Speakers

Manuel "Manny" Medrano has over 20 years of experience, 13 years with Department of State. He has contributed to many technology modernization efforts in the Secretary of State’s office. He now leads State’s Office of Cyber Monitoring and Operations. Manny has served in this role since 2022, defending State’s networks and systems against advanced and persistent cyber threats. His duties include overseeing cyber monitoring, incident response, penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and designing, engineering, and operating State's cybersecurity defense systems. Previously, as Deputy Division Chief for Cyber Threat Intelligence, Manny was integral to the pursuit of actionable, outcome-based intelligence and partnering with private industry.

Brent Hansen is the VP of Federal Sales Engineering at Optiv + ClearShark.  He currently leads the direction and strategy for technical guidance to customers, partners, and Federal cyber executives.  Brent brings over 25+ years of experience in security, data encryption, cloud native, Zero Trust, and API security strategies. Brent has previously held global leadership positions at Cequence Security, D2iQ, and was Federal CTO at Thales Trust Cyber Technologies.

As one of Nutanix’s early pioneers and first hire for our US Federal business, Jason contributed significantly over 8 years to the company's success before embarking on broadening his professional skills and experiences. During his 4 years away, Jason led sales in both the SaaS multi-cloud networking space as well as generative AI solutions for the enterprise. After leading a generative AI startup from seed through A Round, he returned to Nutanix at the beginning of 2024 to run the AI line of business.

Experience:

James Turgal, specializes in Executive Advisor, Cyber Risk and Board Relations and Education. Provides cyber threat actor subject matter expertise and advice / recommendations / education to C-Suite executives, audit committees and boards of directors. He has significant C-Suite and Board level executive experience in advising / translating complex cyber / information technology concepts and building strategies to address cyber-attack influenced business risk, cyber crisis management resilience and response and other strategy efforts for the public and private sector.

Prior to joining Optiv, James spent three years in the cyber risk practice at Deloitte after retiring from a distinguished 22-year career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). During his FBI career, James served as a Special Agent, Attorney and Pilot in numerous FBI Field Offices. His cyber experience began in 2003 working cyber investigations and designing a Cyber Crime Taskforce in the Cincinnati Field Office. James served in executive roles as the Special Agent in Charge (CEO Role) of the Arizona Field Office where he was responsible for all critical infrastructure, including the Palo Verde Nuclear Power Station and other energy sector assets transiting Arizona. He went onto C-Level leadership roles as the Chief Human Capitol Officer (CHCO) and culminated his career as the Executive Assistant Director of Global Information Technology and the FBI’s Chief Information Officer (CIO).

Certifications and Education:

• Bachelors of Science (BS), Economics – Northern Arizona University
• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) Law Degree – Western Michigan University, Cooley School of Law
• Legal Master’s (LL.M.) Degree Corporations / Securities Regulation – Georgetown University

Michael comes to Optiv + ClearShark with over 25 years of experience working in the Federal, Systems Integrator, and technical markets with tenures at Sun Microsystems, Agiliiance, FireMon, and Illusive. Most recently Michael served as Vice President Federal at BeyondTrust.

Daniel Wilbricht serves as president for Optiv + ClearShark, a cybersecurity and IT solutions provider focused exclusively on serving the U.S. federal government. He is also a member of Optiv’s executive leadership team focused on growing Optiv’s presence in the U.S. public sector.

Wilbricht’s leadership is rooted in the belief that innovation thrives when people are empowered, inspired, and united by a shared mission. With more than 25 years of experience in the public sector in various leadership roles across the channel ecosystem, including technology manufacturers, value-added resellers and distribution, Wilbricht has shaped the federal consulting industry by aligning advanced cybersecurity solutions with mission impact, advocating for technology adoption at scale, and setting new standards in compliance, services, and innovation.

Most recently, Wilbricht served as general manager, senior vice president of Devo, where he led a team responsible for creating strategic technology relationships within the federal, state, local government agencies and higher education institutions. Prior to that, Wilbricht was vice president of Ivanti Public Sector, where he was instrumental in their growth and acquisitions. He also led sales teams at LogRhythm, Dell and Red Hat.

Wilbricht is a founding member and on the board of the Software in Defense Coalition, which advances and advocates for the need for faster American emerging technology adoption and highlights the integral role software plays in driving the country’s global strategic edge. He also is an active member of several boards.