Mike is an internationally recognized cyber expert, speaker, consultant and business owner.  Mike is the founder and current CEO of Digital Beachhead, a Veterans Administration certified Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) that provides Cyber Risk Management, Information Technology, Program Management and Professional Services Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado with offices in Virginia, London Ontario Canada and Japan.  

Mike began his career in the United States Air Force (USAF) serving 12 years in Europe where he was a leader in designing, securing and managing the emerging technology of networks. His ground-breaking team developed the USAF “Barrier Reef” defense in depth concept introducing the idea of creating Demilitarized Zones (DMZs) within a network. Also, during his time in Europe, Mike helped champion, design, and implement the USAF first ever Network Security and Operations Center (NOSC) at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. These principles were adopted USAF wide and eventually by the entire Department of Defense.

Upon his return to the US, and while stationed at Schriever Air Force Base Colorado, Mike was responsible for the operations and security of the $50 Billion Air Force Satellite Control Network. During this period Mike was responsible for numerous network upgrades and detailed security reviews of this mission critical resource. Mike was named the 50th Space Wing Information Assurance Professional of the Year for a record 6 years in a row from 2005 until 2010 when he retired. He was the Air Force Space Command Information Assurance Professional of the Year for 2005 and 14th Air Force Outstanding Information Assurance Program Manager of the Year for 2010. 

The term Digital Beachhead was coined by Mike in 2005 on a Military Performance Report and later used in 2008 by United States Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn III in reference to an intrusion into Department of Defense Information Systems. Unlike traditional beachheads which have a specific point of presence the “Digital Beachhead” is everywhere Information Technology exists.  Mike continues to work to develop and grow the company while taking time to give back by volunteering as Vice President of the local Information Systems Security Association and on the Military Basketball Association Board of Directors.