PANELISTS

The sponsors are very thankful to the speakers, moderators, and panelists for helping bring the information to the attendees.

 
 
 

JEFF WATTS | Lead Solutions Architect, RPI GROUP INC.

Moderator/Panelist

Jeff Watts is the Lead Solutions Architect for RPI Group, Inc. For the last 15+ years, Jeff has worked supporting the DOD in various positions starting at the MCNOSC, administering VPNs, firewalls, routers, and switches in support of the Marine Corps Enterprise Network (MCEN). In 2003, he went to work for the USMC DAA providing support in the areas of IA risk management and vulnerability assessments as well as drafting policies for secure WiFi use, Firewalls, VPNs, and remote access. Jeff has experience in all aspects of the C&A process to include working directly for the CA and DAA, supporting customers going through the validation process as well as conducted many validations as a USMC Validator. Additionally, he conducted IA training for more than 1000 DoD personnel, participated in the development of commercial wireless networking policies for the USMC, DoN, and DoD as well as working with the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) on wireless network discovery tools and techniques.  Jeff has been selected to present at many conferences including DallasCon, NSA sponsored Joint Wireless Working Group (JWWG), Federal Computing Weekly (FCW) Homeland Security, AFCEA East and West, NSA Red Team/Blue Team Symposium (REBL), USMC IA Conference, and the DOD Cyber Crime Conference. He joined RPI in late 2015.

 
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Robert Hostelka | DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, VIRGINIA RAILWAY EXPRESS

Panelist

Strong Leader and Team Player with Proven Track Record of Fixing Broken Environments, Systems and Processes through Philosophy Including Mix of Kaizen Continual Improvement Combined with Strategic Leadership and Laser Focus on Operational Detail. ~

Candidate offers 15 years of management experience with a BS in Computer Information Systems and Masters in Business Administration providing modern contemporary business management principles. Superior project management, implementation, follow-up, negotiation, and consensus-building skills.

Proven ability to investigate and resolve inefficiencies of redundant and antiquated systems and ensure internal and regulatory compliance. Remain focused in the most intense situations and environments.

 

Naveed Mirza | Senior Solutions Architect, Okta

Panelist

Naveed is a Senior Solutions Architect focusing on the DoD and Federal customer base. He has worked in cybersecurity since leaving the US Navy in the late 1990s. Before coming to Okta, Naveed was a consultant for several DoD customers, and he continues to offer advice via active participation in the DoD community. He grew up in Stafford, Virginia, and upon returning from active duty, took up residence there once more. In his free time, he enjoys beer brewing, gaming, and the occasional date night with his wife.

 

JOEL GRIFFIN | Founder & President, Riphean Group

Panelist

Joel Griffin founded Riphean Group in 2020. Under his leadership, Riphean has flourished, establishing and growing its subsidiaries while diversifying its investment portfolio across various industries. Joel’s strategic investments and angel support for primarily veteran-owned small businesses aim to cultivate a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Fredericksburg region.

Joel is committed to philanthropy through local nonprofits and organizations that align with Riphean’s mission and contribute to the strengthening of communities. One of his significant philanthropic endeavors is through Gwyneth’s Gift Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2015 by Joel and Jennifer Griffin in honor of their eldest daughter, Gwyneth. As the Chairman of Gwyneth’s Gift, Joel drives the foundation’s mission of raising awareness and education about Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). With a focus on saving lives and promoting cardiac health, Gwyneth’s Gift serves as a beacon of hope and empowerment within the community.

Prior to founding Riphean, Joel architected the highly successful sale of Dependable Global Solutions, a cybersecurity company he co-founded in 2011, to Arlington Capital — becoming Centauri and now KBR. Joel has also previously served as Senior Managing Director for The McLean Group and worked for Booz Allen Hamilton, Unisys and Lockheed Martin, supporting DoD, DHS, Law Enforcement and the Intelligence community.

Joel has been recognized for his impact and leadership within the region, receiving the Prince B. Woodard Leadership Award in 2022 and the Joe Dangler Leadership Award in 2015 from the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce. He also received the Entrepreneur of the Year with the Stafford EDA in 2012 and was awarded the Patriotic Civilian Service Award by the U.S. Army for actions taken immediately and following 9/11 at the Pentagon in 2001.

Joel also serves on the Stafford Economic Development Authority as Chairman and on the Board of Directors for The Fredericksburg Regional Alliance, Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, Stafford Hospital Foundation, Germanna Educational Foundation, Cyber Security Advisory Board for the Virginia Community College System, GO Virginia, and as part of the FAMPO Citizen Transportation Advisory Committee.

 

Xin-Wen Wu | Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science at UMW

Panelist

Xin-Wen Wu, Ph.D., is a faculty member of the Department of Computer Science, University of Mary Washington, Virginia. Before joining UMW, he was with Indiana University of Pennsylvania, the University of Ballarat, and Griffith University in Australia, as a faculty member. Dr. Wu also worked at the University of California at San Diego as a postdoctoral researcher, and at the University of Melbourne in Australia as a research fellow. He held several visiting positions at the University of Waterloo in Canada, Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, and the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany. Dr. Wu has served as a TPC (Technical Program Committee) member for international conferences and guest editor for journals. He is working in the areas of cybersecurity and applied cryptography. He taught many subjects and published over a hundred articles and three books in these areas.

 

Veena Ravishankar, Ph.D. | Assistant ProfessoR, Department of Computer Science at umw

Veena Ravishankar is an Assistant Professor in the Computer Science department at the University of Mary Washington. She received a Ph.D. in Computer Science at The University at Albany, State University of New York. She teaches students in a diverse range of subjects, spanning both Computer Science and Cybersecurity disciplines. Dr. Ravishankar's research area focuses on theoretical computer science and applied cryptography. Beyond the classroom, Dr. Ravishankar has played an active role in fostering diversity and inclusion within her field. Her leadership extends to chairing multiple women in tech conferences and her work with High school students. Additionally, she has lent her expertise to various Computer Science and Cybersecurity conferences, assuming a range of roles and contributing to the advancement of these fields. Furthermore, she has demonstrated a commitment to broader societal issues, with a strong interest in accessibility and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives at the University of Mary Washington and beyond.