Cyber Florida

Todd Ferguson has extensive experience in information security, serving as Chief Information Security Officer at Raymond James since 2000. Ferguson has held multiple leadership roles within the company, including SVP, Deputy CISO/CISO for Raymond James Bank and Raymond James Trust, and Vice President of Information Security and Network Infrastructure. Prior to Raymond James, Ferguson worked as a Systems Engineer at William R. Hough & Co. and served in the United States Marine Corps as a Sergeant. Additionally, Ferguson contributed to the Fuel User Group as a Founding Board Member from April 2015 to August 2016. 

Ed Giorgio is the founder and president of Bridgery Technologies and was the co-founder and CEO of Ponte Technologies, a security and technology company that was recently acquired by KEYW Corporation. He was formerly a principal at Booz Allen Hamilton, where he spent 10 years working on information security and enterprise resilience issues for a variety of commercial clients and federal agencies. Mr.Giorgio also has nearly 30 years of security experience with the National Security Agency (NSA). While at NSA, he pioneered developments in communications security, national intelligence policy and technology, and public key cryptography. Mr. Giorgio is the only person to have served as both Chief U.S. codemaker and, subsequently, as Chief U.S. codebreaker at NSA where he directly managed 1600 mathematicians and computer scientists. As a mathematician, he designed and delivered the first public key based e-mail privacy and authentication system on the worldwide intelligence network. Mr. Giorgio is considered a leading authority on cryptography where he holds patents. In 2015 he was a panel member on the cryptographer’s panel at the RSA conference. His research interests include cryptography and data science, where the latter are focused on hidden Markov models, machine learning, Bloom filters, Internet metadata graphs, and predictive analytics.

Leslie Ireland is the former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Intelligence and Analysis. She joined the Treasury in 2010 after 25 years at CIA where she specialized in Iran, the Middle East, and WMD. Ireland retired in November 2016 after more than 31 years in the Intelligence Community.

At the Treasury, Ireland was responsible for leading the analysis of key financial vulnerabilities of foreign threats to U.S. national security, e.g., Iran’s nuclear program, North Korean finance networks, foreign cyber threats to the U.S. financial sector, and foreign investment in the United States. Ireland was also responsible for expanding the infrastructure needed to protect the Treasury’s national security information and establishing the Treasury’s first Insider Threat Program. Concurrent in her role as Assistant Secretary, Ireland was appointed by the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to serve as the first National Intelligence Manager for Threat Finance. In that role, she served as the principal advisor to the DNI on threat finance and was responsible for overseeing the intelligence process regarding the use of financial information to combat the wide range of U.S. national security threats. Ireland also created and chaired the DNI Financial Sector Advisory Board (FSAB).

Prior to joining the Treasury Department, Ireland served as a daily intelligence briefer to the president from 2008-2010. As the first DNI Iran Mission Manager from 2005-2008, she served as the principal advisor to the DNI on Iran and was responsible for overseeing the intelligence process on Iran for the entire U.S. government. She held a range of other assignments at CIA, including Executive Assistant to Director of Central Intelligence Porter Goss and Executive Assistant to Deputy Director of Central Intelligence/Acting Director of Central Intelligence John McLaughlin, and was detailed to the Office of the Secretary of Defense as Country Director for Iran and Kuwait.

Ireland is the recipient of the Alexander Hamilton Award, the highest award bestowed by the Secretary of the Treasury, the Intelligence Community Seal Medallion, personally awarded by the DNI, the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal (2016 and 2008), and the CIA Intelligence Commendation Medal. She is a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College and Georgetown University.

Rick Knop is a lawyer turned investment banker and private equity principal. After working on Capitol Hill (as a legislative assistant to two Congressmen) and practicing international corporate law Rick co-founded The Windsor Group in 1992. The Windsor Group was the first investment bank focused on the government/defense contracting industry. As CEO he built Windsor into the premier investment bank for that industry and led many M&A transactions.

In 2005 BB&T Bank (now Truist) acquired Windsor. After the acquisition of the Windsor Group, Rick was Co-head of BB&T Capital Markets until 2009. In 2010 Rick, with his wife Leslee Belluchie (a senior executive in the defense industry), cofounded FedCap Partners – private equity fund that invested in Federal technology, cyber security, and national security companies. After selling their last portfolio company, Rick partnered with Macquarie Capital, the leading investor in the world in critical infrastructure, for investments/acquisitions of government contractors. Together they have consummated a number of significant Federal technology company transactions. Rick was a member of the Board of Trustees of The George Washington University for 8 years, as well as founder and Chairman of the George Washington University Center for Cyber & Homeland Security. Rick also served as the President of the National Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth, Vice Chairman and member of the Board of the World Affairs Council of Washington DC.

He is currently an Emeritus member of the Board of Advisors for George Washington University Law School, member of the Board of Advisors of the McCrary Institute for Cybersecurity & Critical Infrastructure, chair of the Board of Advisors of Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida, member of the Board of Trustees of the London Town Foundation, and a board member of several government/defense companies.

Rick has won numerous awards including The Greater Washington Technology Financier of the Year, the Association of Corporate Growth Dealmaker of the Year, the Technology Good Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America, and the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award from The George Washington University. Rick received a JD with honors from GW Law School, an AB from Indiana University, and was a First Lt in the US Army.

