2026 ISSA-NOVA Board

Jim Wiggins
President

Jim Wiggins has over 29 years of direct experience in the design, operation, management, and auditing of information technology systems, with the past 24 years focused on information systems security—and, more recently, the last 3 years on artificial intelligence. He has a strong background in technical education and specializes in delivering security certification courses tailored to federal and government contracting clients.

Today, Jim is the Founder and Principal of Securible, LLC. Securible is an information security service provider offering cyber training programs to organizations of all sizes. At Securible, Jim has taught IT security certification courses such as CISSP, CISM, CISA, Ethical Hacking, RMF, Security+, and other courses requested by Securible’s clients. More information on Securible can be found at: https://www.securible.com.

Jim is also the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Federal IT Security Institute (FITSI). FITSI is a 501(c)(6) non-profit certification body accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) under ISO 17024:2012. FITSI offers a role-based IT security certification program targeted at the federal workforce. More information on FITSI can be found at: https://www.fitsi.org.

Additionally, Jim is the Founder and Executive Director of the FITSI Foundation. The FITSI Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that focuses on cyber education and serves as the philanthropic sister organization of the Federal IT Security Institute. The FITSI Foundation operates the Wounded Warrior Cyber Combat Academy (W2CCA). More information on the FITSI Foundation can be found at: https://www.fitsifoundation.org.

In 2020, Jim launched a TV show on cybersecurity called “Cybersecurity Today,” which can be viewed in the Washington, DC area. Episodes can also be streamed online at the following website: https://www.cybersecuritytoday.org.

In 2019, FCW named Jim to the “Federal 100” for his tireless efforts to promote cybersecurity education across all branches of the federal government.

In 2011, the Federal Information Systems Security Educators’ Association (FISSEA) named him “Educator of the Year” for the impact he continues to make on the federal workforce.

Jim holds numerous certifications, including:

• Artificial Intelligence: AIGP, AAISM, AAIA
• Cybersecurity: CISSP, ISSEP, CISM, CISA, CRISC, CGRC (CAP), SCNA, SCNP, IAM, IEM, SSCP, CEH, ECSA, CHFI, LPT, TICSA, CIWSA, Security+, and FITSP-M.
• Information Technology: CGEIT, MCITP, MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, MCSA, MCDST, Server+, Network+, A+.
• Privacy: CIPP/US, FIP, CDPSE.
• Project Management: PMP.
• Education: ICE-CCP (I.C.E. Certified Credentialing Professional), DACUM Facilitator

Jim possesses a Master’s Degree in Education from George Washington University with a concentration in Assessment, Testing, and Measurement.

Ariel Huckabay
Senior Vice President

Ariel Huckabay is a cyber security professional focused on secure software development and code analysis. He is a member of Battelle’s Cyber Acrhitecture & Advisory Services group supporting DHS and DoD. He brings a diverse educational background that includes undergraduate and graduate degrees in mathematics, computer science, and international security. He has served as scrum master for cyber infrastructure development and implementation as well as conducting code reviews, advising on secure coding practices, and demonstrating defense-in-depth in code. He recently joined the ISSA-NOVA chapter after moving to Alexandria in 2022. In his free time, he likes to hike, cook, play chess, and write novels.

Malik Lockett
Vice President of Communications

Malik Lockett is an Information Security Architect at the Department of Homeland Security, Science & Technology since 2013. He previously worked for Northrop Grumman, Apex Systems, Tetrad Digitak Integrity, and Vigilant Services as Information Systems Security Officer, and Cybersecurity Engineer. He is a graduate of Hampton University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

Dr. Nima Zahadat
Vice President of Education

Dr. Nima Zahadat (known as “Dr. Z”) is a professor of security, digital forensic, and data science. He is also a professional consultant in the IT security industry. Dr. Z has advised/trained extensively with public and private sectors throughout the years including the US Navy, the US Air Force, the US Marine Corps., the US Coast Guard, the US Army, NSA, DHS, NASA, FAA, IRS, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman.

Dr. Z has taught at University System of Maryland as well as Georgetown University and the George Washington University in the fields of digital forensics, data science, business analytics, information systems, web development, and security. He has developed and taught over 130 different data science, information systems, security, digital forensics, DBMS, and programming courses throughout his career. He has an undergraduate degree in Mathematics from George Mason, a graduate degree in Management of Information Systems from George Washington, and a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering and Engineering Management from George Washington.

Dr. Z enjoys biking, photography, travel, skiing, reading history, and writing.

