Brad Rhodes

Deputy Director for Operations at Energy Threat Analysis Center

Brad Rhodes, Senior Manager at Accenture Federal Services in Denver, CO, holds numerous professional certifications and he has 26+ years experience in the military, government, and private sectors. Brad is a Veteran who continues to serve in the US Army Reserve as a Cyber Warfare Colonel, currently the G6/Chief Information Officer for the 63rd Readiness Division delivering trusted communications and cybersecurity across CA, NV, AZ, NM, TX, OK, and AR. Brad's major research includes utilizing Open Source capabilities to help organizations close security gaps, characterize their cyber operating environments, and gain visibility to stacks of data. He's been known to drown Lego people illustrating the reality of cyber effects.

Elliott Gorman

Board Member At-Large, VetSec

Elliott Gorman is a Systems Engineer with a passion for spreading the news about VetSec. He served as an LAV Crewman with the United States Marine Corps Reserve.

John Stoner

Senior Security Consultant

John Stoner served for 10 ½ years in the Army as a SIGINT analyst, receiving an honorable discharge in 2010. He has over 23 years of experience in the national security, intelligence industry, and defense sector, with 13 in cybersecurity. He has worked as a CTI analyst, cyber CI analyst, chief of analytics, deputy director, as a cyber instructor, and an RMF/GRC and policy advisor. He holds A+, Net+, CEH, CHFI, CEI, CISD, CASP, FITSP-M-NG and CISSP certifications. He enjoys giving back to the community and volunteers at career villages and is active in VetSec, Various BSides events, The Diana Initiative (TDI), and WiCyS groups.

Nick Oles

Team Lead - Cyber and Technical Operations

Nick Oles is a cybersecurity expert with over 15 years of operational experience in military, industry, and academic environments. He has worked on incident response and threat hunting teams and consulted with Fortune 150 organizations, small businesses, and US Department of Defense entities. Nick has served his country for over a decade in the cyber and special operations communities, earning multiple military accolades, completing worldwide deployments, and serving in joint special operations environments. He has advised award-winning academic centers on cyber-program development and management, as well as created and taught academic and certification courses on a variety of cybersecurity topics. Nick has detected, analyzed, and responded to thousands of security incidents over his career. He continues to actively contribute to the cybersecurity community and teach students at all skill levels while still serving his country.

Odniel Gonzalez

DevOps Engineer

Odniel is a DevOps Engineer with a focus on platform engineering. After completing 20 years in the USAF, having held multiple jobs as maintainer, intelligence analyst, and flyer but no technical jobs, he was able to transition into technical field thanks to the many opportunities available to veterans through programs like SkillBridge, Hiring Our Heroes, and VetSec. He holds five certifications: Sec+, CCNA, AWS SAA, CKA, and CTA. He is a graduate Level Effect (VetSec Scholarship), an OSU CS student, and a UW C/C++ program student.

Michael Smith

Field CTO

Michael Smith is Vercara's Field Chief Technology Officer and is responsible for the organization's overall technology strategy including product management, threat intelligence, customer support, and sales and channels enablement. Smith initially started as a Russian translator in the U.S. Army, before serving in CTO roles in startups and information security officer roles leading major government security projects. With over 30 years of experience in cybersecurity, information technology, and intelligence, he has managed high-profile incidents such as the wave of DDoS attacks against major U.S. banks in 2012 and 2013 and attacks by e-commerce account takeover gangs, as well as security monitoring for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2014 Winter Olympic Games, and preparations for both the 2018 and 2020 Olympic Games.

Tom Marsland

Board Chair, VetSec - VP, Technology and Technical Services, Cloud Range

Tom is the Board Chair of VetSec and the VP of Technology and Technical Services at Cloud Range, where he built the world's leading next-generation cyber range.

