Rick Velasquez

Rick Velasquez has over 25 years of work experience in various roles related to information security and cyber defense. Their most recent position was as the Chief Information Security Officer at Paradigm, where they provided strategic leadership in ensuring the security of the company's information systems. Prior to that, they served as a founding member of the advisory board at DallasCISO, a peer leadership network for chief information security officers.

From 2020 to 2023, Velasquez worked at Texas Capital Bank as the Senior Vice President and Director of Cyber Defense. In this role, they led efforts to protect the bank's data and systems from cyber threats. Before that, they held the position of Director of Global Cyber Threat Management and Incident Response at Sabre Corporation from 2018 to 2020. In this role, they implemented cyber security strategies and managed a global network of servers.

Velasquez also has experience in risk and security management. From 2008 to 2018, they worked at Federated Insurance as the Deputy CISO, where they oversaw risk assessment programs and identity and access management systems.

In addition to their corporate experience, Velasquez has a background in the military. Rick served as a Military Intelligence Officer in the US Army Reserves from 1986 to 2014. Rick also worked as an IT Project Manager at the Missile Defense Agency from 2006 to 2008.

Earlier in their career, Velasquez held network administration positions at Neff + Ricci LLP, InLight Solutions, and IKON Office Solutions.

Overall, Rick Velasquez has a diverse and extensive background in information security, cyber defense, risk management, and military intelligence.

Rick Velasquez has a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Information Technology from the University of Phoenix in Albuquerque, NM. Before that, they obtained an Associate of Science (AS) degree in Information Technology with Accounting from Western Wisconsin Technical College. Additionally, they hold several certifications including Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) from ISAC obtained in May 2015, MCITP 2008 Enterprise Administrator from Microsoft obtained in November 2012, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) from (ISC)² obtained in June 2007, and MCSE from Microsoft obtained in November 1999.