Frank Cilluffo
Cilluffo was a member of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission and the Department of Homeland Security’s Advisory Council, and he’s routinely called upon to advise senior officials in the executive branch, U.S. Armed Services, and state and local governments on an array of matters related to national and homeland security strategy and policy. In addition to briefing Congressional committees and their staffs, he has publicly testified before Congress on numerous occasions, serving as a subject matter expert on policies related to cyber threats, counterterrorism, security and deterrence, weapons proliferation, organized crime, intelligence and threat assessments, emergency management, and border and transportation security. Similarly, he works with U.S. allies and organizations such as NATO and Europol. He has presented at a number of bi-lateral and multi-lateral summits on cybersecurity and countering terrorism, including the U.N. Security Council. Following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Cilluffo was appointed by President George W. Bush to the newly created Office of Homeland Security. There, he was involved in a wide range of homeland security and counterterrorism strategies, policy initiatives and served as a principal advisor to Director Tom Ridge, directing the president’s Homeland Security Advisory Council.Cilluffo then joined George Washington University in 2003, establishing the Center for Cyber and Homeland Security as a prominent nonpartisan “think and do tank” dedicated to building bridges between theory and practice to advance U.S. security. He served as an associate vice president where he led a number of national security and cybersecurity policy and research initiatives. He directed the Center for Cyber and Homeland Security and, with the School of Business, launched the university’s World Executive MBA in Cybersecurity program. Prior to his White House appointment, Cilluffo spent eight years in senior policy positions with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank. There, he chaired or directed numerous committees and task forces on homeland defense, counterterrorism and transnational organized crime, as well as information warfare and information assurance.He has published extensively in academic, law, business and policy journals, as well as magazines and newspapers worldwide. His work has been published through ABC News, Foreign Policy, The Journal of International Security Affairs, The National Interest, Parameters, Politico, Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, USA Today, U.S. News & World Report, The Washington Quarterly and The Washington Post. He currently serves on the editorial advisory board for Military and Strategic Affairs, and has served as an on-air consultant for CBS News and as a reviewer for a number of publications and foundations.
Jason Cuneo
Jason Cuneo has operational experience as a U.S. Army Infantry Officer and technical expertise as a cybersecurity practitioner successfully developing and implementing cybersecurity solutions in support of organizational requirements. Mr. Cuneo has successfully managed numerous cybersecurity-focused teams supporting defensive cyber operations, cyber training, network security training exercises, system vulnerability identification and mitigation, and development of cybersecurity policy.Mr. Cuneo has successfully supported numerous government organizations implementing technical and policy solutions including the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center, Missile and Space Intelligence Center, Software Engineering Directorate, Army Research Laboratory, Program Executive Office Missiles and Space, Redstone Test Center, and the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, National Computer Forensics Institute, Federal Transportation Authority, and Metropolitan Transportation Authority. He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the United States Military Academy, a M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and an M.S. in Computer Science from Auburn University. He holds professional certifications including the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), CompTIA PenTest+, CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst+, CompTIA Security+.
James Goosby
Don Kauffman
Don Kauffman joined the McCrary Institute in 2024 as executive producer. After two decades in television news production and leadership roles, he now leads media production for the institute. Originally from Utah, Kauffman traded the mountains for Maryland’s green landscapes in 2018. Just before joining McCrary, he led a team of reporters covering policy and events at Capitol Hill, the White House and Pentagon. Kauffman studied communications at Brigham Young University and later earned an MBA there in 2016. Known for his adaptability and dedication to accurate reporting, Kauffman is a seasoned professional, applying those skills to deliver on the Institute’s vision of building awareness of the profound impact cybersecurity has on the world around us.
Hudson Liverance
Hudson Liverance graduated from Auburn University in 2017 with a major in Visual Media Studies and a minor in Music. He spent the next six years in Los Angeles interning for Conan O’Brien and working as an executive assistant at Paramount Pictures. At the beginning of 2024, Hudson and his wife, Tori, headed for the east coast and settled in Washington, D.C. He now serves as the executive assistant at the McCrary Institute, assisting the director and supporting the rest of the team. His three greatest passions are film, music, and Auburn Tiger football.
Nick Sellers
Nick Sellers is Associate Director and Chief Operating Officer at the McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security. In this role, he oversees the day-to-day execution of all McCrary Institute efforts including Applied Research & Services, Policy & Partnerships, Communications & Media and Finance & Administration. A 20-year veteran of the energy and electric utility industry, Nick joined Alabama Power in 2003 where he held executive management positions both at Alabama Power and Southern Company including leadership of Business Origination, Project Management & Construction, Division Vice President, and Vice President of External & Regulatory Affairs. Prior experience includes serving as Senior Advisor for Policy & Economic Development to the Governor of Alabama. After earning his undergraduate from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, Sellers went on to earn his Juris Doctor from the Birmingham School of Law.
Tucker Simpson
Tucker Simpson is Deputy Director for Applied Research & Services at Auburn’s McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security. As part of his role, he is responsible for growing the McCrary Institute’s cyber focused applied research efforts at both Auburn University and in Huntsville, AL at the Auburn University Research and Innovation Campus. These efforts are in support of numerous Federal departments including Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Transportation, and the United States Department of Agriculture, in addition to State Agencies, National Labs, and Regional Partnerships. He also leads the McCrary effort on Student and Faculty engagement in applied research and is responsible for expanding core competencies within the university and cyber professional services. Prior to joining Auburn University, Tucker served as a Government Civilian in the Department of the Army before moving to industry in roles conducting and leading Penetration Testing and Cyber Threat Intelligence. Tucker joined the McCrary team in 2023 and is a Software Engineering Alumni of Auburn University.
Michael Thomas
Michael is recent graduate from Auburn’s Harbert College of Business with a focus in Finance. He comes with experience working in the U.S. House of Representatives, Auburn University’s Board of Trustees Office and served as a student leader on the Student Government Association where he assisted with university wide initiatives, contracts, and policy.Michael plays a key role in supporting the Institute staff, relations, outreach, and events.
Joshua Whitman Ph.D.
Dr. Joshua Whitman joins the McCrary Institute as Deputy Director of Policy and Partnerships, bringing over 20 years of public policy experience. In this role, he will oversee the Institute’s cybersecurity policy strategies, facilitate stakeholder consultations, produce policy publications, and establish strategic partnerships to further the organization’s mission. Dr. Whitman has led teams and spearheaded initiatives across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. A skilled relationship builder and communicator, he is well-equipped to collaborate across industries to advance the Institute’s policy influence. Dr. Whitman’s passion for the mission and diverse policy expertise make him a strong addition to the leadership team.