Vishal Amin

General Manager of Defense Security at Microsoft

Vishal Amin is a Presidential Scholar, National Security Professional, General Manager of Defense Security at Microsoft, and the Founder of Spades Institute. He focuses on enhancing US Federal sector security, compliance, and identity management. Vishal leads Microsoft's Federal Security growth and sponsors various business verticals and global philanthropic efforts. With over 20 years in the Department of Defense, including roles in Aviation and Special Operations, his commitment to philanthropy is demonstrated through his efforts to empower veterans and support families of the fallen. Vishal believes in leveraging technology for societal betterment. He is a national security leader and sits on the board for multiple public sector and national security organizations to include Forgepoint Capital and Cyber Council, held prior to RSAC.

Alfred Negron

Board Member, Leader Transition Institute

Alfred Negron II is a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps and has over 21 years of service as a Combat Engineer, including multiple combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. His professional experiences range from the squad level to general officer staff and the supporting establishment. He is certified in CompTIA Net+, Sec+, and holds a B.S. in Information Systems Management with a Cybersecurity minor. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Leader Transition Institute, a non-profit veteran organization dedicated to walking beside the military community, and volunteers within his local cybersecurity community.

Kathleen Smith

Community Outreach Officer at ClearedJobs.Net

Kathleen Smith, Community Outreach Officer at veteran-owned, ClearedJobs.Net, has coached thousands of job seekers and employers to achieve the mutual goal of employment. Kathleen hosts Security Cleared Jobs: Who’s Hiring & How, a career intelligence podcast that features cleared employers, their new contracts and opportunities, company culture insights, and insider job search tips. She has previously received a global award for supporting recruiting and job search efforts in the community. Kathleen is the co-founder and Past President of recruitDC and has provided a leadership role for many community organizations and conferences, including the Career Center at the ISC2 Security Congress, BSidesLasVegas’s two-day career track, Women in Cybersecurity National Conference, DEFCON’s Career Village, and Women in Cybersecurity Celebration to name a few.

Jeff Tomkiewicz

Cybersecurity Professional - Fortune 40 Healthcare

I am a seasoned cybersecurity professional and penetration tester at a Fortune 40 Healthcare company, where I specialize in network penetration testing, social engineering, and physical penetration testing. I have a rich background as a 21-year Air Force veteran, and served in various capacities, including K9 handler and trainer, Intelligence, and Special Operations. Currently I reside in Colorado Springs, CO, with my vibrant family. Outside of my professional life, my interests include horror films, performing in improv shows, Muay Thai, gardening, and raising chickens.

Bob Wheeler

Sr. Account Manager at ClearedJobs.Net

After a 20-year career in the United States Navy, Bob Wheeler has been working in the security-cleared recruiting ecosystem for the past 10 years. In his roles at ClearedJobs.Net, he regularly interacts with HR departments at government contractors, large and small, as well as DoD organizations, assisting them in sourcing security-cleared talent. Bob is also a lead member of the ClearedJobs.Net veteran education team, where he hosts numerous video presentations as well as in-person round table discussions with recruiters and hiring managers, discussing current best practices from the perspective of both the job seeker and the hiring organizations.

Joseph Dunn

Cybersecurity Professional

Joseph Dunn is a cybersecurity professional and U.S. Air Force Veteran with a strong background in Military and Law Enforcement. He completed his Master’s in Cybersecurity Technology, successfully transitioned from a career in public service to the field of digital security with the help of Veteran Affairs. Joseph career began in the Air Force and continued into law enforcement, where he developed skills in risk management and threat assessment. His move into cybersecurity reflects his commitment to protecting digital environments against emerging threats. With expertise in network security, threat analysis, and ethical hacking, Joseph combines his military and law enforcement experience to bring a unique perspective to the cybersecurity field. He is dedicated to ongoing learning and helping fellow veterans navigate their career transitions. Joseph is passionate about supporting the veteran community and offers guidance to others making similar career changes.

