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Host
Suzanne Kelly
CEO & Publisher, The Cipher Brief
Speakers
Michael Vickers
Former Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence
Dr. Michael Vickers served as the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence from 2011 to 2015, the Chief Executive Officer of the Defense Intelligence Enterprise, an $80 billion, 180,000-person, global operation that includes the National Security Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, National Reconnaissance Office, Defense Security Service, and the intelligence components of the Military Services and Combatant Commands. He played a major policy and planning role in the operation that killed Usama bin Ladin. From 2007 to 2011, he served as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations, Low-Intensity Conflict and Interdependent Capabilities. Earlier in his career, he served in the Special Forces and in the CIA’s Clandestine Service, and had operational and combat experience in Central America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
Dr. Michael Vickers served as the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence from 2011 to 2015, the Chief Executive Officer of the Defense Intelligence Enterprise, an $80 billion, 180,000-person, global operation that includes the National Security Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, National Reconnaissance Office, Defense Security Service, and the intelligence components of the Military Services and Combatant Commands. He played a major policy and planning role in the operation that killed Usama bin Ladin. From 2007 to 2011, he served as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations, Low-Intensity Conflict and Interdependent Capabilities. Earlier in his career, he served in the Special Forces and in the CIA’s Clandestine Service, and had operational and combat experience in Central America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
Gen. David Petraeus (Ret.)
Former CIA Director
Dan Crenshaw (R-TX)
U.S. Representative for Texas' 2nd Congressional District
Gilman Louie
Co-Founder & Managing Partner, America’s Frontier Fund
John Watters
Chairman and CEO of Apollo Information Systems and CEO of JPW Advisory
John is the current CEO of JPW Advisory and most recently served as Mandiant’s President and Chief Operating Officer. He held various roles with Mandiant and FireEye since iSIGHT Partners was acquired in 2016 including Chairman of the FireEye Advisory Board from April 2020 to April 2021, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer from February 2018 to April 2020, Executive Vice President of Global Services and Intelligence from January 2017 to January 2018, and President of iSIGHT from January 2016 to January 2017.
Prior to joining Mandiant, John served as founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of iSIGHT Partners from December 2006 to January 2016. From 2003 until its acquisition by Verisign in 2005, John was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of iDEFENSE, a security intelligence firm. During the last two decades, Watters has also invested in and/or served on the Boards of many cyber security companies including Archer Technologies, Netwitness, TippingPoint, ThreatGrid, Threat Connect, and others.
Prior to entering the cyber security industry in 2002, John served in a variety of roles in the investment industry, including General Partner of several investment funds as President and CEO of Dorset Capital Corporation, an investment firm, since 1998. From 1994 to 1998, he was founder, Chairman and CEO of EFO Holdings, a wealth management firm responsible for managing the investments of the Esping Family and several other wealthy families. He spent his first 6 years in the investment business in NYC, most recently as Vice President of Wealth Management at Bankers Trust.
John is also CEO and Executive Chairman at Apollo Information Systems, Venture Partner at SYN Ventures, on the Board of Directors of Oleria, Metabase Q, and Mitiga, and is the founder, director and President of the STAIRS Program, a non-profit organization supporting inner-city education. John holds a B.S.C. degree in Finance from Santa Clara University, attended the London School of Economics, and has served on dozens of corporate and non-profit board of directors.
John is the current CEO of JPW Advisory and most recently served as Mandiant’s President and Chief Operating Officer. He held various roles with Mandiant and FireEye since iSIGHT Partners was acquired in 2016 including Chairman of the FireEye Advisory Board from April 2020 to April 2021, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer from February 2018 to April 2020, Executive Vice President of Global Services and Intelligence from January 2017 to January 2018, and President of iSIGHT from January 2016 to January 2017.
Prior to joining Mandiant, John served as founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of iSIGHT Partners from December 2006 to January 2016. From 2003 until its acquisition by Verisign in 2005, John was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of iDEFENSE, a security intelligence firm. During the last two decades, Watters has also invested in and/or served on the Boards of many cyber security companies including Archer Technologies, Netwitness, TippingPoint, ThreatGrid, Threat Connect, and others.
Prior to entering the cyber security industry in 2002, John served in a variety of roles in the investment industry, including General Partner of several investment funds as President and CEO of Dorset Capital Corporation, an investment firm, since 1998. From 1994 to 1998, he was founder, Chairman and CEO of EFO Holdings, a wealth management firm responsible for managing the investments of the Esping Family and several other wealthy families. He spent his first 6 years in the investment business in NYC, most recently as Vice President of Wealth Management at Bankers Trust.
