Diane Stephens
Biometrics Standards Coordinator
National Institute of Standards and Technology

Diane Stephens is the editor and Biometrics Standards Coordinator at NIST for the ANSI/NIST-ITL biometric standard. Following 14 years at DHS, Ms. Stephens joined NIST in the Information Technology Lab (ITL), Information Access Division (IAD) working in the Image Group under ITL/IAD.Read More

Art Friedman
Information Assurance Strategist
Defense Information Systems Agency

Art Friedman is detailed to DISA as their Strategist for Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM). He is responsible for advising DISA and DoD CIO leadership developing capabilities to support DoD’s ICAM Strategy. Additionally, he co-chairs the Committee for National Security Systems (CNSS) ICAM Working Group. Prior to this role at the National Security Agency he managed the Vulnerabilities Equities Process (VEP) Secretariat for the National Security Council. He has held various technical and managerial positions at NSA supporting the Nuclear Command and Control mission, the development of cyber tools and capabilities, and policy for Biometrics and Identity Management while assigned to the Office of the Secretary of Defense.Read More

Kimberly Weissman
Senior Communication Advisor
DHS/U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Kimberly Weissman serves as the Senior Communication Advisor for the Biometric Entry/Exit program at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). She advises CBP leadership who oversee the Entry/Exit program on communication strategies and outreach. With more than 20 years of federal service specializing in Public Affairs and stakeholder outreach, she has spent the majority of her career educating and informing various audiences, including the press, public, and key stakeholders, about the benefits of expanding facial comparison technology into the travel process through public-private partnerships to further secure and enhance the customer experience. Read More

Scott Rago
Section Chief, CJIS Division
Federal Bureau of Investigation

Strategic level security and technology executive with 30 years of success in directing, managing and conducting highly complex investigations and platforms with National and International impact. Executive experience with directing and securing multiple diverse data systems and mobile platforms. I work well with established talented teams to spearhead new programs to address security, safety and technology protection with outstanding results. Positioned programs to support significant growth and turned around struggling programs to achieve great success. Formulated new concepts to strengthen core services, led new foundation initiatives, and boosted and maintained staff morale despite times of uncertainty and change. Read More

Carole House
Cyber and Emerging Tech Policy Specialist
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network

Experienced cybersecurity and risk management professional with a demonstrated background in U.S. military intelligence and the Federal executive and legislative branches of government who is committed to protecting people. Skilled in cybersecurity and emerging technology policy, security operations and risk management, unconventional warfare, and strategic and operational planning. Strong research professional with a Master of Arts (M.A.) focused in Security Studies from Georgetown University.Read More

Andrew Fabrizio
Product Manager - Identity
U.S. Small Business Administration

Experienced Product Manager with a demonstrated history leading teams through high-profile projects and a passion for solving customer problems. Delivered successful products for SSA and SBA by listening to customers early and often, then crafting solutions that generate value for both the user and the agency. Read More

Ross Nodurft
Senior Director, Cybersecurity Services
Venable LLP

Ross Nodurft counsels clients on issues related to risk management, government policy standards and regulatory compliance, and incident management. Having served as principal of Risk Management and Government Solutions at a digital identity and cybersecurity firm and chief of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Cyber Team in the White House overseeing federal government cybersecurity policy and federal agency incident response, Ross has significant experience on advising clients on how to navigate issues at the nexus of homeland security, technology, and cybersecurity policy. Read More

Tracy Hulver
Vice President
Idemia

Tracy Hulver has been recognized as a visionary leader in the cybersecurity and identity markets for the past 20 years. He currently leads IDEMIA’s Digital Identity Business Development team focusing on the Federal and State Government markets. He has served as vice president of products and marketing for several world-class organizations including McAfee Security, CyberTrust, and was Chief Identity Strategist for Verizon Wireless where he received a patent for strong, password-less authentication. He is a globally sought-after speaker in the areas of cyber-attacks and security intelligence.Read More

Mahos Bourlai
Associate Professor
University of Georgia

Thirimachos Bourlai is an associate professor in the College of Engineering, University of Georgia. He also serves as an adjunct associate professor in the Lane Department of Computer Science and Engineering at WVU, and an adjunct assistant professor in the WVU School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, and the Department of Forensic and Investigative Science. He is the founder and director of the Multi-Spectral Imagery Lab (UGA), the VP on Education of the IEEE Biometrics Council (2020), a member of the Board of Directors at the Document Security Alliance (2020) and the author of 3 books in the areas of biometrics and surveillance.Read More

Duane Blackburn
Science and Technology Policy Analyst
The MITRE Corporation

Duane Blackburn is a S&T Policy Analyst for the MITRE Corporation, a not-for-profit company that works across the government, through its FFRDCs and public-private partnerships, to tackle problems that challenge our nation’s safety, stability, and well-being. Working from within both MITRE’s Office for Strategic Engagement & Partnerships and the Office of the CTO, he leverages data and specialized insights to inform national policymakers so that decisions are evidence- and outcome-based, actionable, and measurable. He also leads or supports corporate activities such as challenges, independent research, communicating S&T, and presidential transition planning assistance.

Mr. Blackburn’s most recent prior appointment was in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, where he was responsible for the federal government's homeland security and identity S&T enterprises. He led multiple bodies within the National Science and Technology Council and provided guidance to others within the Executive Office of the President on a variety of issues. Mr. Blackburn previously served as a RDT&E program manager at the FBI, NIJ, and the DoD.Read More

Ben Smith
Manager, Homeland Security
AFCEA International

Ben has been at AFCEA for nearly 20 years and was selected as its first Manager of Homeland Security in October 2012. In addition to managing several defense, national security, and technology events, he also oversees AFCEA's Cyber and Homeland Security Committees. Outside of the office, Ben is an avid cyclist, having twice ridden the length of the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Towpath from Pittsburgh to Washington as part of AFCEA's Cycle for STEM educational fundraiser. He also serves on the Trails and Blueways Council, an advisory committee which provides guidance to the Prince William Board of County Supervisors on the development and maintenance of a county-wide system of trails and streams.Read More

Combiz Abdolrahimi
U.S. Tech Innovation Leader
Deloitte

Combiz Richard Abdolrahimi is a national security lawyer, banking & financial services regulatory and policy expert, and until recently, he served as senior policy advisor at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Combiz has more than 12 years of experience working with senior executives and world leaders on shaping the business, policy, legal, regulatory, and technology dimensions of blockchain/DLT, AI, crypto, tokenization, cybersecurity, smart city technologies, FinTech and RegTech, energy and utilities, banking, payments, digital identity, compliance and risk management, privacy and big data. He serves on numerous professional boards and is the Special Advisor to the Federal Identity Forum having served as Treasury’s first Representative and bringing a unified voice to key identity issues. He provides leadership on public-private partnerships, strategic planning, and innovation.

He has served extensively in government since he was 19 years old; and has worked on national security, technology and innovation, public policy and diplomacy, economic, and regulatory reform initiatives as well as global engagement. He joined Treasury after serving in the U.S. Senate. He also served in The White House and State Department, liaising with senior foreign government officials from over 90 countries and receiving commendations from Republican and Democratic leadership. Born in Texas, the son of immigrants, Combiz’s first job was working the cash register for his family’s small business—at the age of 12. He is a graduate of UCLA; American University of Beirut; and Georgetown University Law Center, receiving his B.A., J.D. and LL.M. Combiz speaks several languages critical to U.S. interests, such as Turkish, Persian (Farsi and Afghan-Dari), Arabic (MSA and Lebanese), Azerbaijani, and has a working proficiency in Spanish. He aspires to follow in the footsteps of an American hero, Ambassador Col. Charles W. Hostler, USAF (ret.), and serve as our country’s Ambassador. Read More