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NCS Leadership - Biographies

Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Communications and Acting Manager, National Communications System - Gregory Schaffer

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Communications and Principal Deputy Manager, National Communications System - Roberta G. Stempfley
NCS Acting Director and Acting Deputy Manager - Allen F. Woodhouse
NCS Branch Chief, Technology and Programs Branch - Richard Bourdon
NCS Branch Chief, Critical Infrastructure Protection Branch - Jeff Glick
NCS Branch Chief, Government Industry Planning Management Branch - Michael Echols
NCS Branch Chief, Plans and Resources and Director, Acquisitions - Steven R. Brand


Gregory Schaffer Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Communications and Acting Manager, National Communications System - Gregory Schaffer

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano appointed Greg Schaffer as Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Communications (CS&C) on June 1, 2009.

In his new position, Mr. Schaffer will work within the National Protection Program Directorate (NPPD) to lead the coordinated efforts of CS&C and its components, including the National Cyber Security Division, the Office of Emergency Communications, and the National Communications System –where he also serves as the NCS Principal Deputy Manager. He will engage the public and private sectors as well as international partners to prepare for, prevent, and respond to catastrophic incidents that could degrade or overwhelm the nation’s strategic cyber and communications infrastructure.

Prior to joining the department, Mr. Schaffer served as senior vice president and chief risk officer for Alltel Communications LLC, where he had responsibility for logical security, physical security, internal and external investigations, fraud, law enforcement relations, privacy and regulatory compliance. From 2004-2007, Mr. Schaffer held a variety of senior positions at Alltel—including chief risk officer, chief security officer and chief information security officer.

For four years before joining Alltel, Schaffer was a director in PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, Cybercrime Prevention and Response Practice, where he developed and implemented computer forensic examinations in connection with major internal investigations at Fortune 500 companies. Previously, Schaffer served as a computer crime prosecutor in the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section at the U.S. Department of Justice from 1997-1999.

Prior to joining the Justice Department, Mr. Schaffer was a partner with the law firm of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips specializing in civil litigation related to computer technology issues. Schaffer holds a J.D. from the University of Southern California Law Center and a B.A. degree from the George Washington University.


Roberta G. Stempfley Deputy Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Communications and Principal Deputy Manager, National Communications System - Roberta G. Stempfley

Bobbie Stempfley is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Office of Cybersecurity and Communications, where she plays a leading role in developing the strategic direction for all of CS&C and its components, consisting of the National Cyber Security Division (NCSD), the Office of Emergency Communications (OEC), and the National Communications System (NCS).

Prior to this position, Ms. Stempfley was the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of CS&C and the Director of the National Cyber Security Division.

Prior to her work in CS&C, she served as the Chief Information Officer of a major Department of Defense Agency, Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) where she was responsible for supporting the Director in decision making; strategy development and communicating that strategy both internally and externally; aligning DISA program execution with Department of Defense (DoD) strategy for planning, engineering, acquiring, fielding and supporting global-net-centric solutions; operating the Global Information Grid (GIG); information assurance; and management of DISA information technology resources.

Ms. Stempfley holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Mathematics from the University of Arizona, and a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from James Madison University. She has also attained National Security Management Certification, Acquisition for Senior Leaders.

She has also received a variety of awards including: Information Week, Top 50 Government CIOs, 2002 DISA Technical Team of the Year for DOD-CERT, Nominee, Women-in Technology Leadership in the government, Director's Special Act award for service during Quadrennial Defense review.



Allen F. Woodhouse NCS Acting Director and Acting Deputy Manager - Allen F. Woodhouse

Allen F. Woodhouse became the Chief of Staff, National Communications System (NCS) on October 1, 2007. He plays a critical role in assisting the NCS Director to develop and implement policies and procedures designed to secure and enhance the resiliency and restoration of the Nation's critical communication infrastructures, networks, and systems against all hazards and threats.

Prior to joining the NCS, Mr. Woodhouse worked for the Department of the Army as a Senior Systems Analyst in the office of the Chief Information Officer/G6, where he was responsible for Information Portfolio Management for the Enterprise Information Environment Mission Area (EIEMA). In that position he was responsible for identifying redundant and stove-piped Information Systems, and making recommendations for their elimination where appropriate. Additionally, he provided guidance, oversight, and direction to four EIEMA Domain Managers to ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of their efforts to register all IT investments in the Army Portfolio Management Solution system, and determine redundant capabilities.

