The Technology Advancement Center (TAC), a cybersecurity nonprofit driving small business and academic engagement, STEM and workforce development opportunities, and proof of concept innovation, proudly announces three new leadership hires: Monty Mills as Chief Information Officer, Greg Wessel as Chief Technology Officer, and Tim Teal as Senior Advisor. The appointment of these roles underscores TAC’s commitment to serving as a leading source of government-industry collaboration.
“TAC is thrilled to have Monty, Greg and Tim join our team during this important transition period where we have set out to refocus the vision for our organization,” said Gregg Smith, CEO of TAC. “Hand selected for their expertise and backgrounds in both government and technology, these leaders will play key roles in expanding TAC’s ability to support the innovation needed to advance our nation’s cyber capabilities. I look forward to their contributions towards solving big problems facing the cybersecurity community.”
Mills brings deep expertise in national-level communications, intelligence, acquisitions, and cyberspace operations in government and commercial spaces. He has a proven track record of success in optimizing operations, managing risk, and digital transformation. Mills spent 20 years in the United States Air Force serving as senior communications and cybersecurity officer, followed by 13 years at Securion in roles supporting USCYBERCOM. As CIO, he will be responsible for ensuring TAC’s people, processes and technologies are aligned in support of the nonprofit’s goals.
Wessel is a skilled senior technical leader with experience working for the National Security Agency and in the commercial arena. During his time with the NSA, Wessel was responsible for creating Blue (defend/evaluate) teaming in the Intelligence Community while serving as the Technical Director in the System Network Attack Center. Serving in roles such as SIGINT Cyber Technical Director, he advised on technical issues related to cyber that were strategically, operationally and financially relevant to the SIGINT mission. Since leaving the government in 2013, Wessel has served as a Senior Technical Consultant and Advisor, providing technical advice and cybersecurity guidance, and worked at three startups focused on cyber, networking and data analysis. As CTO, Wessel will develop and execute TAC’s technology strategy, driving technological innovation, and mentoring a dynamic and diverse group of technologists
Teal is a service-disabled Navy war veteran and seasoned technologist with significant government experience, including a decade on active duty and two years in reserves. He is a trusted expert in cyber operations who previously served in roles at USCYBERCOM and NSA. In these roles, he provided technical leadership and strategy for the advancement of analytic technologies and practices with a strong emphasis on developing and deploying large-scale data analytics, tools, and tradecraft. As Senior Advisor to TAC, Teal will help the nonprofit expand its role as an agent for change and innovation.
“The majority of my career has been dedicated to advancing our nation’s cyber capabilities, and TAC’s mission is a perfect fit for my next role. TAC is the only place I know of that pulls together the resources necessary to grow cybersecurity capabilities with workforce needs in mind. We have the opportunity here to support national security in ways you just can’t find elsewhere in this space,” said Mills.
Wessel said, “I’m eager to work with TAC’s leadership to implement new and cutting-edge infrastructure for the organization. I am also looking forward to leading the next generation of diverse technologists here at TAC, fostering a culture of creativity and innovation that will elevate TAC to the forefront of government-industry collaboration.”
“While working within USCYBERCOM, I leveraged TAC for training our warfighters and supporting product innovation. I now have the opportunity to take lessons learned in that role and help extend the reach of exciting new capabilities that can advance our warfighters knowledge and experience, ultimately ensuring the safety of our country against adversaries,” added Teal.
For more information about TAC, including details about upcoming events and opportunities to network with the industry, please visit https://thetac.tech/.
About Technology Advancement Center
Technology Advancement Center (TAC), formerly MISI, is a cybersecurity nonprofit fueling the people and technology needed to solve critical cybersecurity challenges. The TAC’s three pillars of focus include: small business and academic engagement, STEM and workforce development, and proof of concept innovation. Through collaboration with small businesses, academic researchers, and non-traditional members of the cybersecurity community, TAC serves as an intermediary and helps connect U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) and the U.S. government to the innovative products and solutions needed to advance the nation’s cybersecurity capabilities.
The Technology Advancement Center runs programs out of two nationally acclaimed Defense Mission Accelerators with over 100,000 square feet of space that serve as non-government-owned or operated independent facilities to provide cyber national mission forces and partners with continuous innovation in cyber capabilities: TheLink and DiscoveryX. Visit thetac.tech to learn more.
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