Brett Williams

Brett T. Williams was commissioned in 1981 as a distinguished graduate of the ROTC program at Duke University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science. He furthered his education with a Master of Arts in business administration and management from Webster University in 1988, followed by specialized training at the USAF Fighter Weapons Instructor Course in 1989. His early career as a pilot included roles as an instructor pilot and flight examiner in various squadrons, such as the 58th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Eglin AFB and the 57th Fighter Interceptor Squadron in Keflavik, Iceland. He accumulated over 3,700 flight hours in the F-15C, including more than 100 combat missions across operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Northern Watch, and Iraqi Freedom, demonstrating his operational expertise from the beginning of his career.

Throughout his 33 years of service in the U.S. Air Force, Williams held significant leadership positions. He served as the Director of Operations (J3) for United States Cyber Command from July 2012 to June 2014, where he led a team of 400 individuals responsible for global operations and defense of all Department of Defense networks. Prior to this, he was the Director of Operations (A3O) at Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, overseeing the largest Air Staff directorate with over 1300 Airmen and civilians. His command experience includes leading a fighter squadron, a combat operations group, and two combat wings, notably the 18th Wing in Okinawa, Japan, the Air Force’s largest combat wing. In this role, he managed an annual budget exceeding $100 million and fostered relationships with Japanese leaders, supporting over 25,000 U.S. service members and employees, demonstrating extensive leadership and management capabilities in complex international environments.

After retiring from the Air Force as a Major General on June 1, 2014, Williams co-founded IronNet Cybersecurity, Inc., where he served as Chief Operating Officer and helped take the company public in 2021. At IronNet, he played a crucial role in developing advanced cyber detection solutions utilizing behavioral analytics, AI, and machine learning to protect against sophisticated threats. He also expanded his influence as a cybersecurity expert, appearing on national television programs like NBC’s Meet the Press and ABC’s This Week, and testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee. In addition to his corporate role, Williams serves as a faculty member for the National Association of Corporate Directors, conducting cyber-risk training seminars, and is the chairman of the advisory board for the Duke University School of Nursing, further solidifying his diverse expertise.