Cyber Operations and Resilience Staff and Instructors

Kody Walker, MS, serves as the Associate Director of the Cyber Operations and Resilience (CORe) program at Boise State University. Walker retired from the military with 20 years of service in the protection realm and three years in the information technology sector. Walker previously worked for a defense contractor as a Cyber Information Analyst and Special Projects Manager. Walker’s focus will be creating resilience within the program and connecting with communities to bring cyber resilience to all areas of Idaho.

Walker has an Associate of Applied Science in Cyber Security and an Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC) in Cyber Security from the College of Western Idaho, a Bachelor of Applied Science in Cyber Operations and Resilience, a Certificate in Cyber Operations and a Master of Science in Cyber Operations and Resilience from Boise State University.

Michelle is an instructor and Online Program Senior Manager for the Cyber Operations and Resilience (CORe) program. She has been with the program since its launch and is committed to helping students gain the skills and confidence they need to thrive in the field. Her leadership supports both program development and student engagement.

To connect with a faculty or staff member, please email CORE@boisestate.edu

Derek Beardall has 17 years of experience with a local law enforcement agency. Currently, he is a Digital Forensic Examiner on a federal task force, where he specializes in the investigation of cybercrimes, computer intrusions, violent crimes, financial crimes, organized crime and national security matters. Beardall’s instructional experience consists of 13 years in the topics of Firearms, Emergency Vehicle Operations (EVO), Arrest and Control Techniques (ARCON), and how to investigate sex crimes and human trafficking for the local police academy and his agency.

Beardall holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, a Minor in Sociology, and a Master of Science in Cyber Operations and Resilience. He has several certifications through the federal government, including CompTia A+, Computer Analysis and Response Team (CART), Digital Forensic Examiner (DFE), Digital Extraction Technician (DeXT), Digital Evidence Laboratory Technician (DEL), MAC Imaging Authorization, Mobile Device Authorization and CART Windows Authorization. Beardall is a major supporter of continual education and has authorized a publication titled “Unveiling the Digital Shadows: Cybersecurity and the Art of Digital Forensics.”

When not teaching at Boise State University, Beardall values spending time with his beautiful wife, enjoys playing hair salon, dolls and drawing with his five daughters, dominating his son on any and every video game (he’s 20 years old) and is an artist for hyperrealistic art.

Brenda Burget is an accomplished security professional with over 30 years of experience in the IT industry including 15 years dedicated to cybersecurity. She has held senior roles in product security engineering and management at a major corporation and a prominent gaming company, where her strategic leadership and technical expertise contributed to building robust security frameworks and driving innovative solutions in a rapidly evolving field.

Burget holds the Certified Information Systems Manager (CISM) certification from ISACA and actively serves on the board of the Boise Chapter, contributing her knowledge and leadership to the cybersecurity community. Her passion for giving back extends beyond her professional achievements as she remains committed to mentoring and supporting the next generation of security professionals.

Fulcanelli “Fuli” Chavez is currently an Information Security Engineer for Albertsons Companies in Boise, ID. He has over 20 years of experience in Information Technology (IT) and Information Security (IS). Previously, he was the senior security operations analyst at the largest privately held west-coast U.S. financial services company.

Chavez has been a consultant, manager and postsecondary educator. As an educator, he has been an instructor and program chair for accredited associate and bachelor level degrees in IT and IS. He helped define the direction of these degrees through both high-level input and curriculum development.

He earned a Master of Science in Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Washington and holds several IT/IS certifications including CISSP, CISA and MCSE.

Robert Hale is a Lockheed Martin Fellow with over 30 years of experience in information operations and cyber security. Over his career, Hale has been responsible for conducting and leading information assurance and cyber security activities for federal, state and commercial organizations in the defense, law enforcement, intelligence, financial services, utility and healthcare industries.

