The Rigid Tactical Team

Leon Ellul

Owner & CEO

Leon has 30 years of rigorous active duty Military experience as a member of the elite forces of the Naval EOD/NSW (Explosive Ordnance Disposal/Naval Special Warfare) groups, and more than 10 years of experience directly supporting the Joint Improvised Defeat Organization.

Throughout his career, he was deeply involved in WMD and CBRNE programs conducted within the EOD/NSW communities. As a member of the JIEDDO JET (Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization, Joint Expeditionary Team), he further refined his operational and tactical expertise, was embedded with hundreds of combat patrols in Afghanistan and Iraq, and developed a deep understanding of training shortfalls and requirements within the larger DOD community.

Leon is a decorated Navy Veteran having been honored with numerous awards throughout his career, including the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V”, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (DMSM), as well as various Navy Achievement awards.

Leon retired from Service as a Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician.

Rei Baert

Director of Operations, JET Program Manager

Rei is a decorated US Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal veteran and former Command Master Chief with more than 28 years of experience.

He brings Rigid Tactical a unique perspective to understanding customer requirements and addresses customer’s most difficult missions with innovative solutions.

Tony Prescott

Business Development Director

Tony’s extensive experience as an Army Intelligence Officer in the Special Operations Community spans over 28 years. With multiple deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other regions, he has played crucial roles in various missions. From locating Saddam Hussein to aiding in the liberation of oppressed communities in Afghanistan, Tony possesses in-depth knowledge of the needs and requirements of warfighters for national defense.

His unwavering commitment to supporting the warfighter is evident in his efforts to provide top-notch services and support from Rigid Tactical to the Department of Defense community.

As a decorated Army combat veteran, Tony has been honored with multiple awards, including Bronze Stars, The Purple Heart, Legion of Merit, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (DMSM).

Bob Frew

Strategic Program Manager

Bob Frew currently serves as the Strategic Program Manager at Rigid Tactical, where he leads business development and program management efforts aligned with the US Government’s training and modernization objectives. Since stepping into this strategic role in October 2025, Bob has concentrated on delivering comprehensive training services and support, ensuring all initiatives meet critical modernization requirements and outcomes.

Key Responsibilities and Achievements

In his role, Bob oversees the entire lifecycle of training course development, including staffing and management of instructional services and processes. He is instrumental in identifying training aid and facility needs, executing requirements to support program outcomes, and developing lasting partnerships with industry and government stakeholders.

Bob’s portfolio includes managing the definition of modernization goals and outcomes, supervising instructional program delivery, and sustaining essential collaborations that drive mission success.

Previous Roles at Rigid Tactical

Bob joined Rigid Tactical in August 2023 as a Business Development Lead and Program Manager. During this period, he played a significant role in expanding the company’s presence in the Gulf Coast region and refining strategies for program execution, contributing substantially to the organization’s growth and operational effectiveness.

Military Background and Leadership Experience

As a retired U.S. Navy EOD Master Chief with over twenty years of service, Bob possesses extensive experience in high-stakes operations and managing global training programs. Before retiring, he held pivotal roles at the Center for EOD and Diving (CEODD) as the EOD Rating & Ready Relevant Learning (RRL) Program Manager and EOD Rate Manager.

In these capacities, Bob served as the manager for the Commanding Officer and EOD community leadership. While operating under their authority, he was the driving force responsible for orchestrating the EOD rating development process and defining resource requirements exceeding $170 million. By expertly organizing, facilitating, and producing all necessary programmatic requirements, Bob secured the critical leadership approvals required to successfully deliver these modernization outcomes

Previously, as the Specialized Diving Division Officer at the Naval Dive and Salvage Training Center (NDSTC), Bob led a comprehensive restructuring of training programs that notably reduced EOD attrition rates from over 46% to less than 3%.

Additional Leadership Roles

Bob’s military leadership also includes serving as the Operations & Training Department Leading Chief Petty Officer at EOD Mobile Unit ONE. In this capacity, he directed force management and operational readiness for more than 200 personnel deployed worldwide.