Erika Dinnie is Vice President of Federal Strategy at MetTel, a leading communications solutions provider recognized for excellence in managed network services. 

With over three decades of experience, Erika drives enterprise-wide digital transformation, hybrid workplace innovation, and strategic planning in high-stakes federal and technology environments. Erika’s background includes key leadership roles at the General Services Administration (GSA), where she advanced modernizing government services through technology, organizational strategy, and resource optimization.

In the GovCon community, Erika serves as Industry co-chair for the ACT-IAC Community of Interest for Networks and Telecommunications.  She most recently authored a NextGov article,  “From the Trenches: Five Essential Lessons for Federal IT Modernization,” sharing her experience as Associate CIO in modernizing IT from within the Federal Government.

Erika is deeply committed to leadership grounded in resilience, service, and outcomes—values that align with CXC’s mission. 

Bob Kolasky is Senior Vice President for Critical Infrastructure at Exiger where he focuses on developing cutting-edge risk management solutions for critical infrastructure companies and supporting government agencies. Mr. Kolasky joined Exiger after 15 years as a senior leader in the Federal government, where he was responsible for foundational work in national security risk management, to include the development of the National Critical Functions risk framework.

Daniel Kroese is Palo Alto Networks' Vice President of Global Policy & Government Affairs where he leads the company’s global efforts interfacing with policymakers, government stakeholders, and business leaders. He brings a wealth of Legislative and Executive Branch cybersecurity experience to the company. Daniel most recently served as the Staff Director on the House Homeland Security Committee. In this role, he formulated and advanced an aggressive bipartisan cybersecurity agenda for the committee. He previously served as a senior official at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) where he was responsible for standing up several of CISA’s risk management collaboration efforts with the private sector. Prior to joining CISA, Daniel was the Chief of Staff to then Congressman John Ratcliffe (current CIA Director) who chaired the House Homeland Cybersecurity Subcommittee. At Palo Alto Networks, he leverages this experience to promote greater resilience throughout the entire cybersecurity ecosystem. Daniel is a CyberScoop 50 winner, FedScoop 50 finalist, Washington Magazine 2025 ‘Tech Titan’ and serves as a visiting fellow at both the National Security Institute and the Auburn McCrary Institute. Daniel has an economics degree from the University of Pennsylvania and lives in Virginia with his wife and three children. In his free time he is an avid rock climber and outdoor enthusiast.

Dr. Raymond Sheh is an AI, cybersecurity, robotics, and standards expert with over two decades of published international research experience across academia, industry, government, and defense. He is an Associate Research Scientist at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland and leads the development of the NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF) Profile for Trustworthy AI in Critical Infrastructure at the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Information Technology Laboratory (ITL). He was previously the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Research Lead for the NIST Public Safety Communications Research Division (PSCR), a Research Professor at Georgetown University in Washington DC, and a Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at Curtin University in Western Australia. Dr. Sheh holds a Ph.D. in AI and robotics from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.

Todd Klessman is the Managing Director, Financial Services Cyber & Technology at the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA).  In this role, Todd serves as an advisor to and an advocate for the nation’s securities industry on issues related to operational resilience, business continuity planning, cybersecurity, incident management, and third-party risk management. 

Prior to joining SIFMA, Todd spent over 15 years with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and its predecessor organizations.  During his time at CISA, Todd held various roles including Senior Counselor to the CISA Director, Senior Advisor to the Executive Assistant Director for Infrastructure Security, and Deputy Associate Director for Chemical Security.

Todd holds a Juris Doctor degree from The University of Michigan Law School and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with Highest Distinction from The University of Michigan Business School.

Mr. C.N. "Nick" Parham currently serves as the Chief, Office of Maritime Cybersecurity Policy (CG-MCP), where he oversees efforts for overarching policy and guidance as needed that support the implementation of the MTSA cybersecurity regulations and CG-5P’s cybersecurity missions for Coast Guard field activities to support the facilitation of commerce in the maritime industry.

Previously, he was a Marine Transportation System (MTS) Cybersecurity Coordinator for the Coast Guard's Atlantic Area Command (LANT Area).   As the MTS Cybersecurity Coordinator, Mr. Parham operationalized the Coast Guard’s Cyber Strategic Outlook by building relationships between Coast Guard units, especially between Coast Guard Cyber Command and the local field units, to deliver much needed resources to national MTS critical infrastructure. 

Previous to his LANT Area position, Mr. Parham served as the Security Specialist for the Coast Guard’s Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) inspections office located in New Orleans, LA. During his time in that position, Mr. Parham was recognized for his exceptional service and awarded the Coast Guard Civilian Service Commendation Medal.

Mr. Parham is a 2018 graduate of Louisiana State University's Paul M. Hebert Law Center where he received his Juris Doctor and Doctoral Certificate in Comparative Law.  Mr. Parham also holds two Master’s Degrees (Criminal Justice and Quality Systems Management) that he earned through distance learning while serving full-time on active duty in the Coast Guard prior to attending law school.

