The Howard Connection (ハワード・コネクション) is the corporate empire founded and shaped by the iron will of Geese Howard. Publicly branded as a prestigious international security and finance conglomerate, the Howard Connection maintains a carefully curated image as a philanthropic force striving to “protect and elevate” the citizens of South Town. Its well-polished media presence and community projects serve as a strategic smokescreen for its founder’s deeper ambitions. In the FF/AOF timeline, the enterprise supported and hosted several KOF tournaments (in all timelines which the city of South Town is inserted).
Beneath its polished exterior, the Howard Connection operates as the nerve center of Geese's sprawling criminal empire. Its influence spreads through private military contracts, real estate monopolies, and deep-rooted partnerships with global crime syndicates. Nearly every major movement in South Town—legal or illicit—can be traced back to its reach. Geese Tower, the imposing high-rise that dominates the skyline, serves both as the company’s main headquarters and a symbol of Howard’s dominion. An additional branch office located nearby operates as a logistical support hub, often used for less public affairs.
Many of Geese’s underlings and enforcers were officially employed as private security or corporate consultants under the company’s umbrella, blurring the lines between business and organized crime. The company’s layers of legality made it nearly untouchable, even under intense investigation.
Following Geese Howard’s death, the control of the Howard Connection passed first to his enigmatic brother-in-law, Kain R. Heinlein, who assumed leadership during a turbulent period in South Town’s underground (specially in Second South Town). Later, Billy Kane, Geese’s fiercely loyal right-hand man, assumed the control of the organization one year and a half after the events of Garou: Mark of the Wolves. Though his leadership style differs from Geese’s, Billy remains committed to preserving the Howard's legacy.
Under both Kain and Billy, the Howard Connection appears to shift toward more legitimate business practices—at least on the surface. While some criminal elements remain buried within its infrastructure, the company has also become a vital economic force in the revitalization of Second South and beyond. Whether this is a sign of genuine reform or merely a new mask for old power remains unclear.
The members of Howard Connection/Geese's crime syndicate (between active and hired) are the following:
Active Members
Leaders
Image
Character
Status
Geese Howard, owner, founder and CEO of Howard Connection; ringleader of the crime syndicate underneath, host of several King of Fighters tournaments (in the Fatal Fury universe) and sponsor of some teams in the KOF universe.
Deceased in the FF and the MI timelines; alive in the KOF and the EX timelines.
Billy Kane, personal security, Geese's main protector and bodyguard, trusted right-hand man and field operative in the most of the tournaments. He assumes the leadership of the company after the death of his boss during the CotW times.
Alive in both timelines (FF and KOF).
Loyal Employees
Image
Character
Status
Ripper and Hopper, Geese's secondary personal security men. Never appeared as field operatives in the tournaments.
Alive in both timelines (FF and KOF).
Hired (or Former) Agents
Image
Character
Status
Takuma Sakazaki, forced to work to the organization after Geese's threats. He turned his henchman under the Mr. Karate persona. Left the company after being defeated by his elder son after the release of Yuri Sakazaki (his young daughter) from her kidnapper, Mr. Big.
Alive in both timelines (AOF/FF and KOF).
Mr. Big, has been hired by Geese to kidnap Yuri Sakazaki (Takuma Sakazaki's young daughter) as a mean to ensure Takuma's cooperation and his remaining with the company. In Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, he enters to the tournament to reclaim Geese's legacy.
Alive in both timelines (AOF/FF and KOF).
Raiden, hired henchman and a world-famous professional wrestler with violent tendencies. Has reformed as Big Bear after being defeated by Geese.
Alive in both timelines (FF and KOF).
Hwa Jai, hired henchman and a Muay Thai fighter of renown (also a former Muay Thai champion). No longer connected.
Alive in both timelines (FF and KOF).
Blue Mary, has been hired by a front owned by Howard Connection in the past (in both timelines). She becomes his sworn enemy after she learns the company's true nature (and the enterprise being, somehow, the responsible for her grandfather and boyfriend's death).
Alive in both timelines (FF and KOF).
Ryuji Yamazaki, has been hired by a front owned by Howard Connection in the past (in both timelines), and in the current times in the KOF tournament. Hired by Hein to replace him in Team South Town in the XV tournament (and for monetary gain), and currently missing along with Geese's former butler.
Alive in the FF timeline; possibly alive in the KOF timeline
Gato, has been hired by Geese in the KOF 2003 tournament to form a team with Billy and Yamazaki (a frequent and troublesome contact), and to ensure Hotaru Futaba (his probable and later confirmed younger sister) is safe. Left the company after loathing his teammates.
Alive in both timelines (FF and KOF).
Hein, Geese's former personal butler and a disguised secret agent who aimed to take down his former boss, allied with Luong, another undercover secret agent. Currently missing, along with Yamazaki, after the ultimate scuffle with Geese after the events of the XV tournament.
