Conference Chair:

Jim Desmond, Chief Security Officer, Elevate

Jim Desmond is a career security professional and the Chief Security Officer at Elevate, a financial technology firm based in Fort Worth, Texas. He has over 20 years of experience in technology & security leadership with a primary focus on financial services working for such companies as National City Bank (now PNC), Intuit, Merrill Lynch and Vantiv. Jim holds an undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University, a masters degree in Information Assurance from Norwich University and multiple security certifications including CISSP and CFE. He is an inveterate fan of all Cleveland sports, yes, even the Cleveland Browns.

Joshua Danielson, CISO, Copart

With over a decade of experience in both public and private sectors, Josh Danielson has served a variety of industries throughout his security career; from academia and government contracting, to the financial sector. Josh is an active member of the infosec community where he has participated in multiple volunteer events. Josh has received a Master of Science degree in Information Management from Syracuse University, and currently holds multiple certifications including CISSP-ISSAP and CISM.

George Finney, Chief Security Officer, Southern Methodist University

The Information Security team, under the leadership of George Finney, is responsible for implementing and monitoring a diverse security infrastructure to protect the University network and data. The Security team is responsible for recommending security architectures, providing centralized database security, reviewing vendor security, capturing security logs, overseeing security investigations, and managing various security technologies.

Chris Hazelton, Director, Enterprise Marketing, Blackberry

A former industry analyst turned IT software marketer, Chris has been working in management and security for enterprise endpoints for over 10 years. Chris leads the product marketing team for BlackBerry Enterprise software and services that secure today’s Enterprise of Things for over 20,000 companies around the world. He also oversees Global Industry Analyst Relations as well as BlackBerry’s Competitive Intelligence. Prior to BlackBerry, Chris led the Enterprise Mobility research practice at 451 Research where he authored over 500 reports on emerging mobile software and services impacting IT. While at IDC, Chris was the worldwide smartphone analyst, researching emerging trends in the mobile and wireless space that impacted the design and deployment of smartphones in enterprise and consumer markets.

Daryl Hykel, Manager, Security Assurance, HMS

With over 19 years of Audit, IT, and Security experience, Daryl has spent the prior four years working at Health Management Systems (HMS, Inc.) on implementing a Security Risk Management program. Program components include third-party risk management, facilitating client engagements, and working with internal stakeholders to implement risk management processes based on NIST and HITRUST frameworks. Previous experience includes stints at Verizon and FedEx. Daryl graduated from the University of Dallas with a Master of Science in Information Assurance; professional certifications include Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC), and HITRUST Certified Practitioner (CCSFP). 

Chris McLelland, Security Operations Manager, Elevate 

Christopher McLelland has is over 20 years’ experience in the Information Security Industry. He began his career in the U.S. Air Force as a Signals Intelligence Analyst. Shortly after, he joined Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) where he led studies in the reverse engineering of security products for the National Security Agency and penetration testing for various military and DoD installations around the world. While at CSC he also instructed special agents within the Army, Air Force, NSA and the Secret Service in computer forensics investigation techniques. Christopher then joined Cap Gemini Ernst & Young (CGE&Y) where he built and lead the North American Risk Assessment & Computer Investigations Practice. Christopher is currently the Security Operations Manager at Elevate Credit. 

Mark Nagiel, SVP/CISO, PrimeLending

Mark Nagiel is currently serving as Senior Vice President and CISO at PrimeLending in Dallas. Mark has over 20 years of experience in information security and technology. Prior to PrimeLending, Mark served as the Director of Information Security at MetroPCS/T-Mobile, Vice President of Information Technology and Vice President of Information Security at InCharge, a financial services organization, General Manager of Security Consulting at NEC and head of information security at Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. which included Nine Mile I and II nuclear facilities. Mark was also the co-founder of Network Audit Systems, later acquired by Armor Holdings, a NYSE company, where Mark served as the information security division Chief Technology Officer. Mark has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from State University of New York and attended Dow Leadership and Harvard Business School Executive Education programs.

Andy Sawyer, CISM C|CISO, Director of Security and Security Compliance Officer, Locke Lord

Prior to joining Locke Lord, long-term career with the NFL including technology director for 3 NFL teams and European operations.

Member of:

• FBI Infragard partnership with the private sector
• Greater Houston Partnership Cybersecurity Task Force

Responsible for all aspects of physical and cyber security at Locke Lord

Jerry Tilson, Global Information Security Leader, Mary Kay, Inc.

Jerry is responsible for overseeing all Information Security tasks globally for Mary Kay Inc, to include the Security Operations Center, Security Engineering, and Application Security for the wide array of custom developed and hosted applications.

Jerry manages teams on 4 continents in 35+ countries to ensure alignment with corporate strategy and compliance with applicable local and regional information security and privacy regulation.

Previously Jerry has worked as a Senior Information Security Consultant providing advice to multiple Forbes 100 list companies pertaining to regulatory compliance, holistic network security and specific projects as they relate to information security. He also has extensive experience performing regulatory audits.