Brian Nugent is a seasoned technology industry executive, entrepreneur, and board director with a proven record of driving software, SaaS, hardware and IT Services companies to market leadership positions. Brian is an Operating Partner with Torch Hill Investment Partners, a private equity group that invests in innovation for the sake of homeland defense and global leadership.

Recently, he was on the Board of Directors for BRIGHTCLOUD, a provider of next-gen, in-the-cloud Security Services (acquired by Webroot); Chairman of Accelerate-IT, a web 2.0-driven IT Services company focused on Information Security; and Special Advisor to the Chairman for AirPatrol, the world’s only provider of cellular + wifi detection, monitoring and intrusion prevention. Mr. Nugent was most recently the COO at EdgeWave, a secure content management solutions company where he led a year-long business transformation process, Chairman & CEO of Applied Identity, a policy-driven identity management solutions provider for the enterprise, government and MSP sectors (acquired by Citrix Systems). Mr. Nugent has a BA in Electronic Media (RTVF) and a minor in Business Administration from California State University, Long Beach.

General Abizaid retired from the U.S. Army as Commander of U.S. Central Command with responsibility for US security interests in 25 nations that stretch from the Horn of Africa through the Arabian Gulf region and into Central Asia. He is recognized as one of the most knowledgeable Americans on the Middle East/Gulf region and is highly respected by the region’s leaders. Earlier in his career, he was the 66th Commandant of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He also served also Director of Strategic Plans and Policy (J5) on the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Director of the Joint Staff. Previously, General Abizaid commanded the 1st Infantry Division, which provided the first ground forces into Kosovo. His education includes a U.S. Army War College Senior Fellowship at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, a Masters degree in Area Studies from Harvard University and study at the University of Jordan in Amman, where he was an Olmsted Scholar. Currently, General Abizaid serves as a director for Blue Hackle.

Mr. Lund is Chairman of Torch Hill Investment Partners. In addition to the board of Zephyr, George sits on the board of two other portfolio companies, Blue Hackle Group, LLC and Diamondback Tactical. He is also on the Board of the Atlantic Council and is Vice-chairman of the Scowcroft Center there. He is a member of the Threat Finance Working Group and participated on the Defense Procurement Reform Team. He is also chairman of Encore Capital Group (NASDAQ:ECPG).

Mr. Kappes retired from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as the Deputy Director in May 2010 after 30 years of service. From 2006 to 2010 he was directly involved in the leadership and management of all elements of the Agency under two different Directors and two Presidential administrations. From 2005 to 2006 he was the Chief Operating Officer of ArmorGroup International and a member of the Board of Directors of ArmorGroup International plc. From 2002 to 2004 Mr. Kappes served as the Associate Deputy Director of Operations and then the Deputy Director of Operations for the CIA. Mr. Kappes also served during his career as the Associate Deputy Director for Counterintelligence. Mr. Kappes was a Captain in the United States Marine Corps before joining the CIA. Currently, he serves as a director for Diamondback Tactical.

Dr. Steding is a senior corporate executive with an excellent track record in founding and growing successful businesses based on complex, leading edge technologies.  He has been CEO of ten high tech companies and active Chairman of several others. These include Red Condor (sold to St. Bernard Software) ; Liquid Engines, Inc, a tax software company (sold to a private equity firm);  Stion Corp (as founding CEO), a solar photovoltaic company funded by Khosla Ventures, which recently brought total financing to $120M and backlog to over $1B; Metacode Technologies (sold to Interwoven for $150M); RedCreek Communications (sold to SonicWall); and Pretty Good Privacy, Inc (sold to Network Associates). 

Dr. Steding is also Chairman and Founder of Quadrix Partners, a leadership consulting organization for creating high execution organizations.  He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from University of California, