Nicholas Nava
About Nicholas Nava
Nicholas Nava is a Member of Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories and a Flight Commander/Cyberspace Defense Operator in the US Air Force Reserve. He has extensive experience in cybersecurity, leadership, and education, with a background in linguistics and multiple advanced degrees.
Current Role at Sandia National Laboratories
Nicholas Nava is currently engaged as a Member Of Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories. Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, his tenure began in 2022. His role involves working on advanced technological projects, contributing to the development and implementation of critical cybersecurity measures. His position at Sandia Labs places him in a key role within one of the United States' premier research and development laboratories.
Role in US Air Force Reserve
Since 2018, Nicholas Nava has been serving in the US Air Force Reserve as a Flight Commander and Cyberspace Defense Operator, located in San Antonio, Texas Area. In this capacity, he focuses on protecting and defending cyberspace operations, utilizing extensive military-grade cybersecurity knowledge. His responsibilities include leading cyber defense initiatives and coordinating with various military units to ensure optimal cybersecurity practices are in place.
Previous Experience at DICKMAN TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANTS
From 2017 to 2022, Nicholas Nava worked as a CyberSecurity Engineer at DICKMAN TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANTS, LLC in Albuquerque, New Mexico Area. Over a span of five years, he developed and implemented cybersecurity solutions, managed security protocols, and worked on safeguarding network systems from cyber threats. This role honed his skills in cybersecurity engineering and contributed to his professional growth in the field.
Instructor at Central New Mexico Community College
Since 2017, Nicholas Nava has also been imparting his knowledge as a part-time instructor at Central New Mexico Community College in Albuquerque, New Mexico Area. His teaching focuses on computer security principles, sharing real-world applications and insights with students. This role allows him to stay current with educational methodologies and connect academic theory with practical cybersecurity experience.
Director at MEI Technologies, Inc.
Nicholas Nava held the position of Director of the Directed Energy Simulation Lab at MEI Technologies, Inc. from 2015 to 2017 at Kirtland AFB, NM. In this role, he managed simulation projects related to directed energy weapons and systems. Additionally, he served as the Information Assurance Manager during the same period in Albuquerque, New Mexico, ensuring information security protocols were rigorously followed and maintained within the organization.
Educational Background
Nicholas Nava holds multiple degrees in diverse fields. He earned a Master of Science in Computer Science with a focus on information security from James Madison University (2018-2021). He also possesses a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Webster University, completed between 2011 and 2013. In addition, he has a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Language and Literature from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2005-2010). His background in linguistics complements his cybersecurity expertise, offering a unique blend of skills in both language and technical domains.
Leadership and Management Experience
Nicholas Nava has over a decade of leadership experience, particularly in managing technical teams. His extensive experience spans several roles, including his time at the USAF where he served as Flight Commander, Cyber Systems from 2013 to 2015 and Executive Officer/Cyberspace Operator from 2011 to 2012. He is recognized for his project management skills, personnel leadership, and problem-solving abilities, all of which contribute to his success in technical roles.