Bruce Hembree, Cortex Field CTO, Palo Alto Networks

Bruce Hembree is the Field CTO for Cortex – one of the three divisions of Palo Alto Networks and the division responsible for machine learning, automation, endpoint defense, and now incident response. Bruce bridges Cortex to the security community, defense, law enforcement, development, partner and customer executives worldwide. Bruce also leads internal research projects for compelling data points in the information security world and frequently finds himself presenting to the public on current critical security topics in simple terms that encourage even lay people to become security-conscious.

Billy Heiser, Manager IT Security, The Lincoln Electric Company

Billy Heiser joined Lincoln Electric in 2017 and is currently responsible for Global IT Security Operations and Access Management. He is currently focused on reducing risk at Lincoln while enabling the business to meet its goals.

Previously, Billy worked for Signet Jewelers as the Manager, IT Security and Forest City Realty Trust, Inc. as the Manager, IT Security. During his time at Forest City, he held various roles in Security, Information Technology, and Audit. Throughout his career, he has established and executed on the design and implementation of IT Security programs and other IT transformative initiatives.

Billy maintains the following professional certifications: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).

Billy is a Cleveland, Ohio native committed to the community and actively participates in professional forums such as ISC2 (former Cleveland chapter President), InfraGard, Information Security Summit, CISO Executive Network, and CSOXchange.

Christopher Hills, Deputy CTO, BeyondTrust

Chris Hills has more than 15 years’ experience as a Senior Security and Architecture Engineer operating in highly sensitive environments. In his current position, he has assisted the Sales Engineering Organization consulting on PAM implementations and now reports to the Office of the CTO as Deputy CTO.

Mark Kaplan, Former Director of Technology, Barbri

Cloud evangelist. Extensive experience architecting cloud deployments and migrating workloads to the cloud. Experienced in managing a 100% cloud-deployed stack. Impeccable track record for consistently delivering high-value technology solutions and projects under tight deadlines and budget constraints. Over 30 years of managerial experience building global IT teams. Exceptional IT-to-Business relationship-building experience with a strong focus on developing credibility and trust between organizations. Significant experience with resourceful and innovative cost management. Improving global IT department performance and efficiency, reducing operating expenses, and managing large P&L budgets. Negotiating major contracts and purchase agreements. Working across multiple business units, identify business problems, own their solutions, and deliver results that drive business value. Build and optimize customer-focused IT teams. As a company controller and outside sales representative, my Earlier career gives me a unique understanding of multiple business areas. Experienced and versatile IT professional with expertise managing projects, budgets, and staff from a global perspective. Building efficient & productive IT teams, either from existing staff or from scratch.

Specialties: Cloud Architecture including Containerization & Micro-services, Project Management, creative cost management, contract negotiations & management, vendor management, strategic sourcing, ability to work across multiple business units, global management of highly productive IT teams. Making dysfunctional teams functional.

Jonathan Kimmitt, CISO, University of Tulsa

Jonathan currently serves as Chief Information Security Officer for the University of Tulsa. His primary responsibility is the development and execution of the University’s IT Security & Data Privacy Compliance Initiatives. Jonathan has 20 years of experience at TU in Information Services & Security Operations and has been involved with all aspects of information technology at the University. He is President of the ISSA Oklahoma Chapter, an InfraGard Board Member, and an FBI Citizens Academy Alumni. Speaking & teaching at over 50+ conferences/events/symposiums, Jonathan enjoys providing back to the industry. With the understanding that Privacy and Cyber Security’s goal is to protect people, he actively works with industries, professionals, and leaders to grow and develop their security and privacy postures for their organizations.

Patrick Kinard, Sr. Enterprise Server Operations Manager, Chicago Public Schools

Full biography coming soon!

Brian Schrock, Information Security Officer/VP, CISSP / CISM, Premier Bank

Full biography coming soon!

Gal Shafir, Global Director of Engineering, Siemplify

Based in Tel Aviv, Gal began his career in the IDF focusing on CyberSecurity. After his service, Gal joined a number of start-up organizations continuing to focus in the security space. For the last three years, Gal has been with Siemplify as the Global Director of Engineering working across the globe helping organizations create best practices around their orchestration, security automation, and operations management. In addition to his work in the cybersecurity space, Gal has been a lecturer at Technion Israel Institute of Technology about CyberSecurity. Additionally, he has created and manages a Presales Engineer Community in Israel.

Ken M. Shaurette, Director InfoSec and Audit, FIPCO

Ken is an experienced security and audit professional with a strong understanding of complex computing environments, security frameworks, legislative and regulatory requirements and accepted practices with security solutions. Having presented to state, regional and national workshops, and conferences; Ken offers a highly rated presentation style.

A founding member and past President of Western Wisconsin InfraGard Chapter, past President of ISSA-Milwaukee (International Systems Security Association), past President and founding member of ISSA-Madison, past chairman MATC Milwaukee Security Specialist Curriculum Advisory Committee, past member of Herzing University’s Department of Homeland Security Degree Program, ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association) and member Western Wisconsin Association of Computer Crime Investigators (WWACCI).

Ken has security information published in several books and trade magazines. As Director IT Services for FIPCO® a subsidiary of the Wisconsin Bankers Association; Ken has coordinated and performed information security/IT Audits and risk assessments in over 100 financial institutions in the past few years. If you’d like to contact Ken, he can be reached via email at; [email protected].

Chad Stanfield, Practice Director of Modern Datacenter, Redapt

Chad manages the Modern Datacenter Team at Redapt. The MDC team helps organizations adopt public cloud and modernizes their infrastructure by designing secure and scalable environments. 

Annur Sumar, CTO, Maetech 

Annur Sumar is a Microsoft Cloud and Datacenter MVP and technology consultant in the areas of Infrastructure Design, Enterprise Content Management, CRM, Microsoft Azure, System Center and Cloud Technologies. Annur is an industry recognized leader and independent speaker around strategic service automation, technology driven process improvements, IT service alignment, engineering best practices and operations management. All of which are targeted in his presentations to helping businesses with complex IT environments lower Total Cost of Ownership and raising Return On Investments.

Prior to joining a Microsoft Partner Consulting firm, Annur served as a Vice President of Technology for Duff & Phelps. One of the world’s leading independent financial advisory firms serving client needs in the areas of valuation, investment banking, transaction advice, and dispute consulting. During his tenure at Duff & Phelps, Annur worked closely with Microsoft product teams and case study managers in providing invaluable feedback around how businesses such as his were able to benefit from cloud technologies that were molded into business solutions. As a Microsoft MVP and industry expert, Annur brings 10 years of experience to work actively with other MVPs and Microsoft Partners to provide industry insight and strategic direction.