the foundations of national security by delivering cutting-edge solutions in defense, cyber, energy, and critical infrastructure. Dedicated to safeguarding the interests of our clients and contributing to the safety and prosperity of our nation, allies, and partners, B2S believe in securing the future. As a trusted partner in navigating the complexities of defense, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, and energy security, Black Sea Strategies is committed to building a safer and more resilient world.

With respect to military and civilian studies, he has a bachelor degree in Law, a master degree in Security Studies, a degree from National War College, and a PhD in Military Science focused on Military Intelligence, HUMINT Transformation.

AWARDS

• US Legion of Merit (2023);

• US Defense Intelligence Director’s Award, DIA (2023);

• Distinguished Service Medal, State of Alabama (2023);

• The Emblem of Honor of the Romanian Ministry of National Defense (2023);

• Romanian Military Command Virtue in Knight Rank (2022);

• The Emblem of Honor of the Romanian Land Forces (2022);

• Emblem of Honor of The Romanian Armed Forces (2018);

• “NATO non-article 5” Medal (2001, 2002);

• UN Medal - “In the Service of Peace” (1996).

He is married and he has a daughter.