Ken Blake –
President and Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Kenneth Blake is the founder, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Applied Integrated Technologies (AIT), Inc. located in Columbia, Maryland. Established in 2001 with Mr. Blake at the helm, AIT has steadily grown over the years and annual revenues are currently in the millions.
With over 35 years of experience in DoD and the Intelligence Community, Mr. Blake’s main focus has always been understanding his customers’ needs. Today, he continues to make this his main focus with current AIT customers, while developing the business direction and strategic goals for the company. His visionary leadership resulted in AIT being featured in the INC magazine’s 500/5000 article in 2007 and Entrepreneur Magazine’s Hot 500 as one of the fastest growing new companies.
Prior to starting AIT, Ken served in various executive and key positions at several companies including Scientific and Engineering Solutions (SES), Synectics Corporation and Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH).
Ken is passionate about giving back to the community and helping others achieve their goals. He has mentored young professionals and newly minted CEOs, and is an active alumnus of University of Maryland, College Park. Mr. Blake served as a member of the Board of Visitors at Bowie State University, and is a member of the Howard County High Tech Council. He has several hobbies including designing home floor plans and playing the bass guitar in a local band.
Mr. Blake holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Science from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Master’s of Science in Telecommunications Management from the University of Maryland University College.
Kevin McKinstrie
Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Kevin McKinstrie, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), is responsible for the Finance, Accounting, and Contract Administration functions of AIT Business Operations, including monitoring, controlling, and reporting for these functions. He directs and coordinates corporate financial affairs according to financial principles (GAAP) and government regulations (FAR/CAS); establishes and maintains AIT’s line of credit and manages long-term debt and interaction with lending institutions; he directs and prepares financial analysis of operations to support financial decision making by senior management. He has more than 35 years of experience in the field of Federal government contract accounting and has held the position of CFO since 1993. Prior to his CFO duties he was a Partner at a Washington, DC regional CPA firm. In his spare time Kevin loves golfing (hacker at best), boating and traveling with family.
Kevin has a BS degree in Business Administration from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Ron Massengill –
Vice President Cyber Strategies
As the Vice President of Cyber Strategies, Mr. Ron Massengill is responsible for developing and implementing AIT’s strategic posture across the federal government, defense industry, and commercial sectors. He is also responsible for growth, profitability, and engineering and cyber services transformation of our customers across industries. Before joining AIT Mr. Massengill managed a National Cyber Program for the world’s largest intelligence agency and, prior to that, he worked in the defense industry for 13 years leading large-scale acquisition projects across the DoD. Ron is also an Army combat veteran with more than 33 years of service and continues serving our nation as a First Sergeant in the Army Reserves. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and a Master’s Degree In Business Administration
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Chris Ficke
Vice President of Cyber & Engineering Operations
As a Vice President, Mr. Chris Ficke provides executive leadership and planning to guide AIT’s Cyber and Engineering Operations. With 25 years of experience in cyber, engineering, and hardware design his strategic vision and engineering background help AIT bring our cyber & technology goals to fruition. Mr. Ficke works closely with Senior Level Executive DoD customers to shape national policy regarding cyber and engineering for Critical Infrastructure, and continually applies his subject matter expertise to protect and defend our nation’s critical assets.
In addition to his many years working for the Department of Defense as a Technical Director, a Systems Engineer, and a digital circuit/FPGA design engineer, Mr. Ficke has 25 years of experience serving the United States Air Force. His service includes both Active Duty and Reserve Duty as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA). He currently serves as the IMA to the Commander for a Cyber Operational Testing squadron. Mr. Ficke is a proud Texan and esteemed graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, a Masters of Science degree from the USAF Air University and has attended both Air Command and Staff College as well as Air War College. Mr. Ficke is also a Certified Information Systems Security Professional.
Larry Jaffe
Principal
Mr. Larry Jaffe is a leader of the AIT Cyber Mission Assurance Capabilities (CMAC) teams with a focus on servant leadership and high-quality deliverables. With 30 years of experience consulting on industrial controls cyber security, information security, information technology, and telecommunications experience, he is a subject matter expert in the business of information security for critical infrastructure, managing information assurance programs, vulnerability assessments, and security awareness. He has a keen interest in quantifying cyber risk.
Mr. Jaffe has extensive experience with information assurance in Department of Defense and commercial environments. He has performed multiple threat and vulnerability assessments with recommendations to assure regulatory compliance. He also has deep knowledge of physical network design, IT security, audiovisual systems, WAN and LAN technologies, Windows and Unix platforms, and physical security.
Dr. Joyce Burks
Cybersecurity Engineering Strategist
As the Weapons System Cybersecurity Engineering Strategist, Dr. Joyce Burks holds a Doctorate of Management (D.M.) in Strategic Thinking from the Colorado Technical University, a M.S. in Logistic Management from Florida Institute of Technology, a B.S. in Mathematics/Computer Science from Athens State University, and an A.S. in General Studies from John C. Calhoun Community College.
Dr. Burks is a highly motivated cybersecurity engineering technical lead and site manager who has demonstrated missile defense system expertise, leadership, organization/technical consultation, and communication skills proven by 36 years of Systems Engineering expertise in collaboration with government program offices and contractors who are creating/modernizing our Nation’s defense. Dr. Burks works dynamically facilitating multiple teams that consist of members: Intelligence Agencies, MDA, USSTRATCOM, JIAMDO, INDOPACOM, EUCOM, Army, Navy, Air Forces, Marines, OSD A&S, and PEO M&S in support of improving the collective cybersecurity strategies of the nation and to protect the U.S. interests from cyber-attacks.