He has a broad range of experience in compliance and certification activities, security architecture and implementation, security test and evaluation, and operational analysis. He has led compliance and audit teams for KPMG and Ernst & Young in the commercial sector and has taken many systems and programs through compliance and accreditation at both the federal and state levels.

Hale is currently leading advanced research and development in cyber security at Lockheed Martin and is also the lead of the 5G.MIL security integrated program team, where he is developing next-generation embedded security services. He holds multiple industry certifications, including the CISSP-ISSAP, and is the author of seven patents. Hale has a Master of Science in Cybersecurity from Capitol Technology University in Laurel, MD.

Josh Haver is a Lecturer in Boise State University’s Cyber Operations and Resilience (CORe) Program. He brings over 12 years of public sector experience in cybersecurity, operations, emergency management and critical infrastructure protection. Before joining Boise State, Haver served in the U.S. Navy and held several roles at a Public Utilities Commission, including Policy Strategist, Emergency Management Coordinator, Cybersecurity Utilities Analyst, IT Operations Analyst and Continuity of Operations Officer. In these positions, he led statewide initiatives related to utility cybersecurity policy, risk mitigation, emergency management and infrastructure resilience. His work focused on regulatory strategy, interagency coordination and operational planning to advance cybersecurity and emergency preparedness through collaboration with local, state and federal partners.

Haver holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Information Technology Management and Supply Chain Management with a minor in Cybersecurity and a CORe Graduate Certificate in Governance Policy Administration from Boise State University. He also earned a Master of Science in Technology Management from the University of Idaho, with a focus on Cybersecurity, Critical Infrastructure Resilience and Emergency Management.

Kevin Hunter is a 24-year Air Force veteran, where he learned and practiced cybersecurity as part of the Air Force Security Operations Center. He has over 20 years of experience leading and developing people and has developed a passion for helping others get to the next level in their lives and careers. Currently, he is an Air Force Reserve Senior Enlisted Leader, leading the development of the Air Force Reserve’s first Cyber Training Range unit. Hunter is currently a faculty lecturer for the Cyber Operations and Resilience (CORe) program at Boise State University and assists with the day-to-day operations of the program.

Hunter holds an Associate of Applied Science in Cyber Security, an Associate of Arts in Human Resources, a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management and a Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance. He also holds the following certifications: CISSP, GCIH, CEH and Sec+.

David Johnson is currently a cybersecurity analyst for Idaho Power. He has over 10 years of experience in the IT and cybersecurity field. His area of focus includes threat detection, incident response, cloud security and systems hardening.

Johnson has a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and a Master of Science in Cybersecurity from Bellevue University. In addition, he holds several certifications including Sec+, Net+, Splunk CDA, GCIH and GPYC.

Wayne Josleyn brings nearly two decades of experience in digital forensics and data recovery to his teaching. He’s passionate about advancing the field of digital forensics and inspiring the next generation of experts.

As the owner and lead investigator of G2 Research, Josleyn conducted hundreds of digital forensic investigations and provided expert witness testimony for civil, criminal and federal cases throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Josleyn holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in digital forensic science.

Dr. Andre Karamanian’s career spans positions as researcher, data scientist and practical security professional. Currently, he works as data scientist and product security engineer at Cylance, recently acquired by Blackberry.

He is highly credentialed with many industry certifications, has been a speaker at several conferences and has multiple patents. In his current position he works with a team which develops a product for continuous authentication based on behavior analytics, app usage, network and process invocation patterns.

Elizabeth Khan, assistant to the director, is a full-time auditor for Saint Luke’s Health System in Boise and is focused on the HIPAA Security and Privacy Rules and their respective protection of protected health information. Khan graduated from Boise State University in 2022 with a Master of Science in Cyber Operations and Resilience, earning her Certified in Cybersecurity from ISACA and Sec+ and Cloud Essentials from CompTIA shortly after graduation. Additionally, as an independent consultant, Khan provides security consulting services in security program development and security training services, and she also participates in community speaking engagements and panels on a range of cybersecurity topics.

