Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering

Alana Henley has been with Northrop Grumman for over 19 years, holding various roles from systems analyst to program manager. Currently, she is the Operations Director for Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) and previously served as Deputy Program Director for the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS). Her leadership contributed to successful milestones in IBCS, including Limited User Test and Flight Tests.

Alana's extensive experience also includes roles in Huntsville, AL, such as SEIT Engineering Director and Weapon Systems Command & Control lead for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) proposal. She has a strong community involvement, serving on the boards of non-profits like CASA of Madison County and Shenanigans Comedy Theatre. Alana holds degrees in Mathematics and Theatre from the University of Alabama.

Andrew conducts developmental flight tests on new aviation products for the U.S. Army. It's a very "hands on" profession as most of the engineers get to fly in the aircraft and collect data real-time. After testing, he writes detailed reports on the safety and performance of the system/aircraft under test. These reports inform senior Army leadership who then make decisions on whether to continue development for fielding to Soldiers. 

Brad Johnson, based in Huntsville, Alabama, holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Aerospace Engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and a Master's Degree in Systems Engineering. As a Chief Engineer at Raytheon, he has extensive experience in various engineering disciplines, including Systems, Mechanical, Electrical, Software, Integration, and Test Engineering, working on multiple missile programs.

Brad's diverse background includes teaching survival in the US Air Force, experiencing jet aircraft rides, and contributing to the design of hypersonic wind tunnels and unmanned underwater vehicles. He's lived in nine different states across the US and in Germany.

In his free time, Brad enjoys watching college football and international soccer, as well as indulging in movies and pursuing new experiences and learning opportunities.

Cade, the eldest of four siblings, hails from Madison, Alabama. In 2021, he achieved both his undergraduate and master's degrees in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa. Cade's journey with Northrop Grumman commenced in 2017 when he was chosen as one of two Northrop Grumman Engineering Scholars representing Huntsville, AL. He has completed four internships with Northrop. Beyond his professional pursuits, Cade finds enjoyment in staying active through workouts, playing soccer, and engaging in real estate ventures during his free time.

Chris Wallace is a Software Developer with a background in Mathematics. With a passion for programming, Chris excels in languages such as Java, C#, Python, HTML, JavaScript, and PHP. Always eager to embrace new technologies, Chris is known for dedicating time to research and master the materials needed to accomplish tasks effectively.

Dan Nagle is a Principal Cyber Engineer at Raytheon CODEX, a specialized division within Raytheon Intelligence & Space dedicated to cybersecurity research and development. With a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Mississippi State University, Dan boasts over 15 years of software development experience. His portfolio includes applications for desktops, mobile devices, servers, and embedded systems.

Dan's software applications are widely used by security researchers, featured in tech company manuals, and included in university curricula worldwide. He holds two network-related patents and has authored a book published by CRC Press. His contributions to open-source projects have earned international recognition, and he has been a featured speaker at conferences in the United States, Canada, and Sweden.

Dr. Dare is the Executive Vice President & Chief Growth Officer at Davidson Technologies Inc. She oversees business development, strategy, marketing, congressional coordination, and community engagement. Dr. Dare has more than 15 years of experience in the Huntsville region, holding key positions at Raytheon Technologies and Boeing. She's known for her strong customer, community, and political relationships. Her background includes program management, sales & marketing, and strategic planning. Dr. Dare holds a Ph.D. in chemistry and actively engages in professional development. She serves on various boards, including the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce and The University of Alabama, Huntsville, Engineering board.

Ed Mussler has been with Northrop Grumman for 19 years, with roles in Corporate Citizenship Representation, project management, and a lengthy tenure as a senior recruiter. Prior to Northrop Grumman, he held staffing and recruitment positions at other organizations and has a background in journalism and sports writing. Ed is also an author.

On a personal note, Ed is a Florida native, married to Tammy for nearly 25 years, and they have three children, two of whom work for Northrop Grumman. He's also a proud grandparent to Ivy and Asa.

Eddie Lett is the Manager of Data Center Production Operations in Huntsville, Alabama. In this role, he oversees the performance of server capacity that powers Meta's products and services at the data center site. He achieves this by fostering collaboration and partnerships with other organizational units.

Before joining Facebook, Eddie held the position of Director of Enterprise Infrastructure at Sanmina. In that role, he managed a team of 43 engineers across five countries and oversaw a global fleet of 4,000 servers spanning 63 sites. Eddie earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Alabama A&M University, where he also distinguished himself as a four-year letterman on the football team.

George Gafka is the CEO of APT Research, responsible for overall company leadership and direction. Prior to this role, he had a distinguished 30-year career at NASA, serving in various leadership positions in human spaceflight programs. Gafka is recognized for his expertise in spaceflight and is a skilled public speaker.

He holds numerous academic degrees, including an MBA from the Naval Postgraduate School, and has received various awards during his career, including the NASA Exceptional Service Medal and NASA Silver Snoopy.

In addition to his professional achievements, Gafka holds a third-degree black belt in Shotokan Karate, is a founding member of a rock band, and resides in Houston, Texas, with his family.

Hayden Martin, a native of Huntsville, is a Manufacturing Engineer at Boeing. He graduated from the University of Alabama Huntsville in Mechanical Engineering. Hayden works on the Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) program, ensuring missiles meet design and testing standards. He played a significant role in the successful Block 4 development and was promoted to Block 5. Hayden has also been involved in design work for Boeing Space and Defense projects and enjoys car maintenance, woodworking, and four-wheeling in his free time.

Ian Reynolds is the Vice President of the C4 Missile Defense business unit at Northrop Grumman's Defense Systems sector. He leads global strategy and program execution for C4 Missile Defense, providing integrated air and missile defense capabilities.

Previously, he oversaw business operations for various units, including BACN and Counter Communications, within the Networked Information Solution division. Ian, with over two decades at Northrop Grumman, has held roles in program management and operations, working on projects like G/ATOR and Global Hawk MP-RTIP.

He holds an MBA from University Maryland University College and a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Northeastern University.

Jeremy Collins is a passionate aerospace engineer with a lifelong fascination for the field, dating back to his early years building flight simulators at the age of 9. Today, Jeremy thrives on innovation and excellence as an engineer at Northrop Grumman.

His approach involves self-improvement, effective time management, goal setting, and efficient scheduling. Jeremy is eager to contribute to a collaborative and innovative organizational culture, pioneering new frontiers in his career as a self-motivated team player.

Joshua Wolfe is a cybersecurity engineer at Raytheon Technologies' CODEX division. He graduated from The University of Alabama with a bachelor's degree in Computer Science. His career journey includes roles in Washington, D.C., where he contributed to essential programs supporting the Intelligence Community and the Department of Defense.

After returning to Huntsville, Alabama, he briefly worked at Aegis Technologies' Innovation Lab and later became an independent consultant, working on various projects for both commercial and government clients.

Joshua then joined IERUS Technologies as a Software Engineer and later transitioned to a Senior Consultant role at Deloitte's Government & Public Services sector. Eventually, he seized an opportunity at CODEX, where he has been working for a year, contributing to impactful cybersecurity initiatives supporting national security.

Kaeshier Fernandez, originally from Guam, now lives in Madison, AL, and has been with Redstone Federal Credit Union for over 3 years. He began as a Teller, moved into Member Service in retail branches, and currently serves as a Financial Education Coordinator in the Community Relations Department for over a year.

He holds degrees from Calhoun Community College (Associate's in General Studies), the University of Alabama (Bachelor's in Commerce & Business Administration), and Auburn University (Bachelor's in Computer Science). Growing up in a military family and later residing in Guam, he values community and family as one. With strong family ties, he aims to contribute more to the community as he puts down roots in his current area and profession.

Kyle conducts developmental flight tests on new aviation products for the U.S. Army. It's a very "hands on" profession as most of the engineers get to fly in the aircraft and collect data real-time. After testing, he writes detailed reports on the safety and performance of the system/aircraft under test. These reports inform senior Army leadership who then make decisions on whether to continue development for fielding to Soldiers. 

Michael A. Cox is the Huntsville Site Executive at Raytheon Missiles and Defense. He oversees local mission development, strategy execution, and community engagement. Additionally, he serves as the Business Development Lead for Strategic and Missile Defense Customer Accounts, focusing on missile defense products and building relationships with MDA and OSD leadership.

Before joining Raytheon, Michael had a successful career in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a Colonel. He held key roles in missile defense, radar programs, and international affairs. Michael also worked for Parsons Government Services and Northrop Grumman-TASC in leadership positions.

He holds an MA in procurement and acquisition management from Webster University and a BS in humanities with an engineering minor from the US Air Force Academy. Michael has received several awards, including the Department of Defense Superior Service Medal and Program Manager of the Year Award from the Space and Missiles Systems Center.

Rich McAdams is the Director of Cybersecurity and IT Solutions at Dynetics, a subsidiary of Leidos. He manages the Cybersecurity and IT Solutions Department. Rich has a diverse background, from small businesses to Fortune 50 companies. He's actively involved in various community organizations and served on the Madison County Board of Education. Rich is a Desert Storm veteran with degrees from the United States Military Academy and the University of Phoenix. He's been married for 35 years and has three children and three grandchildren.

Ruben Barraza, a native of Douglas, Arizona, boasts 34 years of aerospace experience, primarily within military portfolios. He currently serves as the Mission Assurance Manager at Northrop Grumman's SHORAD Operating Unit.

Barraza holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and is a Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt certified by Villanova University. He has participated in the OCM Graduate program in Strategic Leadership Development and Executive Coaching.

His career includes significant roles at Raytheon Technologies, Amazon Prime Air, Boeing, and extensive involvement in various military programs. Barraza has received prestigious awards such as the Malcolm Baldrige Quality Excellence Award and the Atlas Achievement Award.

Shawnessy Scott is a Cybersecurity professional with 20 years of experience in Information Assurance, Security Engineering, and Compliance. Shawnessy completed her Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering at the University of Alabama, followed by a Masters degree in Information Assurance Engineering from Iowa State University, recognized as an NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense Research and Information Assurance Education. Shawnessy is also a Certified Information System Security Professional with an Information System Security Engineering Professional concentration (CISSP-ISSEP) as well as an EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).

Ms. Dubravec hails from Rockford, Michigan, and spent much of her life in the state. Her family has roots in Slovakia and Germany, so she enjoys visiting family in Slovakia. She obtained her Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 2018 before relocating to Huntsville, where she now works at Boeing. In her free time, she indulges in her passions for reading, hiking, spending time with friends, and exploring new destinations through travel.