Team Biographies

Lucian serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Building Cyber Security, a private sector, non-profit organization enhancing global safety through the development of cyber security protections for intelligent technologies, buildings and communities. In this role, he applies his expertise and experience to the nexus of facilities, real estate, and technology to mitigate the risk and impacts to society from the growing threat of cyber incidents. Lucian also leads NADSCO LLC, a woman-owned advisory and management business serving real estate, telecommunications, and technology providers as the premier expert for the accelerated development and implementation of revolutionary digital, wireless, and building technologies at low cost and a high ROI. Over three decades, Lucian has served in the White House, the Pentagon, and in Congress providing budget, policy, and management leadership for U.S. national security programs. The Honorable Niemeyer served as an Assistant Secretary of Defense managing the world’s largest real property portfolio valued at a trillion dollars. Lucian was responsible for identifying and mitigating risk to national security programs, as well as improving energy and environmental resilience, in the construction, sustainment, and modernization of facilities and related infrastructure. Lucian also served the Secretary of Defense as a strategic advisor for critical mission assurance and cybersecurity programs, as an Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and in the Office of Management and Budget at the White House overseeing national security, nuclear, and intelligence programs. ‍Previously, Lucian served on the professional staff of the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services overseeing a wide portfolio of national security programs.

Kelvin Coleman was an IBM Consulting Partner and member of the Advisory Board for the IBM Center for Government Cybersecurity. Previously, he was Executive Director at the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA). A dynamic cybersecurity leader, Kelvin has two decade’s of experience in high-stakes cybersecurity posts at the White House, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the private sector.During his career, he has conducted cybersecurity awareness tours in 49 states, briefing tech giants, local store owners and politicians alike, including 35 governors He is recognized for his work forging partnerships between the public and private sectors – developing cybersecurity policy and products, improving national and local cyber-threat awareness and readiness, and establishing guidelines for workforce cybersecurity safety. He has collaborated and worked closely with a variety of top government agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Defense, National Defense Information Sharing and Analysis Center, National Security Agency and internally with the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Cybersecurity and Communications. He has also worked on the President’s National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee during portions of the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations. In the early stages of Obama’s first term, Coleman served as a member of the White House National Security Staff, coordinating cybersecurity policy with the intelligence community as well as state, local, international and private-sector organizations. Kelvin is a proud native son of Blair, SC and a graduate of the University of South Carolina Aiken.

Marquess of Belvedere, Duke of Forli, Count of Policastro, and Baron of Tortora, born in Rome, Italy, is the current Head of the House of Tortora Brayda, a family with ancient Lombard and Frankish origins. He is a distinguished business person, serving as the Founder and Executive Chairman of Tortora Brayda Institute for AI & Cybersecurity, and was the Chairman of Gorilla Corporation, a top-tier SaaS and global partner development company. ‍ His impact on development led to his selection as a Special Constituent Member by the World Economic Forum. Since his earliest days as an AI Engineer in 1992, he has been involved in technology businesses and continues to contribute to international policymaking in cybersecurity and AI. Carlo has developed numerous Private Public Partnerships and has had the mentorship of UN Secretary Generals Kofi Annan and Boutros Boutros Ghali. He remains deeply connected with the United Nations System and has been central in the development of the AI for Good movement. ‍ Over the years, he has won numerous business awards and honors, including being ranked among the Top Global Thought Leaders in Cybersecurity and National Security. Carlo became a Freeman of the City of London in 2023. He is wholeheartedly committed to the security and prosperity of the United States and its NATO allies. He demonstrates a steadfast commitment to protecting the security and advancing the prosperity of the United States and its NATO allies through decisive action.

Michael Thiessmeier is a distinguished cybersecurity executive and thought leader with over 20 years of experience driving innovation at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity. His leadership has shaped the global digital security landscape, impacting both Silicon Valley and international arenas. ‍ He is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the U.S. National AI and Cybersecurity ISAO (NAIC ISAO), where he spearheaded the growth of the organization into a 500+ member entity, fostering international collaboration and developing AI-powered cybersecurity strategies. He has established key partnerships with NATO, the United Nations, and numerous government bodies worldwide. ‍ In Silicon Valley, he led transformative roles in hyper-growth startups, culminating in successful public exits valued at $1.6 billion and $260 million. He also played a pivotal role in the PlayStation 4 launch at Sony. As a U.S.delegate and co-editor for ISO, he has contributed to over 40 leading information security standards, including ISO 27034. His work has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Lawrence D. Eicher Leadership Award and three International Volunteer Recognition Awards from ISACA. Michael holds triple Bachelor's degrees (Summa Cum Laude) in Computer Science, Data Science, and Application & Network Security, along with executive education from Harvard, Yale, MIT, and Cornell. He also holds over 60 industry certifications from ISACA, ISC2, SANS, and others. ‍ He is committed to integrating AI with cybersecurity to not only safeguard but also enhance global infrastructures and information systems. His work continues to redefine cybersecurity, setting new standards for protecting digital assets in an increasingly interconnected world.

