John Forte

John Forte has a diverse and extensive work experience spanning multiple organizations and roles. John'smost recent position was as the CEO & President of Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation, a role they began in December 2020. Prior to this, they served as a Study Member in the Defense Science Board at the United States Department of Defense from February 2020 to February 2021.

In 2020, Forte also held the position of Senior Technical Advisor for Communications and Networking at the Air Force Research Laboratory. In this role, they advised on the communications and networking needs of the warfighter and the Department of Defense, with a focus on command and control systems, resilient networking, and cybersecurity.

Before joining the Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation and the Department of Defense, Forte worked at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. From April 2019 to March 2020, they served as the Mission Area Executive for Homeland Protection, and prior to that, they were the Deputy Mission Area Executive for Homeland Protection from February 2016 to May 2019. John also held the position of Program Area Manager for Cybersecurity and Communication Systems from October 2015 to August 2018, during which they led the creation, strategy, and execution of a new program area focused on domestic cybersecurity and assured communications. Additionally, they served as the Program Area Manager for National Command Programs from September 2010 to February 2016.

In 2018, Forte founded and co-directed the JHU Institute for Assured Autonomy, a center of excellence for the assurance of intelligent and autonomous systems. John was responsible for driving research, education, and workforce development in this field, as well as fostering partnerships across government, industry, and academia.

Earlier in their career, Forte worked as the Technical Director at MorganFranklin Consulting from October 2008 to September 2010, where they directed business operations and consulting services for public sector clients. John also served as the Director of Operations at CBI Connect from October 2007 to October 2008, overseeing technical operations and project management for ISP-level networks.

From May 2004 to October 2007, Forte held the role of Chief Scientist at the White House Communications Agency, serving as the chief advisor on technology insertion and overall information systems modernization. Prior to that, they worked as a Lead Communications Engineer at The Mitre Corp from September 2003 to October 2007, advising government agencies on technology trends and overseeing communications and information systems for key Army and NATO programs.

Forte began their career in the US Army, where they served as the Technology Operations Director/Commander from December 1996 to June 2006.

Overall, Forte's work experience demonstrates their expertise in various areas of technology, communications, cybersecurity, and leadership, gained through their roles in both public and private sectors.

John Forte obtained a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from The University of Tulsa in 1997. John then pursued a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE) with a focus on Networks and Communications at The George Washington University from 2005 to 2007. In 2015, they attended a program at Harvard Kennedy School, specifically in Cybersecurity: The Intersection of Policy and Technology. Lastly, they completed the Executive Program at Harvard Kennedy School in National and International Security in 2018.