Leadership

Michael Ferris has been a founder and CEO of several companies over the past 20 years. His success as a founder and CEO led him to become the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2011, and a judge for the EY Awards from 2012-2016. In addition, he is a Chairman for New Mountain Capital, portfolio company – Valet Living and a Committee Member, Department of Homeland Security – Real Estate ISAC.

Rolando Torres is a Technology and Business leader with 22+ years of IT and Security Consulting Experience with Accenture before joining the Abacode team 5 years ago. Those 17+ years include the responsibility of managing international engagements and leading teams on three continents within the Telecommunications, Energy and Healthcare sector. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez.

Jeremy Rasmussen is a Cybersecurity Expert (Military, Defense, and Private Sector) with 24+ years of experience in developing secure communications systems and providing cybersecurity consulting services throughout the world. Jeremy graduated from college with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, and holds a Master’s Degree in Engineering Management, both from the University of South Florida. Jeremy is also a certified CISSP and White-Hat Ethical Hacker.

Shane Wiseman has had an extensive career as a business executive which has spanned 25+ years. Over those 25+ years he has held numerous leadership roles in both public and private companies; including Board of Director, President, CFO, Auditor, and Analyst. Shane graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Accounting & Business Management, and was also an NCAA Div. I 1st-Team Academic All-American in soccer at Adelphi University.

As Abacode’s Chief Strategy Officer, Anil is responsible for shaping the strategic direction of the services and delivery capabilities, while also operating as an advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors on market positioning and growth objectives. Anil has over 20 years of experience as a strategic advisor to Fortune 250 clients and the US Government. Focused on helping CXO and the Board of Directors address complex trust issues that arise during business-led digital transformations.

He started his career in the United States Air Force as a Communications Engineering Officer with multiple combat deployments supporting IT Operations and Information Security mission needs. After exiting the military, he has operated at the Senior Executive / Partner level at multiple global organizations, including EY, Mandiant, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Amazon Web Services. While at AWS, Anil built one of the largest security compliance programs in the world to support AWS’ regulated customers in every industry, across 30+ countries.

Anil has a BS in Computer Systems Engineering from Boston University and an MS in Management from the Florida Institute of Technology. He is also a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA). Anil volunteers as an Advisory Board Member at NYU and Le Moyne College and is a frequent speaker at various security conferences on the topics of security, risk management, and digital compliance.

Prior to her role at Abacode, Donna led Global Marketing at Iron Mountain, an F1000 global leader in innovative storage, data center infrastructure, asset lifecycle management, and information management services. During her tenure, she helped establish them as a global leader in each of their service categories. Prior to her Marketing role, Donna held leadership positions in sales, account management, and customer experience. She is a proven commercial leader with experience driving customer-centric solutions, building and executing effective go-to-market plans, and leveraging cross-functional partnerships – resulting in growth and exceptional customer experiences.

Bryan Graf is a security and compliance expert with 12+ years of experience in building, delivering, and managing IT security and compliance program for clients in healthcare, finance, and government. His accomplishments include establishing one of the first official FedRAMP third-party assessment practices in the U.S. Bryan holds a master’s degree in Decision and Information Sciences from the University of Florida. Bryan is also a certified CISSP, CIA, CISA, and certified HITRUST practitioner.

Larysa Kelly is a project management/process improvement professional with over 15 years of experience leading projects in all different areas of the organization including operations, HR, system implementation and IT. Throughout her career she has helped different businesses in improving processes/operations to increase revenue/decrease cost. She holds Master’s Degree in Accounting and is a CMMC Registered Practitioner. She is also PMP, GRCP, CSM, Lean Six Sigma and SHRM-CP certified. She is a Former Board Member of EDsnaps, a non-profit organization that inspires and empowers underserved female-identifying students to become exceptional global STEM & STEAM leaders.

Tomas Idinge is a Technology leader with over 25 years of IT operations experience with organizations like Accenture, Raymond James, and USAA, with over 18 of those years delivering professional services.  He has led global application and service delivery teams, managed large-scale technology programs, and led IT vendor management and risk functions across industries like Utilities, Manufacturing, and Financial Services.  Tomas earned his Master of Business Administration from Florida International University where he also played four years of Division 1 soccer.

Jared is the leader of Abacode’s Revenue Operations Team, a department at the center of all things sales, operations, and finance at Abacode. Jared has an extensive finance and analytics background, previously heading the FP&A team at Abacode. Jared holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Brown University and started at Abacode in early 2020.

Jim Wright is an optimistic and enthusiastic sales professional with over 15 years of experience as a sales manager. He is skilled at developing the right action plan for each of his client’s unique needs and committed to helping them choose the best products and services. Throughout his career, Jim has earned the trust of several national and international companies and maintained strong client relationships that generate repeat business. He attributes his success to his ability to listen to customers and put their needs first.

Robert Lubin has more than 10 years of cybersecurity experience in the military, private, and national intelligence sectors. Robert holds a master’s degree in Cybersecurity and a bachelor’s degree in International Studies from the University of South Florida. He is also a graduate of the Arabic and French programs at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center.

