Cybersecurity Advisory Council

Keith J. Nelson, Ph.D.

CTO, Vistem Solutions Inc

Keith Nelson is an accomplished individual with a strong background in technology leadership and community service. He has an impressive history of providing technical guidance and solutions to various companies, including Technical Support Services, Software Technologies, Sun Microsystems, Oracle, and iBASEt. Since 1999, he has been a principal with Vistem Solutions, Inc.

Education-wise, Keith holds a Doctorate in Computer Science and completed the American Electronics Association (AeA) program, now known as The Stanford Executive Institute, at Stanford University. He also studied at the Hoover Institute at Stanford University, focusing on Public Policy.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Keith's passion lies in supporting athletic and social programs for individuals with special needs. He has been actively involved in coaching and leading organizations like Arlington Little League – Challenger Baseball, Junior All American (AYSO) VIP Soccer, and Special Olympics. He even took a team to South Korea as part of Team USA for the Winter World Games in 2013.

In addition to his involvement in special needs programs, Keith has also been actively contributing to various community service and disability-related organizations. He has served as Chairman of the Commission on Disabilities for the City of Riverside, Board Member for Ability Counts, Advisor ARC of Riverside County, and Regional Council for Special Olympics, among other roles.

Keith's achievements and expertise have earned him recognition in media outlets such as CNN, USA Today, NBC/MSNBC News, and Fox Sports. He often speaks on topics such as crisis management, security implementations for high-profile clients, and special needs programs.

Currently, Keith is involved in various advisory roles related to CyberSecurity curriculum for California Community Colleges and Universities, Legislative Regulation for IT Providers, and other initiatives. He continues to serve on multiple boards and councils, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to community service and making a positive impact on the lives of others.

Kevin Nikkhoo

CEO, XeneX

A technology executive and innovator with over 40 years of experience in Information Technology specifically in the areas of cloud, security, and consulting services. Passionate for customer success, delivers value for all stakeholders by leveraging the latest technology to create solutions that address markets looking for a solution. Has extensive experience in growing startups to successful exits and builds high performance teams.

Reputation for building entrepreneurial businesses and delivering significant revenue and profit growth, as well as shareholder value creation. Strength in developing dynamic strategies that create winning product portfolios, go-to-market results, market awareness and market leading customer satisfaction.

Prior to XeneX led Crescent Enterprise Solutions, Vertex Systems, and other technology firms. Author of several technology books, speaker in industry shows and conferences, and recipient of several industry awards, Kevin holds a BS in Computer Engineering from McGill University, MS in Computer Engineering from CSU Los Angeles, and an MBA from USC.

Tish Williams

Director of Channels, Infosec Institute

Bio Coming Soon! 

Dave Alton

CTO, Strategic Information Resources

Accomplished IT executive with a track record of designing advanced technology solutions to meet business needs at all levels. As CTO for a MSP finding solutions to small and medium business is my number one focus. Finding ways to keep clients secure by using best in breed people, policy and technology. I am a leader in the MSP space to help other MSPs be the best they can by sharing my knowledge freely. I love being a farther and husband and an occasional part-time maker / photographer. I am able to make connections to put the right people together and make everyone smarter.

Patrick Beggs

Chief Information Security Officer, ConnectWise

Beggs is a cybersecurity executive focused on leading global cyber operations. Beggs has more than 20 years of operational duties in information security spanning the commercial, federal civilian, defense, law enforcement and intelligence communities. Most recently, Beggs served as Cognizant Technology’s global cyber operations executive, where he led a team of more than 150 personnel operating across five countries. Prior to Cognizant, Beggs led cyber operational capabilities for AIG, Booz Allen Hamilton, Amazon Web Services and Bank of America. In the public sector, Beggs served as the first deputy director/director of operations at the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC). Beggs is a former Army Infantry Non-Commissioned Officer and holds a B.S. in Political Science from Radford University.

Joy Beland

VP Partner Strategy and Cybersecurity Education, Summit 7

Joy Beland serves as the VP Partner Strategy and Cybersecurity Education at Summit 7, leveraging her knowledge of the CMMC ecosystem, cybersecurity training acumen and wide reach of valuable partnerships through her 28-year career in IT and cybersecurity.

