Exercise Planner & Course Developer
Norwich University Applied Research Institutes (NUARI)
What inspired you to become an NCPC instructor? What experience do you bring to the courses you teach?
Throughout my career, I have consistently held roles that involved teaching and training, particularly in military and law enforcement environments where instruction is one of the core responsibilities. I genuinely enjoy teaching and sharing practical knowledge drawn from real operational experience, rather than purely theoretical material.
My four years as an adjunct instructor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice further reinforced this interest, as teaching civilian students required translating professional experience into accessible and meaningful learning. When the opportunity to become an NCPC instructor arose, it provided a natural way to continue doing what I enjoy most—teaching, mentoring and sharing the experience that I have personally gained.
What makes NCPC‘s training approach unique compared to other cybersecurity programs you’ve encountered?
Prior to working with NCPC training, my exposure to cybersecurity education was primarily through academic coursework while completing a post-baccalaureate certificate in Computer Science for Digital Forensics. Those studies were largely IT-centric and offered limited coverage of the non-technical dimensions of cybersecurity, such as policy, governance, compliance and organizational awareness.
NCPC’s training approach is distinct in that it is intentionally designed for what FEMA describes as the Whole Community, not just IT professionals. It effectively bridges the gap between technical cybersecurity concepts and the operational, policy and leadership responsibilities that support a mature security posture. By using plain language and role-based relevance, NCPC training helps reduce the common fear of “cyber” by reframing it as a shared, achievable responsibility rather than an exclusively technical discipline.
How do you tailor your instruction to meet the needs of diverse audiences?
My professional background spans military, law enforcement, academic and emergency response environments, which have required me to work with and instruct highly diverse audiences. This experience allows me to quickly assess what content is most relevant and appropriate for a given group, whether the audience is technical or non-technical. I focus on aligning cybersecurity concepts to each audience’s operational reality, mission priorities and level of technical dependence.
One example involved teaching the same cybersecurity course to two very different police departments. A large, well-funded agency relied heavily on IT systems and digital infrastructure, so the instruction emphasized protecting availability, integrity and operational continuity. In contrast, a small-town department with mostly analog processes required a different approach, focusing on how cybersecurity awareness and basic hygiene should be established early, before increased digital dependence occurs. Adjusting the message in real time ensured the material remained relevant, practical, and meaningful for both audiences.
How do you see NCPC training contributing to national cybersecurity resilience and community preparedness?
NCPC training contributes to national cybersecurity resilience by reducing the fear and misunderstanding often associated with the term “cyber,” particularly among non-technical personnel. By clearly demonstrating that cybersecurity extends beyond IT functions, the training makes the topic accessible and relevant to a broader range of roles within an organization.
This shared understanding helps bridge the gap between technical and non-technical staff by clarifying each group’s priorities and responsibilities. As a result, organizations are better positioned to communicate, coordinate, and make informed decisions during cyber incidents or broader crises, strengthening overall community preparedness and operational resilience.
What feedback have you received from participants?
Participant feedback has consistently highlighted the value of NCPC courses in helping individuals better understand perspectives outside their own roles. Both verbal feedback and post-course surveys frequently indicate that the training helped participants “see the other side,” particularly across technical, non-technical and leadership roles.
Students have noted that the training clarified what they should reasonably expect from leadership, as well as what leadership should reasonably expect from them. Likewise, participants in leadership roles reported gaining a clearer understanding of staff capabilities, limitations and responsibilities. This shared understanding has been cited as a key factor in improving communication, alignment and effectiveness across organizations.
What do you find most rewarding about teaching cybersecurity preparedness?
What I find most rewarding about teaching cybersecurity preparedness through NCPC is the opportunity to work with highly diverse audiences across different geographic regions and professional sectors. Many of these fields are outside my own prior experience, which makes each course both engaging and intellectually rewarding.
I consistently learn from my students, their operational realities and perspectives, and this exchange makes every course I deliver a valuable learning experience for me as well as for the participants.
What is your favorite NCPC course, and why?
My favorite NCPC course is AWR 432: Integrating Hazard Response into Exercise Planning. The course provides an excellent opportunity to build a bridge of understanding between technical and non-technical personnel by highlighting how their roles and responsibilities are interconnected during planning and response activities.
As an added benefit, the course allows me to introduce participants to the HSEEP exercise development process and demonstrate how to plan and conduct exercises in a way that delivers maximum value to both the organization and the training audience.
How does the NCPC prepare participants for real-world cybersecurity concerns?
NCPC prepares participants for real-world cybersecurity concerns by grounding instruction in practical, role-based relevance rather than purely technical theory. The training helps participants understand how cybersecurity affects their daily responsibilities, decision-making processes and organizational missions, regardless of whether they hold technical roles. By emphasizing shared responsibility, plain language and operational context, the NCPC ensures participants can apply what they learn in realistic settings.
The courses also strengthen preparedness by improving cross-functional understanding and communication between technical staff, non-technical personnel and leadership. This alignment helps organizations coordinate more effectively during incidents, set realistic expectations across roles, and integrate cybersecurity considerations into broader preparedness, response and exercise planning efforts.