Johnathan Lightfoot

Information Security Officer / Director Information Technology Assessments and Services

Symbiont, Inc

As President of Symbiont, Inc., I lead with a forward-thinking approach, staying at the cutting edge of AI and automation solutions that drive transformative change for our clients. With over a decade of executive management experience, I guide cross-functional teams in delivering innovative, secure-first IT solutions that align with our clients' strategic goals.

At Symbiont, we’re not just adapting to the future—we’re creating it. My expertise in professional services metrics, combined with a strong foundation in data-driven decision-making, enables me to implement AI-driven strategies that optimize resource utilization and enhance profitability. We’re pioneering AI solutions that streamline operations, boost productivity, and empower businesses to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.

I’m proud of our track record in leading successful AI and ERP implementations, where we’ve integrated advanced technologies to solve complex business challenges. My leadership extends to building strong, collaborative relationships across all organizational levels, ensuring that our AI solutions are not just technologically advanced, but also practical and impactful for our clients.

In my previous roles, I have developed and mentored teams to embrace the latest in AI and automation, ensuring we remain at the forefront of the industry. My commitment to innovation, resilience, and operational excellence continues to position Symbiont as a leader in the AI and IT services space, dedicated to driving meaningful results for our clients.

President

As Director of Professional Services, I led cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality IT implementations and projects, consistently exceeding client expectations. My expertise in professional services metrics like revenue, margin, and billable utilization enabled me to create a services capacity model that optimized resources and maintained profitability.

I drove the maturation and scaling of Symbiont, Inc., incorporating secure-first solutions into templates and processes that improved operational excellence and customer satisfaction. I collaborated with Sales, PMO, and Managed Services to ensure the success of projects from scoping to delivery, fostering a customer-centric approach that increased satisfaction, profitability, and market growth.

With strong technical acumen and people management skills, I led complex IT consulting projects, built consensus across departments, and mentored teams to consistently achieve results. My ability to influence and negotiate, combined with acute attention to detail, ensured that Symbiont delivered exceptional service and value to our clients.

kashkids

Empowering the next generation with financial literacy, Kash Kids is a beacon of innovation in educational nonprofit management. We provide comprehensive courses for K-12 students, focusing on financial basics, investing, and economic principles. Our mission is to cultivate a financially savvy future, offering the tools and knowledge necessary for economic independence. As we expand our impact, we invite investors and partners to join us in shaping financially empowered youth. Together, we can build a foundation for lifelong success. Learn more about our transformative work at kashkids.org.

Board Member

TechForce LLC

As the Founder and CEO of TechForce, I was a high-energy technology leader and business strategist, dedicated to shaping the future of innovation and driving significant revenue growth. My leadership was recognized for aligning cutting-edge technologies, such as SharePoint, Office 365, Azure, and AI systems, with the strategic goals of diverse clients—from SMEs to Fortune 100 companies.

At TechForce, I specialized in harnessing advanced technologies to deliver tailored solutions that met the unique needs of each client. My expertise spanned information solutions, natural language processing, chatbot creation, Ethereum smart contract development, and joint application development. I was particularly adept at integrating AI systems to enhance business processes, optimize performance, and deliver measurable results.

My role involved leading cross-functional teams and managing complex projects with a focus on resource optimization and capacity management. I was committed to fostering a culture of innovation, ensuring that every solution not only aligned with the client's objectives but also reflected the core values and culture of their organization.

Throughout my tenure, I built a reputation for delivering high-impact, customized services that fueled client success and positioned TechForce as a trusted partner in the technology space.

Owner, SharePoint, Office 365, and Azure Expert Consultant

Tower Education Technologies

As Vice President of Application Development at Tower, I led large-scale mobile and SharePoint initiatives, driving significant improvements in efficiency and project completion times. My strategic oversight across planning, budgeting, and application support resulted in a 20% increase in efficiency and a 15% reduction in project timelines.

I managed multiple delivery teams, ensuring alignment with organizational software engineering standards and successfully implementing CI/CD pipeline automation, which increased release frequency by 25%. My focus on high-quality, secure software systems contributed to a 25% increase in project success rates and a 10% boost in customer satisfaction.

Collaborating closely with HR and other technology leaders, I enhanced team morale and retention by 15% and 10%, respectively, through targeted recruiting, retention, and continuous learning initiatives. I also partnered with product teams to build and prioritize technical roadmaps, achieving a 20% increase in project alignment with business goals.

Through my collaboration with engineering and architecture teams, I spearheaded the adoption of new technologies, driving a 15% increase in innovation and enhancing the overall quality of our applications.