Before joining Summit 7 in 2022, Joy served as Senior Cybersecurity Consultant and CMMC Training Program Manager Edwards Performance Solutions, actively participating in cybersecurity assessments while overseeing the curriculum development and live-instructor training for the Cyber-AB Approved CCP and CCA certification courses.

From 1997 to 2018, Joy served as CEO of her MSP practice in the greater LA area,. After successfully selling her security-focused MSP, Joy accepted the Senior Cybersecurity Education Director role at ConnectWise through mid-2020. In that role, Joy gained worldwide attention for her cybersecurity fundamentals bootcamps (including NIST 800-53, CIS, NIST CSF, and Incident Response best practices) delivered to over 3,000 MSPs.

In addition to holding the CMMC Provisional Assessor and Provisional Instructor certifications, Joy holds the CISM certification from ISACA, the SSAP certification from SANS, and Carnegie Mellon SEI certificates for Insider Threat Program Manager and Insider Threat Vulnerability Assessor. Her personal mission is to protect organizations from cybercrime, whether caused by external or internal threat actors.

Bill Campbell

CEO, Balancelogic

Bill Campbell is the CEO of Balancelogic, a leading provider of Business Solutions based in Waldorf, MD. Balancelogic is the swiss army knife for SMB’s and provides a fusion of Managed IT, Cybersecurity, Managed Voice, Digital Marketing, and Creative Services. This services are made up of several operating departments and include Managed IT Support & Cyber Security Services, Website & Graphics Design Services, Full-Service Marketing Services, VoIP Phones Systems, and Small Business Consulting Services. 

In addition, in 2020, Bill also started a new IT Managed Services company called IT Assurance, LLC where his role is also CEO. IT Assurance solely focuses on Managed IT and Managed IT Security services to the SMB as well as the Local, State, and Federal Government. This includes an entire suite of services which include Office365, AWS, Azure, Cisco, Avaya, Sophos, and Dell.

Prior to launching Balancelogic in 2004, Bill held several executive and management positions at various public and private companies including Program\Project Manager, Chief Information Officer (CIO) & Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for midsized government contracting firms located in Washington D.C. 

Bill is a decorated Veteran and began his career in the military, devoting more than 8 1/2 years to the United States Marine Corps and received an Honorable Discharge in April 2000. His management capacities included Regimental Data Communication Chief, where he was responsible for the upgrade and support of a large section of the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base’s network infrastructure and the management & leadership of 50+ Marines. 

Bill holds more than 50 certificates/certifications in a myriad of business and technical subjects. He is a speaker and has authored and contributed to several articles, including The Power of Business Networking which was featured on the cover of Small Business CEO Magazine. 

He is a proud member of several volunteer organizations and regularly supports community events through sponsorships, donations, and numerous volunteer hours. Bill has a strong passion to help and support small businesses and is known for his innovation, energy, and advocacy. 

Jim Christensen

CEO, Lochbox Technologies, Inc.

Jim Christensen is the CEO of Lochbox, a solution for secure cyber communications. Christensen’s career in communication security began at Callware Technologies in 1995 where he started in the accounting department and proceeded to advance to CFO, COO, and finally CEO. Through his tenure with Callware, he would oversee the company’s transition from a corporate voicemail and auto-attendant service with 160 employees and 1100 channel patterns to become a preferred communications provider to the Department of Defense (DoD), serving over 150 bases and nearly one million users worldwide.

The rigorous JITC certification process required by the DoD has allowed Callware to deliver Lochbox.app, a much-needed, advanced cyber communications solution for use on Apple and Android phones as well as on a browser. More than just another messenger or meeting platform, Lochbox adheres to the Zero Trust Architecture Initiative and goes a step further by offering the rare ability for organizations or businesses to maintain exclusive control of their encryption and thus, ownership of their communications data.

Stephen Doty

Founder and CEO, Defensible Technology

Steve Doty is an information technology and information security expert and the CEO and founder of Defensible Technology. Most recently, Steve served as the CTO for The Juilliard School and led the university through a global IT transformation inclusive of technology modernization, organizational restructuring, and expansion into China.

As a Managing Director with a leading forensics and incident response firm, Stroz Friedberg, Steve has functioned as an outsourced CISO for numerous organizations across multiple industries. Earlier in his career, Steve was a senior network engineer and “Big 4” consulting firm manager.