Mike DiFonzo
Vice President of Finance

Michael DiFonzo is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He is the spouse and father of two Cyber / IT Professionals.

Brian Gallagher
Vice President of Membership

Brian Gallagher is a cybersecurity educator and practitioner with more than 15 years of experience across federal government, information assurance, and security operations. He serves as an Assistant Professor at Northern Virginia Community College, where he brings real-world expertise into the classroom to help prepare the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Brian previously spent more than a decade with the U.S. National Science Foundation Office of Inspector General, where he led and supported mission-critical IT and cybersecurity initiatives involving cloud migration, compliance, resilience, and secure infrastructure modernization.

Brian holds a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity from Marymount University and maintains respected industry certifications including CISSP, CISA, and CompTIA Security+. As Vice President of Membership for ISSA-NOVA, he is focused on strengthening the chapter’s professional community, supporting member engagement, and creating value for both emerging and experienced cybersecurity practitioners across Northern Virginia.

Dr. Emmanuel Wansi
Vice President of Operations

Dr. Emmanuel Wansi is a risk management consultant with over four years of experience in supervisory roles, project management, cybersecurity, and SAP. He is skilled in FISCAM/RMF compliance, information security, project management, and strategy development. Dr. Wansi has a proven track record of streamlining audit processes, improving compliance through automated solutions, and enhancing risk management across FISCAM, NIST, DoDAF, GRC, and Zero Trust frameworks.

He is adept at facilitating audit readiness, developing standard operating procedures (SOPs), and managing IT controls, with a focus on maintaining data integrity and confidentiality for large-scale enterprise systems. Dr. Wansi gained his Zero Trust experience by conducting peer reviews in Cloud Security Alliance working groups. He further developed his research expertise while pursuing a cybersecurity doctoral program and by creating RMF technical strategies for RFP responses.

Inno Eroraha
Vice President of Programs

 Inno Eroraha is the Founder & Chief Strategist of NetSecurity® Corporation, a computer forensics and cybersecurity company based in Dulles, Virginia. His primary responsibility is to position NetSecurity as “the brand of choice for forensics and security,” by developing innovative and a NextGEN endpoint security product to neutralize sophisticated attacks and insider threats. Mr. Eroraha oversees NetSecurity’s day-to-day operations, including the product development of THREATRESPONDER® PLATFORM, which he invented. He directs the execution of NetSecurity’s product and solutions and helps clients protect, defend, and recover valuable assets from cyber attacks and data breaches. He consults for DoD, Government agencies, Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, and other organizations to solve very complex cybersecurity problems.

Before founding NetSecurity, Mr. Eroraha was a senior manager of information security at VeriSign, Inc. where he developed a threat detection and notification tool. He also worked at Network Associates (now McAfee), Trusted Information Systems, Smartronix, SAIC, and other firms. As a principal security engineer at MCNOSC (now MARFORCYBER?), he led the cyber implementation, operations, and defense of USMC and other DoD assets against determined cyber adversaries.

Mr. Eroraha has authored or contributed to numerous articles about computer security, cyber crime, forensics, and incident response in outlets including Virginia Lawyers Weekly, Richmond Times Dispatch, MIT Technology Review, Securities Industry News, Northern Virginia Magazine, and SC Magazine. Further, he has presented in industry events, such as CEIC, SANS, ISACA, IIA, ISSA, OWASP, MISTI, Techno Forensics, and The Computer Forensics Show.

Mr. Eroraha graduated cum laude with dual-bachelor degrees in mathematics and computer science from Morgan State University. He also received a master’s degree in computer science from The George Washington University. Additionally, he has certifications, which include: CISSP, ISSAP, ISSMP, CISM, CISA, CCSA, CCSE, and CHFI. He is a member of FBI InfraGard, HTCIA, (ISC)2, ISSA, and ISACA.

Karen Frederick
Vice President of Sponsorship

Karen Frederick is the Director of Business Strategy, Privacy Management, for Microsoft Business Technology Solutions | Global Business Development. She is a dynamic Sales and Business Development Executive with comprehensive experience selling complex technology solutions to C-level executives and surpassing multi-million dollar sales quotas within highly competitive global markets. Exceptional communicator with proven presentation and negotiation skills, Fortune 500 account management skills, exceptional problem solving abilities, and a strong aptitude for assessing client needs and developing business solutions to meet those needs. Ability and drive to aggressively identify opportunities and close business.