John is also CEO and Executive Chairman at Apollo Information Systems, Venture Partner at SYN Ventures, on the Board of Directors of Oleria, Metabase Q, and Mitiga, and is the founder, director and President of the STAIRS Program, a non-profit organization supporting inner-city education. John holds a B.S.C. degree in Finance from Santa Clara University, attended the London School of Economics, and has served on dozens of corporate and non-profit board of directors.
The Hon. Sue Gordon
Partner, Gordon Ventures / Former PDDNI, ODNI
The former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence (PDDNI), The Honorable Susan M. 'Sue' Gordon advised the President and National Security Council as the nation’s top career intelligence officer. In over three decades of service, at both the Central Intelligence Agency and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Ms. Gordon was known as a visionary leader who delivered innovative solutions across a range of issues, including the formation of In-Q-Tel.
Today, Ms. Gordon is the President of GordonVentures, LLC and a leading voice in intelligence, cyber, space, and disruptive technologies as an independent director, advisor, and university fellow. Ms. Gordon also continues to shape national security as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
The former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence (PDDNI), The Honorable Susan M. 'Sue' Gordon advised the President and National Security Council as the nation’s top career intelligence officer. In over three decades of service, at both the Central Intelligence Agency and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Ms. Gordon was known as a visionary leader who delivered innovative solutions across a range of issues, including the formation of In-Q-Tel.
Today, Ms. Gordon is the President of GordonVentures, LLC and a leading voice in intelligence, cyber, space, and disruptive technologies as an independent director, advisor, and university fellow. Ms. Gordon also continues to shape national security as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Will Hurd
Former U.S. Congressman, and former CIA Officer
The Honorable Will Hurd, a former CIA officer and congressman, has had a dynamic career
spanning intelligence, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence policy, and public service. Currently
serving as Chief Strategy Officer at the defense technology start-up CHAOS Industries and
author of "American Reboot: An Idealist Guide to Getting Big Things Done," Hurd brings a
wealth of experience in technology, national security, and governance to his roles on various
boards and his ongoing efforts to shape innovative policies for America's future.
The Honorable Will Hurd, a former CIA officer and congressman, has had a dynamic career
spanning intelligence, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence policy, and public service. Currently
serving as Chief Strategy Officer at the defense technology start-up CHAOS Industries and
author of "American Reboot: An Idealist Guide to Getting Big Things Done," Hurd brings a
wealth of experience in technology, national security, and governance to his roles on various
boards and his ongoing efforts to shape innovative policies for America's future.
The Hon. Bob Kerrey
Managing Director, Allen and Company
Bob Kerrey is Managing Director at Allen & Company. He is also Chair Emeritus
of the Minerva Institute for Research and Scholarship, supporting The Minerva Project, an exceptional liberal arts and sciences education.
From 2001 to 2011 Mr. Kerrey was President of The New School, a university founded on democratic ideals and daring educational practices. On his watch, The New School experienced unprecedented growth in enrollment, faculty, scholarships, capital projects, research, and international engagement.
From 1989 to 2001 Mr. Kerrey represented Nebraska in the Senate, where he promoted equity for rural communities, led in farm and environmental legislation, strengthened taxpayers’ rights, led in restructuring our intelligence agencies, and partnered with local leaders to build projects of lasting value to Nebraskans.
His public service since leaving the Senate includes: the 9/11 Commission, advisory board of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Association, co-chair of the Concord Coalition, and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Prior to his Senate service, Mr. Kerrey served one term as Nebraska’s Governor.
Before entering politics, he was a businessman who helped build a chain of restaurants and health clubs employing over 1000 people.
Mr. Kerrey served as a U.S. Navy SEAL during the Vietnam War. For his service, he received the Medal of Honor. While in Vietnam, he was wounded, permanently disabled, and received from this injury a great gift: sympathy for those who are suffering and an appreciation for the capacity of government to save your life.
Mr. Kerrey earned a BS degree in Pharmacy from the University of Nebraska.
Mr. Kerrey is married to Sarah Paley and lives in New York. They have a 23-year-old son, Henry, and Mr. Kerrey has two children from his previous marriage, Ben and Lindsey Kerrey, and four grandchildren.