Corey Nenno

Senior Manager Information Security at Marriott International

I'm Corey, a Veteran, Cyber Security Professional, Mentor, Public Speaker, and Security Advisor with a profound passion for all facets of Cyber Security. My enthusiasm extends from analyzing the latest Cyber incidents and Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) to honing my red and blue team skills, all while devising innovative strategies to enhance organizations' resilience against cyber threats. With 12 years of military and corporate experience in the Cyber and Information Technology fields, I have a background in Computer Science and Cyber Security Operations cultivated through the United States Army and complemented by 11 industry-recognized certifications. Beyond my professional pursuits, I indulge in hobbies such as public speaking, attending conferences, conquering IT certifications, and experimenting with Raspberry Pi's to liberate myself from the clutches of mobile ads. Here's a fun fact about me: I once hacked a drone and took over its controls!

Douglas Kaluhiokalani

CEO and Founder of Cyber Kata, LLC

I am a United States Air Force combat veteran of Japanese, Hawaiian, and German descent. I have been a Senior Advisor on the U.S.A national Blue Team for a NATO CCDCOE cybersecurity exercise called Locked Shields for the past 3 years. I have 15 years in cybersecurity. 10 years have been in defensive cybersecurity and the past 5 years have been in offensive cybersecurity TTPs. I am certified in threat mitigation, incident response, cybersecurity defensive countermeasures, automation of security triggers, protecting of digital assets, identifying critical assets, and offensive cybersecurity capabilities to identify vulnerabilities.

Derek Zobler

USMC Veteran

Derek formerly served in the US Marine Corps on active duty and now serves in the Air National Guard as a Traditional Guardsman. He just completed a 1-year contract at JFHQ-DODIN and is transitioning to a Threat Hunter role at an energy company. His hobbies include collecting challenge coins, playing board games, and learning useless Star Wars facts.

William Stewart

VP at Morgan Stanley

I spent 10 years in the Marine Corps as a Spanish Linguist. For two of the ten, I worked in offensive computer network operations based in San Antonio, TX. From there, I went on to teach the offensive CNO course and subsequently worked at the Defense Cyber Crime Center. Next, I joined a start-up called IronNet Cybersecurity where I worked for a little over five years. I am currently a Vice President at Morgan Stanley where I oversee a number of cybersecurity programs and am charged with raising the overall cybersecurity of the Firm.

Brandon Solonka

Penetration Tester

Brandon is a former Air Force veteran who specialized in avionics on fighter jets. After completing his service, he earned a degree in Geology from the University of Alabama and worked as an environmental geologist for four years, focusing on water quality and soil. Seeking a safer career due to exposure to hazardous chemicals, and inspired by his passion for coding Python programs, Brandon pivoted to IT, furthered his education at Arizona State University, and began his journey in cybersecurity. Starting with a challenging role in a Security Operations Center (SOC) on the midnight shift, he eventually transitioned into development in the healthcare sector. Over the years, Brandon has gained experience in development, data loss prevention, governance, risk, and compliance (GRC), and now proudly works in his dream role as a penetration tester.

John Farrell

Executive Director of Warriors Ethos

I retired from the United States Air Force in 2005 as a Chief Master Sergeant (E-9). After retiring the first 11 years I worked in corporate America as a HR executive. Eight years ago I moved into the non-profit sector as the Chief Operating Officer of the Air Force Aid Society (official 501c(3) charity of the Air and Space Force). Currently I'm the Executive Director of Warriors Ethos. Inc.

Tyler Hardy

Director of Community at VetSec, Senior Red Team Security Engineer at a Consumer Electronics company

Tyler Hardy is a highly experienced cybersecurity specialist, currently serving as a Senior Red Team Security Engineer at a consumer electronics company. With a strong background in electrical engineering and a focus on artificial intelligence, Tyler has developed a deep expertise in both offensive and defensive security strategies.

Andrew Schoka

Former U.S. Army Cyber Warfare Officer

Andrew Schoka is a former U.S. Army Cyber Warfare Officer and is currently a graduate student at the University of Virginia. He served in a variety of offensive cyber operations assignments with the 2020 and 2022 Election Security Group at U.S. Cyber Command, and later with U.S. Special Operations Command. Andrew is the co-founder of an election cybersecurity startup and teaches a graduate course on cybersecurity at the University of Virginia School of Engineering. He holds a bachelor's degree in systems engineering from Virginia Tech, a master's degree in cybersecurity from Georgia Tech, and a number of industry security certifications.