Mark Essayian

President, KME Systems

Mark Essayian is CEO of KME Systems Inc, a provider of IT services for over 30 years. Along with great co-workers, he has been successfully running KME by combining business strategy, innovation and leadership. Essayian has repeatedly helped his clients get the most from their technology investments and improve their own businesses. Essayian is constantly searching for innovative, beneficial technology, such as being among first implementers of VoIP for a client’s business in 1998. He also serves on several technology advisory boards and belongs to industry leading organizations to continue to both personally and professionally improve and learn.

Essayian is graduate of the University of California Irvine in Physics, giving him solid insight into the IT challenges companies face at many levels. Mark also gives back to the community by actively participating in organizations such as OC Crime Stoppers and the Orange County Sheriff’s technical advisory council.

Essayian believes solid communication is critical to everyone’s success and personally writes almost every blog on his firms website www.kmesystems.com/blog where you’ll find the constant theme of having fun, learning all while being ethical, candid and respectful. Essayian lives in Southern California with his wife Kym..

Tim Golden

CEO, Compliancerisk.io

Tim Golden is the founder of Compliancerisk.io, a company that focuses on empowering the compliance function within your MSP by streamlining your compliance operations.

Tim is a seasoned professional in the governance risk and compliance space, with over 20 years of experience helping organizations tackle their business problems with the help of people, process, policy, and technology. He is an expert in compliance, risk management, governance policy management, and cybersecurity, and provides training, consulting, and technical assistance and governance programs to Managed Service Providers (MSPs).

As a U.S. Army veteran, Tim knows what it takes to lead high-performing teams and he brings that same level of discipline and expertise to his work at compliancerisk.io. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated his ability to navigate complex regulatory environments, understand emerging trends, and develop innovative solutions that help companies stay ahead of the curve.

Tim is also a gifted communicator and educator, able to demystify even the most arcane concepts and facilitate solutions that work for everyone involved. His approach is grounded in a deep understanding of the human side of compliance, and he has a talent for building strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.

Bradley Gross

President, Law Office of Bradley Gross, PA

Bradley Gross is the President of the Law Office of Bradley Gross, P.A., a law firm that specializes in transactions involving MSPs, VARs, technology solution resellers, cloud solution providers, IT professionals and technology companies worldwide. He is a leading legal authority in cloud and service provider transactions and has been named on the list of Superlawyers for Technology Transactions on thirteen occasions. Brad is an adjunct professor of law for Corporate Cybersecurity Practices, a member of CompTIA’s invitation-only Cybersecurity Council, and a board member of Digitunity, a non-profit organization that helps close the digital divide in communities across the United States. He is also the author of the book, Wisdom & Witticisms from an MSP Attorney, and his podcast, TechnologyBradcast.com, is the leading MSP-focused podcast in the nation. Brad has also served as a Technology Law subject matter expert for Governor Bush and was a former Technology Law correspondent for NBC television.

Tracy Holtz

Director of Security Solutions, Tech Data

Tracy Holtz serves as director, Security Solutions for Tech Data. She is responsible for providing the strategic vendor strategies, direction and accelerating security sales performance across our entire security solutions vendor portfolio. Leveraging vendor sales, training and enablement, Tech Data’s custom solutions and delivery services through the Tech Data partner and sales ecosystem.

Tracy joined Tech Data in 1997 beginning her career in finance prior to joining the vendor management organization in 2000. With 22+ years of experience at Tech Data, she has held multiple roles of progressive responsibility including vendor management, business development, and program management.

Prior to her service at Tech Data, Tracy began her career in the IT industry when she joined Trans World Electronics in 1993 and held positions in finance, sales and purchasing.

Tracy has received numerous awards and recognitions for her business and channel achievements and is passionate about educating children about cybersecurity education and career opportunities. Tracy is based in Clearwater, Florida.

Joshua Liberman

President, Net Sciences, Inc.

Joshua Liberman is President and founder of Net Sciences, Inc. (NSI). Since 1995, NSI has secured hundreds of networks in New Mexico and beyond. NSI is both an MSP 501 and NextGen 101 winner, and the most security-first MSP in New Mexico. Joshua is a public speaker and prolific writer in the industry. Joshua is a former mountaineer, martial artist, and a lifelong photographer, and has visited five continents and speaks five languages. Joshua tries to learn something daily, and he raises Siberian Huskies, the world’s greatest dogs. Joshua’s wife Heidi calls him the Most Interesting Geek in the World.