Bob Kerrey is Managing Director at Allen & Company. He is also Chair Emeritus
of the Minerva Institute for Research and Scholarship, supporting The Minerva Project, an exceptional liberal arts and sciences education.
From 2001 to 2011 Mr. Kerrey was President of The New School, a university founded on democratic ideals and daring educational practices. On his watch, The New School experienced unprecedented growth in enrollment, faculty, scholarships, capital projects, research, and international engagement.
From 1989 to 2001 Mr. Kerrey represented Nebraska in the Senate, where he promoted equity for rural communities, led in farm and environmental legislation, strengthened taxpayers’ rights, led in restructuring our intelligence agencies, and partnered with local leaders to build projects of lasting value to Nebraskans.
His public service since leaving the Senate includes: the 9/11 Commission, advisory board of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Association, co-chair of the Concord Coalition, and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Prior to his Senate service, Mr. Kerrey served one term as Nebraska’s Governor.
Before entering politics, he was a businessman who helped build a chain of restaurants and health clubs employing over 1000 people.
Mr. Kerrey served as a U.S. Navy SEAL during the Vietnam War. For his service, he received the Medal of Honor. While in Vietnam, he was wounded, permanently disabled, and received from this injury a great gift: sympathy for those who are suffering and an appreciation for the capacity of government to save your life.
Mr. Kerrey earned a BS degree in Pharmacy from the University of Nebraska.
Mr. Kerrey is married to Sarah Paley and lives in New York. They have a 23-year-old son, Henry, and Mr. Kerrey has two children from his previous marriage, Ben and Lindsey Kerrey, and four grandchildren.
Kelly Bissell
CVP, Microsoft
Amb. Henry Crumpton
Partner, Crumpton Ventures & Founder, Crumpton Global
Ambassador Crumpton founded Crumpton Global, a strategic advisory company, in 2008 and serves as its Chairman. He is also a partner at Crumpton Ventures, investing in companies advancing U.S. and allied interests.
He is on the advisory board of Stone Canyon Industries Holdings Inc. He previously served on the advisory boards of AECOM, the Coca-Cola Company, and DC Capital Partners. For eight years he was a director of Argan, Inc.
During his 24 years in the CIA’s Clandestine Service, he operated mostly in the foreign field, including tours as Chief of Station. From 2003 to 2005, he was Chief of CIA’s National Resource Division, responsible for all Clandestine Service operations in the United States. In 2005, President George W. Bush appointed him Ambassador-at-Large and U.S. Coordinator for Counterterrorism.
He is a recipient of the Donovan Award, the George H.W. Bush Award for Excellence in Counterterrorism, the Intelligence Commendation Medal, and the Sherman Kent Award for an outstanding contribution to the literature of intelligence. For leading the CIA’s Afghanistan campaign from 2001 to 2002, he earned the Distinguished Intelligence Medal, CIA’s highest award for achievement.
Ambassador Crumpton is a graduate of the University of New Mexico and, with honors, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He is a contributing author of Transforming U.S. Intelligence(2005) and the author of the New York Times bestseller, The Art of Intelligence (2012). He is a member of the OSS Society, the Council on Foreign Relations, and the Western Landowners Alliance.
Ambassador Crumpton founded Crumpton Global, a strategic advisory company, in 2008 and serves as its Chairman. He is also a partner at Crumpton Ventures, investing in companies advancing U.S. and allied interests.
He is on the advisory board of Stone Canyon Industries Holdings Inc. He previously served on the advisory boards of AECOM, the Coca-Cola Company, and DC Capital Partners. For eight years he was a director of Argan, Inc.
During his 24 years in the CIA’s Clandestine Service, he operated mostly in the foreign field, including tours as Chief of Station. From 2003 to 2005, he was Chief of CIA’s National Resource Division, responsible for all Clandestine Service operations in the United States. In 2005, President George W. Bush appointed him Ambassador-at-Large and U.S. Coordinator for Counterterrorism.
He is a recipient of the Donovan Award, the George H.W. Bush Award for Excellence in Counterterrorism, the Intelligence Commendation Medal, and the Sherman Kent Award for an outstanding contribution to the literature of intelligence. For leading the CIA’s Afghanistan campaign from 2001 to 2002, he earned the Distinguished Intelligence Medal, CIA’s highest award for achievement.
