Speakers

Jennifer Franks directs the Center for Enhanced Cybersecurity within GAO’s Information Technology and Cybersecurity team. She oversees reviews that primarily focus on emerging cybersecurity issues and assessing an agency’s ability to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of its sensitive data and computing infrastructure. Her multi-disciplinary teams actively review agencies’ computer security vulnerabilities across their enterprise-wide computing environment by assessing program management compliance and technical controls recommended for the agencies to follow in accordance with federal guidance and leading practices. In addition, she leads reviews in the areas of IT management and operations, financial management, healthcare and public health IT, data protection, and privacy. 

Jennifer joined GAO in 2006. Jennifer is a Diversity Champion who leads efforts to increase inclusiveness at GAO, and has facilitated numerous Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) courses. Further, she serves as a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach.

Jennifer completed the Key Executive Leadership Program at American University, earned a master’s degree in information security policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University, and earned a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from Hampton University.

Victoria Yan Pillitteri is a supervisory computer scientist and manager of the Security Engineering and Risk Management Group at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The group conducts the research and development of the suite of risk management, systems security engineering, and cybersecurity risk analytics and measurement guidance used for managing cybersecurity risk. She is the co-author of multiple NIST publications that are foundational for cybersecurity risk management, including the security and privacy controls, control assessment procedures, the Risk Management Framework, and the CUI security requirements and assessment procedures (Special Publications (SP) 800-53, SP 800-53A, SP 800-53B, 800-37, 800-171, and 800-171A). 

Ms. Pillitteri holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland, a M.S. in Computer Science, with a concentration in Information Assurance, from the George Washington University, completed the Key Executive Leadership Program at American University, and is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

Paul Selby currently serves as the Chief Information Security Officer and Deputy, CIO for the United States Department of Energy. In this role, Paul leads cybersecurity operations, strategy, policy, authorization, and assessment efforts supporting agency-wide cyber and information security programs. Paul oversees the cybersecurity programs of the DOE enterprise, comprising a diverse set of missions – from open science research to Power Marketing Administrations. Previously, Paul served as the Deputy Chief Information Security Officer for the IRS. In this role Paul was responsible for leading strategic priorities to maximize protection of IRS assets, mitigate risks or operational disruptions and ensure resilience of critical IRS functions and business processes, while maintaining continuous service to both internal and external IRS customers. Paul led an organization of professionals who manage IRS Security Policy, Audit Management, Security Assessments, Cloud Strategy, Incident Response, Configuration Management, Security Services, and Risk Management.

Paul also served as acting Deputy Chief, Facilities Management and Security Services. In this role, Paul led an organization of professionals who delivered a diverse set of facilities and security services to all IRS employees. These services included: physical security and emergency preparedness, logistics, real estate and project management, and environmental and safety services.

Paul has over 25 years of IT experience providing complex networking solutions for U.S. DoD and Civilian agencies. Paul is an officer in the United States Navy Reserves and holds a Master's in Information Systems (Cybersecurity and Information Assurance) from Penn State University and an MBA from Wake Forest University

Richard Breakiron is Commvault’s Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives, Americas Public Sector focused on the Federal community. He gained his extensive experience in developing, deploying and operating critical network IT and large data management systems while serving as an officer the Army, senior government civilian with the Army and DISA and U.S. security agencies.

A leader on many major IT program initiatives throughout his career, Richard oversaw the largest Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) effort comprising over $3 billion in IT systems to support a $16 billion transformation of Army infrastructure.  He further led the effort to realign the DoD’s Top-Level Architecture, by building a partnership with the DoD CIO and AFSPACECOM.  While at the Pentagon with HQDA CIO/G-6, he served in leadership roles for strategic initiatives managing an Army-wide IT reform and network modernization effort. 

Richard works alongside his Strategic Initiatives counterpart, Dave DeVries, where they both bring their close to 80 years of collective experience and insights from the DoD and Federal agencies to the states and local government as well as higher education.  Since leaving government service, Mr. Breakiron has held positions as Executive VP, Public sector, root9B, an advanced Cyber security company; Senior Director, Cyber solutions for ViON Corporation; and initiated the standup of Ascolta, LLC, a data analytics subsidiary of ViON, as their General Manager and served on the board of Ascolta.  

Richard and his wife are fortunate to enjoy a great rural life in Aiken, SC. They relax by gardening, do-it-yourself projects, playing tennis, an occasional Top Golf, and are learning sailing and scuba to enjoy their regular travel to SC beaches with their three ‘launched’ children.

With over 15 years of experience in the federal technology sector, Brian “Stretch” Meyer has built a distinguished career spanning the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the intelligence community. As the Field Chief Technology Officer at Axonius Federal, he leverages deep technical expertise and strategic leadership to help government agencies tackle their most complex cybersecurity challenges. 

Stretch’s career is defined by his success in technical leadership and his deep federal experience. He has held key positions, including Security Services Manager at major DoD agencies, where he had direct oversight of Cybersecurity Architecture and Engineering divisions supporting the Mission Partner Environment programs. 

A United States Air Force veteran, Stretch played a critical role in engineering and securing mission-critical systems in theater, supporting Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) and Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan. His passion lies in translating mission needs into innovative cybersecurity solutions, ensuring federal agencies can strengthen their security posture in an evolving threat landscape. 

Chris Usserman brings over 30 years of US Intelligence Community expertise, specializing in both offensive and defensive cyber operations. Currently at Infoblox, Chris is pivotal in collaborations with CISA, the Department of Defense, the 5EYES intelligence alliance, and extended partner nations to actively shape global cybersecurity strategies and enhancing international cyber defenses. His specialized career includes a decade at Lockheed Martin's Advanced Technology Labs conducting cyber capabilities applied research, 14 years in Air Force Intelligence, and over 10 years consulting on 'Applied Intelligence' to bolster cybersecurity postures for government and industry partners. A frequent and often sought-after public speaker, Chris excels at engaging and enlightening audiences with the latest cyber threat capabilities, employing more robust cybersecurity frameworks, and sharing his unique experiences about how threat actors think and act.