Megan is the Director of HR and Organizational Development at Abacode. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Connecticut. Megan is SHRM-CP certified and is a founding member of Abacode Cares, Inc. an organization to help with Abacode’s philanthropic initiatives and giving back to our local community.

Mitch is the leader of Abacode’s CRM System Development, enhancing Sales and Revenue Operations processes on our cloud CRM solution. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Mitch spent years designing ITSM and ERP systems before joining Abacode in late 2021. He strives to optimize the convergence of people, processes, and systems.

As the driving force behind Abacode’s channel initiatives, CJ takes the lead in shaping and expanding the company’s dynamic partner network. With an extensive background spanning over a decade in the IT channel, CJ has skillfully catered to partners of various profiles and sizes. His strong commitment to maintaining the integrity of the channel forms the foundation of his approach, helping to cultivate long-lasting and mutually beneficial partnerships.

CJ’s standout quality lies in his exceptional ability to craft innovative joint go-to-market strategies that leverage the strengths of both parties, yielding solutions that achieve desired business outcomes. At the core of Abacode’s guiding principles, CJ plays a pivotal role in instilling a channel-first perspective across sales, delivery, and operations.

CJ’s influence extends beyond his role, fostering a culture that champions collaboration and partnership. His academic journey includes a BS in Financial Economics from Anderson University, where he also stood as the captain of the men’s golf team, showcasing his leadership both on and off the field.

Josh has an extensive and diverse background in cybersecurity technology. As an Army Veteran, he worked in military intelligence where he was integrated into SIGINT and CIA operations in both Baghdad and Kirkuk Iraq. He has served on engineering advisory boards for several industry-leading security technology companies and has been credited with the development of key product improvements for several DLP, EDR, and encryption products now being utilized across all industries. Josh has held positions as Security Engineer and Security Architect for businesses ranging from SMB to Enterprise, which he credits to his understanding and hands-on experience with a variety of security approaches and tools.

Adam Francis has 18+ years of well-rounded experience as a Cybersecurity Analyst, Engineer, and Expert for the Department of Defense.  During this time, he spent 12+ years as a Lead Validator for the U.S. Army performing blue-team compliance validation, NIST-based risk assessments, and engineering cybersecurity solutions.  He also has nine years of experience as an IT and cybersecurity adjunct instructor for the University of South Florida, which is where he graduated with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Computer Science and Engineering.  Adam maintains certifications as a CISSP, PMP, and CEH.

Luiz Miranda, an industry veteran boasting over two decades of unparalleled mastery in Microsoft technologies. His profound understanding of the Microsoft ecosystem empowers Abacode to unleash its full potential. With a background steeped in two rich decades of experience, Luiz has consistently spearheaded innovation through Microsoft technologies. His expertise in development, cloud services, and productivity tools stands as the cornerstone of Abacode’s future endeavors.

Luiz’s enduring partnership with Microsoft provides Abacode with exclusive access to the latest updates and strategic opportunities, ensuring our team maintains a leading edge. His remarkable ability to navigate intricate challenges within the Microsoft environment is a testament to his deep-rooted knowledge and extensive experience.

Yet, beyond his personal achievements, Luiz has invested a substantial portion of his career in mentoring and nurturing emerging talent within the Microsoft realm. This commitment fosters a culture of perpetual growth within the Abacode team. It’s this blend of individual accomplishment and team enrichment that positions Luiz as the driving force for Abacode’s audacious strides into the future.

Luiz’s has an impressive list of educational achievements and professional certifications. He has completed courses and programs from prestigious institutions such as INSEAD and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, showcasing his expertise in areas such as Value Negotiation, Modern Marketing, Insights & Analytics, Business Strategy, and Financial Acumen. Luiz Miranda is also highly regarded in the technology industry, holding multiple Microsoft certifications, including Microsoft Security Immersion, Microsoft 365 Security, Compliance, and Identity, and more. His exceptional contributions have earned him various awards, including Gold Club and Platinum Club memberships, associated with both Microsoft and Unisys, underscoring his recognition as an accomplished professional in the field.

Katie is the Director of Customer Success at Abacode. With a lifelong dedication to customer service, she has spent over five years actively involved in Customer Success Teams. Graduating from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in Rehabilitation Psychology, Katie brings a unique blend of empathy and problem-solving skills to her role. She excels at building strong relationships and leveraging her deep understanding of customer needs to drive exceptional outcomes. As the leader of the Customer Success department, Katie is committed to delivering tailored strategies, providing ongoing support, and ensuring client satisfaction. With her expertise and passion for customer success, Katie plays a crucial role in helping Abacode’s clients achieve their cybersecurity and compliance objectives.

Full bio coming soon.

Michael Brooks is a security and compliance executive with over 20 years of experience in developing, implementing, and operating cybersecurity programs for the Department of Defense and private sector clients in numerous industries. He is a retired Air Force officer with experience as both a Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer. Mike holds an MBA from American Military University and is also a credentialed Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Project Management Professional (PMP).