Dan Van Wagenen is a leading cybersecurity strategist, industry leader, and the Co-Founder and Vice President of the Association of U.S. Cyber Forces (AUSCF), where he has been instrumental in advocating for the establishment of an independent U.S. Cyber Force. With over 20 years of experience in cyber operations across the U.S. Army, Army National Guard, and Department of Defense (DoD), he has played a key role in shaping national cyber policy and pioneering Defensive Cyber Operations in the US Armed Forces and Intelligence Community. As a trusted advisor to the Trump Transition Team, he is directly involved in identifying and vetting top cybersecurity and technology leaders for key positions within NSA, SECDEF, NID, and other federal agencies, and assisting with national cyber policy ensuring the administration is equipped to tackle emerging cyber and critical infrastructure threats. Mr. Van Wagenen has been a driving force behind landmark cyber legislation, including provisions in the FY25 NDAA that formally recognize cyber operations as a distinct military domain and calling for a feasibility study on a US Cyber Force, which is the first step in instituting a new military service. He is also leading efforts to create a National Cyber Auxiliary, modeled after the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, to mobilize cyber talent at the national, state, and local levels. His strategic influence extends beyond federal agencies, as he and his business partner, Kim Irving, actively work at the State, Local, and Educational (SLED) levels to strengthen cyber resilience and align municipal cybersecurity strategies with federal priorities. In addition to his policy leadership, Mr. Van Wagenen serves as a key strategic partner for the Cyber Eagle Project (CEP), where he is spearheading engagement with NGOs and nonprofits, government agencies, and private sector stakeholders to enhance critical infrastructure cybersecurity. His deep expertise in cyber intelligence, AI-driven threat mitigation, and operational technology security (OT Sec) makes him a leading figure in shaping the future of U.S. cyber defense, ensuring the nation's resilience against both state-sponsored and emerging digital threats.

Former Chief Product Security Officer at Johnson Controls and Honeywell. Board Member of Cyber Eagle Project Inc. and Building Cyber Security. Jason Christman is a Chief Cybersecurity Officer with experience leading global technology strategy, digital transformation, and cybersecurity resiliency across enterprise IT and OT systems and product lifecycles for Fortune 150 size companies. In his role as global Chief Product Security Officer at Johnson Controls and Honeywell, he managed cybersecurity governance, engineering, integration, threat operations, and data trust services across diverse environments, including enterprise IT and OT infrastructures, R&D, manufacturing, and AI/ML powered cloud services. His leadership fueled operational resilience and accelerated business growth through innovative digital scaling and unrelenting customer focus. Earlier in his career, Mr. Christman successfully managed P&L growth for a cybersecurity services division at Northrop Grumman, transitioned groundbreaking R&D projects into operational capabilities at Telcordia, and founded a cognitive neuro cyber analytics start-up. In addition to his private sector achievements, Brigadier General Christman serves as Commander of the Delaware Air National Guard, where he directs strategy, policy, planning, budgeting, training, operations, and risk management for airlift, aeromedical evacuation, and cyber operations missions. His leadership in both civilian and military contexts reflects his ability to navigate complexity, drive innovation, and deliver results across a broad spectrum of domains. Mr. Christman serves on the advisory board for the Cyber Security Hall of Fame and is a board director for The Cyber Eagle Project and Building Cyber Security, organizations focused on securing critical infrastructure. Mr. Christman holds an M.S. in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University, a B.S. in Computer Science from Villanova University, and is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins executive program on Leading Data and AI-Enabled Organizations.