Ambassador Crumpton is a graduate of the University of New Mexico and, with honors, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He is a contributing author of Transforming U.S. Intelligence(2005) and the author of the New York Times bestseller, The Art of Intelligence (2012). He is a member of the OSS Society, the Council on Foreign Relations, and the Western Landowners Alliance.
John Sherman
Former Chief Information Officer, Department of Defense, Dean, Bush School of Government and Public Service
The Honorable John B. Sherman ’92 became Dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service on 1 August, 2024. Prior to this he spent 30 years in national security and intelligence positions in the CIA, Department of Defense, and other agencies where he worked and led activities ranging from overhead reconnaissance to all-source analysis to open-source intelligence. He most recently served in the Presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed position as Chief Information Officer of the Department of Defense, where he oversaw technology and cyber modernization for a 4-million person enterprise with a $60B IT and cyber budget. John is a 1992 Distinguish Military Graduate of Texas A&M University where he served as Corps Commander. He also earned a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Houston and he served as an Army Air Defense Officer. He is married to Liz, Class of ’91, who has also served a full career in national security, and they have two grown children who are both professionals in public service.
The Honorable John B. Sherman ’92 became Dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service on 1 August, 2024. Prior to this he spent 30 years in national security and intelligence positions in the CIA, Department of Defense, and other agencies where he worked and led activities ranging from overhead reconnaissance to all-source analysis to open-source intelligence. He most recently served in the Presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed position as Chief Information Officer of the Department of Defense, where he oversaw technology and cyber modernization for a 4-million person enterprise with a $60B IT and cyber budget. John is a 1992 Distinguish Military Graduate of Texas A&M University where he served as Corps Commander. He also earned a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Houston and he served as an Army Air Defense Officer. He is married to Liz, Class of ’91, who has also served a full career in national security, and they have two grown children who are both professionals in public service.
Teresa Smetzer
CEO, Smetzer Associates LLC
Sheetal Patel
Former Assistant Director for CIA’s Transnational and Technology Mission Center
Matt Olsen
Co-Chair, Defense, National Security and Government Contracts Practice, WilmerHale
Steve Faehl
Federal Security CTO, Microsoft
Steve Faehl is the US Government Security Leader at Microsoft, where he drives strategic cybersecurity collaboration with federal agencies to accelerate security modernization and strengthen national resilience. In this role, Steve leads efforts to identify, prioritize, and operationalize the most impactful defensive cybersecurity capabilities available, aligning Microsoft’s global security expertise with the mission needs of the US Government.
He serves as a critical bridge between US Government customers and Microsoft’s Office of the CISO, security product engineering, and security field teams—ensuring that government needs help shape Microsoft’s security roadmap. Steve also orchestrates joint incident response and proactive intelligence sharing, advancing new models for delivering on public-private partnership in cyber defense at speed and scale.
With over 20 years of cybersecurity experience, Steve is a recognized industry leader in applying Zero Trust and AI-enabled security approaches to real-world challenges. He sponsored Microsoft's collaboration with the US Navy to create the first DOD production environment to achieve DOD Zero Trust at target and advanced levels and pioneered Microsoft’s first generative AI tool for cyber defense. He continues to lead the development of innovative AI and cyber solutions tailored to high-priority government use cases. He and his team consistently push the boundaries of what’s possible in cyberspace, helping the US Government stay ahead of emerging and pacing threats.
Steve Faehl is the US Government Security Leader at Microsoft, where he drives strategic cybersecurity collaboration with federal agencies to accelerate security modernization and strengthen national resilience. In this role, Steve leads efforts to identify, prioritize, and operationalize the most impactful defensive cybersecurity capabilities available, aligning Microsoft’s global security expertise with the mission needs of the US Government.
He serves as a critical bridge between US Government customers and Microsoft’s Office of the CISO, security product engineering, and security field teams—ensuring that government needs help shape Microsoft’s security roadmap. Steve also orchestrates joint incident response and proactive intelligence sharing, advancing new models for delivering on public-private partnership in cyber defense at speed and scale.
With over 20 years of cybersecurity experience, Steve is a recognized industry leader in applying Zero Trust and AI-enabled security approaches to real-world challenges. He sponsored Microsoft's collaboration with the US Navy to create the first DOD production environment to achieve DOD Zero Trust at target and advanced levels and pioneered Microsoft’s first generative AI tool for cyber defense. He continues to lead the development of innovative AI and cyber solutions tailored to high-priority government use cases. He and his team consistently push the boundaries of what’s possible in cyberspace, helping the US Government stay ahead of emerging and pacing threats.