Khan brings extensive business and consulting experience to her role supporting the graduate cyber operations and resilience program by meeting with prospective students, overseeing the capstone courses and helping existing students discover and chart their unique career or program credential pathway.

Matthew Kunzman is the Lead Security Engineer at Kount, Inc. where he designs and develops internal security products to enhance the security posture of the business. He researches, tests and reviews network traffic and network devices. Kunzman leads the security team’s incident response efforts to security events. Additionally, he reviews systems and codebases in order to identify potential security weaknesses and recommends improvements to mitigate vulnerabilities.

Vernon Littlewolf is a cybersecurity consultant for Idaho Power. While in this role, he provides support services in the way of incident response and digital forensics and SIEM administration. His primary focus in his current career has been mainly defensive security, digital forensics and mentoring of cyber security analysts with the leadership roles he has performed.

Vernon holds an associate degree in information technology and a Bachelor of Science in Cyber Operations and Resilience from Boise State University.

Shama Patel is a resident of Madison, AL. She has a Bachelor of Science in Optical Engineering from The University of Alabama in Huntsville. Her engineering career began at Teledyne Brown Engineering. She later worked for Time Domain Corporation and Mentor Graphics Corporation. Shama is currently the business owner of Evening Light Designs, LLC. Her business focuses on social media content writing, website maintenance and cybersecurity training. She also loves to teach classes on creative design, technology and cybersecurity education at the Madison City Public Library, Madison Senior Center and at entrepreneur events.

Dr. Char Sample has over 25 years experience in cybersecurity. Her experience began as a developer and integrator before she moved into research. Dr. Sample has researched a variety of cybersecurity topics including deception, fake news, industrial control systems, artificial intelligence and machine learning and human machine behaviors.

Dr. Sample currently works as a Principal Cybersecurity Investigator for MTSI where she advises and assists DoD leadership.

Quentin Samuels is a cybersecurity professional with a diverse background that blends military service, academic achievement and a genuine love for learning.

After dedicating seven years to the Georgia Air National Guard and earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech, Samuels began as a network engineer but found his passion in cybersecurity. Samuels has worked in academia, network optimization, cybersecurity sales, risk management and currently as a cyber system security engineering specialist designing anti-tamper protections for U.S. weapons systems to ensure resiliency against potential threats.

Samuels earned a Master of Science in Cybersecurity from Georgia Tech and as a faculty member brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to sharing knowledge in a field that demands technical expertise, a dedication to lifelong learning, continuous growth and adaptability to reflect the evolving nature of cybersecurity.

Ashley Richardson-Sequeira is a cybersecurity professional, researcher and educator pursuing a Ph.D. in Cyber Defense at Dakota State University. She specializes in adversarial threat intelligence, IoT botnet research and security operations, with more than a decade of experience spanning enterprise security, technical consulting and higher education.

Ashley currently serves as a Senior Security Solutions Engineer at Censys, where she focuses on IoT botnets and strategic threat intelligence, providing technical solutions to customers and partners while advancing research on global attack surfaces. She has also held technical and leadership roles at Google Cloud Security, Palo Alto Networks and Cyware Labs, where her work ranged from building security operations training programs to leading pre-sales engineering for enterprise security platforms. In higher education, Ashley has taught courses on cybersecurity fundamentals, network defense and secure coding at both Sacramento City College and Boise State University.

Her academic background includes a Master of Science in Cyber Operations and Resilience from Boise State University, a bachelor’s degree in general studies from Southern New Hampshire University, and multiple associate degrees in information systems security, English literature and communication, and general studies. She also completed advanced training through the U.S. Army Signal Academy during her 13 years of service in the Army Reserve, where she gained hands-on SOC experience, represented the Army on the National Taekwondo Team in 2011 and 2015, and performed with the U.S. Army Band.

