Tampa Bay Cyber Resilience + AI Summit 2025
The Speakers and Panelists
Sharing Knowledge with the Tampa Bay Tech Community
Bryson Bort
Founder & CEO - Scythe
Bryson is the Founder of SCYTHE, a start-up building a next-generation threat emulation platform, and GRIMM, a cybersecurity consultancy, and Co-Founder of the ICS Village, a non-profit advancing awareness of industrial control system security. He is a Senior Fellow at the National Security Institute, USMA EECS Advisory Board member, and Adjunct Senior Technical Advisor for the Institute of Security and Technology. As a U.S. Army Officer, he served as a Battle Captain and Brigade Engineering Officer in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom before leaving the Army as a Captain. He is recognized as a 'Top 50 in Cyber' by Business Insider, 'Security Executive Finalist of the Year' by SC Media, was awarded 'Tech Titan' three times and is the 2023 SANS Difference Maker Award Winner for Innovator of the Year.
Bryson received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with honors from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He holds a Master's Degree in Telecommunications Management from the University of Maryland, a Master's in Business Administration from the University of Florida, and completed graduate studies in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Texas.
Larry Whiteside Jr.
Co-Founder & President, CONFIDE Group
A former United States Air Force Officer with over
years of experience in building and running
cybersecurity programs, Larry Whiteside Jr. is a
veteran CISO, CSO, and CTO in the cybersecurity
field with extensive experience in C-Level securi
roles across industries including DoD, Federal
Government, Financial Services, Healthcare, and
Critical Infrastructure. In addition to his executive
leadership roles, Larry also serves as a Board Director,
leveraging his expertise to guide organizations in
strengthening their security posture and achieving
strategic objectives.
As the Co-Founder & President of CONFIDE, a
boutique cybersecurity reseller serving organizations
worldwide—from startups and small to medium-sized businesses to large enterprises—Larry is committed to addressing the broad and evolving needs of CISOs. By providing tailored solutions and expert guidance, CONFIDE empowers security leaders to navigate complex challenges, protect their organizations, and achieve their strategic goals in an ever-changing digital landscape.
Larry routinely advises corporate security executives and companies across the Fortune 2000. He has helped CEOs and board members of private cybersecurity companies achieve their goals in sales, marketing, and customer retention. A thought leader in the industry, Larry is frequently featured in articles about information security and risk management and is a sought-after speaker at conferences such as the Gartner Security Summit, RSA Conference, the SC World Congress, ISC2, Secure World, Black MEA, and InfoSec World. Larry is also the Co-Founder of Cyversity, a 501(c)3 non-profit association that is dedicated to increasing the number of minorities and women in the cybersecurity career field.
Chrissie Collins
Director of Cybersecurity Operations - Cyberleaf
Chrissie joined the team at Waterleaf International, LLC in 2023 as Director of Cybersecurity Operations for Cyberleaf, a Security as a Service provider with top notch security professional services like vulnerability and penetration testing, SIEM, SOC, and SOAR. Cyberleaf also provides Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR) as a service.
Chrissie originally came from the Florida Department of Transportation with over 22 years of experience of filling different roles in technology including server and database management, software development, patch management, risk management and cybersecurity. She spent over 6 years as the Senior Information Security Analyst for all the districts, providing consultation to management in areas related to security such as incident response, vulnerability management and aligning security related policies with Florida rules, statutes and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cyber Security Framework (CSF). Chrissie worked in District 1 Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSM&O) for four years by leading the Information Technology (IT) team. She served as chair for the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) with approximately fifty ITS IT staff in all the districts. She provided leadership and technical expertise for securing infrastructure with a focus on emerging mobility technologies including Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAV).
James Gress
Emerging Technology Director, North America Advanced Technology Centers, Accenture
James is the Emerging Technology Lead for Accenture's Advanced Technology Centers in North America, specializing in Generative AI. With over 30 years of experience in software delivery and as a certified Senior Technology Architect, James leads global teams in developing, prototyping, and implementing groundbreaking Generative AI solutions. His extensive expertise spans AI, DevOps, architecture, modern engineering, and developer experience practices, allowing him to collaborate on innovative projects across multiple industries and platforms.
An active leader in the tech community, James organizes and leads meetups on Generative AI, AI, DevOps, and Platform Engineering. He is also a lead organizer for DevOpsDays Tampa Bay. He shares his insights through speaking engagements and industry forums, inspiring technological innovation and strategic solutions. His passion for AI not only drives technological advances but also energizes and motivates a new generation of tech enthusiasts.
