Our Team
Part of the team that helps our security ninjas be more ninja-y.
John Strand
Owner & Security AnalystJohn Strand has both consulted and taught hundreds of organizations in the areas of security, regulatory compliance, and penetration testing. He is a coveted speaker and much loved SANS teacher. […]
CJ Cox
COOCJ Cox is the Chief Operating Officer for Black Hills Information Security (BHIS). He joined the team in 2016 and is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations and business capture […]
Heather Doerges
Project ManagerHeather Doerges began with Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) in October 2015 and has found success in her Project Manager/Scheduling role. Heather has a B.S. in Health Sciences from the […]
Melisa Wachs
DirectorMelisa Wachs has been with the Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) administrative team since the company’s origin in 2008. She serves as a Director with a variety of roles including […]
Bryan Strand
Manager of Business CaptureBryan Strand began working for Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) in 2017 as a Manager of Business Capture and a Consultant. Prior to joining the team at BHIS, he worked […]
Laura Seumanutafa
Logistics DirectorLaura Seumanutafa is from American Samoa and is bilingual, speaking Samoan & English fluently. She joined the Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) team as the Logistics Director in April of […]
Marita Rasche
AccountingMarita Rasche began her time at Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) as an intern in 2016 and is now the Director of Accounting and a certified CPA. Her daily work […]
Jennipher Creed
AccountingJennipher Creed is originally from San Diego, CA (born and raised), and moved to South Dakota one and a half years ago. She, her husband, and daughter are loving the […]
Derrick Rauch
Sys AdminDerrick Rauch (DRock) took on his role of Systems Administrator in early 2018. He maintains and manages infrastructure, and altogether makes sure that things are always in motion and running […]
Kent Ickler
Sys Admin / Security AnalystKent Ickler has been a Penetration Tester, Security Analyst, and Systems Administrator for Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) since 2017. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology Management and […]
Jordan Drysdale
Sys Admin / Security AnalystJordan Drysdale has been with the Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) family since December 2015. He is a Security Analyst, Penetration Tester, and a member of the systems administration team. […]
Nick Caswell
Sys AdminNick Caswell has been with Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) since November 2020 as a Systems Administrator. In this role, he manages and maintains infrastructure to keep things running smoothly. Before […]
James Marrs
SOC AnalystJames Marrs started his journey with Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) as an intern while working on his B.S. of Computer Science at South Dakota State University. During his time […]
Jeremiah Stickel
Sys AdminJeremiah Stickel joined Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) in May 2022. As a Systems Administrator, he is currently learning the ropes and is enjoying training with the team. He chose BHIS […]
Ray Felch
Hardware ResearcherRay Felch joined the Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) team in June 2019. Originally hired as an intern, Ray is now a Hardware Researcher responsible for working on embedded hardware, […]
Tom Smith
Business AnalystTom Smith joined the Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) team in 2021 as a Business Analyst. He works with clients to identify their correct testing solution needs and proposal requests. […]
Logan Bender
Business AnalystLogan Bender joined Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) as a Business Analyst in September 2021. Previously working as a technology advisor, Logan now advises clients on BHIS’s services and provides recommendations […]
Karen Salzar
Business Systems ManagerKaren Salzer started at Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) in February 2021 as the Business Systems Manager. In this role, she supports the business capture team. Karen previously worked at Rural […]
Michael Zick
Web Application DeveloperMichael Zick joined the team at Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) in the winter of 2022 as a Web Application Developer. He is responsible for a mix of front-end and […]
Bronwen Aker
Report EditorBronwen Aker officially joined Black Hills Information Security as a full-time Technical Editor in the Fall of 2022 after working with the team as a 1099 since 2018. Her primary […]
Jason Blanchard
Excitement Co-CreatorJason Blanchard has been happily adopted into the hacker community at Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) since 2019, even though he “works in marketing.” He’s had every dream job imaginable: […]
Deb Wigley
Community Co-CreatorDeb Wigley is the Community Co-Creator for Black Hills Information Security (BHIS). She joined the team in 2019 after celebrating 20 years of working in customer engagement and satisfaction in […]
Ryan Poirier
Video Production & EditorRyan Poirier began his time at Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) as the Video Producer and Editor in August 2020. Ryan polishes and perfects every webcast, podcast, and workshop on […]
Kassie Kimball
Content ManagerKassie Kimball joined Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) in the fall of 2021 as the Content Manager. She reviews anything and everything that has to do with words and is involved […]
Serena Dipenti
Security Analyst and Content CreatorSerena DiPenti joined Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) in April 2022, after previously working as a network engineer at Cisco. As a Security Analyst and Content Creator, she communicates pentester […]
Caitlin Cash
Creative Magical FairyCaitlin Cash first joined the Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) Content & Community team as a graphic design freelancer in December 2021. She joined full-time as a Graphic Designer and […]
Michael Sutton
Community OutreachMichael Sutton joined Black Hills Information Security (BHIS) as a contractor with the Content & Community (C&C) team in April 2022. Previously working in insurance and eventually owning his own […]