Bea Zhang

Security Engineer at Datadog

Béa is a Paris-based Security Engineer at Datadog France, Civil Affairs Officer in the U.S. Army Reserve, and previously a Cyber Operations Officer. Her military career began when she enlisted in the Massachusetts Army National Guard. She served for two years as a founding co-lead of Datadog’s Veterans Community Guild (employee resource group). Since getting her first civilian job with the help of VetSec, she is dedicated to helping military community members advance their careers in the U.S. or internationally. She has a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Northeastern University and is a candidate for a Master’s in Cybersecurity at Georgia Tech.

Joel Mjolsness

Principal Consultant

A seasoned executive and decorated military officer, Joel Mjolsness brings a unique blend of strategic leadership and operational expertise. He continues his 49-year career in business, spanning finance, mergers and acquisitions, sales, and consulting across both Fortune 500 companies and startups. During the same time, he had a 32-year military career in the Army Reserves, culminating in the rank of Colonel and was awarded a Bronze Star during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Deployments to Norway, Bosnia, Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan provided invaluable experience in complex, high-pressure environments.

Dennis Chow

Security Engineer at EY

Dennis Chow is an experienced security engineer and manager who has led global security teams in multiple Fortune 500 industries. Dennis started from a IT and security analyst background working his way up to engineering, architecture, and consultancy in blue and red team focused roles. Dennis is also a former AWS professional services consultant that focused on transforming security operations for clients and holds GIAC Security Expert (GSE) #288

Courtney Schwarten

Co-Founder at Rethinking Labs

Courtney Schwarten, Outreach Advocate for veteran-owned, ClearedJobs.Net, gives job seekers the resources they need to be successful in their next careers. In this role, she advises and coaches cleared professionals and transitioning military. Courtney regularly presents at Transition Assistance Programs (TAP), supporting transitioning military job seekers to shift their mindset and increase their success in finding their next opportunities. She also leads pre-event training sessions for virtual job fairs, to help job seekers and employers make the most of online hiring events. Courtney is the co-founder of Rethinking Labs, helping organizations and leaders get in shape for the next generations.

Don Walling

Global Program Manager, Education Outreach & Veterans Programs

Donald Walling is a passionate strategic leader with decades of experience, focused on Change Management, Organizational Benchmarking & Development, Program/Project/Relationship and Partner Management, Strategy, Consulting, Management & Leadership Development, with a focus on the people side of change, growth, and business adoption. After years of varying and progressive senior management roles, Donald is currently leading Fortinet’s Education Outreach and Veterans Programs globally, while focused on bridging the cybersecurity skills gap for underserved, underrepresented and economically challenged groups and individuals. The Education Outreach & Veterans programs work with global partners and leaders to drive change on pressing cybersecurity issues, in working with economically challenged, underserved, and underrepresented groups and individuals to launch, up-skill and re-skill their careers in cybersecurity. The need for diversity, equity, and inclusion in developing a skilled workforce remains a priority that Donald, and the Education Outreach and Veterans Programs are focused on, to close the cybersecurity skills gap, in alignment with Fortinet’s Corporate Social Responsibility goals. Fortinet is the largest pure cybersecurity company in the world and secures the world’s largest enterprise, service provider, and government organizations. Fortinet is committed to ensuring that veterans and ex-military, including military spouses, are supported with training and resources to successfully transition into the cybersecurity industry.

Edy Ferreira

Director, Curriculum Development & Certification at Fortinet

Edy Ferreira has close to 30 years of experience in networking and cybersecurity. He started at Fortinet 17 years ago as an escalation support engineer. He moved to the Fortinet Training organization, where he contributed to create many of the existing technical courses. He is currently directing a group of highly qualified professionals from different disciplines that are responsible for planning and maintaining all the Fortinet Institute training content and certification exams. Edy is a passionate video and board gamer that lives with his wife and three kids in Ottawa, Canada.