Mr. Parham served for fourteen years as a commissioned officer in the United States Coast Guard where he earned the rank of Lieutenant Commander. 

Shawn Whiteside is a cybersecurity and resilience executive, global speaker, and trusted advisor at the intersection of national security, critical infrastructure, leadership, and cross-sector collaboration. A 24-year U.S. Coast Guard veteran, he commanded units both at sea and ashore and served as a U.S. Senate Fellow, bringing firsthand experience from the operational front lines, the policy environment, and the executive table. Today, Shawn serves as SVP, Commercial Practice at OneZero Solutions and Executive Director of the Maritime Transportation System Information Sharing & Analysis Center (MTS-ISAC), and is the Founder and Principal of Executive Pinnacle and zero3 Strategic Advisors. He helps leaders turn complex cyber, resilience, and emerging-threat challenges into clear priorities, stronger partnerships, and decisive action. Shawn is a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and earned a Master's in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School.

Matthew (Matt) Fridley is the Vice President of Government Affairs for Brenntag, the world’s largest chemical distributor. He previously served as Chairman of the U.S. Chemical Sector Coordinating Council (CSCC) and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Board for the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD). He also contributes to security committees within the American Chemistry Council (ACC), the Chlorine Institute, and the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM).

Mr. Fridley is a current member of the U.S. Delegation to the Global Congress for Chemical Security and Emerging Threats and serves as a subject matter expert on INTERPOL’s Global Advisory Panel and Chemical Security Steering Committee.

Bob Stephan is a Specialist Executive within Deloitte’s Government & Public Service practice and has more than 40 years of combined national defense and homeland security experience. He provides event-tested knowledge, experience, and leadership in all-hazards risk assessment and management; critical infrastructure security and resilience; continuity of operations and business resilience planning; cybersecurity planning; public-private sector partnership development and coordination; and incident management planning, training, and exercises. Mr. Stephan formerly served as Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection, US DHS. In this capacity, he led the national effort to assess risk across 18 critical infrastructure sectors and to develop and implement the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) and supporting sector-specific and hazard-specific annexes.  He also overhauled national-level incident management structures and coordination processes related to critical infrastructure assessment, security, restoration and public-private sector information sharing. Previously, Mr. Stephan served for 24 years with the U.S. Air Force as combat control officer in a number of key operational and staff assignments, including command of two Air Force Special Tactics Combat Control and Pararescue squadrons and a combat tour during Operation Desert Storm.

Ollie Gagnon is the Chief Homeland Security Advisor at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and Executive Director of the INL Resilience Optimization Center. Ollie brings over four decades of leadership across homeland security missions and is board certified as a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Protection Professional (CPP), and Physical Security Professional (PSP).

Previously, he served as the first DHS Protective Security Advisor for the West Florida District, where he helped shape risk and resilience programs and enhanced infrastructure protection. His experience also includes infrastructure assessments with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and 22 years in the U.S. Air Force. Ollie is a Senior Fellow with Cyber Florida at the University of South Florida. He is a two-time R&D 100 Award winner for innovations in critical infrastructure resilience.

Chris Anderson is an infrastructure resilience expert with 30 years of government, military, and private sector experience. He serves as Principal Advisor for National Security & Emergency Preparedness at Lumen Technologies and has held elected leadership roles in the Communications Information Sharing and Analysis Center since 2022.

 Previously, Mr. Anderson was the FCC’s Chief of Operations and Emergency Management, where he led incident management, operations centers, national security coordination, and continuity programs. Earlier, he held leadership roles in partnerships, incident management, and strategy at the DHS Office of Infrastructure Protection. He began his career as a U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, retiring from the Navy Reserve in 2016.

 Mr. Anderson is a 2010 graduate of the National War College. He also holds a master’s degree in management information systems from Bowie State University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia.

Alexandra Lampson is the Senior Program Manager for Critical Infrastructure at DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (DC HSEMA). Ali serves as the Agency's lead critical infrastructure subject matter expert with an overall responsibility for strengthening the District’s capability to ensure protection and resilience of its critical infrastructure assets, facilities, and systems.

Ali has been working in the EM field for just under 10 years. Prior to her current role with HSEMA, she worked with DC Water and Sewer Authority, had her first round of employment with DC

HSEMA, and the University of Massachusetts’ Office of Emergency Management. She is interested in leadership and finding creative ways to continue her education.

Ali is a Certified Emergency Manager. She is also a founding member of the International Association of Emergency Managers – Critical Infrastructure Consortium, was a founding member and Vice Chair of the Allied Professionals Caucus and supports the IAEM conference committee.

Ali is a recent graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School’s Emergence Program (June 2024, Cohort 2302).

