TAP - Key Persons
George is an information technology security professional with more than 25 years of experience in systems administration, network security, remote access, wireless security, and incident response.
George is a two-time graduate of Purdue University. In addition to being a PhD candidate from Purdue's Polytechnic Institute. Boiler Up!
As cyberTAP's director, George leads a team of information security experts and passionate cybersecurity educators in delivering Purdue's land grant promise to make Indiana a more prosperous place to live and work.
George has presented at many security-related conferences and has been published in multiple academic journals. He has an active Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) credential, among other industry-recognized certifications. George holds an advisory role on the Indiana Executive Council on Cybersecurity and is an active member of InfraGard.
When not improving the cyber posture of Indiana businesses or educating the next cybersecurity superhero, George enjoys watching his sons play soccer. He also enjoys playing around in his home cyber lab.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director
- CyberTAP Assistant Director
Job Titles:
- Program Director and Co - Principal Investigator for the Consortium for Opioid Response
Cathy Scott is the Program Director and Co-Principal Investigator for the Consortium for Opioid Response and Engagement - East Central Indiana (CORE-ECI) HRSA-funded grant project. The CORE-ECI project aims to support the efforts of two rural counties to improve substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, prevention, and recovery. In addition, Cathy serves as the Lead Partnership Director involved in the development and management of HealthTAP university and external technical assistance relationships. In a shared relationship with the Purdue College of Pharmacy, Cathy serves as the BoilerWoRx Program Manager. The BoilerWoRx Program is an outward-facing public health outreach focusing on the ongoing opioid epidemic.
Cathy has a lengthy history of leadership roles in nursing and hospital administrative Quality and Process Improvement. Subsequently, Cathy for Clinical Resource Specialists, Inc. and remained President and CEO until 2012. Clinical Resource Specialists provided multidisciplinary healthcare specialist review, evaluation and program implementation recommendations regarding health care regulations and programming across a wide variety of health care delivery settings. She joined the Purdue University College of Pharmacy Center for Medication Safety Advancement (CMSA) in 2012 as the Chief Safety & Performance Improvement Officer and the Education Program Manager. During this time, she was responsible for securing, implementing, and overseeing over 14 million dollars in funded project awards from the Veterans Administration.
Cathy received a bachelor's degree in nursing from Indiana University. She also maintains a Certified Healthcare Quality Professional (CPHQ) designation.
When Cathy is not actively seeking opportunities to impact the healthcare status of those in need, she and her husband enjoy attending sporting events of family members. In addition, she is usually on the lookout for opportunities to read a good book!
Chandler Ball joined the Purdue cyberTAP in 2022. He is a Technical Instructor working on our cyber courses and training on the Cyber Range.
Before joining Purdue, Chandler started his career as an Internal IT auditor working on various IT and cybersecurity-related audits. Chandler's work primarily focused on IT SOX regulatory standards and building comprehensive NIST frameworks to bolster the existing IT audit infrastructure. After the pandemic, Chandler shifted gears and went into teaching, where he was also coaching cross country and track and Field. As a teacher, he prepared students for industry-level IT certifications through CompTIA, including A+, Network+, and Security+.
Chandler achieved a B.S. from Marian University in Indianapolis in Business Management, focusing on Management Information Systems. He was a distance runner for Marian, setting records, and was a multiple-time All-American athlete.
Chandler loves all things Marvel, running, video games, movies, television, puzzles, board games, and spending time doing all his favorite things with his wife Ty and his dogs Parker and Nomah.
Job Titles:
- System Administrator
- Senior System Administrator
Chuck is a Systems Administrator who keeps our IT systems running smoothly. Chuck manages our various web, application, and other servers, sets up and supports our fleet of end-user workstations, and occasionally has to threaten misbehaving laptops with a very big hammer.
Chuck got his start running a small computer repair shop and providing IT support for small businesses in his hometown before joining Purdue in 2014. Currently, he is learning .NET development to better assist TAP's application developers on some of their projects.
Chuck holds a degree in Network Administration from Vincennes University.
When he is not saving our computers from coffee spills and network outages, Chuck enjoys contributing to the open-source smart home platform, Home Assistant, and helping with audio/visual production for live events.
Job Titles:
- Information Security Analyst
Job Titles:
- Information Security Analyst
Job Titles:
- Web Designer
- Marketing and Outreach Administrator
Eric Engle is a web designer who designs, manages, and maintains cyberTAP's digital applications, social/web presence, and other outreach channels. He believes good communication and sound design are critical for a project's success.
Eric joined cyberTAP and Purdue University in 2019. Previously he worked as a freelance web specialist, designer/developer for a boutique marketing firm, and an email marketing specialist for a large insurance corporation.
