Adam Cerini is a Partner Solution Architect leader at AWS. In his role, Adam helps AWS partners architect technical solutions and expand their business on AWS in the public sector. He also works as a security specialist and advises customers across industries design and implement secure environments on AWS. Adam has more than 15 years experience in cyber security. Previous to AWS Adam helped the US government to grow and train cyber operators through live and realistic cyber exercises at CMU/CERT.

Jim is currently a CTO at NetApp US Public Sector and has over 25 years of engineering and leadership experience supporting a variety of Federal and Commercial customers. Jim has focused on Storage, Data Management, and Security for over 20 years including On-Premises, Hybrid, and Cloud technologies. Jim also was a Solution Engineering Director leading technical pre-sales teams for 10 years. Jim has a passion of teaming with customers, partners, and colleagues to drive winning outcomes, and he thrives on helping customers architect optimal, cost-efficient, and secure data management solutions using NetApp technology.

Ely Kahn is VP Product for Cloud Security at SentinelOne. Previously, he was Head of Product for AWS Security Hub. Before his time at AWS, Ely was a co-founder for Sqrrl, a security analytics startup that AWS acquired and is now Amazon Detective. Earlier, Ely served in a variety of positions in the federal government, including Director of Cybersecurity at the National Security Council in the White House.

Gary leads AWS’s Global Security and Compliance team for the AWS Global System Integration Partner channel. In his role Gary and his team is responsible for managing the relationship with the GSI partners managing the sell with and sell through market strategy.

Prior to joining AWS Gary was with IBM's World Security where he led the IBM Security business in financial services where he was responsible for sales, business development, offering management and the overall go to market strategy for IBM's security offerings in financial services. Gary is a recognized thought leader in the areas of security and cloud within the financial services industry and has spoken around the world on these topics including China, Russia and Brazil. Gary also led the IBM Financial Services Regulatory Consortium which consists of 33 financial services companies who are collaborating together to form regulatory standards that will accelerate the deployment of public cloud into the financial services industry.

Prior to joining IBM Gary was Global Director of Sales for DXC’s Financial Services Hybrid Cloud and has also held global sales leadership roles with HP, Avaya and Accenture.

James Perry serves as the Sr. Manager and global leader for Amazon Web Services (AWS) Worldwide Public Sector Security. Prior to joining AWS, he served as the Chief Information Security Officer for the University of South Carolina, and previously held IT leadership positions at the University of Tennessee System (UT), including Chief Information Officer, Executive Director of Systems, Associate CIO for Statewide Services, and Chief Information Security Officer. Before joining UT, Perry spent 13 years as an IT consultant with a focus on small- to medium-size businesses.

Perry holds an MBA from Tennessee Tech University and a B.S. in Business from Lee University. In addition, Perry has earned several industry certifications including the AWS Certified Solution Architect Professional, AWS Certified Security Specialty, Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA), and the Certified HIPAA Security Specialist (CHSS) among others.

Michael Tharpe is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the tech industry, specializing in Solution Engineering at HashiCorp for the past five years. With a background in Infrastructure Architecture, Network Architecture, and Software Development, Michael Tharpe has developed a robust skill set that encompasses designing resilient infrastructures, developing secure network solutions, and crafting scalable software. 

Digital business leader, editor and creative storyteller with nearly 25 years of online experience. Proven track record of recruiting and developing talent, turning bright ideas into real-world execution, and making online innovation a core part of broader media and communications strategies.

Also knows a thing or two about public policy, government IT, open data, business development, data visualization, technology policy, executive-branch operations, small-batch bourbon and Big Ten basketball.
 

Mr. David McKeown serves as the Deputy DoD Chief Information Officer for Cybersecurity (DCIO(CS)) and the DoD’s Senior Information Security Officer (SISO) per 44 USC 3544. In this role he provides expert policy, technical, program, and defense-wide oversight support to the DoD CIO on all cybersecurity matters. He is responsible for leading the DoD-wide cybersecurity program and associated governance processes. He partners with industry to improve cybersecurity and information sharing through the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) and represents the Secretary of Defense and DoD CIO in international discussions and negotiates cybersecurity topics in both bilateral and multi-lateral (alliance and coalition) channels. He leads the development of the cybersecurity investment priorities for the Department and provides planning guidance to Components.

Mr. McKeown has over 35 years of experience in the Department of Defense having served 27 years in the Air Force and 8 years as a government civilian. He spent 21 years as an Air Force Cyberspace Operations officer skillfully leading numerous organizations and high-visibility initiatives to include the Air Force Cybersecurity Program as a member of the Air Staff.

He served as the Director of Enterprise Information and Mission Assurance for the United States Army Information Technology Agency and as the Cybersecurity Center Chief and Enterprise Services Center Chief for the DISA Joint Service Provider in the Pentagon. He led the Pentagon Computer Incident Response Team (PENTCIRT) providing twenty-four-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week network security monitoring and intrusion detection, attack sensing and warning, and incident response and handling for the Department of Defense's key leadership and staffs.

Mr. McKeown most recently led the Department of Justice’s Service Delivery Staff where he was responsible for the acquisition, development, deployment, operations, and maintenance of Department IT as well as delivery of high quality, customer-centric services to ensure the success of the DOJ and its component organizations.