Cynthia Kaiser
Former Deputy Assistant Director, FBI Cyber Division, and Senior Vice President, Halcyon
Jeremy Hitchcock
Co-Founder and Partner, New North Ventures
Jeremy Hitchcock is a seasoned entrepreneur and investor with over two decades of experience building purpose-driven companies. Currently, he serves as co-founder and partner at New North Ventures, where he focuses on early-stage investments in dual-use companies operating at the critical intersection of national security and commercial applications. His entrepreneurial journey began in 2001 when he co-founded Dyn from his college dorm room, successfully scaling it to 500 employees and $100 million in annual revenue before Oracle acquired the company in 2017. In response to the historic Mirai DDoS attack on Dyn, Hitchcock established Minim, an innovative AI-powered WiFi management and IoT security platform that subsequently went public on NASDAQ in 2021. Beyond his corporate endeavors, Hitchcock demonstrates his commitment to education and community through his service as a trustee for various higher education institutions, including Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Southern New Hampshire University, while also supporting local initiatives such as Bookery Manchester, an independent bookstore he opened in New Hampshire in 2018.
Jeremy Hitchcock is a seasoned entrepreneur and investor with over two decades of experience building purpose-driven companies. Currently, he serves as co-founder and partner at New North Ventures, where he focuses on early-stage investments in dual-use companies operating at the critical intersection of national security and commercial applications. His entrepreneurial journey began in 2001 when he co-founded Dyn from his college dorm room, successfully scaling it to 500 employees and $100 million in annual revenue before Oracle acquired the company in 2017. In response to the historic Mirai DDoS attack on Dyn, Hitchcock established Minim, an innovative AI-powered WiFi management and IoT security platform that subsequently went public on NASDAQ in 2021. Beyond his corporate endeavors, Hitchcock demonstrates his commitment to education and community through his service as a trustee for various higher education institutions, including Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Southern New Hampshire University, while also supporting local initiatives such as Bookery Manchester, an independent bookstore he opened in New Hampshire in 2018.
Rick Ledgett
Former Deputy Director of NSA
RADM Mark Montgomery (Ret.)
Former Executive Director, U.S. Cyberspace Solarium Commission
Mark Montgomery formerly served as the Executive Director of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission. Before this position, he served as Policy Director for the Senate Armed Services Committee under the leadership of Senator John S. McCain. In this position he coordinated policy efforts on national defense strategy, capabilities and requirements, defense policy and cyber issues. Mark served for 32 years in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear trained surface warfare officer, retiring as a Rear Admiral in 2017. His flag officer assignments included Director of Operations (J3) at U. S. Pacific Command; Commander of Carrier Strike Group 5 embarked on the USS George Washington stationed in Japan; and Deputy Director, Plans, Policy and Strategy (J5), at U. S. European Command. He was selected as a White House Fellow and assigned to the National Security Council, serving as Director for Transnational Threats from 1998-2000. Mark graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history. He subsequently earned a master’s degree in history from Oxford University, and completed the U.S. Navy’s nuclear power training program.
Mark Montgomery formerly served as the Executive Director of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission. Before this position, he served as Policy Director for the Senate Armed Services Committee under the leadership of Senator John S. McCain. In this position he coordinated policy efforts on national defense strategy, capabilities and requirements, defense policy and cyber issues. Mark served for 32 years in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear trained surface warfare officer, retiring as a Rear Admiral in 2017. His flag officer assignments included Director of Operations (J3) at U. S. Pacific Command; Commander of Carrier Strike Group 5 embarked on the USS George Washington stationed in Japan; and Deputy Director, Plans, Policy and Strategy (J5), at U. S. European Command. He was selected as a White House Fellow and assigned to the National Security Council, serving as Director for Transnational Threats from 1998-2000. Mark graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history. He subsequently earned a master’s degree in history from Oxford University, and completed the U.S. Navy’s nuclear power training program.
Chip Usher
Senior Director for Intelligence at the Special Competitiveness Studies Project
William “Chip” Usher is the Senior Director for Intelligence at the Special Competitive Studies Project. Prior to SCSP, Chip served 32 years in the Central Intelligence Agency where he held a variety of executive positions. Chip is a former member of the Senior Intelligence Service and has expertise on East Asia, the Near East, and Eurasia.