Eric earned a bachelor's degree in Visual Communications design from Purdue University.
When he is not creating the next cyberTAP app, Eric can be found enjoying the outdoors, drawing, video games, or having a fine craft beer.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Leadership Team
- CyberTAP Director
Job Titles:
- Director
- Operations Assistant
Responsibilities
Jim is responsible for managing the 40-hour faculty assistance projects within the Technical Assistance Program.
As assistant director of operations for the Technical Assistance Program, Jim manages major programs and grant opportunities from both the public and private sectors. He has worked with the Purdue Technical Assistance Program since 2009, where he started as a graduate assistant. He graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 2009 with a BS in Engineering Technology and holds a MS and PhD in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Purdue, where he graduated in 2016.
Job Titles:
- Lead Technical Instructor
- Technical Instructor
Jeremy is a brainstormer and Lead Technical Instructor who is not shy about discussing just about anything with our clients. His diverse background in the education, manufacturing, and service industries tends to show through his teachings by being able to speak to most participants in their industry's language. Jeremy believes most people know more than they realize and strives to pull out that dormant knowledge through his teaching style.
Jeremy transitioned into cyber education in 2019 but found his previous roles in facility management and process improvement have played a significant role in understanding the world of cybersecurity. Currently, he is planning to pursue a second master's degree, this time with a focus on cybersecurity.
Jeremy holds a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Technology from Purdue University. Jeremy recently earned a Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Information Security from Purdue University Global.
Jeremy can be difficult to find when he is not teaching or creating classes, as he and his family keep an active lifestyle. They enjoy road trips, kayaking, and golfing when they aren't busy coaching, watching, and playing youth sports such as football, basketball, and golf.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director
- CyberTAP Assistant Director
- Lead Information Security Analyst
Joe Beckman, Ph.D., is the Lead Information Security Analyst in cyberTAP's Professional Services team. In this role he: designs and leads cybersecurity assessment projects for Indiana organizations, designs and implements new lines of cybersecurity service, seeks funding for cybersecurity projects in the public service arena, and serves as a cybersecurity subject matter expert to various groups, including local government and K-12 institutions.
After focusing his efforts on K-12 and local government cybersecurity in 2018, Joe and cyberTAP colleagues obtained the NCAE H98230-21-1-0318 grant from the National Security Agency to provide cybersecurity assessments, IT staff education, and facilitation services for cybersecurity community building to Indiana's local governments and K-12 school districts. Joe is currently managing the projects serviced by that grant and is working to obtain additional funding for local government, K-12, and for critical infrastructure cybersecurity projects.
Joe first joined the professional services team as a graduate student in 2015 and became a full-time member of the team following his graduate studies at Purdue in 2016. He holds a BS in Business from Indiana University - Bloomington, an MBA from Valparaiso University, and a Ph.D. in Information Security from Purdue University (West Lafayette).
Karla Sigo, MS, RN, serves as a Senior Advisor, Lean Facilitator at HealthTAP. In this role, she supports hospitals and clinics with process improvement projects applying lean methodologies. She also provides process-improvement facilitation and support for I-HOPE, a statewide opportunity designed to address the effects of health disparities.
Prior to joining HealthTAP, Karla spent 15+ years working as a registered nurse in a variety of capacities in an ambulatory college health setting at the Purdue University Student Health Center. Her role included clinical care, administrative supervision, and quality improvement. As the Assistant Director of Nursing and Quality Coordinator, Karla supported organizational goals working with the leadership team to establish new and update existing policies to improve standards of patient care. She supported and implemented organizational process improvement, which resulted in improved patient safety, clinical staff development, and clinical competency. She assisted her organization in earning the Bernard A. Kershner Innovations in Quality Improvement Award for exemplary QI studies through AAAHC (https://www.aaahc.org/quality-institute/kershner-qi-award/).
Karla's passion for process improvement began in manufacturing. Before starting her healthcare career, she served as a manufacturing quality leader in various industries including plastics, steel tubes, and medical device manufacturing.
Karla earned a Master of Science in Technology, Leadership and Innovation (‘20), a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology ('92) from Purdue University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Purdue University Global ('21). She earned her Lean Principles certificate from Purdue University.
