Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering

Brett Pagel currently leads a team of 20+ CODEX engineers in hiring, staffing, mentorship, and technical oversight, both in Huntsville (HSV) and remotely. With 7 years at RTX in diverse engineering and leadership roles and 16 years as a U.S. Air Force Officer and Developmental Engineer, Brett brings extensive expertise.

He also serves as a part-time Reservist, focusing on technical tasks. Brett's experience covers areas like cyber operations, reverse engineering, systems engineering, forensics, and cyber training/exercises. His educational background includes a Bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign and a Master's degree from the Air Force Institute of Technology, both in Computer Engineering.

Brian Duke has a 13-year tenure with RTX, currently holding the position of Simulation & Modeling Principal Systems Engineer, akin to the Virtual Reality domain. He previously supported Program Management Accounting operations and has a rich background of 9.5 years in active military operations support, with experience in Israel and throughout Asia.

Brian is a multilingual communicator, proficient in Chinese, Yiddish, Spanish, and currently learning Polish. His passion for 'protection' work runs in his blood, driven by his extensive experience in the field. Brian is a certified military field medic specializing in trauma and a community first responder who has saved the lives of 4 out of 5 people in critical situations.

His educational background includes an Associate's Degree in Robotics from Oakland Community High Tech College in Michigan, a Bachelor's Degree in Manufacturing Engineering from Lawrence Technical University in Michigan, and a Master's Degree in Engineering Cyber Data Analytics from George Washington University in Washington, DC.

DeMarcus Thomas is a Technical Subject Matter Expert at COLSA Corporation. In his current role, he works with the Software Assurance team in helping to identify vulnerabilities in customer software products and providing remediation suggestions. DeMarcus holds a Computer Science degree from Mississippi Valley State University (B.S.), a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Norfolk State University, and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Mississippi State University. DeMarcus is a native of Columbia, MS, married to his wife Alliesha, and they have three energetic sons. (6yrs, 4yrs, 2yrs)

Dr. Stevenson is an Associate Professor and Program Director for the Criminal Justice/Justice Studies Program at Athens State University. She oversees several programs, including Criminal Justice, Juvenile Justice Studies, Child Advocacy Studies and Training (CAST) Certification, and minors in Criminal Justice and Computer Forensics.

Dr. Stevenson is also the Co-Director of the Fulbright Scholars Program and the Executive Director and Founder of Truancy Intervention and Prevention of Alabama (TIP of Alabama), which started in 2012. TIP of Alabama works to reduce truancy, particularly among underrepresented and low-income students, by providing educational sessions that raise awareness, prevent truancy, conduct research and assessments, and educate on school truancy. These services benefit school-aged children aged 5 to 18, with both parents and children participating in sessions to complete activities requested by TIP, schools, and juvenile/family courts.

Herb is the Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Northrop Grumman Corporation, focusing on the Aeronautics Systems Sector. He leads efforts to implement and align the company's global diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, as well as corporate responsibility strategies to support business growth. Herb oversees Diversity Reporting, chairs the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council, manages 13 Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), and initiates programs to promote inclusive workplace behaviors, including coaching and diversity training.

He holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Prairie View A&M University and an MBA in Management from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi. Herb is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated and a passionate Kansas City Chiefs fan - #GoChiefs.

Ian Slamen works as a Systems Engineer II at Collins Aerospace, a Raytheon Technologies Company. He graduated high school in Tennessee and moved to Alabama for his studies at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) in 2015. During his time at UAH, Ian was involved in multiple organizations, including the UAH Student Government Association and Space Hardware Club (SHC).

In SHC, he participated in various projects, including CanSat and high altitude ballooning, and he led the outreach team, visiting local schools and developing curricula. Ian also gained experience as a Jr. Cyber Security Engineer at Mission Multiplier, focusing on cyber security policies for government contractors in Huntsville. After graduating in 2019, he joined Collins Aerospace, where he's been working on the UH-60 Black Hawk Platform Team, enhancing his technical skills and pursuing a Masters degree through the Employee Scholar Program offered by Raytheon Technologies.

Jacob Noffke is a Senior Principal Cyber Engineer at Raytheon Intelligence & Space. In his role, he serves as the chief engineer responsible for integrating cyber-resilient solutions into more than a dozen platforms used by the Department of Defense.

Throughout his tenure at Raytheon Technologies, Jacob has held various crucial roles, including software development, systems engineering, memory forensics, reverse engineering, computer security research, and product development.

He holds a Bachelor's degree in computer engineering and a Master's degree in engineering management/systems engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Kenneth is the Program Manager at Raytheon Missiles and Defense, leading a team focused on Modeling and Simulation for the Ballistic Missile Defense System's radar suite, generating over $50 million in sales. He's the primary interface with the Missile Defense Agency Sensors Engineering Models.

Before this, Kenneth served as an Engineering Manager, supervising a diverse team of engineers for Systems Integration, Test, and Evaluation. He collaborated with various teams to allocate resources effectively and played a role in hiring and onboarding.

With a 15-year career, Kenneth has held leadership roles ranging from Responsible Engineering Authority to Signal Injection Team Lead, overseeing systems across multiple sites.

Kim M. Nelson is the Director of Business Development for Delta Solutions & Strategies, specializing in defense engineering and management support. She's based in Huntsville, AL, where she focuses on securing contracts and building strong industry and government relationships, also leading business development efforts at the company's Colorado Springs headquarters.

With 20 years of Air Force experience and two Masters degrees, Kim has managed complex programs and enhanced global monitoring capabilities. She's a certified acquisition instructor and played a vital role in various projects.

Beyond work, Kim enjoys photography, music, and community involvement, including coaching, teaching, mentoring, and supporting local initiatives. She's a proud mother of two sons, Richard and Stephen.

Lucia Cape is the Senior Vice President of Economic Development for the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber. In her role since 2013, she manages business recruitment, retention, and expansion programs, as well as workforce development and education efforts. Her work has been instrumental in various projects, including Toyota-Mazda, Blue Origin, Aerojet Rocketdyne, and more.

Before joining the Chamber in 2006, she worked with the Marshall Space Flight Center's Academic Affairs Office and served as a contractor for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She holds a Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) designation and has completed notable programs, such as the FBI Citizens Academy and Leadership Huntsville/Madison County Class 23.

Supervisory Management and Program Analyst, Maji Sá Carvalho joined the FBI in 2016 as the lead Strategist for the Counterterrorism Division. Prior to the Bureau, Maji spent over a decade working in higher education, running global programs at Florida International University and later the University of Maryland. During her time at the FBI, Maji has been able to work in various divisions at FBI Headquarters to include Counterterrorism, Criminal Investigative Division, and now Cyber Division. Maji leads the efforts for Cyber Division's transition to Redstone Arsenal, has assisted with the development of the upcoming state of the art Innovation Center on FBI's North Campus, and assists in program managing the collaboration between the FBI and the U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Cyber Camp here in Huntsville. 

Miguel Diaz is an experienced Undergraduate Research Assistant in higher education. He has a strong background in analytical skills, data analysis, engineering, public speaking, and research. Miguel holds a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) degree in Chemical Engineering from The University of Alabama. He is passionate about environmental improvement for future generations and developing innovative products for the world.

Mr. Greg Bacon serves as the President of OASYS, INC., a Huntsville-based small business known for providing expert solutions to Prime partners and Government clients across the entire IT infrastructure and lifecycle. Greg is also the founder of Omicron Research Corporation, which is now a subsidiary of OASYS. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in Computer Science from UAH.

Outside of his professional career, Greg is a dedicated family man, a contributor to open-source projects, one of the top 0.10% of Stack Overflow contributors, and holds qualifications as an instrument-rated commercial pilot and flight instructor.

Paul Christian serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Paragon Research Corporation, a company specializing in product-oriented solutions for first responders, defense, intelligence, and various government sectors. In his role, Mr. Christian plays a visionary role in identifying markets where Paragon's core products and services can benefit the military, first responders, and Homeland Security.

Scott Ross, Director of Information Technology at HudsonAlpha, is responsible for overseeing technology and cybersecurity operations and strategy to support HudsonAlpha's missions. With over 15 years of experience in technology, spanning both defense and commercial sectors, he holds a B.S. in Information Systems Management from Auburn University and is an active member of the Alabama CIO Association. Additionally, he is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

SSA Stephanie Cassioppi, an FBI veteran since 2008, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems with minors in Business and Mathematics. Before her FBI career, she worked as a Computer Programmer in Phoenix, Arizona. She initially served in the Springfield Division, handling criminal and national security computer intrusions and crimes against children. In 2016, she became an SSA in the Cyber Division's Middle East Africa Unit, specializing in cyber threats from Iran and the Middle East. In 2018, she moved to the Minneapolis Division as the Field SSA for the Cyber Squad. In 2021, SSA Cassioppi returned to the Cyber Division, specifically the Cyber Education and Training Unit in Huntsville, AL. She also serves as a Detailee to the USSS, National Computer Forensic Institute in Hoover, AL.

Tammy Clark graduated from Athens State University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management of Technology and a minor in Information Systems Management. For the past six years, she has served as a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Instructor at the Earnest Pruett Center of Technology in Hollywood, AL.

Tammy Clark joined Drake State in December of 2022, bringing with her 18 years of experience in the Folding Carton Industry as a Structural Designer. In this role, she was responsible for developing packaging designs and fabricating tools used in manufacturing packaging for consumer use.