William “Chip” Usher is the Senior Director for Intelligence at the Special Competitive Studies Project. Prior to SCSP, Chip served 32 years in the Central Intelligence Agency where he held a variety of executive positions. Chip is a former member of the Senior Intelligence Service and has expertise on East Asia, the Near East, and Eurasia.
Matt Redding
Assistant Director of Industrial Security, Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA)
Matthew D. Redding was named Assistant Director of Industrial Security, Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), effective February 28, 2022.
In this capacity, Mr. Redding is responsible for managing, directing, and coordinating the day-to-day operations of the industrial security mission.
Prior to joining DCSA, Mr. Redding served as the Deputy Director, Individual Assistance Division in the Federal Emergency Management Agency, where he oversaw annual recovery budgets of over $5 billion and more than 5,000 federal and contracted employees. While at FEMA, he also served as the Director, National Integration Center and deployed to the National Response Coordination Center in support of the COVID-19 national emergency response, serving as the Deputy for Operations, Resource Support Section, coordinating national logistics plans and operations.
Mr. Redding is a retired U.S. Army Colonel, having served 31 years. During his final assignment at National Defense University, August 2018 to January 2020, he served as Assistant Professor of National Security and Resource Strategy, where he was asked to lead development of a new curriculum on Land Domain of Warfare. He created a robust curriculum, examining 21st Century military operations, innovation strategy, national security strategy, national defense strategy, and national cyber strategy; external strategic foreign trade and military field study.
A three-time combat veteran, he was assigned within the United States and overseas, serving in positions of increasing responsibility. His assignments include being the Chief of Current Operations, Strategic Readiness, and Policy, U.S. Army G4, in the Pentagon; Chief of Staff, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Kaiserslautern, Germany; Commanding Officer, 598th Transportation Brigade, Sembach, Germany; and Commanding Officer, Regional Support Command – Southwest, Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan.
Mr. Redding received a Master’s of Strategic Studies, U.S. Marine Corps University; a Master’s in Supply Chain Management, Smith School of Business, University of Maryland; and a Bachelor’s in Government and Philosophy, St. Lawrence University.
Matthew D. Redding was named Assistant Director of Industrial Security, Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), effective February 28, 2022.
In this capacity, Mr. Redding is responsible for managing, directing, and coordinating the day-to-day operations of the industrial security mission.
Prior to joining DCSA, Mr. Redding served as the Deputy Director, Individual Assistance Division in the Federal Emergency Management Agency, where he oversaw annual recovery budgets of over $5 billion and more than 5,000 federal and contracted employees. While at FEMA, he also served as the Director, National Integration Center and deployed to the National Response Coordination Center in support of the COVID-19 national emergency response, serving as the Deputy for Operations, Resource Support Section, coordinating national logistics plans and operations.
Mr. Redding is a retired U.S. Army Colonel, having served 31 years. During his final assignment at National Defense University, August 2018 to January 2020, he served as Assistant Professor of National Security and Resource Strategy, where he was asked to lead development of a new curriculum on Land Domain of Warfare. He created a robust curriculum, examining 21st Century military operations, innovation strategy, national security strategy, national defense strategy, and national cyber strategy; external strategic foreign trade and military field study.
A three-time combat veteran, he was assigned within the United States and overseas, serving in positions of increasing responsibility. His assignments include being the Chief of Current Operations, Strategic Readiness, and Policy, U.S. Army G4, in the Pentagon; Chief of Staff, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Kaiserslautern, Germany; Commanding Officer, 598th Transportation Brigade, Sembach, Germany; and Commanding Officer, Regional Support Command – Southwest, Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan.
Mr. Redding received a Master’s of Strategic Studies, U.S. Marine Corps University; a Master’s in Supply Chain Management, Smith School of Business, University of Maryland; and a Bachelor’s in Government and Philosophy, St. Lawrence University.
Mary Beth Long
Former United States Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs
Brian Miller
Senior Vice President for Growth, BMNT.
Brian Miller is Senior Vice President for Growth at BMNT.
He spent the last 23 years advising US government officials on national security, mission-driven market research, and how to launch the right projects faster using disciplined innovation methods.
Prior to joining BMNT, Brian spent 13 years advising Members of Congress, including six years on the staff of the Senate Intelligence Committee, where he led the committee’s oversight of the defense intelligence enterprise and various sensitive programs. This experience includes numerous organizational design projects, transformation initiatives, and managing the congressional oversight of billions of dollars in funding for intelligence operations, analysis, counterintelligence, and security.