Job Titles:
- Graduate Research Assistant
Job Titles:
- Business Partnership Manager
- Member of the Indiana Association for Healthcare Quality
- Senior Business Partnership Manager for Purdue University 's CyberTAP
Leigh Ann Griffin is the Senior Business Partnership Manager for Purdue University's cyberTAP department since April 2022. In this role, she manages funding projects and executes agreements with clients. Prior to transferring to cyberTAP, she served for seven years as a Senior Quality Advisor for Purdue Healthcare Advisors. In this role, Leigh Ann provided expertise to physicians and hospitals participating in the EHR Incentive Program under Indiana Medicaid, as well as the QPP reporting program for Medicare. Her 20+ years of project management and process improvement experience include working side-by-side with nurses, physicians, administrators, and other staff to design process improvements, install computer systems, and meet project timelines. She has extensive experience in public speaking, employee training, and policy and procedure development. She has also served as a HIPAA standards auditor in a hospital setting.
Leigh Ann has been a member of the Indiana Association for Healthcare Quality (InAHQ) for 25 years, serving on its board in numerous roles, including President from 2019-2022.
Leigh Ann holds a bachelor's degree in business management. She earned her Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) in 1998 and a Lean Six Sigma for Healthcare Black Belt in 2013. She was also certified as a Strategic Doing Workshop Leader in 2021.
When Leigh Ann is not project managing, she can be found traveling, riding motorcycles, or spending time with her grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Business Operations Administrator
Lisa currently serves as the Business Operations Administrator for the Purdue Technical Assistance Program. Lisa has vast operations and administration experience from a career with Purdue University and the Purdue Research Foundation (PRF). Recently, Lisa spent over five years as the Investment Office Manager and Executive Assistant to the PRF Chief Investment Officer supporting the Purdue Endowment. Previously, Lisa worked as an assistant with the Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership and as the Account Manager for the Purdue College of Pharmacy, Center for Medication Safety Advancement. Along with positions at Purdue and PRF, Lisa has worked for Harley-Davidson and Procter & Gamble. Lisa holds an undergraduate degree in Business from IUPUI and is a loyal Boilermaker.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Member of the Leadership Team
Job Titles:
- Information Security Analyst
- Senior Information Security Analyst for Purdue Healthcare Advisors
Matthew Crain serves as a Senior Information Security Analyst for Purdue Healthcare Advisors and cyberTAP. He specializes in HIPAA compliance/IT security risk assessments for healthcare organizations, CMMC/NIST 800-171-based readiness assessments for DoD supply-chain entities and other Federal suppliers, and cybersecurity assessments of K-12 and other local government entities. Internally, he participates in grant writing, cybersecurity project and service-line development, quality assurance, team management, curriculum development, and instruction in IT security professional education.
Matthew has worked in IT for 25 years, with experience at every level, from helpdesk operations to C-Suite advice and support. That experience, combined with a passion for clear communication, allows him to analyze an organization's IT operations and infrastructure with an understanding of the needs behind its existing processes and security.
Matthew holds a BA in English Literature from Purdue and an MS in IT Information Assurance from UMGC. He resides in Lafayette with his son and two chinchillas. In his spare time, he is an award-winning miniature painter (Gold at Gen Con 2017's Miniature Painting Contest).
Job Titles:
- Application Developer
- Senior Application Developer
Micah Snabl first started with the Purdue Technical Assistance Program in late 2014. He works developing a variety of web applications and integrations to support the varied needs of the department.
Micah began his career in Quality Assurance for a software company in Fishers, IN, before shortly moving up to Developer within the same company. Not long after this, he obtained his position with Purdue. He has since worked on a diverse range of projects, both internally for TAP, as well as for other departments of the University. Most recently, he has become the developer-of-choice for integration projects. He connects third party systems by leveraging their APIs, as well as developing our own.
Micah obtained his B.S. in Physics from Purdue University, while minoring in Computer Science and Mathematics. He has a wonderful wife, and three usually-wonderful cats: The Great Destroyer (or "Dez" for short), Tybalt Leftpaw - Prince of Cats, and Rurik of Ascalon. While he enjoys many pastimes, he is most fond of The Lord of the Rings and, especially, The Legend of Zelda.
Mike Johnson joined the Purdue Technical Assistance Program in 2006. Mike oversees TAP's operations which include program management, technical infrastructure, and custom development efforts to support the various programs and services delivered at TAP.
Mike started his career at a consulting firm out on the East Coast and quickly found his way onto the intranet team, which began a long trajectory from web application and database development to full custom ERP design. A stop at a company that produces large mail sorting machines, as the ERP administrator helped gain knowledge of a business's complete lifecycle. Ultimately and fortunately, ending up at Purdue University developing web applications, creating fully custom ERP, and managing and mentoring a team of skilled professionals.
Mike achieved a B.S. from Purdue University in Computer Technology - Computer Information Systems Technology. Mike enjoys spending time with his wife, dogs, cats, bowling, and watching movies in his basement theater room.