He is a member of The Cosmos Club, the Annapolis Yacht Club, the Mar-aLago Club, the Breakers Ocean Club, the Palm Beach Yacht Club, and Chartwell Country Club. He is married to Leslee Belluchie, has three grown children, and six grandchildren. He and his wife have homes in Palm Beach, Florida and Annapolis, Maryland. He and his wife have endowed scholarships and professorships at The George Washington University and Auburn University.

With nearly 30 years of experience, Pam Lindemoen brings a wealth of knowledge in information security, application development, and infrastructure to the organization. Ms. Lindemoen recently joined the Retail & Hospitality Information Sharing and Analysis Center as Chief Security Officer & VP of Strategy, where she will oversee the organization’s security operations, including cybersecurity and information security, while also leading strategic planning and partner engagement.

Ms. Lindemoen’s expertise spans various industries, including healthcare, technology, financial services, and manufacturing. Most recently, she served as CISO Advisor at Cisco. In this role, among other duties, she was instrumental in facilitating the CISO Leadership Development Program that RH-ISAC provided to develop industry talent. Before her tenure with Cisco, she served as Deputy Chief Information Security Officer at Anthem, Inc. While at Anthem, she was considered a bold and strategic thinker who envisioned and delivered a world-class Enterprise Information Security strategy, including the Steering Committee with cross-functional business and technology membership. Pam was also a key advisor to the litigation process and full program development during and after an unprecedented cyberattack.

Before Anthem, Ms. Lindemoen had significant success leading business development, software development, IT operations, program improvements, and direct sales. In her executive leadership positions, she has played pivotal roles in developing innovative products and services for key accounts and developed IT solution strategies that led to multibillion-dollar contracts with global vendors and customers. She is dedicated to encouraging women in business and IT. In addition to her track record of mentoring women in the Information Security space, she was an inaugural member of the Anthem Women in Technology Steering Committee. In addition to her service on the Board of Advisors, Ms. Lindemoen is a co-host on the Cyber Florida at USF podcast “Do We Belong Here?”, which examines opportunities and challenges facing women and other underrepresented groups in the tech industry. She is also an avid community activist and volunteer for the Ronald McDonald House, Habitat for Humanity, and Tampa Bay Watch. Pam is a native of Atlanta, GA, and currently resides in St. Petersburg, FL, where she enjoys cheering on the Tampa Bay Lightning, boating, and spending time with her family.

Michael Macedonia is the Assistant Vice President for Research at the University of Central Florida and a Senior Advisor to the US Army Science Board. He has extensive experience in simulation technologies, previously serving as CTO at SAIC and General Manager at Forterra Systems. He was also Director of the Disruptive Technology Office (now IARPA). A former Army officer, Dr. Macedonia has authored over 50 scientific publications and chaired several Army Science Board studies. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the Naval Postgraduate School. 

Lieutenant General Ken Minihan is a Managing Director at Paladin. He retired from the U.S. Air Force on June 1, 1999, after more than 33 years of active commissioned service to the nation. On his final tour of duty, he served as the 14th Director of the National Security Agency/Central Security Service, a combat support agency of the Department of Defense with military and civilian personnel stationed worldwide. As Director, he was the senior uniformed intelligence officer in the Department of Defense. He has also served as the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. He has over thirty years of experience in national, defense, and military information services, information technology development, and diverse customer support services.

Lieutenant General Ken Minihan has vast experience in large complex global and national information operations, information technology deployment, and customer requirement satisfaction. While the Director of NSA, he helped conceive and provide strategic direction to the National Information Assurance Program. He also created strategic approaches and development concepts for emerging telecommunications technology while redesigning core business skills and efficient operations. He has the unique ability to integrate complex programs and business operations allowing the organization to focus on cost and schedule goals.

Lieutenant General Ken Minihan is a Managing Director in the Paladin Capital Group. He is a past President of the Security Affairs Support Association and a Founder of the Intelligence and National Security Alliance in Washington D.C., the flagship organization for industry, government partners, and academia to enhance effective intelligence development. He is also a member of the Air Force Association and a number of public and private boards. He often serves on government pro bono committees and panels to examine ways to enhance homeland and national security capabilities.

Lieutenant General Ken Minihan has a Baccalaureate Degree from Florida State University, a Masters Degree from the Naval Postgraduate School, and has completed executive development programs at the University of Illinois and Harvard University. Among his awards and decorations are the National Security Medal, the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Bronze Star, and the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal.

Joshua Whitman is a cybersecurity policy consultant and holds a Ph.D. in Public Administration and Public Policy from Auburn University and a Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity and Cybersecurity Policy from Harvard. With over two decades of experience in public policy, education, and strategic consulting, Joshua has served in various leadership roles across sectors.

John Wilgis has been with the Florida Hospital Association (FHA) since 2006 and currently serves as the vice president for member and business relations. He is a Registered Respiratory Therapist with extensive hospital administration and patient care experience. John has a diverse background incorporating business practices, teaching and lecturing, education coordination, professional mentoring, fundraising, finance administration, risk and emergency management, program and project management, and performance improvement and analytics.

In this role at FHA, John manages hospital outreach to communicate, promote, and market FHA programs, initiatives, and services. He also works to create and administer business opportunities in support of FHA member needs and educational programs and meetings. He also provides emergency management services and coordination with Florida’s hospital community for disaster events.

John’s principal areas of interest involve business development, workplace and occupational safety, patient safety and clinical outcomes improvement, cybersecurity, supply chain coordination and aggregation, and hospital and health system emergency preparedness, planning, response, mitigation, and recovery.