Vice President, Application Development

Howard Community College

As an Associate Professor at Howard Community College, I developed and delivered educational lectures, curricula, and training sessions focused on SharePoint and Microsoft Office, ensuring students gained practical, job-ready skills. I collaborated with the department chair to create relevant, supportive materials that enhanced the learning experience.

Key strategies I implemented included:

 - Providing personalized, meaningful feedback to help students achieve competency in SharePoint and Microsoft Office, setting clear priorities and milestones for success.
 - Employing adaptive instructional methodologies to accommodate diverse learning styles, ensuring every student had the opportunity to excel.
 - Offering one-on-one guidance to help students develop effective strategies and utilize academic tools, fostering positive attitudes toward the IT environment.
 - Encouraging collaborative working relationships among students, which proved essential for managing assignments and resolving classroom challenges.

My approach was centered on empowering students to reach their full potential while fostering a deep understanding and appreciation of IT.

Adjunct Professor (Collaborative Technologies)

Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies (SGT)

As a key member of SGT’s innovation leadership team, I managed strategic relationships between internal IT resources, corporate business units, client programs, and external entities, including government vendors and partner organizations. My role encompassed strategic planning, fiscal accountability, acquisition strategies, governance, and leading a team of 30 software development and project management professionals.

Notable accomplishments include:

 - Building and leading the long-term strategic roadmap for the organization’s IT infrastructure, driving the development and maturity of key applications.
 - Representing SGT’s IT department at company-wide meetings, forging cooperative outsourcing partnerships to tackle complex technical challenges.
 - Overseeing the planning, forecasting, and reporting of technology strategies and roadmaps across Azure, AWS, and on-premises platforms, ensuring alignment with corporate goals.
 - Developing and managing the department’s IT budget, guiding capital planning, investment control, and resource allocation through strategic policy agendas.
 - Leading agile software development projects, establishing performance metrics, and reporting on project status and team velocity to leadership, resulting in improved project outcomes and accelerated time to market.

My leadership was pivotal in aligning IT strategies with business objectives, optimizing resources, and enhancing the company’s technological capabilities.

Director, Applications Development

GP Strategies Corporation

As the Principal SharePoint Architect at GP Strategies, I provided architectural leadership to a national team of 30 developers, project managers, and business analysts, overseeing the company’s Information Technology Infrastructure and Operations (ITIO). My leadership in the first year alone generated over $300,000 in additional revenue through strategic thought leadership and evangelism for the Practice’s solutions.

Enterprise-Level Performance Management Results:

 - Led the design, development, and testing of solutions to support business requirements, while analyzing existing systems to recommend improvements.
 - Spearheaded the development of new Azure-based environments, implementing 10 Enterprise Level applications that enhanced processes and introduced new capabilities.
 - Developed solutions to integration and interoperability challenges, ensuring seamless operation across the enterprise.
 - Monitored and optimized the performance of newly implemented solutions, driving continuous improvement.

Key Strategies:

 - Coordinated technical projects by gathering requirements, producing quality deliverables, and adhering to aggressive timelines.
 - Directed and monitored the integration of department information systems with ITIO, ensuring alignment with business objectives and strategic plans.
 - Provided authoritative guidance on complex issues, collaborating with stakeholders to deliver solutions that met business needs.

My role was critical in driving technological advancements, optimizing operations, and delivering solutions that supported the company’s strategic growth.

Principal SharePoint Architect

TechForce, Inc.

As President of TechForce, I led the company in delivering innovative IT solutions, with a focus on software development, cybersecurity, and operational management.

Software Development: Spearheaded the production of a software package for the Training Industry by collaborating with offshore development teams. Managed IT specialists and analysts, setting work schedules, deadlines, and performance standards to ensure successful service integration of IT programs.

Information Technology Security: Directed the company’s cybersecurity initiatives, balancing the benefits and risks of information sharing. Implemented secure information sharing protocols within the company and with vendor organizations, ensuring robust cybersecurity across all operations.

Operational Management: Coordinated and approved technical projects, providing oversight and technical assistance for automated systems. Directed the integration of department information systems with the company’s IT infrastructure, optimizing efficiency and program operations.

My leadership at TechForce was instrumental in driving technological innovation, enhancing cybersecurity, and ensuring operational excellence across all IT functions.

President/CEO

US Securities and Exchange Commission

As a Senior Consultant at the SEC, I played a pivotal role in the information architecture and change management for the rollout of a major SharePoint-based solution.

Technical Oversight: Ensured best practices were adhered to in the development of programs, information systems, and technology, providing critical technical oversight throughout the project.

Process Improvement: Contributed to the creation of the Commission’s SharePoint Governance Plan, offering strategic guidance to enhance the platform’s effectiveness and governance.

Database Administration: Led data integrity efforts for the division, achieving an 87% customer satisfaction rating by instilling confidence in the accuracy and reliability of the data provided by the solution.