Chris Ayers
Senior SRE @ Microsoft
Chris Ayers is a Senior Site Reliability Engineer on Microsoft’s AzRel Risk SRE team, drawing on years of experience in cloud architecture, software development, and DevOps practices. He’s passionate about continuous improvement, driving reliability, and sharing industry best practices. Outside of work, Chris is a devoted father, technology enthusiast, and avid gamer. Connect with him online to explore insights into cloud operations, agile methodologies, and more.
Charles McGuinness
Special Agent - FBI
Special Agent Charles McGuinness is the Private Sector Coordinator for the Tampa Division on the Gulf Coast from Collier County to Hernando County and out to Polk County. SA McGuinness is also the coordinator for the InfraGard program and is assigned to provide coordination and assistance to private sector and critical infrastructure entities in order to provide intelligence and threat management awareness to assist in keeping corporate partners and critical infrastructure safe. Serving in the FBI for over 19 years, SA McGuinness has been a supervisor for various criminal and national security programs in Central Florida since 2017. SA McGuinness has served the FBI in Oklahoma City, Houston/Corpus Christi, Texas, and FBIHQ in Washington DC on the Criminal Investigations Division Executive Staff. His assignments provided him with expertise in White Collar Crime, Financial Institution Fraud, Violent Gang and Mexican Cartel investigations, Kidnapping, Crimes Against Children, Human Intelligence and Insider Threat investigations.
For more information on InfraGard, go to https://www.infragard.org/
Weimo Liu
Founder & CEO - PuppyGraph
Dr. Weimo Liu serves as the CEO of PuppyGraph. He was a former software engineer within Google's F1 team and a research scientist at TigerGraph. In these capacities, he specialized in advancing query languages and engines. Dr. Liu earned his PhD degree from GWU, and his BS degree from Fudan University. Notably, he actively participates as a program committee member and reviewer for esteemed conferences like SIGSPATIAL, TKDE, KDD, etc.
Wesley Moy
Adjunct Lecturer - Johns Hopkins University Advanced Academic Programs in Washington, DC
Dr. Wesley Moy is an adjunct lecturer in the Johns Hopkins University Advanced Academic Programs in Washington, DC. He retired from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in December 2019 and held a variety of senior positions including Director of Partner Engagement, Director of the Analysis Program Office, and Deputy Director of the DHS National Operations Center. Prior to that, he was Associate Deputy Director for Operations Support and a founding officer at the National Counterterrorism Center. Since retiring, Dr. Moy has been conducting research related to disinformation and supporting the World Health Organization. He currently has a book pending publication by Lynne Rienner Publishers on homeland security intelligence.
Dr. Moy graduated from Binghamton University with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He has a master’s in business administration from Rutgers Business School; a Master of Science of Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University; and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. He holds a Ph.D. from National University and is a senior fellow at the Partnership for Public Service in Washington, D.C. He taught part-time at the National Intelligence University from 2000 until 2019 on topics including terrorism and intelligence analysis.
Dr. Moy retired from the U.S. Army as a colonel after serving in the infantry and military intelligence. In his last assignment, he was Director for the National Intelligence University’s Reserve and Monthly Executive Program. He has commanded at the company, battalion, and brigade levels including command of all Army Reserve strategic intelligence units worldwide.
As a civilian, he spent two decades in financial services including as vice president at JP Morgan Chase Manhattan Bank in strategic planning and investment banking; vice president for sales development at Citicorp Investment Services, and branch office manager at a New York Stock Exchange member firm.
Claudia Saleh
Lead Product Manager | AI & ML - Disney
Claudia Saleh is an AI Product Leader at Disney with over 20 years of IT experience. She traded the laid-back beaches and sunny Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she worked for media companies like Globo.com and ADVPress, for the dynamic international scene of Washington, DC. There, she contributed her expertise to international organizations such as the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the United Nations.
She works in the media and entertainment industry, driving innovation at the intersection of technology and creativity. As a graduate student in Artificial Intelligence, she combines academic insights with hands-on expertise, focusing on AI strategies and their transformative potential for knowledge and creative professionals.
An experienced speaker and mentor, Claudia has guided enterprises in adopting technology effectively and strives to empower professionals to see AI as a collaborator. Her diverse background includes a decade as a travel journalist, which adds a unique perspective to her work, enabling her to simplify complex ideas and inspire diverse audiences.
