Chris Benton

Chris Benton has a strong background in information technology and cybersecurity. Chris currently works as the Director of Cybersecurity and Information Technology at Gromelski & Associates, Inc. Since joining in September 2021, they have been responsible for overseeing IT systems and ensuring cybersecurity measures are in place.

Prior to their current role, Chris worked at the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority (VCSFA), Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) from 2014 to 2021. During this time, they held the position of Information Technology Manager/COMSEC Responsible Officer. Their responsibilities included IT procurement, developing IT policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with cybersecurity regulations, and providing leadership and mentoring to IT support staff.

From 2003 to 2014, Chris worked as an Information Technology Specialist II at the Old Dominion University Research Foundation. Chris gained experience in managing IT systems and providing technical support.

Earlier in their career, Chris was an Information Technology Specialist at Professional Exchange, a New York Times Company, from 1996 to 2003. Here, they honed their IT skills and contributed to the smooth operation of the company's technology infrastructure.

Throughout their career, Chris has demonstrated a strong commitment to cybersecurity and staying up-to-date with best practices in the field. Chris brings a wealth of experience and expertise to their role in managing IT systems and ensuring the security of sensitive information.

Chris Benton earned a Master's degree in Applied Information Technology from the George Mason University - College of Engineering and Computing between 2016 and 2019. Prior to that, they obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration - BBA in Information Technology from Old Dominion University, which they attended from 1999 to 2002. In terms of additional certifications, they achieved the CompTIA Linux+ (Powered by LPI) Certification from CompTIA in July 2015. Furthermore, they obtained the Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge v.3 from the Cloud Security Alliance in April 2022 and became a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) through (ISC)² in the same month and year.