Bob Anastasi is a recently retired investment professional with broad experience in capital markets and technology. He is the former Chair of Global Equity Research at Raymond James Financial, where he led the development of one of the largest investment research platforms in the brokerage industry. Prior to joining Raymond James in 1999, Mr. Anastasi covered the technology industry at The Robinson Humphrey Company beginning in 1982. He was ranked among the top five PC analysts in The Wall Street Journal Best on the Street survey five times, twice taking top honors. He was also named one of 20 executives to watch in the computer industry by Computer Reseller News. Mr. Anastasi also held a variety of management positions with Hewlett Packard and Ford Motor Company. He has a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Northeastern University and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.

Brian Costello has been an executive and entrepreneur in the technology industry for thirty years and is considered a thought leader on how to protect our country’s most critical technology and economic assets from today’s threats.

He has held executive positions in some of the largest cybersecurity and technology organizations, including Guardent (now Secureworks) and VeriSign. Following his leadership role at VeriSign, Brian worked closely with the RSA leadership team as an advisor to help build out its security consulting organization. Mr. Costello also worked with a number of congressional offices and committees and served as an expert in the media on today’s geopolitical landscape.

Brian was a key member of the Guardent –backed by Sequoia Capital, NEA, and Charles River– leadership team that sold Guardent to VeriSign redefining the Managed Security Service Space. Following the completion of the merger, Brian ran VeriSign’s Global Consulting division (now part of AT&T) and helped to create one of the country’s top cyber-security consulting organizations, with many Fortune 500 companies counted as customers across the United States, Europe, and Asia. Brian has contributed to the development of significant security compliance solutions in a variety of industries, including retail, financial services, healthcare, technology, and government.

Mr. Costello graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, with a Bachelor of Science in International Management. He is the father of three children.

Ms. Schwarzkopf is the eldest daughter of General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, who is most well-known for his coalition command of 765,000 soldiers, from 28 different countries, during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield in the Persian Gulf War.

Cindy continues her father’s work as a motivational speaker and support for the U.S. armed forces. In addition to speaking, Cindy is accomplished in her own right with a professional background in marketing, the Las Vegas gaming and hospitality industry, human resources, government relations work and real estate. She currently serves on the Board of Directors and for MIAX Options, MIAX Pearl and MIAX Emerald which through their various options trading models now has access to approximately 80% of the overall U.S. options market volume.

Ms. Schwarzkopf joins a growing group of accomplished Abacode Advisory Board Members. Her contribution in the Government, Federal Supply Chain, DoD Contractors and Financial Services sectors brings incredible value to Abacode.

Nick is a highly experienced cybersecurity expert with a track record of success in helping clients effectively address cyber risks. He excels in refining and measuring controls and capabilities for cyber risk readiness, using a combination of systems thinking and logistical expertise to assist clients in considering the strategic business outcomes, technology supporting those goals, and the inherent cyber risks in the technology and processes used. He is well-versed in regulatory impact on cyber risks and incorporates considerations of value at risk when making decisions.

Nick helps companies assess their data value, volume, variety, variability, velocity, and veracity to understand their data risk and revenue generation opportunities. He uses this approach to help companies identify their most valuable data assets, understands their risk exposures, and develop strategies to protect and leverage their data.

Having helped companies of all sizes integrate risk disciplines into their business strategy through the use of probabilistic thinking, root cause analysis techniques, and decision-making criteria including success criteria and stop criteria. He has held various senior security and technology roles, including Chief Security Officer, Chief Privacy Officer, and Chief Information Officer, where he modernized technology and implemented Agile software delivery and public cloud options.

Currently, Nick offers fractional vCISO/CIO advisory consulting services and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Bay Area CSO Council. He is the author of “Cyber War…and Peace: Building Digital Trust with History as our Guide” and is a sought-after speaker at conferences. He is well-versed in the regulatory landscape and able to effectively integrate regulatory compliance into his clients’ cyber risk management strategies.

Andy Swenson is a seasoned executive and consultant with national and international experience in cybersecurity and information technology focused on improving business results. He demonstrated success as the CIO/CISO/CTO of multiple high growth public companies as well as through Professional Services and Consulting leadership. His focus is on the application of technology to businesses to improve operations, build new revenue opportunities, and enhance customer service.

Ben Trowbridge is an Award-Winning CEO & Board Member who has led five organizations from inception to $50M to $300M in revenue, three of which resulted in successful exit events.

Ben currently serves on the board of advisors for Abacode Inc., an innovative Cybersecurity compliance and services company, the board of directors for Working Solutions, a leading work-from-home contact center BPO firm, the board of advisors for Spacee, a computer vision and artificial intelligence company transforming the way inventory is managed, and as a board member with Beyond Capital Fund – a leading Social Impact Investment Fund. He previously served as Chairman of Alsbridge India and ProBenchmark PLC.

He founded EY’s Global Cybersecurity as a Service practice, where he approached, recruited, and hired a leadership team and developed the strategy that moved it from concept to becoming the highest growth managed services business unit.

While at EY, he was named to the Outsourcing Leadership Hall of Fame and the  2019 “Innovator of the Year” by CEO magazine.

Mr. Trowbridge was educated at Northwestern State University of Louisiana, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts. He is a former United States Marine Corps Infantry Officer, is married, and has two children.