GSN Homeland Security Awards 2010 - Judging

2010 Homeland Security Awards

Meet the GSN 2011 Awards Program Judges: Peter Berghammer, Jay Carmichael, John P. Casciano

Government Security News has announced that its Distinguished Panel of Judges for the GSN 2011 Homeland Security Awards will include Peter Berghammer, Chief Strategist at Public Communications Worldwide in Garden Grove, California; Jay Carmichael, Of Counsel Shareholder at the Florida law firm of Gunster, Stoakley and Stewart, PA; and John P. Casciano, CEO of Gray Star Associates, LLC in Centreville, VA.

Public Communications Worldwide is one of the oldest, independent public relations firms whose practice focuses largely on high technology, aerospace, defense and public safety. Before signing on as Chief Strategist for Public Communications Worldwide, Mr. Berghammer was Chairman of the Venture Capital firm Tunitas Creek Ventures, which dealt with companies involved in metadata and was also owner of Copernio, a military and defense organization with a portfolio in fleet asset management, mission planning and ops evaluation. Copernio also provided research and prototype products in the security, computer and cryptography environment. Prior to that he was with Fairchild and EDS.

Mr. Berghammer was named a Fellow of Stanford University Law School’s Center for Internet and Society, and in 2007 was listed as one of the world’s leading techno-ethicists for his work on total information programs and data integrity. He is a renowned security vulnerability researcher and speaker. His educational credits include U.C. San Diego, Institute of Theoretical Physics in Beijing, China; the University of Tohwa Fukokua, Japan and CalTech.

Mr. Carmichael is a retired U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral and former Operational District Commander for the southeast U.S. and Caribbean, Chief Counsel for the Service and senior military assistant to the Secretary Department of Homeland Security.

In his present capacity as a shareholder at the Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart law firm, Mr. Carmichael advises corporate clients with regard to compliance with U.S. immigration laws and other matters under the cognizance of the federal agencies within the Department of Homeland Security and provides advice regarding maritime matters, especially those under the auspices of the U.S. Coast Guard.

He received an LL.M degree in 1993 from George Washington University, a J.D. from the University of Miami in 1977, graduating magna cum laude, and a B.S. degree from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1970.

Prior to retiring from the Air Force in 1999, John Casciano was the Director of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and the Air Force’s Senior Intelligence Officer for the Intelligence Community. As such, he was the proponent for Air Force ISR and Information Operations capabilities.

Mr. Casciano entered the U.S. Air Force in 1967 as a graduate of the Georgetown University Reserve Officer Training Program, where he earned both his Bachelors and Masters Degrees. During his 32-year career, he served in a variety of command and staff positions, including Commander of the Air Intelligence Agency in San Antonio, TX, where he was responsible for developing and nurturing the Air Force’s growing cyber warfare capabilities.

After his military retirement, Major General Casciano served in executive positions in several companies leading businesses related to ISR and Information Operations. Before opening his own consulting firm, GrayStar Associates LLC, in 2009, he was president of OMNISEC International Investigations, Inc. He continues to advise companies in ISR and Information Assurance.

PRESENT SPONSORS OF THE GSN 2011 HOMELAND SECURITY AWARDS