Job Titles:
- Senior Analyst
- Information Security Analyst
Nate Bradbury is a Senior Analyst who conducts security risk assessments, by innovative blend of CIS controls, governance best practices, and regulatory requirements. Nate believes a proactive, multi-faceted approach to security risk assessment is paramount in safeguarding digital assets and ensuring organizational resilience.
Nate has garnered a wealth of experience in the field, including successfully securing critical infrastructures for Fortune 500 companies, leading incident response teams in high-stakes situations, and mastering a wide breadth of information technology tools.
Nate holds industry-leading certifications, including CISSP, CISM, GSEC, and GWAPT, and holds a Master's degree in Information Security Management.
When he is not helping organizations secure themselves, Nate enjoys spending time with his family.
Ranae is currently serving as the Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership's Interim Executive Director who oversees the organization's efforts to help manufacturers increase their competitiveness. This is done by implementing solutions such as continuous improvement principles, quality management systems, technology solutions, and workforce development. Ranae knows these initiatives are vital to Indiana's economy, as the manufacturing industry accounts for nearly 30% of the state's gross domestic product (GDP).
Ranae has been closely involved with the Center's workforce development initiatives. This includes the launch of the organization's Manufacturing Skills for Success program, which has trained over 1,500 individuals since 2018. Currently, Ranae focuses on engaging industry stakeholders, state and federal partners, and manufacturers to ensure that Purdue MEP is offering solutions for industry challenges.
Ranae is a graduate of NIST MEP Emerging Leaders, as well as the Opportunity Indianapolis program. She currently serves as a board member for the Indiana Small Business Development Corporation, Foundation for Manufacturing Excellence, and Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation. Ranae holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Purdue University and is working toward completing her Master's Degree in Public Administration through Purdue Global.
When Ranae is not touting the great work of Purdue MEP, she is likely spending time with her two teenage sons or running with her rescue dog.
Job Titles:
- Interim HealthTAP Director
Job Titles:
- Information Security Analyst
- Purdue CyberTap As a Senior Information Security Analyst
Scott Richards serves Purdue cyberTap as a Senior Information Security Analyst, where he uses his gift of being able to easily explain the dangers of technology to non-technical people. In this role, Richards guides businesses to protect their desktops, laptops, and servers. He also works with hospitals, practices, and clinics to ensure their technology is HIPAA compliant. Richards is certified on all major computers, (i.e., Apple, Microsoft, HP, Acer, Asus, Dell, Lenovo, etc.) and holds A+, CCNP, MCDST, and MCSA certifications. Although Richards can program in Java, C, C++, and Visual Basic, he specializes in mobile technologies. He believes that, since he started his career in computer technology in 1986, he has "tested every Desktop, Laptop, Phone or Tablet going back to the Apple Newton." Richards has helped develop applications for Palm, Microsoft, and Apple handheld devices; and written numerous reviews on them. As a Mobility SME, he has done over 150 Seminars on mobile security and has been a keynote speaker at several conventions.
Job Titles:
- Advisor
- Senior Health Equity Analyst for I - HOPE
Tamara Finn serves as a Senior Health Equity Analyst for I-HOPE, a statewide opportunity designed to address the effects of health disparities. As part of a regional Field Implementation Team, Tamara brings voices to the table to talk about innovative ways to better connect people with the support they need to get healthy and stay healthy. Her work is part of HealthTAP's partnership with the Indiana Department of Health to better prepare the state for the next pandemic by improving pandemic response, health equity, and health outcomes in 30 counties considered most vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Previously, Tamara supported Indiana clinicians in understanding and meeting the requirements of numerous national and state quality initiatives, including the Quality Payment Program and its Merit-based Incentive Payment Program, Meaningful Use, Patient Centered Medical Home, and the Physician Quality Reporting System. She was a QPP Advisor for the QPP Resource Center™ for the Midwest (QPP-RC); a Project Facilitator for the Healthy Hearts in the Heartland (H3) research project focused on quality improvement and the prevention of strokes and heart attacks; and served Indiana providers through the Indiana Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Programs (formerly MU).
She joined the HealthTAP-managed Purdue Regional Extension Center in 2014 to support providers across the State of Indiana in the adoption of electronic health records (EHR) and the fulfilling of and attestation to EHR Meaningful Use standards. Prior to joining the HealthTAP team, Tamara worked in business development with the Michiana Health Information Network (MHIN), which is an Indiana health information exchange (HIE) and healthcare IT company that provides secure, integrated access to patient information through a variety of HIE services.
Prior to MHIN, Tamara worked for Quest Diagnostics in various positions. In her last role with the company, she served as a technology sales consultant, and was responsible for assisting healthcare providers with EHR adoption and Meaningful Use attestation.
She earned a bachelor's degree from Indiana University.