My contributions were instrumental in ensuring the successful implementation and adoption of SharePoint, enhancing the Commission’s operational efficiency and data integrity.

Senior Consultant

The Training Associates

As a consultant with The Training Consultants, I specialized in developing and delivering IT training programs that empowered clients to excel in computer hardware and software technology.

IT Training: Designed and conducted professional training courses for customers and engineers, covering all aspects of computer hardware and software technology, ensuring participants gained practical, hands-on skills.

Curriculum Design: Created and refined course content, set clear student learning objectives, and developed comprehensive syllabi and lesson plans. Managed all aspects of the training process, including maintaining records, administering assessments, and creating detailed student manuals.

Course Evaluation: Continuously evaluated and updated training materials and procedures to ensure courses remained current with the latest software and equipment advancements, enhancing the effectiveness of the training programs.

My work ensured that training programs were not only educational but also aligned with the latest technological developments, providing clients with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed.

Consultant

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With advanced AI technology, NEXUS AI Hub automates core business functions, streamlining your operations and empowering you to drive growth. 

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As a seasoned executive with over 10 years of management experience in services, professional services, consulting, and project management, I am confident in my ability to lead multiple functional teams to ensure the delivery of high-quality implementations and projects to our customers.

My strong working knowledge of key professional services metrics such as revenue, margin, and billable utilization, as well as my data and analytical skills and experience making data-driven decisions, make me well-suited to build and run a services capacity model that ensures adequate resource availability while maintaining profitable margins.

I have a successful track record of managing and leading growing teams, and am proficient in collaboration, conflict resolution, group interaction and dynamics, project management, and facilitation of significant projects. I am able to evaluate and balance team and individual workloads through effective time management, prioritization, and organizational skills.

As a change leader, I lead through vision and values, and model leadership behaviors. I have experience leading enterprise ERP and SaaS implementations and can build and maintain relationships with team members, customer stakeholders, peers, and executives across organizational boundaries. I possess a positive, resilient, and tenacious attitude with a propensity to persevere.

In my previous role, I successfully developed a team of delivery professionals with a varied set of skills to address the technical, process, and relationship management aspects of our services. I was also responsible for handling executive escalations and maintained a high level of commitment to superior customer satisfaction throughout the duration of our customer relationships.

Quantium

Spearheaded a strategic analysis project supporting yhe upcoming category review, focusing on chip purchasing behavior and customer segments.
- Utilized R and Python for high-level data checks, data preprocessing, cleaning and control store selection.
- Defined metrics to gain insights into customer spending behavior on chips and contributed to developing a commercial application.
- Conducted statistical analysis to assess sales differences and formulated strategic recommendations for business processes
- Implemented data validation, monitoring, and error-handling methods to ensure data quality.
- Assisted data engineers with QA and code reviews, contributing to the enhancement of overall data engineering processes.

Data Analyst

Atlanta Technical College

Student Industry Advisory Committee. The committee functions as a liaison between Atlanta
Technical College and Industry. It meets two times a year to provide advice and
recommendations for program enhancements in order to align the curriculum with changes in
technology.

Collaborating with academic leaders to develop cybersecurity training programs that align with industry standards.
Conducting security assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities and recommend solutions to enhance network security.
Advising on the development and implementation of security policies, procedures, and best practices for the institution.
Providing guidance to faculty and staff on cybersecurity issues and emerging threats.
Delivering cybersecurity awareness training to students, faculty, and staff to promote a culture of security.
Collaborating with the IT department to develop and implement security measures to protect the institution's information assets.
Participating in cybersecurity research and staying up-to-date on the latest industry trends and emerging threats.
Providing subject matter expertise in cybersecurity to inform strategic decision-making at the institutional level.
Participating in local and national cybersecurity organizations and representing Atlanta Technical College in industry events.
Contributing to the institution's overall mission of providing quality education and workforce development opportunities by ensuring the security of its information assets.

Advisory Committee Member

A-LIGN

Played a pivotal role in risk identification for renowned clients and provided risk mitigation recommendations in line with FISMA and FedRAMP regulations.
Responsible for evaluating and auditing continuing monitoring plans to include POA&Ms (Plan of Action and Milestones)
Conducted security assessments for AWS and Azure cloud computing technologies, and prepared and
validated Security Authorization Packages (SAPs) for FedRAMP compliance, ensuring completeness and accuracy.
Monitored cloud resource usage and identified cost optimization opportunities, presenting detailed reports to stakeholders.
Assisted in coordinating operational activities, including event planning, schedule alignments, and compliance assessments.
Led multiple FedRAMP or FISMA audit engagements, managing all project aspects, and maintaining open channels of communication, addressing client concerns, and facilitating evidence requests for efficient audits.
Demonstrated exemplary communication skills, adeptly explaining technical matters to non-technical audiences and conveying complex concepts clearly.
Possess a comprehensive IT background with a deep technical understanding of networks, protocols, security configurations, cryptography, identity and access management, and system development life cycle.
Contributed to a DoD FedRAMP Readiness Assessment Report (RAR) High, focusing on the evaluation of a secure messaging cloud platform.
Utilized NIST 800-53, FedRAMP compliance standards, and FIPS PUB 199 in assessments to ensure robust security requirements adherence.
Reviewed the Cloud Service Provider's (CSP) authorization boundary diagrams, providing insights into
 
