Our Team
Part of the team that helps our security ninjas be more ninja-y.
John Strand
Owner & Security AnalystJohn Strand has both consulted and taught hundreds of organizations in the areas of security, regulatory compliance, and penetration testing. He is a coveted speaker and much loved SANS teacher. […]
CJ Cox
COOCJ Cox is the Chief Operating Officer for Black Hills Information Security (BHIS). He joined the team in 2016 and is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations and business capture […]
Heather Doerges
Project ManagerHeather Doerges began with Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) in October 2015 and has found success in her Project Manager/Scheduling role. Heather has a B.S. in Health Sciences from the […]
Melisa Wachs
DirectorMelisa Wachs has been with the Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) administrative team since the company’s origin in 2008. She serves as the Director with a variety of roles including […]
Bryan Strand
Manager of Business CaptureBryan Strand began working for Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) in 2017 as a Manager of Business Capture and a Consultant. Prior to joining the team at BHIS, he worked […]
Laura Seumanutafa
Logistics DirectorLaura Seumanutafa is from American Samoa and is bilingual, speaking Samoan & English fluently. She joined the Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) team as the Logistics Director in April of […]
Marita Johnson
AccountingMarita Johnson began her time at Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) as an intern in 2016 and is now the Director of Accounting and a certified CPA. Her daily work […]
Jennipher Creed
AccountingJennipher Creed is originally from San Diego, CA (born and raised), and moved to South Dakota one and a half years ago. She, her husband, and daughter are loving the […]
Derrick Rauch
Sys AdminDerrick Rauch (DRock) took on his role of Systems Administrator in early 2018. He maintains and manages infrastructure, and altogether makes sure that things are always in motion and running […]
Kent Ickler
Sys Admin / Security AnalystKent Ickler has been a Security Analyst and Systems Administrator for Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) since 2017. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology Management and a Master’s […]
Jordan Drysdale
Sys Admin / Security AnalystJordan Drysdale has been with the Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) tribe since December 2015. He is a Security Analyst, as well as a member of the systems administration team. […]
Nick Caswell
Sys AdminNick Caswell has been with Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) since November 2020 as a Systems Administrator. In this role, he manages and maintains infrastructure to keep things running smoothly. Before […]
Jeremiah Stickel
Sys AdminJeremiah Stickel joined Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) in May 2022. As a Systems Administrator, he is currently learning the ropes and is enjoying training with the team. He chose BHIS […]
Ray Felch
Hardware ResearcherRay Felch joined the Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) team in June 2019. Originally hired as an intern, Ray is now a Hardware Researcher responsible for working on embedded hardware, […]
Debjeet Banerjee
Research & Development ContractorDebjeet Banerjee joined Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) in early 2023 as a subcontractor, going full-time as a contractor a year later. In this role, he works on Research & […]
Tom Smith
Business AnalystTom Smith joined the Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) team in 2021 as a Business Analyst. He works with clients to identify their correct testing solution needs and proposal requests. […]
Logan Bender
Business AnalystLogan Bender joined Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) as a Business Analyst in September 2021. Previously working as a technology advisor, Logan now advises clients on BHIS’s services and provides recommendations […]
Karen Salzar
Business Systems ManagerKaren Salzer started at Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) in February 2021 as the Business Systems Manager. In this role, she supports the business capture team. Karen previously worked at Rural […]
Kyle Lambros
Business Capture AnalystKyle Lambros joined Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) in July 2023 as a Business Capture Analyst, working alongside Antisyphon Training. Previously working as a high school teacher, Kyle chose BHIS […]
Jeff Christenson
Business AdminJeff Christenson joined Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) in the Spring of 2024 as a Business Admin, or, in his words, a “Swiss Army Knife.” In this role, he does […]
Andrew Wiltsie
Business ConsultantAndrew Wiltsie joined Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) in November 2024 as a Business Consultant. In this role, he’ll work with vendors to add value to the communities fostered by […]
Bronwen Aker
Report EditorBronwen Aker officially joined Black Hills Information Security as a full-time Technical Editor in the Fall of 2022 after working with the team as a 1099 since 2018. Her primary […]
Tim Doerges
Logistics Administrator & Product Ideation CoordinatorTim Doerges joined Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) in June 2020 as an Intern, before going full time in July 2024 as a Logistics Administrator/Product Ideation Coordinator. In this role, […]
Kelli Tarala
Principal ConsultantKelli Tarala joined the team at Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) in Fall of 2023 as Principal Consultant. In this role, she (in her words) “makes governance, risk, and compliance […]
Michael Zick
Web Application DeveloperMichael Zick joined the Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) team in the winter of 2022 as a Web Application Developer. Shortly afterward, he was assigned the Product Lead role to […]
Connor Costigan
Web Application DeveloperConnor Costigan joined Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) as an intern in February 2022, moving to a full-time position as a Web Application Developer in 2023. In this role, he […]
Randy LeFever
Web DeveloperRandy LeFever joined the Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) team in 2021 as a Web Developer, working on developing a web-based control panel to help manage the Cyber Range access, […]
Jason Blanchard
Content & Community DirectorJason Blanchard has been happily adopted into the hacker community at Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) since 2019, even though he “works in marketing.” He’s had every dream job imaginable: […]
Deb Wigley
Director of Kindness and GenerosityDeb Wigley is the Director of Kindness and Generosity for Black Hills Information Security (BHIS). She joined the team in 2019 after celebrating 20 years of working in customer engagement […]
Kassie Kimball
Content ManagerKassie Kimball joined Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) in the fall of 2021 as the Content Manager. She reviews anything and everything that has to do with words and is involved […]
Ryan Poirier
Video Production & EditorRyan Poirier began his time at Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) as the Video Producer and Editor in August 2020. Ryan polishes and perfects every webcast, podcast, and workshop on […]
Kevin Clark
Director of Audio/VideoKevin Clark joined Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) in early 2024 as Director of Audio/Video. In this role, he oversees the setup, troubleshooting, and maintenance of equipment used for conventions. […]
Serena Dipenti
Security Analyst and Content CreatorSerena DiPenti joined Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) in April 2022, after previously working as a network engineer at Cisco. As a Security Analyst and Content Creator, she communicates pentester […]
Zach Hill
Content & Community Director for Antisyphon TrainingZach Hill joined Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) in January 2024 as the Content & Community Director for Antisyphon Training. In this role, he is responsible for building relationships and […]
Kathy Chambers
Project ManagerKathy Chambers joined Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) in June 2024 as a Project Manager. In this role, she manages projects for Antisyphon Training surrounding courses, contractors, events, and community […]
Dani Costa
Graphic Designer & Production ArtistDani Costa joined Black Hills Information Security in February 2024 as a Graphic Designer & Production Artist. In this role, she pushes boundaries with styles that range from retro-futuristic to […]
Daniel Lowrie
Content CreatorDaniel Lowrie joined Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) in late 2024 as a Content Creator. In this role, he creates content for Antisyphon & BHIS, including training content for the […]