National Cyber Director Announces New Staff Appointees

The year-old Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) this week announced 17 new key staff appointments to further build out its bench to bolster unified cybersecurity efforts across the federal government and strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors.

The new appointees join top ONCD leaders announced this spring and summer, including Kemba Walton, principal deputy NCD, Neal Higgins, deputy NCD for National Cybersecurity, Rob Knake, deputy NCD for Strategy and Budget, and Camille Stewart Gloster, deputy NCD for Technology and Ecosystem Security.

Chris Inglis, the first NCD, was confirmed by the Senate last summer.

“These appointees have brought deep expertise, valuable skills, and crucial diversity to the White House as ONCD works alongside the National Security Council and other partners across the government to advance the Biden-Harris administration’s priorities for securing the nation’s cyberspace,” Inglis said on a statement on Tuesday.

The new appointees are:

• Jen Berlin, assistant NCD for Stakeholder Engagement. Berlin previously was deputy chief of staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks and before that was vice president of Strategy and Operations at the Brookings Institution.
• Benjamin Haas, principal senior adviser to the NCD. Haas previously was senior adviser in the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, and before that he served on the Biden-Harris transition team managing and advising on the national security and foreign policy portfolio for cabinet and select sub-cabinet nominations.
• Harry Krejsa, assistant NCD for Strategy and Research. He previously was at the Defense Department leading military cyber policy engagement in the Indo-Pacific region and developing frameworks for deterring and disrupting cyber campaigns.
• Drenan Dudley, assistant NCD for Budget Review and Assessment. She previously was on the professional staff of the Senate Appropriations Committee overseeing Department of Homeland Security programs and supplemental appropriations for responding to disasters and emergencies. Drenan also was director of Projects and Grants for then Sen. Fritz Hollings (D-S.C.) working with state and local organizations, and large and small businesses.
• Jim Halpert, general counsel. Halpert previously was at the law firm DLA Piper where he built the cybersecurity practice and advised clients on their cybersecurity programs and in responding to incidents.
• Michael Hochman, deputy chief of staff and deputy general counsel. He previously served in the West Wing of the White House as special assistant to the president and deputy staff secretary in the Office of the Staff Secretary. Before joining the White House, Hochman was a litigator with the law firm Monzack Mersky Browder and Hochman in Delaware.
• Nicholas Leiserson, assistant NCD for Cyber Policy and Programs. He previously was deputy chief of staff for the ONDC. Before joining the office, Leiserson was on the staff of Rep. James Langevin (D-R.I.), one of the top cybersecurity experts in Congress.
• Stephen Viña, assistant NCD for Legislative Affairs. Previously, Viña was at the risk consulting firm Marsh where he served as a senior vice president, cyber insurance broker and claims specialist. Vina also served on Capitol Hill as chief counsel for Homeland Security at the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and on the House Homeland Security Committee as subcommittee staff director.
• Elliott Phaup, legislative affairs adviser. Phaup previously was a senior adviser to Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.) working on national security, cybersecurity, technology, telecommunications and intelligence.
• Caroline Chang, senior adviser to the NCD and executive secretary. She previously worked at the advisory firm Albright Stonebridge Group working on business development, client management, and political and business risk related to emerging technologies such as renewable energy, autonomous vehicles, and tech-adjacent sectors in China, South Korea and Japan. Chang also worked for the State Department in the U.S. Consulate in Shenyang, China and in the Office of Chinese and Mongolian Affairs.
• Lorand Laskai, deputy assistant NCD for Strategy and Research. He previously was a policy lead on the Biden-Harris transition team bringing experience on issues related to China and emerging technology.
• Hannah Suh, special adviser to the NCD. A foreign policy expert, Suh previously was chief of staff for the Center for a New American Security, had has worked on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and in DoD under U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
• Xavier Ortega, special assistant to the deputy NCD for Strategy and Budget. Ortega previously was involved in electoral organizing in Central Florida.
• Faith Lowe, deputy assistant NCD for Stakeholder Engagement. She previously was a deputy White House Liaison supporting the political appointment process at DHS and served on the National Security Council supporting Operation Allies Welcome, the U.S. effort to resettle Afghan partners as the U.S. withdrew from its war in Afghanistan in 2021.
• Gevin Reynolds, special adviser to the NCD. Previously, Reynolds was in the White House Office of Management and Administration as an associate director leading strategic projects and day-to-day management. He also worked for the National Football League’s labor finance and public policy teams.
• Jose Fontanez, special assistant to the NCD. Fontanez previously worked for Rep. Lou Correa (D-Calif.) as director of scheduling and intern coordinator; and
• Haley Ring, special assistant to the principal deputy NCD. She previously was at DoD as special assistant to the White House Liaison, helping to recruit, hire and mange over 200 political appointees. Ring also was the external affairs officer at DoD for Operation Allies Welcome.