Alphonso Brown

Alphonso M. Brown is a 17-year active Navy Reservist and 13-year cybersecurity professional with a record of success in information security, risk management, and life cycle management. He possesses experience in multiple disciplines of cybersecurity and information systems management. His experience supporting both the private sector and DoD has provided him with a broad knowledge of hardware, software, and networking technologies to provide a powerful combination of analysis, implementation, and support.
Alphonso currently supports the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR), Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (PEO C4I), Shore and Expeditionary Integration Program Office (PMW 790).  It is his responsibility to ensure information assurance controls (IAC) and network security policies are enforced in the systems that make up the outermost layers of the Navy’s Defense-in-Depth (DiD) to include screening, analysis, and protective services for the navy networks across the globe. This is accomplished by facilitating the development of documentation in support of DoD RMF/DIACAP accreditations, performing vulnerability management activities, and overseeing the creation and submission of DoD (RMF/DIACAP) packages across multiple Programs of Record (PORs).

Carnell Councill II

Carnell brings over 25 years of distinguished experience in information assurance and cybersecurity to the RMF team. His expertise spans governance, risk management, and compliance within federal, DoD, and commercial sectors. As a former Civilian Information System Security Manager (ISSM) for the United States Southern Command and Principal Information Security Engineer for U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM), Carnell has led high-stakes cybersecurity initiatives in challenging environments. His experience includes managing enterprise-level security operations, implementing DISA baseline migrations, and overseeing large-scale (60k+ systems) security suite operations in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility (CENTCOM AOR). Carnell excels at identifying operational efficiencies, ensuring compliance with evolving regulations, and implementing effective risk assessment and mitigation plans across multiple functional areas. His strong communication skills and ability to influence senior stakeholders have consistently delivered exceptional outcomes. Recognized with the 2021 BEYA Career Achievement Award, Carnell continues to drive excellence in cybersecurity education and implementation, leveraging his deep knowledge to enhance the security posture of organizations across various industries.

Ernest Smith

Ernest Smith is a 21 year retired Army veteran spending most of his career in the 82nd Airborne Division as a Paratrooper. Ernest has served as a security control assessor working side by side with Authorizing Officials and Designated Authorizing Officials giving him a unique perspective on how RMF is implemented. Ernest is a RMF practitioner implementing RMF methodologies for a number of different communities to include the DoD, Intel Community, private hospitals, the automotive industry, and a host of government contracting companies helping them comply with RMF standards before they sell products to the DoD and the Intel Community. Ernest uses all of this RMF relevant experience to give RMF students the most comprehensive RMF training sessions.

Kathryn Daily

Chief Technical Officer/RMF Subject Matter Expert

Kathryn has worked in federal/DoD IT security compliance since 2008. During these 15+ years, she has worked on countless consulting engagements spanning many industries/missions and involving all different technologies and environments.  Utilizing her decades of consulting experience, Kathryn has created much of the curriculum that is taught at BAI, including, RMF in the Cloud/FedRAMP, STIG 101, CSF 2.0 and more!  

Linda Gross

Linda is a distinguished trainer associated with BAI, bringing a wealth of experience garnered during her extensive tenure in the Information Security domain as a former government employee. She concluded her illustrious 40-year civilian service at the Rock Island Arsenal, retiring in July 2015.

Throughout her distinguished government career, Linda served in various capacities, including roles as a Computer Programmer, Computer Specialist, Data Base Manager, and Systems Analyst. In the year 2000, she assumed the pivotal role of Information Assurance Manager for the Tank-Automotive Command at RIA. Her final year was dedicated to imparting knowledge on Risk Management Framework (RMF) to System owners/POCs and Information Assurance personnel within her command.

Linda's contributions have been significant, marked by her leadership in the certification and accreditation effort for an Inventory Accountability system utilized by multiple Army and Air Force organizations, a feat that earned her a Special Act Award in 2009. Demonstrating her commitment to continuous professional development, she successfully completed the USDA Executive Leadership Program in 2004. Furthermore, she attained professional Certification in Information Security Management (CISM) from the ISACA IT Governance Institute in February 2010. Linda's exemplary achievements underscore her expertise and dedication to the field of Information Security.