OpenTeams Appoints Lt. Gen (Ret) Ross Coffman to Board of Directors

Strategic addition furthers OpenTeams’ commitment to promoting transparent and sovereign AI in the government and defense sectors

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OpenTeams, a leader in open source AI products, systems, and solutions, today announced that it appointed Ross Coffman, retired Army Lieutenant General and the former Deputy Commander of United States Army Futures Command, to its Board of Directors.

“General Coffman’s leadership at Army Futures Command advanced technology into the military faster than ever before. He values giving our warfighters AI for an unfair advantage in the fight and shares our commitment to sovereign AI that empowers humanity. His experience is vital to OpenTeams’ efforts as we further partner with the Department of Defense and other government agencies to implement AI in a way that effectively meets the mission critical work they do while remaining ethical and transparent,” said Joe Merrill, OpenTeams Chairman and CEO. “Moreover, his commitment to integrity and high standards will benefit all our customers, employees, and shareholders.”

“Sovereign data and the sovereign AI built upon it, are strategic imperatives for our national defense,” said General Coffman. “OpenTeams’ commitment to transparent, open-source AI ensures that our military and government agencies can deploy cutting-edge systems they fully own, understand, and trust. This isn’t just about technology—it’s about preserving our values and securing our future. I’m honored to join a board that shares this vision and is leading the charge to build the AI infrastructure America needs.”

General Coffman served in the United States Army for over 35 years as an armor officer and retired as the Deputy Commander of United States Army’s Futures Command in Austin, Texas. Following his miliary service, General Coffman founded Coffman and Associates LLC, a consulting and advisory firm specializing in strategic and operational planning.

General Coffman holds a bachelor’s degree from Centre College, a master’s degree in business administration from Embry Riddle University, and a National Security Fellowship with Harvard’s Kennedy School.

About OpenTeams

OpenTeams helps enterprises and governments build and deploy secure, transparent, and customizable AI systems powered by open source. Founded by open source advocate and NumPy creator Travis Oliphant, OpenTeams offers scalable AI solutions designed to protect proprietary data and accelerate innovation. Learn more at www.openteams.com.