Blake Neal, MBA, Gisf
About Blake Neal, MBA, Gisf
Blake Neal is a Strategic Account Manager for the Navy and Marine Corps at SANS Institute, with a strong background in cyber security and IT. He holds an MBA and a Bachelor's degree in Global Leadership and Management, along with a GISF certification.
Current Role as Strategic Account Manager
Blake Neal currently serves as the Strategic Account Manager for the Navy and Marine Corps at SANS Institute. In this role, he focuses on managing and developing strategic relationships with key military clients. His responsibilities include ensuring client satisfaction and facilitating the delivery of cybersecurity solutions tailored to the needs of the Navy and Marine Corps. He has been in this position since 2023, contributing to the organization's mission of enhancing cybersecurity capabilities within the military sector.
Experience at SANS Institute
Blake Neal has held multiple positions at SANS Institute. He worked as a Business Development Manager for the Department of Defense (DoD) for seven months in 2022, where he focused on expanding business opportunities within the defense sector. Prior to that, he served as an Inside Sales Representative from 2020 to 2022, where he was involved in sales and customer engagement efforts. His diverse roles at SANS Institute have provided him with extensive experience in the cybersecurity domain.
Educational Background
Blake Neal holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on Global Business, Governance, and Corporate Social Responsibility from the University of Denver, which he completed from 2018 to 2020. He also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Global Leadership and Management from Washington University in St. Louis, studying there from 2015 to 2017. This educational foundation supports his expertise in business management and strategic planning.
Professional Experience in Cyber Security and IT
Blake Neal has a demonstrated history of working in the Cyber Security and IT industry. His career includes roles such as an Information Technology Technician Assistant at Washington University School of Medicine and an IT Strategic Planning Business Analyst Intern at Oracle. He also worked as an Account Management - Business Enablement Partner at Todyl for seven months in 2022-2023. His experience encompasses business management, tech enablement, event management, and public speaking.
Military Background
Blake Neal served in the US Navy as a Sailor from 2011 to 2015. His military experience provided him with a strong foundation in discipline and leadership, which he has leveraged in his subsequent roles in the cybersecurity and IT sectors. This background also informs his current work with military clients at SANS Institute.