secure data flows, networking, and system audit logs.
Applied in-depth knowledge of FedRAMP requirements to pinpoint gaps and offer compliance recommendations, ensuring clients were well-informed on post-authorization responsibilities and branding guidelines.

Compliance Consultant

Advising companies on cybersecurity Compliance frameworks, implementation, and best practices.
- Responsible for Southeast Region for client relationship development
- Responsible for assisting clients in developing and evaluating comprehensive SSPs
- Collaborate with executive-level stakeholders to define business needs and reduce risk
- SME RMF frameworks to better assist clients in developing enterprise security compliance solutions
- Assist Southeast clients in facilitating system audits and technical documentation development
- Able to communicate technical topics to a variety of audiences
- Able to use VOIP, Video conferencing software (ZOOM or WEBEX) to facilitate presentations and meetings as needed

Mae's House of Refuge

- Responsible for setting up system networks and web development
- Responsible for setting up initial IAM policies and the overall security structure of the foundation
- Implemented 2FA login to increase security posture of clients system access
- Collaborated with stakeholders on information technology needs and benefits to the organization

Lead Technical Support Engineer

Responsible for evaluating company password policies against NIST 800-53 policies
Developing IAM policies and evaluating compliance according to company policy

SAP Cybersecurity  Internship

Mastercard

Scan for phishing emails and evaluate employee data on opening and taking actions on phishing emails
Prevent phishing attacks by providing employee cybersecurity training

Cybersecurity Virtual Experience Program

iCONECT

- Use of advanced e-discovery tools
- Completion of ICONECT Poweruser, Project Management, and Manager Training 
- Use of XTRACT text extraction software

Technical Support Specialist

US Navy

Unit Manager

Environmental Health Safety

Worked using Lean Six Sigma techniques in order to run a medical clinic in North Chicago

Lean Six Sigma

- NOR-2 Unit Squad Leader Responsible for 8-10 sailors
- Medical readiness documentation
- Clinic SME for use of electronic medical records
- Medical equipment maintenance and configuration
- HIPAA compliance training
- Unit deployment readiness

Unit Squad Leader

Globally deployed US Navy sailor, active Secret Security clearance. 
- Non-commissioned officer
- Held and maintained 3 leadership roles to include: Squad Leader, Inpatient Clinic Manager, and Unit Leader
- Experience with medical hardware and electronic medical records creation, maintenance, and HIPAA compliance

Hospital Corpsman

Behavioral Health Technician

- Responsible for over 150k in digital pen hardware
- Troubleshooting and data uploads for medical documentation
- Ships SME for the use and training of medical recording devices
- Created standard operating procedures for use of medical recording pens
- Ship and Shore medical device configuration and technical documentation creation

SOUTHCOM Medical Hardware Technician/Administration

With over 9 years of experience as a GRC analyst and a 3PAO FedRAMP auditor, I have a strong foundation in federal government compliance, cloud data governance, and data security. I am passionate about driving compliance excellence, optimizing cloud architectures, and ensuring the security of data and networks in an ever-evolving digital landscape. I currently have a focus on data compliance and database architectures. I am currently a data analyst intern at Quantium, a leading data science and AI company, where I contribute to a strategic analysis project supporting the upcoming category review, focusing on chip purchasing behavior and customer segments. I leverage my skills in R, Python, AWS, and Azure to perform high-level data checks, preprocessing, cleaning, and control store selection, as well as to define metrics, conduct statistical analysis, and formulate recommendations for business processes and commercial applications. I also implement data validation, monitoring, and error-handling methods to ensure data quality, and assist data engineers with QA and code reviews, contributing to the enhancement of overall data engineering processes.

In addition to my role as a data analyst, I serve as an advisory committee member at Atlanta Technical College, where I collaborate with academic leaders to develop cybersecurity training programs that align with industry standards. I conduct security assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities recommend solutions to enhance network security, and advise on the development and implementation of security policies, procedures, and best practices for the institution. I also provide guidance to faculty and staff on cybersecurity issues and emerging trends.

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The Battle

Johnathan Lightfoot

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