Kim Irving is a growth leader with more than 25 years of experience accelerating federal IT and cybersecurity ventures, including 15 years directly supporting the warfighter and national security mission. As CEO of Cyber Eagle Government Inc., she directs sovereign operations for U.S. federal markets, ensuring mission assurance through secure-by-design platforms that integrate AI/ML, DevSecOps, advanced analytics, and cloud modernization. Irving has consistently scaled companies from startup to market leader. At Minerva Cyber Technologies, she built a women-owned cybersecurity company from inception to profitability and 20 cleared employees within 24 months. As Vice President at Global InfoTek, she doubled headcount and revenue in under two years, securing the largest contract in company history and driving 344 percent growth that earned the firm a place on the Inc. 5000 and Washington Technology Fast 50 lists. Her track record also includes winning transformative DHS, TSA, and DoD contracts valued in the hundreds of millions, and leading federal practice expansions at firms such as Teracore, Steampunk, and Harris IT (now L3Harris). A seasoned strategist in capture management, proposal leadership, and compliance, Kim has built pipelines and processes that have delivered wins with DHS, FEMA, TSA, USCIS, USCG, CBP, ICE, USSS, MARFORCYBER, and the Department of State. She is trusted for her ability to align technology, partners, and policy into resilient solutions that meet the highest federal standards. Holding a TS/SCI clearance and a BA in Political Science and Economics from the University of Connecticut, Kim also serves on the Board of Advisors of the Association of U.S. Cyber Forces. Her mandate at Cyber Eagle Government Inc. is clear: to secure America’s critical infrastructure, expand sovereign cyber capabilities, and deliver decisive advantage to the missions that matter most.

Tim Kapp is a recognized professional and educator in the field of Artificial Intelligence, Predictive Analytics, and Automation. He is the founder of Cinco AI, a founding member of the U.S National AI and Cybersecurity ISAO, and serves as Co-Chair of the U.N. sponsored AI for Good Innovation Factory, Silicon Valley. ‍ With a passion for using machine learning to drive rapid transformational change in revenue operations (RevOps), Tim has worked with some of the world's top companies including Disney, GoodRx, Blizzard Entertainment, M, GoDaddy, Reed Elsevier, and Intercontinental Hotels Group. His cross-functional experience in AI and advanced analytics, marketing, and finance gives him a unique perspective on how to bring corporate teams together and connect performance across organizational silos. Currently, Tim is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Utah, teaching courses on Machine Learning, Predictive Analytics, and Digital Disruption. Additionally, he serves on the board of The Gerald Huff Fund for Humanity.

Cyber Security Expert and former Senate Defense Appropriations staffer. Currently, she is the founder and sole proprietor of Gray Tarian, a consulting firm that specializes in federal budgeting and policy within the cybersecurity, defense and aerospace industries. She provides her cybersecurity expertise to other government relations firms and defense companies who seek to work with and understand the Department of Defense's acquisition and federal appropriations processes. Previously, Ms. Farrell worked as a Professional Staff Member on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Defense where her portfolio focused on missile procurement for the Army, Navy, and Air Force; funding and policy for the Missile Defense Agency; and individual component work on strategic systems. She is proficient at researching program elements within the budget justification materials and analyzing federal code and law that directs space and national security policy. Ms. Farrell serves as a core organizational member and the current Acting Treasurer of the Association of U.S. Cyber Forces (AUSCF). ‍ Ms. Farrell holds an M.A in International Relations, Cyber Diplomacy (Technical Track) from Norwich University and has taken courses at the Defense Acquisition University and through the Naval War College Fleet Seminar Program in National Security studies.

Jason "Jake" Connell is a seasoned producer, creative strategist & experiential design expert with over 20 years of experience across interactive media, ambient design, motion graphics & platinum level audio & music production. As a Producer for the Tortora Brayda Institute & the NAIC ISAO, as well as Chief Creative Officer at Cyber Eagle, he leads groundbreaking initiatives that fuse technology, storytelling & design innovation to drive impact in cybersecurity, intelligence-sharing & immersive digital experiences. Connell’s award-winning portfolio includes high-profile projects such as the LMVR app for visionary director Kevin Godley (10cc \ U2) where he played a key role in shaping interactive & mixed reality experiences. His expertise extends to audiovisual & media design (AVMMD) delivering creative solutions for global clients including the BBC, international audio brands & government agencies. His ability to craft dynamic, high-fidelity experiences has positioned him as a leader in translating complex narratives into engaging & immersive content. Beyond his corporate & institutional contributions Connell has successfully led independent creative ventures including an international MTB project in Spain demonstrating his versatility across industries. He remains at the forefront of neuro-behavioral design actively exploring how cutting edge cognitive research can elevate engagement & interaction within digital & physical spaces. Educated under the Oxbridge system he holds a degree from London University & continues to push the boundaries of innovation, consistently delivering transformative creative solutions that bridge the gap between art, technology, & human experience.