When she’s not exploring the latest AI trends, Claudia can be found writing, traveling, or immersing herself in the magic of Disney. She brings a unique voice to conversations about AI, blending technical insights with a deep appreciation for the creative spark that drives innovation.
John Licato
Founder - Actualization.AI
Professor - USF
John Licato, PhD is an Associate Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at USF, Director of the USF Advancing Machine and Human Reasoning (AMHR) Lab, and founder / CEO of AI startup Actualization AI, LLC. He designed and teaches the natural language processing course (the field that created ChatGPT) at USF, and his lab's mission is to not only make AI smarter, but to use those advances to make people reason better as well. His research expertise lies in AI, NLP, human reasoning, cognitive modeling, and legal / regulatory reasoning, with over 100 peer-reviewed publications. He has been featured in outlets such as NPR's Marketplace Tech, ABC Action News, and the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
Actualization.AI is a new startup founded by USF AI researchers, developing solutions for making AI safer with automated vulnerability testing. They were awarded an NSF SBIR award ($275K) and a Bull Ring Accelerator Grant ($25K), both in August 2024.
Joe Blankenship
Chief Data Officer - Certus Core
Joe Blankenship is a co-founder and Chief Data Officer at Certus Core. With experience in electronic engineering, geospatial data science, and financial economics, he oversees Certus Core's data operations and ontology engineering efforts for their sKG platform. Joe is an avid community organizer and open source contributor, leading the Tampa Bay Data Engineering and Python groups and founding several other tech organizations in Florida and Kentucky.
Timothy Toohill
CTO - Certus Core
Timothy Toohill is the co-founder and CTO at Certus Core. With over 20 years of experience in software engineering, he has delivered innovative solutions in data science and data engineering for both government and commercial clients. He also has a keen interest in exploring how data-driven strategies and algorithms can optimize financial markets. Timothy holds degrees in computer science and oversees the development of Certus Core’s semantic knowledge graph platform.
Michael Rogers
Managing Director Technical Advisory Services - MOXFIVE
President - ISC2 Tampa Chapter
As a Managing Director of Technical Advisory Services at MOXFIVE, I leverage my 10+ years of experience and SANS certifications in GDAT, GCFA, GCIA, and GOSI to provide strategic advisory services and solutions to large enterprises during and after impactful incidents. My mission is to help clients navigate complex cybersecurity challenges, mitigate risks, and enhance resilience.
I have a proven track record of building and managing global teams in security operations, threat hunting, devops, and infrastructure, as well as delivering high-quality results and customer satisfaction. I have also presented on various topics related to computer forensics, memory forensics, and targeted hunting at conferences and events. I am passionate about staying updated on the latest trends and best practices in cybersecurity, and sharing my knowledge and expertise with others.
Eric Vogelpohl
Field CTO - Presidio
Data | AI/Machine Learning | GenAI
Eric Vogelpohl is a Field CTO specializing in the transformative power of data, analytics, and generative AI across various business sectors. With a strong engineering, data warehousing and data management background, he is dedicated to empowering data and data science teams through scalable solutions, data management patterns and platforms. His extensive career, spanning over 25 years, includes leadership roles in enterprise IT, startups, and large consultancies, with a primary focus on cloud computing, data, BI and more recently, GenAI ecosystems
Sravan Elineni
Technology Leader AI & ML - BookZurman
Sravan Elineni is a seasoned technologist with more than a decade of experience in healthcare data systems, pharmaceutical GxP, and emerging fields such as machine learning, robotics, computer vision, and natural language processing (NLP).
Most recently, Mr. Elineni led a high-impact project to develop a state-of-the-art collaborative deep learning system. This system seamlessly integrates legal, technological, and security frameworks—enabling cross-organizational healthcare collaboration to tackle global challenges ranging from pandemic response to complex healthcare delivery.
Beyond his project leadership, Elineni co-founded a company dedicated to simplifying hardware deployments, particularly in robotics, across diverse industries. By combining a deep technical background with strategic leadership and entrepreneurial spirit, he excels in managing complex projects, resolving cross-functional hurdles, and delivering transformative solutions that bridge cutting-edge technology with real-world impact.
Norman Dorsch
Global Product Manager at IBM X-Force
As a seasoned Product Manager with a proven track record of driving innovation and growth, Norman is the bridge across various business functions, fostering collaboration and ensuring seamless execution of IBM X-Force's global product strategy.