Gail Schnell
Vice President of Technology

Gail Schnell is the President & CEO of Schnell-Tech Solutions, LLC. Schnell-Tech Solutions LLC is a Information Technology Consulting and Contracting Company that is Woman, Minority, and Veteran-Owned as well as SDVOSB Certified that specializes in Cyber Security, Information Assurance, and Certification & Accreditation. Gail also serves as a Commissioner for Maryland Military Monuments as well as the Board of Directors Member & Chair of the External Affairs Committee for APAPA-GDC – Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association. She is currently working as a Senior Cloud Security Architect, Security Manager, and RMF SME.

Constantinos Doskas
Vice President of Software Development / Data Science

Constantinos Doskas has over 40 years of experience in software development and security. Education: Capitol University: Masters Information Assurance 2015, Computer Engineering BS and AAS, NVCC:  Electronics Technology/CIS, AAS. Certifications: Six Sigma, 2016. Agile Scrum Master 2022-2024+.

Work Experience:Programmer/Analyst, MCI (Now part of Verizon), Senior Developer, Image Scan, Olympus Food Distribution System, Systems Manager, Networking, Security.

He is a member of the following organizations:    ISSA-NOVA, VP of Technology 2017, 2018. ISSA, Technical writer for the organization’s journal 2018 to present.

Dr. Sandra Fonseca is an Information Technology Professional with over 30 years of experience in the IT field industry, 15 of them as Systems Security Manager, Project Manager, and later on as Data Architect at a federal agency in Washington, D.C. Her academic career spans 28 years, having taught in all modalities, undergraduate and graduate on traditional brick and mortar classroom, hybrid, teleconference, and online. She has also served as Program Director for IT and Cybersecurity Programs for an Online University in the US. Dr. Fonseca also works as instructional designer subject matter expert in course development, oversees SME’s course contents, and collaborates in program assessment mapping. Professional development and engagement in professional organizations is essential, and has served for the board of directors for professional associations like ISACA, ISSA, PMI, ACFE and ASQ.

Dr. Fonseca has a doctoral degree in business with a specialization in management information systems (DBA-MIS), and a second doctoral degree in education with a specialization in instructional design (EdD-ID). Her areas of Specialty are: IT, Accounting, Audit, Project Management, Operations Management, and Quantitative Research Methods.

Brandy Derogene is a cybersecurity leader specializing in cloud security, DevSecOps, and Zero Trust architecture, currently serving as Cyber Hygiene Manager at CFA Institute. With a strong foundation as a former Microsoft DevOps and Site Reliability Engineer, she has led secure cloud architecture initiatives for large-scale Azure environments, focusing on container security, Kubernetes orchestration, infrastructure as code (IaC), and automated CI/CD pipelines. Her work consistently emphasizes building resilient, scalable systems while embedding security into every stage of the development lifecycle.

Brandy brings extensive experience supporting federal and DoD environments, with deep expertise in NIST, RMF, and DIACAP compliance frameworks. Her career spans roles at Microsoft, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Lockheed Martin, where she secured mission-critical systems, implemented Zero Trust principles, and enhanced operational resilience across complex infrastructures. As an active ISSA-NOVA contributor and Director of Software Development/Data Science, she is passionate about mentorship, collaboration, and advancing the cybersecurity community.

Veena Harish
Director of Sponsorship

Veena Harish is a Sr Technical Program manager with Microsoft since 2021, leading Security, Privacy and Compliance programs. She previously worked for Aflac for 17 years in various capacities in IT, Strategy and Global Security leading complex programs . She holds a degree in Computer Science and is certified Computer Information System Manager (CISM).

Jameson Schnell
Director of Technoloy

Jameson Schnell is Director of Technology. He is a rising Cybersecurity Professional.

Michael D. Smith
President Emeritus

Michael D. Smith served as the ISSA-NOVA President for three terms from 2022 through 2024. He previously served as the ISSA-NOVA Senior Vice President and prior to that as the Director of Veteran’s Affairs.   Michael Smith brings to the board over 30 years of IT and Cybersecurity expertise and Senior Leadership. He is the Cybersecurity Architecture and Advisory Services Group Leader for the Battelle Memorial Institute and the Cybersecurity Program Manager for DHS. He is a retired U.S. Army Colonel who commanded the Army Reserve Operations Group (ARCOG), established a research unit at the Army Cyber Institute (ACI) West Point, NY, and served as the Deputy G6 (CIO) for the 22,000 Soldier command responsible for all Logistics in Iraq during the surge.