Ali has her Master’s in Emergency and Disaster Management from Georgetown University and Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Mike Spitz is a certified Program Management Professional with over 25 years of specialized experience in program management, systems engineering, architectural analysis, and advanced technology evaluations. He currently leads SAIC's support for the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology’s (DHS S&T) Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) program, spearheading efforts since its inception. Under his guidance, Mike and his team conduct continual analysis and assessment of complex C-UAS technology challenges, delivering innovative solutions to safeguard critical national security operations—most recently ahead of this year’s World Cup games.

Beyond his transformative leadership in large-scale programs, Mike brings a distinguished background in systems engineering and operational analysis, serving in pivotal roles across both Department of Defense (DoD) and DHS initiatives. He played a key role in shaping the analysis and development of the U.S. Air Force's next-generation bomber force structure and Joint Close Air Support (JCAS) systems. As a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy with a Bachelor’s in Aeronautical Engineering and a Master’s in Systems Technology, combined with over 20 years as an Air Force pilot, Mike's unparalleled aviation expertise and in-depth experience in C-UAS technology position him as an ideal moderator for today’s panel. His impressive career exemplifies his commitment to advancing mission-critical capabilities and fostering innovation in the most complex technological domains.

Jennifer Daskal is a partner at Venable LLP, where she advises clients on complex matters at the intersection of technology, homeland security, cybersecurity, and national security.  She previously served as deputy homeland security advisor at the White House, acting general counsel at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for National Security at the Department of Justice.  She has particular expertise working with critical infrastructure on security issues, including the threat posed by the malicious use of drones; testified on the issue before Congress; and ran table-top exercises bringing together local, state, and federal authorities with key private sector entities to respond to multi-pronged, hypothetical drone attacks, and to identify and address any operational, policy, and resource gaps.

Mr. Torphy has led the FBI's Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Counter-UAS (C-UAS) programs since 2021 and now directs its Unmanned Aviation Branch, with nationwide responsibility for UAS and C-UAS operations, training, policy, and interagency coordination. He has overseen more than 100 C-UAS operations nationwide, including over 70 under 6 U.S.C. § 124n. He authored the FBI's first comprehensive C-UAS Policy Guide and founded and directs the National Counter-UAS Training Center (NCUTC) at Redstone Arsenal, created in direct execution of Executive Order 14305 as the nation's first standardized C-UAS training and certification program for state and local law enforcement system operators.

In July 2025, Mr. Torphy testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on the accelerating domestic UAS threat and the urgent need to expand statutory C-UAS authorities for law enforcement. That testimony and sustained congressional and interagency engagement contributed to passage of the SAFER SKIES Act, which extended C-UAS authority to state and local law enforcement for the first time in U.S. history. He now leads the FBI's implementation of the Act, shaping the policy, regulatory, and operational framework that will govern the next generation of domestic C-UAS authority, and joins senior FBI executives in White House National Security Council deliberations on C-UAS policy.

Mr. Torphy directs the FBI's role as the U.S. Government's lead for C-UAS incident response across all eleven U.S. venues of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and has been featured by Bloomberg, Fox News, NBC News, NPR, and other national outlets for his leadership of the FBI's counter-drone mission. Mr. Torphy brings a singular combination of expertise across the operational, technical, policy, and legal dimensions of the C-UAS mission. A Part 61-certificated private pilot and a Part 107-certificated remote pilot with hundreds of flight hours supporting FBI operations, he regularly represents the FBI at national and international C-UAS forums.

Over more than two decades of FBI service, Mr. Torphy has led aviation operations in the Los Angeles Field Office, managed enterprise technology initiatives at FBI Headquarters, directed the FBI's Civil Aviation Security Program, and conducted national security investigations. He resides in Huntsville, Alabama.

Dr. Simental is the Founder of Simental Industries Ltd. & EM Disaster Gaming and is the creator of Disaster Wargaming(TM). Our disaster wargames are being used to solve real world problems, training, and education by over 3000 agencies, colleges, universities, and the military across the United States and more than 25 countries around the world.

Dr. Simental is an IAEM-USA Top 40 Under 40 Recipient, Certified Emergency Manager, Disaster Researcher, EM Historian, Professor, Futurist, Author, Disaster Wargaming Creator & Systems Scientist. NEMAA, IAEM-CEM / CO-CEM

Dr. Simental is the Founder & CEO of Simental Industries Ltd. & EM Disaster Gaming a Homeland Security & Emergency Management Consulting Firm and Disaster Research Collaborative, and a former Public Health Advisor for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Simental has over seventeen years of service in Government, Homeland Security & Emergency Management and Emergency Services. Serving across all levels of government (local-federal), private & non-profit sectors in homeland security, emergency management, healthcare & public health emergency preparedness, space & defense, security, education, & critical infrastructure. Dr. Simental is also a homeland security researcher, published author, former Threat Liaison Officer, a Member of FEMA’s Science, Technology and Integration Special Interest Group, Certified Emergency Manager with CEMA and IAEM, and notably disaster wargaming creator.