With over 5 years of experience in Product Management, Norman has successfully launched and managed multiple IBM offerings across networking and cybersecurity. His expertise spans the development, launch, and ongoing support of complex service products, from ideation to market introduction.
Prior to his current role as the Global Product Manager for IBM X-Force, Norman worked as an IT Architect at IBM Germany between 2012 and 2018, where he led projects focused on RFID, SDN, Unified Collaboration, and secure network transformation.
As a certified private pilot, Norman understands the importance of security in the skies and on the ground, and is passionate about making the world a better and more secure place. He lives near Sarasota, Florida, with his wife, son, and dog.
Carlos Buenano
CTO for OT - Armis
Carlos is an accomplished professional with over three decades of experience in the control systems and telecommunications industry. He holds a degree in Electronic Engineering and a master's degree in telecommunications. Throughout his career, Carlos has held various roles such as Principal Systems Engineer, Senior ICS Cybersecurity Consultant, Solutions Architect, Technical Account Manager, Principal Solutions Architect and CTO across the globe. He has been a key player in numerous brown and green field projects for industrial control systems in the manufacturing, mining, and oil and gas sectors. From defining concepts to overseeing project commissioning, Carlos has a proven track record of successful project execution. In the past 10 years, he has focused his efforts on implementing cybersecurity solutions for industrial networks, contributing to the overall operational efficiency and safety of these systems.
Chris Hatter
CISO/COO at Qwiet AI
Prior to his new role at Qwiet AI, Chris spent 6 years as Nielsen’s Chief Information Security Officer. He had the unique responsibility of greenfielding a modern, cloud-first security program for Nielsen’s global businesses. Chris focused on strategic planning, aligning security objectives with business objectives, scaling product security by empowering engineering teams and implementing cyber capabilities that support Nielsen’s digital and cloud transformations.
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Alex Delgado
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Senior Manager in the Data Engineering team - PwC
Alex Delgado is a highly skilled Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Senior Manager in the Data Engineering team at PwC. With expertise in accounting principles and regulations, he designs and implements data engineering solutions to optimize financial processes and drive business growth. He excels in developing scalable data pipelines, automating workflows, and ensuring data quality. Alex's strong analytical skills and attention to detail enable him to extract valuable insights from complex datasets. With a commitment to continuous learning, Alex remains at the forefront of data engineering advancements, making him a valuable asset to PwC's Data Engineering team.
Coming Soon
Rich Winslow
CTO - Tetricus Labs
Dr. Rich Winslow is the CTO of Tetricus Labs, a health tech company focused on improving psychiatry with technology-based care models and data-driven insights. With over 20 years of experience in product development and delivery, Rich has worked in health care, real estate, digital advertising, and consumer electronics. His experience spans software engineering, machine learning, data science, and mechanical engineering. He earned his PhD and MS in Mechanical Engineering at UC Berkeley and BS at University of Florida.
Ed Nester
Deputy, Cyber Governance Section (CCJ6-6-CyG)
USCENTCOM HQ Cyber Program Manager
Mr. Ed Nester serves as the Deputy Cyber Governance for USCENTCOM J6. He has been working on DoD networks since 2006 across different disciplines. He has led teams covering the help desk, satellite ground stations, custom networks, virtual computing, enterprise services, and cyber and GRC. He has recently been involved with projects involving DevSecOps and AI. In his spare time, he enjoys mentoring Service Members who are leaving the Military and SCUBA diving.
Tom Stablein
Director, Global Master of Science in Business Analytics & Information Systems Program - USF
Founder - Stablein Solutions
A seasoned executive who has held leadership positions across several sectors such as Energy, Logistics, Financial Services, and Education. 20+ years of demonstrated success with team management, application development, business analytics, project management, program management, and portfolio management.- 8+ years as Senior Exec with Constellation Energy- Led acquisition integrations valued at $1+ Billion- Managed team of 300+ professionals- Started international coal and freight company- 8 years in Financial Services industry- B.A. degree, dual M.S. degrees, DBA degree- Program Director for the Executive Weekend and Global MS-BAIS at USFCurrently leads the highly-regarded Master’s program in Business Analytics and Information Systems at the Muma College of Business. This program helps busy professionals extend their technical knowledge and leadership capabilities through an accelerated curriculum.Dr. Stablein partners with dozens of local Fortune 500 companies to provide their employees with new expertise and capabilities. His program also offers an opportunity for ambitious professionals to take charge of their future career options.