Kevin McDonald

COO & CISO, Alvaka Networks

Kevin B. McDonald is COO and CISO at Alvaka Networks, a leading enterprise technology service management and cyber security provider in Irvine CA. He is Chair of the Orange County Sheriff/Coroner’s Technology Advisory Council (TAC), Chair of the Anaheim Police Chief’s Technology Advisory Group (CTAG), and a member of FBI Infragard and OC Shield. Kevin is a civilian member of the US Secret Service’s Los Angeles Electronic Crimes Task Force, The Department of Homeland Security’s Los Angeles Area unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) Working Group and The High Technology Crime Investigators Association (HTCIA). Kevin is a highly trusted security and public policy advisor. He consults with both for profit and not-for-profit organizations’ providing advice and guidance to executives, legislators, law enforcement, high net worth individuals and other business leaders. Kevin advises on personal, physical and cyber defense and incident response, regulatory compliance and enterprise technology. He is a sought after consultant, trainer and public speaker who has written for and/or been interviewed by dozens of technology industry and mainstream media, national publications, television, radio and digital outlets. In his spare time, Kevin is a published young adult fiction author, screenwriter, Master Goldsmith and antique restoration specialist.

Chris Morton

Chief Information Officer, Logically

Chris Morton serves as Logically’ s Chief Information Officer leading Technical Teams responsible for the security and efficiency of the National MSP’s information systems and datacenters. Prior to his role at Logically, Chris spent 15 years helping to manage and secure networks in a variety of industries through his technical leadership roles at The Network Support Company. The Network Support Company was acquired by Logically in 2020.

Chris holds multiple technical certifications as well as an MBA from Western Connecticut State University where he also received his undergraduate degree in Management Information Systems with a concentration on Information Systems Security.

Brad Powell

Cofounder / Channel Chief, Hook Security

Brad Powell is a founder and serial revenue professional with a demonstrated history of helping grow companies in the software industry, security industries, mortgage servicing, digital marketing, and startup businesses. Skilled in Business Growth, Sales Systems, Strategic Partnerships, Relationship Building, Market Research, Security, and Nailing a Niche.

Brad earned a Business Degree from The Citadel - The Military College of SC and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) focused in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Clemson University. International Business Studies at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand.

Brad is the Cofounder of Hook Security, a psychological security training company.

Frank Raimondi

Vice President, Channel Alliances & Partnerships, IGI Cyberlabs

Frank is a strategic channel marketing professional who specializes in bringing together organizations to develop strategies and programs producing the highest value for all.

Frank currently is the VP of Channel Alliances & Partnerships for Nodeware, built by IGI CyberLabs, utilizing his over 30 years of outstanding background in the IT/PC channels. Frank utilizes his strong relationships with vendors, distributors, and solutions partners to work together toward a greater goal. Frank helps guide IGI CyberLabs through alliance and partnership marketing, event production and management, strategy development, and complete follow-through to execution. Nodeware is an MSP-focused tool that delivers complete visibility of your network, real-time discovery of devices, and prioritization of security gaps/vulnerabilities and provides detailed remediation suggestions.

Maria Scarmardo

CEO, Praxis Data Security

Maria is an experienced technology entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Praxis Data Security. Praxis specializes in Governance, Risk, Compliance, andPrivacy for small to medium-sized companies. Praxis offers practical solutions and risk-based guidance, allowing organizations to mitigate losses and position themselves for success.

Through Praxis, Maria leads efforts in transforming the way SMB and Mid-Market specifically, think about the current reactive nature of the industry andstrives to be a proactive leader in cybercrime defense. By doing so she hopes to empower and strengthen the United States supply chain and small businesses in general.

Beyond Praxis, Maria is the a Board member of Infragard – North Texas, and an active member of Women Leading Technology. Maria works to promote education to businesses on what GRC and Privacy mean to them and acts as a leader within the Infosec community, providing pathways for individuals to learn and succeed through her support of and participation in nonprofit initiatives in the Information security industry.