Our Speakers

Dr. Jeff Baldwin is the CEO of Space Coast Cyber and a cybersecurity executive with over 18 years of experience in information security and education. He has worked extensively with frameworks such as NIST RMF, DIACAP, NISPOM, and DCID 6/3, assessing over 150 systems and helping more than 100 federal systems achieve Authority to Operate (ATO). One of the first 20 to earn both CMMC Provisional Instructor and Assessor credentials, Dr. Baldwin also taught the second-ever Certified CMMC Professional course. Through Space Coast Cyber, he provides CMMC training and consulting services.

Adam Bartolanzo is a government contracts attorney specializing in cybersecurity, data rights, and compliance. He advises clients on CMMC, data rights negotiations, and protecting proprietary IP while meeting DoD cybersecurity requirements. He also supports clients in SBA programs (8(a), SDVOSB, HUBZone) and represents them in bid protests and contract disputes before the GAO and U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Adam serves as vice chair on multiple ABA Public Contract Law Committees and is a frequent speaker and author on government contracting. He earned his J.D. with honors from The George Washington University Law School and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania.

David Bedard has consulted with 100's of clients in the information security space covering various frameworks, standards, and certifications ranging from ISO/IEC, HITRUST, PCI DSS, NIST CSF, HIPAA, and GDPR for over 15 years. In recent years his focus has been around NIST SP 800-171, DFARS, FAR, and CMMC. He serves as an Information Security & Compliance Analyst and a Certified CMMC Professional (CCP) at KTL and assists clients with various aspects in aligning with meeting requirements under NIST SP 800-171 and preparing for eventual release of CMMC as a requirement in the industry.

A Certified CMMC Assessor (CCA) and United States Air Force Lt Col (Ret) with decades of Department of Defense (DoD) experience in Cyber Operations, Mike is also the founder of a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) supporting the Defense Industrial Base. In this talk, Mike shares key insights into how the Risk Management Framework (RMF) is used to protect the nation's most critical information systems, and demonstrates how defense vendors can leverage the DoD's proven risk-based strategies to streamline their path to CMMC certification.

Buddy Dees is the Director of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) within the Office of the Chief Information Security Officer, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD(A&S)). His current responsibilities include oversight of the CMMC program, development of the model and associated cybersecurity assessment guides, implementation of the CMMC infrastructure, and the phased rollout of the CMMC requirement across the defense industrial base. Mr. Dees began his career as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. He was commissioned in 1985 after graduating from the University of South Carolina and served on active duty for 20 years. He has extensive staff and operational experience in tactical and strategic nuclear operations; command, control and communications; acquisition oversight; and program and resource management. His previous experience in the Office of the Secretary of Defense includes serving as a Senior Acquisition Analyst within the offices of Networks and Information Integration (NII) and Acquisition Technology and Logistics (AT&L). In this role, he was responsible for overseeing both Major Defense Acquisition Programs and Major Automated Information Systems.

Katie Dodson is the President of Hive Systems Defense Solutions, a cybersecurity firm dedicated to making cybersecurity approachable through true client-expert partnerships. With over a decade of experience supporting both Fortune 500 companies and the Department of Defense, Katie specializes in CMMC, NIST 800-171/53, FedRAMP, DFARS 252.204-7012, and cybersecurity maturity assessments. Her expertise spans audit, strategy, policy development, risk assessments, and training. Having led information assurance and threat analysis efforts for the DoD, she brings deep insight into protecting sensitive networks and ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical data.

Regan Edens is the Chief Transformation & Compliance Officer and Co-Founder of DTC Global, which provides digital transformation and compliance solutions for defense contractors and suppliers. He is a leading expert on Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), DFARS 7012, CMMC, and export control compliance under ITAR and EAR. With over $3.5B in technology implementations, Mr. Edens has extensive experience leading complex DoD transformation, security, and intelligence programs. A founding member of the National Cyber Moonshot, he previously served in senior roles across the DoD, Special Operations, and Intelligence communities during multiple deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. His teams earned numerous commendations, including the Defense Superior Civilian Service Award and multiple Bronze Stars.

Jen has over 20 years of experience and knowledge in U.S. Government Cybersecurity compliance. She is highly specialized in advising clients relative to scope, needs, and requirements for contractually required cybersecurity frameworks and building business-empowering cybersecurity roadmaps. Jen possesses a keen ability to quickly determine client needs to deliver customized solutions including the people, processes, and technology to meet those needs.

Matt Hoeper is the Director of Commercial and Cybersecurity at Edwards Performance Solutions. As a seasoned cybersecurity consultant, Matt brings over 25 years of experience in IT, cybersecurity, and compliance across multiple industries including engineering, finance, marketing, and healthcare. Holding a Master's in Management Information Systems, Matt combines deep technical knowledge with strategic insight, ensuring businesses stay ahead of evolving threats and regulatory changes. With a background in project management and a wide range of certifications, including PMP, CISSP, CCA, and PI, Matt is uniquely equipped to oversee complex cybersecurity programs and guide organizations through the intricacies of risk management and compliance.

Brian is the President of Evolved Cyber Solutions, with over 35 years of cybersecurity experience. He develops cost-effective cybersecurity programs for small and mid-sized businesses and is a Certified CMMC Assessor (CCA), Instructor, and Lead Assessor on Joint Surveillance Voluntary Assessments (JSVA). Previously, he led the CMMC practice at Edwards Performance Solutions and helped develop the Cybersecurity Framework while supporting NIST. During his 20 years at Booz Allen Hamilton, he served as a Principal supporting the NSA's Information Assurance Directorate.

Kevin is the President and CEO of Resilient IT, which he founded in 2017 to support small and mid-sized businesses nationwide. Since 2019, he has focused on helping Defense contractors achieve CMMC compliance, earning the nickname "CMMC Jedi." A certified CCA, CCP, CISA, and Lead Assessor, Kevin is committed to protecting government contractors from cyber threats. He's active in Northern Virginia's tech community and enjoys traveling, concerts, and cheering for the Yankees, Dolphins, and Crimson Tide.

I am a Cybersecurity Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) expert with over 25 years of experience in IT auditing and assessment across the energy and defense sectors. As a Lead CMMC Certified Assessor (CCA) and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), I bring deep expertise in DOE/NERC CIP and DoD CMMC frameworks. As a Prosci® Certified Change Practitioner, I help organizations align workflows and culture to meet compliance goals. I also serve as CEO and Co-Founder of iFORTRISS, a Cybersecurity GRC and Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) helping small and mid-sized Defense Industrial Base contractors achieve CMMC compliance.

Matt is the CEO of Peak InfoSec, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business based in Florida providing information security consulting worldwide. A former Air Force Program Manager with 25+ years in information security and technology, Matt has advised major organizations including ConocoPhillips, IBM, Munich Re, Sony, and United Launch Alliance. A leading figure in DoD cybersecurity, he helped shape the CMMC program—serving on the CMMC Standards Committee, becoming Provisional Assessor #17, authoring practitioner and assessor training materials, and leading Peak InfoSec to become one of the first 15 authorized C3PAOs.