Tracy Ingram
Chief Information Officer - NeuroEM Therapeutics
Tracy Ingram is Chief Information Officer at NeuroEM Therapeutics, where he spearheads innovative IT strategies to accelerate the commercialization of FDA-approved neurological healthcare breakthroughs. With over two decades of experience in strategic information management, he transforms complex challenges into streamlined, efficient solutions through cutting-edge technology implementation.
At NeuroEM Therapeutics, Tracy develops robust digital infrastructures supporting clinical research and operations by integrating emerging technologies, strengthening data integrity, and maintaining rigorous cybersecurity standards. His forward-thinking approach bridges the gap between technology and therapeutic innovation, enabling rapid adaptation in the dynamic Medtech landscape.
Before NeuroEM Therapeutics, Tracy established himself as a transformative leader through senior IT roles in bioinformatics and the military sectors. He consistently delivered innovative solutions to complex projects, and his strategic vision and consumer-focused approach significantly reduced support requirements. Tracy combines technical expertise with executive strategy through advanced Computer Science and Business Administration degrees. He actively champions diversity in tech and mentors emerging industry leaders.
A recognized thought leader in the IT community, Tracy regularly contributes to influential events, including Barcamp and Ignite. His dedication to community engagement and knowledge sharing fosters collaboration and innovation, inspiring the next generation of IT professionals and entrepreneurs. He demonstrates the transformative potential of open exchange and grassroots innovation through these forums.
Tracy's passion for technology advancement and community building continues to shape his impact at NeuroEM Therapeutics and across the broader IT ecosystem, ensuring both remain innovative and prepared for future challenges.
​Troy Bettencourt
Global Partner and the Head of IBM X-Force
Troy Bettencourt is a Global Partner and the Head of IBM X-Force, where he leads a 300+ member, global cybersecurity consultancy practice providing the full range of non-managed offensive, defensive, and threat intelligence security services to worldwide enterprise clients. His responsibilities include global strategy/leadership, global P&L, new service development, delivery excellence, and client and external partner relationships. Troy has over a decade of supervisory experience in the DFIR, law enforcement, and military spaces; three of those years as a member of the Executive Leadership Team of a government agency, and over 18 years of digital forensics/incident response experience.
Dan Holland
Deputy Chief Information Security Officer - Tampa General Hospital
After graduating from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Dan launched his career as a Federal Law Enforcement Officer, leading high-stakes at-sea operations worldwide in pursuit of suspected drug traffickers and pirates. He then commanded an 87-foot Cutter in San Francisco, CA, overseeing critical maritime security operations, and later earned a Top-Secret clearance and served as a Program Manager for the Pacific Area Fleet, managing strategic operations across the region.
Transitioning to the private sector, Dan built a distinguished career in information technology and cybersecurity. Following five years at a Fortune 500 company, he founded Arete Solutions, a disabled veteran-owned cybersecurity consultancy. Inspired by the Greek concept of “Arete” (the pursuit of excellence), the firm specializes in cybersecurity risk management, strategy, and execution for U.S. government and critical infrastructure clients. Under Dan’s leadership, Arete Solutions delivered assessments, policy development, technical project execution, and technology solutions—generating $3M in revenue within the first 18 months.
In 2024, Dan joined Tampa General Health System as the Deputy Chief Information Security Officer (Deputy CISO), where he oversees Cybersecurity Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance (GRC). His role focuses on safeguarding critical healthcare systems and ensuring compliance with evolving cybersecurity regulations.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Dan is passionate about cybersecurity education and workforce development. He is dedicated to expanding K-12 cybersecurity education, working with educators and students across Florida to provide practical cybersecurity experiences, mentorship programs, and career pathways. Dan serves on several advisory and nonprofit boards, including the 1K+ member Central Florida AFCEA Chapter; West Florida Area Maritime Security Advisory Committee; Hillsborough Academy of Information Technology Advisory Board; Pinellas County Technical College Advisory Board; Tampa Bay Cybersecurity Ecosystem K12 Advisory Board; and the Countryside High School Advisory Board.
Jimmy Hester
CISO - St. Petersburg College
Jimmy Hester is the Chief Information Security Officer at St. Petersburg College. With over 18 years experience in IT, 17 years in various roles within the Florida College System, Jimmy has used his experience to drive the risk based strategic alignment of the Information Security Program that is currently in place. Jimmy also currently serves as the Chair of the Florida College System's Information Security Group which consists of representatives from each of the 28 Florida Colleges.
