See It To Be It Spotlight
Seasoned Intel and Defense Industry Executive
I got into cybersecurity through…the ground floor of application development and systems integration. Right out of college, I started my own software company building voice-activated medical record systems. In those days, “Cybersecurity” as we know it today didn’t really exist; we focused on security and access controls. My transition into the large systems environment happened at IBM (ISSC), where I became a certified systems integration specialist, learning how to architect security into the DNA of complex, large-scale systems from the start.
For me, a positive cyber mindset is…recognizing that security is an ongoing journey of integration, not a destination. It’s about having a mission-first orientation and a high “say:do” ratio. Because I saw the field grow from simple access controls to the complex intelligence operations we lead today, I believe a positive mindset requires the ability to respect where technology started while having the vision to see where threats are moving next.
The experience that helped me transition to a cybersecurity career is…the opportunity to develop and integrate a wide variety of applications and systems across every form of network and communication, including RF and satellite. Having that full-stack exposure—from my early startup days to massive global integrations—taught me that you can’t protect what you don’t understand. That technical breadth, combined with the discipline I learned playing a team sport—the true nature of any business—allowed me to lead teams that navigate through engineering and national security.
My top tip to those interested in transitioning to a career in cybersecurity is… don’t wait for a “Cyber” title to start doing the work. If you are building, integrating, or managing systems today, you are already handling the building blocks of security. Focus on mastering the fundamentals of how data moves and how systems talk to each other. In a field that changes as fast as ours, being a versatile “systems thinker” is the most valuable and durable asset you can have.
The quote I live by is…“Talk less, say more.”
My Inspiration is …my Grandfather.
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