CyberTexas Board Of Directors
Joe Sánchez
A 5th generation Texan, Joe Sánchez is an executive experienced in military and community activities involving Intelligence, Cyber Operations, Education, Innovation and Legislative matters. Coined as a local “social entrepreneur and technology evangelist,” beginning in 1999, Joe established a prominent cybersecurity educational base in San Antonio across multiple universities and has helped promote the growth of cybersecurity education, industries and associations. Joe served in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives as a Congressional Fellow. After 34 years as an AF Civilian, he retired as the Chief of Network Operations in the 625 AF Operations Center at Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland.
Marc Gravely
A Texan for over twenty five years, Marc Gravely is a partner at Gravely P. C. The firm’s focus is business and commercial litigation including information technology and security litigation. Along with Joe Sánchez, Marc was a driving force in the creation of the Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security (CIAS) at the University of Texas at San Antonio and has helped to promote awareness and development of cyber education in Texas for over a decade. He has served as counsel to Texas businesses in one of the largest information technology security settlements in the United States and was recently appointed as Special Counsel to the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
Paul Woeppel
Paul Woeppel is a Consultant who has been involved with the Air Force, National Security Agency, and Defense Intelligence Agency for over 20 years performing security assessments for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) information systems and networks including multi-level systems. He has extensive background on Risk Management Framework (RMF) and National and Intelligence Community Computer Security policies and regulations. Paul has a Masters degree from Webster’s University in Information Systems and retains a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Certification.
Dan Cruz
Dan’s role consists of identifying and recruiting Technical Mentors for the Foundation. He also serves as the Deputy for Operations. As such, he helps The Executive Director oversee and coordinate the multitude of initiatives and commitments the Foundation is undertaking throughout the community. Additionally, Dan Cruz has been in the Defense and Intelligence community for over 50 years. A former Army Military Intelligence Officer, he has diverse experience with the Intelligence and Cyber Security Community. He served in several senior positions as he represented such large defense firms as Northrop Grumman, TRW, Litton Industries, TASC and consulting firm Bearing Point in his 38 years in Washington DC. Dan has also worked consistently for the recognition of San Antonio as Cyber City USA.
Ernest Zernial
Ernie is an independent Senior Cyber Security Consultant. He has over 52 years of specialized experience in aircraft avionics and ground radio repair, telecommunications, electronic warfare, information warfare, information protection, information security, cyber security, privacy, supply chain risk assessments, and the federal acquisition process. He has held two Chief Information Officer (CIO) equivalent positions and was the Chief Information Security Officer for an insurance/finance Fortune 58 company. Ernie held executive and senior managerial positions in commercial financial services and civilian defense contractor industry. He held numerous leadership positions in two international information security, nonprofit membership associations and on the board of directors of the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) International. Ernie was a founding member and past president (2001-2003) of the Alamo ISSA Chapter and currently services as Advisor to the President. Ernie was named to the ISSA International Honor Roll in 2010 and the recipient of the ISSA International Distinguish Fellow in 2012. Ernie served six-year service in the United States Marine Corps and as active-duty officer in the United States Air Force his last assignment was assisting in the development of numerous Information Warfare initiatives and programs as the Chief of the Information Protection Branch, Networks Division, Headquarters Air Force Communication and Information Center, the Pentagon. Ernie has been active in various aspects of the San Antonio information security ecosystems since 1999 by working, teaching, and lecturing towards the goal of promoting a professional cybersecurity career.
Frank Hall
Lead Coach/Mentor Trainer
Frank’s role is to work the foundation to guide new and seasoned coaches, mentors, and teams with the CyberPatriot competition. Mr. Hall is originally from Baltimore, Maryland but now resides here in the San Antonio region. He has held numerous positions in the information technology domain, everything from helpdesk to domain/enterprise administrator. He is currently involved in network and cyber operations with the 16 th Air Force. He has begun Cyber Patriot programs, has Mentored and Coached both Service and Open Division teams, and has even formed a team based at the Hondo Public Library. He has been called upon by Coaches and Mentors throughout the United States for his experience and competition advice.