From September 1979 until December 2006, Mr. Woodhouse served as a career military officer in the Army's Signal Corps, retiring as a Colonel in December 2006. During that time he served in a variety of communications command and staff positions in the U.S., Germany and the Middle East. As a commander he provided tactical and strategic communications for combat operations in Bosnia, Kosovo and the Gulf War. His last command was of the Brigade that is responsible for training all Army Signal Corps enlisted personnel including public affairs, journalists and combat camera specialists.

He also gained national security and emergency preparedness experience while serving in the Army. He served as the Deputy Defense Coordinating Officer (DCO) for Pennsylvania from 1992 to 1994. While there he wrote the DCO plan to support Pennsylvania's Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), and coordinated military and PEMA training exercises. In 1994, Mr. Woodhouse was assigned to the NCS as the Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) Program Manager where he was responsible for the supervision, training, activation and deployment of 49 Army reserve officers who were geographically dispersed throughout the United States. From June 1996 until June 1997 he served as the Executive Officer of the NCS, responsible for implementing policy guidance of the Deputy Manager, NCS in direct support of national security and emergency preparedness communications for the Nation.

Mr. Woodhouse holds a B.A. degree in History from Norfolk State University; a Masters degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg University, and a Masters degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.br>


Richard Bourdon, Chief of Technology and Programs BranchNCS Branch Chief, Technology and Programs Branch– Richard Bourdon

Richard Bourdon became the Chief of Technology and Programs, National Communications System (NCS) on February 15, 2009. He plays a critical role in assisting the NCS Director to develop and implement policies and procedures designed to secure and enhance the resiliency and restoration of the Nation's critical communication infrastructures, networks, and systems against all hazards and threats.

Prior to joining the NCS, Mr. Bourdon worked for the Defense Information Systems Agency as the Chief of the Commercial Satellite Services Branch, where he was responsible for leasing commercial satellite bandwidth for the Department of Defense and other government agencies.

He also gained national security and emergency preparedness experience while serving at the DISA, during Operation Enduring Freedom where he orchestrated the first satellite links to backhaul, some of the first Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) video to the Commander at Central Command for preparing battle plans, receiving the Meritorious Civilian Service Award for his efforts. He also received a Certificate of Appreciation, for outstanding achievement in the acquisition fields.

From April 1969 until May 1992, Mr. Bourdon served as a career military enlisted communicator in the Navy, retiring as a Master Chief Radioman. During that time he served in a variety of communications positions both shipboard and ashore, worldwide. His last position being on the Navy Staff, Satellite Branch, where he wrote and staffed the mission need statement and drafted the first budget submittal for the Navy's Commercial Satellite Program.

After retiring from the Navy, Mr. Bourdon worked at COMSAT, and other commercial companies prior to Joining the DISA in October 2000.

Mr. Bourdon graduated from the University of Southern California in 1985 in Computer Systems Applications.



Jeff GlickNCS Branch Chief, Critical Infrastructure Protection Branch - Jeff Glick

Jeffrey Glick is the Chief of the Critical Infrastructure Protection Branch in the National Communications System within the Department of Homeland Security managing operations for the NCS. Specifically, he oversees: The National Coordinating Center for Communications - a government communications industry coordination center and 24x7 Watch; The Operations Analysis Team providing communications analysis and assessments for response and special events; The Training and Exercise Team developing and implementing training and exercise activities for Federal emergency communications response teams; and, the Planning Team focusing on the development of planning documents and materials for emergency communications response and recovery. The Branch is also responsible under the National Response Framework for emergency communications response coordination (Emergency Support Function #2).

Before coming to the NCS, Mr. Glick worked at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security where he was Chief of the Policy and Plans Section in the Response and Recovery Directorate. He was responsible for revisions to the Federal Response Plan and for coordination between FEMA and the emergency response plans and operations maintained by other Federal Departments and Agencies. Prior to this assignment, Mr. Glick was Chief of the Assessment Branch, Preparedness, Training and Exercise Directorate. He supervised design, development and maintenance of a comprehensive emergency management assessment program in close coordination with Federal, state and local governments. He also directed the development and implementation of a comprehensive set of standards for all-hazard emergency preparedness, response and recovery. During his time at FEMA, Mr. Glick served on numerous emergency teams and as the Emergency Support Team Director for a number of nationally declared disasters.

