General Michael Erik Kurilla
Senior Advisor
General Michael “Erik” Kurilla is a Senior Advisor on Lazard's Geopolitical Advisory.
Prior to joining Lazard, he was a Four-Star U.S. Army General, most recently served as the 15th Commander of United States Central Command (CENTCOM) from 2022 to 2025.
Previously, he commanded the XVIII Airborne Corps, 82nd Airborne Division, was the Director of Operations and Assistant Commanding General for Joint Special Operations Command and commanded the 75th Ranger Regiment. Over a career spanning four decades, he led Airborne, Mechanized, Stryker, Ranger, and Joint Special Operations units in combat and operational deployments across the globe. General Kurilla has been a driving force in innovation and technology initiatives that significantly advanced warfighting capabilities across the Department of Defense. He was wounded twice in combat and was involved in some of the most strategic and consequential missions affecting the United States and regional security and stability. General Kurilla has strong personal and professional relationships spanning the Middle East, Levant, Central Asia, South Asia, and Europe.
General Kurilla was commissioned from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1988. He holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from West Point, an M.B.A. from Regis University, and an M.S. in National Security Studies from the National War College. His awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman Badge with Star, Master Parachutist Badge with Combat Jump Device, Ranger Tab, and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster.
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