Nick Willford
Summary
Senior Cyber Policy & Programs Manager with extensive military experience and a Top-Secret security clearance. Established and led the first Major Command Cyber Security office, enhancing operational readiness for 10 installations and 126,000 personnel. Demonstrated expertise in project management, compliance, and team collaboration across diverse environments.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Cyber Policy & Programs Manager/Inspector General Subject Matter Expert
United States Air Force
01.2009 - Current
- Established and led first Major Command Cyber Security office, responsible for the direction and readiness of 10 installations totaling 126,000 personnel and providing expert guidance to resolve operational and personnel management challenges.
- As a principal cyber/IT advisor to the Inspector General, led cyber inspection activities and ensured organizational readiness and compliance with industry standards.
- Directed operations at multiple locations, providing critical assistance and direction to resolve complex challenges and improve overall performance.
- Utilized expertise in cybersecurity and operations management to drive organizational excellence and ensure the effectiveness of inspection activities.
- Repaired and managed cyber initiatives for the Special Operations Forces in the Levant region as the Cyber Security and COMSEC site lead for 2,900 personnel across 5 countries.
- Conducted in-depth on-site systems and personnel reviews for the Inspector General and DISA inspection programs throughout the United States, Europe and Asia, prioritizing the preservation of professional culture while mitigating threats to IT Systems and infrastructure.
- Ensured proper acquisition, delivery, security, and installation of IT equipment in Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Kuwait as the sole C4 systems logistics manager in theater.
- Acted as on-site SME for cyber security inspections, coordinating with ISSMs, ISSOs, DISA and organizational leadership to ensure up-to-date patching and vulnerability management on $6B in IT assets spread across 4 installations around the globe.
Quality Assurance and COMSEC Manager/Work Center Supervisor
United States Air Force
01.2009 - 01.2016
- Led several work centers responsible for maintaining and supporting $15B in IT systems and capabilities, ranging from aircraft maintenance and flight operations to secure communications equipment.
- Managed all COMSEC operations as well as securing the entire Joint-Base Elmendorf-Richardson F-22 fleet.
- Led the cyber response to a downed aircraft, coordinating with stakeholders to prevent loss of mission data during national response to incident.
- Provided 24/7 monitoring and support for critical mission systems and 40,000 personnel.
IT Support Team Member
United States Air Force
01.2009 - 01.2016
- Led a small team that provided IT support to General officers from the United States, Poland, Canada, and England during operations in Afghanistan, securing equipment, configuring tactical communications kits, programming Land Mobile Radios, and managing $80M in IT assets.
- Developed program to rectify years-long substandard communications equipment preventative maintenance schedule, ensuring all IT devices in $4.5B network were STIG'd, inspected, and maintained.
- Facilitated biweekly COMSEC user training for 45 local elements, enhancing operational support for a populace of 32,000 across missions including flight operations, physical security, and communications.
- Codified personnel readiness inspections for communications field members, conducting hundreds of practical evaluations to monitor training and progression across all cyber fields.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Management
University of Phoenix
Associate of Science - Electronic Systems Technology
Air University
Skills
- Cybersecurity Compliance
- Cybersecurity Frameworks
- Communications Security
- Risk Assessment
- Data Analysis
- Project Management
- Strategic Communications
- Trend Identification
- Quality Improvement
- Leadership & Partnership
- Performance Management
- Team Motivation & Morale
- Collaboration
- Teamwork
- Problem Solving
- Dispute Resolution
Job Related Training
- Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course II, National Defense University
- Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course I, National Defense University
- Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Barnes Center for Enlisted Education
- Airman Leadership School, Barnes Center for Enlisted Education
- Information Systems Security Manager Training, Barnes Center for Enlisted Education
- COMSEC Managers Course, Barnes Center for Enlisted Education
- Quality Assurance Training, Barnes Center for Enlisted Education
Timeline
Senior Cyber Policy & Programs Manager/Inspector General Subject Matter Expert
United States Air Force
01.2009 - Current
Quality Assurance and COMSEC Manager/Work Center Supervisor
United States Air Force
01.2009 - 01.2016
IT Support Team Member
United States Air Force
01.2009 - 01.2016
Bachelor of Science - Management
University of Phoenix
Associate of Science - Electronic Systems Technology
Air University