Brian was also associate staff for the National Commission on the Research and Development Programs for the US Intelligence Community.
At BMNT, Brian has led the firm's support to defense, intelligence, and homeland security clients, and he’s coached and mentored numerous H4D® teams and defense-tech startups. Brian led the design and development of novel capabilities like the Innovation Pipeline Diagnostic® and InsightAI, an AI-powered tool for sourcing and scoping innovation opportunities at scale. He’s also the lead facilitator of the Red Queen Innovation Offsite, an annual gathering in Silicon Valley for US and allied defense executives.
Brian has a BA in Government from Hamilton College and a MSc in Defense and Strategic Studies from Missouri State University. He now lives in San Francisco with his wife (Steph), son (Hamilton), and daughter (Max).
Brian Miller is Senior Vice President for Growth at BMNT.
He spent the last 23 years advising US government officials on national security, mission-driven market research, and how to launch the right projects faster using disciplined innovation methods.
Prior to joining BMNT, Brian spent 13 years advising Members of Congress, including six years on the staff of the Senate Intelligence Committee, where he led the committee’s oversight of the defense intelligence enterprise and various sensitive programs. This experience includes numerous organizational design projects, transformation initiatives, and managing the congressional oversight of billions of dollars in funding for intelligence operations, analysis, counterintelligence, and security.
Brian was also associate staff for the National Commission on the Research and Development Programs for the US Intelligence Community.
At BMNT, Brian has led the firm's support to defense, intelligence, and homeland security clients, and he’s coached and mentored numerous H4D® teams and defense-tech startups. Brian led the design and development of novel capabilities like the Innovation Pipeline Diagnostic® and InsightAI, an AI-powered tool for sourcing and scoping innovation opportunities at scale. He’s also the lead facilitator of the Red Queen Innovation Offsite, an annual gathering in Silicon Valley for US and allied defense executives.
Brian has a BA in Government from Hamilton College and a MSc in Defense and Strategic Studies from Missouri State University. He now lives in San Francisco with his wife (Steph), son (Hamilton), and daughter (Max).
Shawn Driver
Chief of Staff, HavocAI
Shawn is the Chief of Staff at HavocAI, a collaborative autonomy company building scalable and resilient maritime platforms for the defense and commercial markets. An 18-year US Army veteran, he served in the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) “Night Stalkers,” where he flew the MH-60 DAP in overseas contingency operations. His civilian experience includes leadership roles at Dell and Salesforce, and he recently supported Army Futures Command in Austin as an activated Reservist with the 75th Innovation Command. Shawn holds a BA from the Virginia Military Institute and an MBA from Cornell University.
Shawn is the Chief of Staff at HavocAI, a collaborative autonomy company building scalable and resilient maritime platforms for the defense and commercial markets. An 18-year US Army veteran, he served in the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) “Night Stalkers,” where he flew the MH-60 DAP in overseas contingency operations. His civilian experience includes leadership roles at Dell and Salesforce, and he recently supported Army Futures Command in Austin as an activated Reservist with the 75th Innovation Command. Shawn holds a BA from the Virginia Military Institute and an MBA from Cornell University.
Philip Carson
Founding Member & Investor, Cubit Capital
Philip Carson is a founding member and serves on the investment team of Cubit Capital, a leading venture capital firm that invests in founders who leverage technology to advance society. Philip focuses on early-stage investments related to National Security, including Energy Abundance, Infrastructure Resilience, and Critical Supply Chains.
Prior to Cubit Capital, Philip was an investor at Cape Capital Partners, where he focused on industrial and construction-related investments.
Philip received his MBA from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University and a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies from Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.
He, his wife, and their son live in Dallas, Texas, and are active in various ministries at their local church.
Philip Carson is a founding member and serves on the investment team of Cubit Capital, a leading venture capital firm that invests in founders who leverage technology to advance society. Philip focuses on early-stage investments related to National Security, including Energy Abundance, Infrastructure Resilience, and Critical Supply Chains.
Prior to Cubit Capital, Philip was an investor at Cape Capital Partners, where he focused on industrial and construction-related investments.
Philip received his MBA from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University and a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies from Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.
He, his wife, and their son live in Dallas, Texas, and are active in various ministries at their local church.
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