The Board

Bill Kalaf

Bill Kalaf is the technology program manager for the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission. He is responsible for leading initiatives that include strategic planning, systems architecture for integration, and solution delivery for criminal justice systems programs across the state. He has over 20 years of experience leading key global programs for fortune 100 companies. In addition, Bill is a certified computer examiner, a member of the International Society of Forensic Computer Examiners (ISFCE) , National Hi-Tech Crime Investigations
Associations (HTCIA) , InfraGard, the National Association of Investigative Specialists (NAIS) and affiliated with the Arizona Association of Licensed Private Investigators (AALPI).

Michael Kirby II, Director of Security Services, Security Officer

Michael’s present role involves leading the Managed Security Solution (MSS) for ProNet Solutions, as well as the Information Security Officer for ProNet. This involves 7x24 protection of ProNet's network resources as well as ProNet’s MSS customer network infrastructure base. It involves management of ProNet’s Security Operations Center staffed with Security Analysts charged with monitoring and maintaining security services for ProNet and its customers. Michael’s team provides active protection round-the-clock for its customers.

Michael has earned a Bachelors of Science in Information Technology specializing in Network and Telecommunications.

In addition to his duties at ProNet, Michael is an active member of the Phoenix InfraGard and ISACA chapter. He is a frequent speaker at seminars on topics related to information security awareness. Michael holds the following professional certifications: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Master Certified Novell Engineer (MCNE), Novell Certified Linux Engineer (CLE), Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and Certified Novell Engineer (CNE).

Sultan Meghji

While at Arms Control, Disarmament, and International Security (ACDIS), he was a member of the Ford Foundation / National Govenor's Assoc. group which assisted the Clinton administration in the writing of PDD-63. During that same period he taught the history, design and policy behind nuclear weapons in the Physics Department, as well as terrorism and other forms of asymmetric warfare in the Political Science Department. He participated in a DSS terrorism response workshop as well as SWAT team training. In 2001, he was the Chicago coordinator for the 9/11 market recovery teams. The systems he designed, built and ran were used for over 40% of the NYSE traffic when the markets reopened 2 weeks later. Moving on, he was the vice president for an international non-profit in 25 countries and oversaw their responses to the SARS epidemic, the first H5N1 bird flu outbreaks as well as the Madrid train bombings and the US military actions in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. While an Infragard member, he has participated in the recent Table top exercise, visited the Palo Verde facility, met with Richard Murray and gone to a majority of the meetings. Currently, he is a local executive in the Phoenix technology community and on the Global Futures board at Arizona Stat University's Fullerton School of Engineering.

Robert Parrish, Director of Security APS

Robert’s duties as the Director of Security include the responsibility for all Physical Security (except Palo Verde), and all investigations to include power diversions, site assessments, threat assessments response plans, security installations, security monitoring, work place violence. .His past experience includes over 21 years of Law Enforcement experience with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) where he participated in Palo Verde drills and Table Top exercises for 16 years, was an MCSO liaison with Maricopa County Emergency Operations Center and an MCSO liaison for L.E.P.C. (Local Emergency Planning Committee).

James Ryan, Homeland Security Technology Manager

James has 30 years in business process reengineering in the private and public sector, providing solutions in automotive, industrial turbines, heavy industry manufacturing, chemical, and financial services with over 20 years in Information Technology.

Ryan currently works for the State of Arizona as the Homeland Security Technology Manager, for the state’s IT Oversight organization, Government Information Technology Agency.

In this role, he is responsible for ensuring that Homeland Security related technology initiatives are standards-based, best practices oriented, aligned with state deliverables and effectively integrated with existing infrastructure. The primary methods he uses to promote change are an adaptive presentation style, humor, and having high bandwidth.

In 2000, James developed and implemented one of the first formalized agency security programs in the state, which proactively addressed the complete lifecycle of IT security with emphases on training and design.

He was graduated from Western Michigan University in 1979, with a BA in Business Administration and is currently working toward his MBA.

Steve Simpson, (Acting President, Secretary), Owner, Ethos Solutions

Steve Simpson is the owner and founder of Ethos Solutions, specializing in technical web application development. He served as a Technical Director of an international professional services firm. Steve worked on projects in many of the major metropolitan cities in the United States and also worked for two years in various European cities. Steve has worked on projects in many industries with various Fortune 500 companies such as Merrill Lynch, Renault, BMW, Toyota, Wellpoint, Kaiser, Genentech, Amgen, Pacific Bell, and 20th Century Fox. His projects include IT infrastructure, disaster planning, technical security, application development, and system failover. Additionally, he has been a presenter and speaker at multiple technical conferences.

Kristy Westphal, Board Member

Versatile security professional of 15 years with specific experience in the area of information security, Kristy is currently employed as the CISO of the Arizona Department of Economic Security. Skilled in troubleshooting and process analysis, specific expertise in security areas includes: forensics, operating system and network security, intrusion detection, incident handling, vulnerability analysis and policy development. Kristy has also been a CISSP since 2001.