Sebastian Pavel is a seasoned technology leader with over 18 years of experience designing and delivering secure, enterprise-grade software systems. As Chief Technology Officer at CyberEagle, he spearheads the company’s technical vision, building secure-by-design platforms that integrate advanced cryptographic techniques, distributed architectures, and AI-driven threat detection to safeguard critical infrastructure against evolving cyber threats. His expertise spans Data, Cloud, and AI Architectures, with a strong track record in leading the development of scalable SaaS solutions embedded with robust security frameworks compliant with GDPR, NIST 800-53, and ISO/IEC 27001. Sebastian has successfully architected both cloud-native and on-premises systems for high-assurance environments.Before joining CyberEagle, Sebastian held CTO roles at Cinco AI and other technology ventures, where he led the design of cloud-based platforms that connected small businesses with funding partners using advanced scoring algorithms and large-scale data processing. His early career includes senior engineering positions in the insurance, banking, and telecommunications sectors.Sebastian holds a Ph.D. and a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Nantes, France, and an engineering degree from the University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Sydney is a CEO, Chairman, Investor, M&A and Board Advisor with over 30 Years of Experience in Executive Leadership, and Technology having yielded over $1 Billion in revenue and 20x Team’s growth targets. As CEO of TGG Experts, Sydney and his business partners help companies grow and scale their businesses with consistent year over year profit, managing turnaround situations, building, mentoring, & developing high performance-based sales teams. TGG provides fractional C-Suite (CEO, CRO, COO, CFO) Business Strategy, Audit, Operations, & Management Consulting in addition to over $200 Billion in projects in Global Commercial & Residential Real Estate Development, SMART Cities, Hotels, Infrastructure, Venture Capital, AI, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Energy, Manufacturing, Biofuels, eV, Oil & Gas, Gold, Precious Metals, Mining, Finance, and Lending. With over 70 years of collective experience, capability, and expertise, Sydney, his team, and his business partners with their US and global reach, have access to capital and financing well into the billions. A purview of some of Sydney’s TGG Experts management consultancy and advisory: Co-Chairman Totora Brayda Institute AI for Government Council, Funding Subcommittee Co-Chair & Advisory Board Cyber Eagle, Advisory Board Totora Brayda Institute Critical Infrastructure Task Force, Chief Operating Officer Pistis.io Inc, Vice President for Business Development Orion Innovation, Vice President for Business Development Tekmark Global Solutions, Director of Sales ATEN, Vice President Director of Sales McCann Associates & Vantage Learning, VP of Sales for NN Services, and Vice President & Founder for Upper Freehold Regional Education Foundation (UFREF) (c).

Gilles Esposito is Vice Chair of The Tortora Brayda Institute for AI & Cybersecurity, a Co Founder of the NAIC ISAO, Co-Chair of the AI for Government Council and the Partnerships and Alliances Council. ‍ His experience in managing Cybersecurity Channels is vast both in the startup sector and larger vendors alike. He created and managed Channels for Scythe.io in the Breach and Attack Emulation space, and for Irdeto the leader in Media Streaming security. ‍ Before that Mr Esposito invested much of his professional efforts in technology distribution with Avnet (now TD Synnex) and Hitachi Data Systems where he designed, executed and managed the North American channel strategy and program for Hitachi ID Systems.

Tony Zirnoon brings over 25 years of extensive experience in enterprise IT architecture and cybersecurity, particularly within Fortune 500 companies. With a dynamic and holistic view of the security landscape, Tony excels at building a "Trusted Human Bridge" between cybersecurity innovators, buyers, channels, and investors while also offering unique trusted access to expert talent and resources. In the heart of Silicon Valley, Tony is a respected mentor and advisor to cybersecurity innovators, incubators, and accelerators. His expertise lies in crafting growth strategies through strategic partnerships, business development, and alliances. Tony has a proven track record of defining go-to-market (GTM) strategies and operating plans that lead to significant revenue growth, consistently exceeding goals. He has successfully delivered timely innovative solutions across key industry verticals: Financial Services, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Medical Devices, Cloud Services, and IoT. ‍ ‍In addition to his corporate roles, Tony has played a pivotal role in the venture space, advising and investing in various innovative security startups, including Seclytics, InstaSecure, DuploCloud, Acalvio, Avid Secure (Sophos), Accuknox, FlyingCloud, and more. Tony leverages his deep industry knowledge, curated trusted network, and passion for Cloud Security, Data Protection & Data, and AI Governance to help enhance the cybersecurity landscape from SMBs to Critical Infrastructure. ‍ ‍Tony is a founding member of the Tortora Brayda Institute and the National Artificial Intelligence & Cybersecurity ISAO. He also serves on the board of BAYICT.org and leads taskforces aimed at addressing the Cybersecurity Talent Gap with a focus on gender and racial equality.Tony holds a BS in Computer Science from California State University. He is fluent in Spanish, Catalan, Farsi, and English, enabling him to engage effectively in diverse cultural and business environments. Tony holds several prestigious certifications, including CISSP, CCSA, and PCI-QSA. His extensive experience in establishing and growing strategic relationships includes collaborations with top technology vendors such as Microsoft, Cisco, Palo Alto Networks, McAfee, VMware, FireEye, and AWS.