How Industry Partnerships Advance Security, Innovation and Growth | Auditorium
This session will examine how partnerships between government and industry are advancing security innovation, strengthening information sharing and creating new opportunities for collaboration across the security ecosystem.
Leaders from the FBI Office of Private Sector and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis will discuss how their organizations engage with and support the private sector, while connecting industry with valuable resources, intelligence and partnership opportunities. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how these programs differ, how they work together and why private-sector engagement is increasingly important to both DHS and the FBI.
Through real-world examples and discussion, panelists will highlight how public-private partnerships strengthen coordination, enhance collaboration and support national security efforts across the country.
Speakers
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Andrew SekalaSupervisory Special Agent and InfraGard Program Manager, Office of Private Sector Engagement
Federal Bureau of InvestigationSupervisory Special Agent (SSA) Andrew Sekela graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served on the USS Batfish, a nuclear-powered attack submarine. SSA Sekela completed a five-year tour with the Navy and then worked in the private sector for seven years as a production plant manager. After joining the FBI, he spent five years at the Washington Field Office (working public corruption and fraud investigations) and three years assigned to the International Corruption Unit at FBIHQ. Sekela then transferred to FBI Tampa. He spent seven years as the supervisor for the white collar crime squad and three years as the private-sector coordinator. Sekela is currently assigned to FBIHQ in the Office of Private Sector, where he serves as the program manager for InfraGard.
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Jake ParkerSenior Director of Government Relations
Security Industry AssociationAs senior director of government relations for the Security Industry Association (SIA), Jake Parker leads the development of the association’s legislative and regulatory programs.
Jake came to SIA with more than 12 years of experience on Capitol Hill, most recently as legislative director for U.S. Rep. Tom Latham (R-Iowa), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from Tennessee Temple University, a master’s degree in international relations from Salve Regina University and a graduate diploma in national security studies from the U.S. Naval War College.
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Amanda DobbinSection Chief, Private Sector Engagement
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