Mr. Glick is currently a PhD candidate in Crisis, Emergency and Risk Management, Department of Engineering and Systems Management, George Washington University. He has received an MA in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University and an MA in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago.


Michael Echols</span>NCS Branch Chief, Government Industry Planning Management Branch - Michael Echols

Michael Echols is the Chief of the Government Industry Planning and Management Branch, National Communications System (NCS). In this position, he manages several critical Government/industry partnerships including the President's National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC), the NCS Committee of Principals, the activities and responsibilities of the Communications Sector's Government Coordinating Council (GCC) and Sector Coordinating Council, as well as the Network Security Information Exchange (NSIE). Among his many roles he is the Alternate Designated Federal Official for the NSTAC, the Chair of the GCC and the co-chair of the NSIE.

As the Chair of the GCC he is responsible for working with Government and industry partners in the Communications Sector to establish ways to reduce the levels of risk for the sector. He leads the effort related to the National Sector Risk Assessment and develops strategies to reduce risk for the communications sector. Additionally, Mr. Echols assisted in the creation of the Communications Sector's Supply Chain Working Group that is currently examining emerging supply chain threats in order to develop a Government risk management plan to inform public and private decision makers and stakeholders. Additionally, Mr. Echols established the Telecom Energy Working Group that created short-term and long-term strategies for managing Communication Sector activities that are impacted by long-term power outages.

Prior to joining the NCS as a Federal employee, Mr. Echols advised and served the NCS and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a consultant on matters related to critical infrastructure protection and national security and emergency preparedness (NS/EP) communications.

Mr. Echols is a former telecommunications business owner and telecommunications consultant with program management, central office engineering, and field engineering experience. He has managed initiatives for most major telecommunications carriers.

He holds a Masters of Business Administration, a Masters of Science in Biotechnology, a Graduate Certificate in Technology Management, and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice; all from the University of Maryland.


Steven R. Brand</span>NCS Branch Chief, Plans and Resources and Director, Acquisitions - Steven R. Brand

Steven R. Brand serves as the National Communications System (NCS) Chief of Plans and Resources and its Director of Acquisitions. He plays a critical role in assisting the NCS Director to develop and implement policies and procedures designed to secure and enhance the resiliency and restoration of the Nation's critical communication infrastructures, networks, and systems against all hazards and threats. Mr. Brand is responsible for directing strategic planning, resource management and capital planning, and leading the formulation of investment strategies. He oversees the overall planning, direction, and timely execution of a portfolio of Level I, Level II, and Level III acquisition programs.

Prior to joining the NCS on August 16, 2010, Mr. Brand served for 23 years in the United States Marine Corps. The latter half of his service included multiple tours at the Marine Corps Systems Command, where he managed DoD acquisitions programs. He served in the Air Defense Weapon Systems/Unmanned Systems Program Management Office, from March 2006 - August 2010, as the Acquisition Lead for Marine Corps Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD) Systems and provided technical and operational leadership of multiple development and sustainment projects. In this position, he led the development and fielding of a major upgrade to the Command, Control, Communication, and Computers (C4) suite of the Advanced Man Portable Air Defense System.

Mr. Brand served, from 2001 - 2003, in the M1A1 Tank Program Management Office, where he managed the balance of cost, schedule, and performance in the procurement and fielding of infrared devices for USMC armored vehicles. In this position, he also served as the primary USMC liaison to the US Army Joint Program Lead, ensuring all USMC requirements were met.

Mr. Brand's active duty career in the USMC included serving as a Tank Platoon Commander, where he led the tactical employment of four M1A1 Tanks, comprising a significant portion of the 1st Marine Division's total combat power, and serving as a Tank Company Executive officer, where he advised the Company Commander on all matters relating to the efficient operation of the tank company. Mr. Brand also served as the Company Fire Support Team (FiST) Leader, responsible for the integration of the artillery and air power, in support of tank maneuver. Mr. Brand retired as a Major, but began his military career as an enlisted Marine. Prior to receiving his commission, he served in various technical leadership positions, primarily centered on supervising the maintenance of Marine Air Traffic Control communications and navigational aids systems.

Mr. Brand holds a Master of Computer Science degree from the Naval Postgraduate School. He also earned a Bachelor of Science, in Human Resources, and a Bachelor of Arts, in Political Science from The Ohio State University.


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