Ashley holds an extensive set of technical certifications, including CompTIA A+, Mobility+, Security+, CySA+ and Pentest+; GIAC GSEC, GCIH, GCIA and GPEN; Palo Alto Networks PCSAE and PCDRA; and Offensive Security OSCP (in progress).

Her research interests include IoT security and botnet infrastructures, threat intelligence automation, cloud and application security and DevSecOps practices. She has presented at national conferences including Defcon, BSides, CactusCon, HushCon, and ShmooCon, sharing insights on IoT vulnerabilities, illicit streaming devices and emerging threats.

Beyond research and industry, Ashley is a dedicated community builder. She serves as Chief Security Officer for BSides Las Vegas, Operations Chief for BSides Albuquerque, and contributes to ShmooCon SafetyOps, Defcon workshops and CactusCon’s Career Village.

With a career bridging research, teaching and community leadership, Ashley is committed to advancing resilience in cybersecurity and empowering the next generation of practitioners.

Vince Skinner is the CISO and VP of Integration & Deployment for Milton Security. Mr. Skinner brings over 20 years of technical IT and Cybersecurity experience. Most recently, Skinner held the position of Vice-President of Cybersecurity for D.A. Davidson, where he led the organization’s cybersecurity and physical security teams.

Skinner is highly recognized for his deep understanding and commitment to cybersecurity program development, operations and improvement. He is a frequent speaker at various IT Security conferences. He is an adjunct instructor at Boise State University and has 14 years of University instruction; teaching classes in IT Audit and Information Systems Security. He is the former President of Boise ISSA, former president and board member for Boise ISACA and a technical advisor for the Boise Collegiate Cyber–Defense Competition. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and a master’s degree in Information Systems. He also holds the following certifications: CISSP, CISM, CISA, CISA, MCSE, CCNA.

Mark Tachick is a dual alumnus of the CORe Program, earning his bachelor’s degree in spring 2023 and his master’s degree in spring 2025. As a student, he gained experience through several opportunities, including internships with the Idaho National Laboratory’s CyberCORE research division and the Idaho Office of the Governor’s Information Technology Services, where he worked as a cybersecurity engineer. He also served as a student engineer for the cyber operations and resilience program, contributing to the development of the Core Learning Lab.

Tachick earned his Security+ certification during his associate degree program, followed by the Network+ and CySA+ certifications while completing his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He also obtained multiple MTA certifications during his associate degree studies.

Keith Tresh is the Chief Information Security Officer for the State of Idaho, Information Technology Services. Tresh is a retired military and previously a State of California cybersecurity professional. He has over 15 years of experience in cybersecurity and over 27 years of experience in information technology.

Tresh holds a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the United States Army War College.

Johnny Watkins is currently a Cyber Security Analyst for Idaho Power. In this role, he is responsible for responding to detection alerts relating to the SIEM, threat hunting and vulnerabilities. Watkins also tunes both the SIEM and IDS to create high fidelity detection alerts. The primary focus for Watkins is defensive security for both the IT and OT environments.

Watkins has a bachelor’s degree in management information systems and a Master of Science in Cyber Operations and Resilience from Boise State. In addition, he holds many certifications including Sec+, GCFE, GCSE, GDSA, Splunk CDA and Splunk CDE.

Patricia Watson has extensive experience developing, implementing and directing information security strategies, that are both data-driven and human-centric, across multi-site and multi-cultural cloud, SaaS, manufacturing, energy, corporate and government environments.

In this ever-evolving, globally interconnected society, where cyber-intrusions have a direct and immediate impact to business assets, Watson’s professional goal is to ensure the universal security, holistic integrity, uncompromising confidentiality and conditional accessibility of digital information for her stakeholders. Watson’s leadership experience along with her business acumen fuels her collaborative approach toward supporting people, processes, operations and technology to protect and drive business interests forward.

Watson’s passion for developing talent, optimizing resource allocation, and transferring knowledge through training, awareness and meaningful communications are all hallmarks of her values as a cybersecurity professional.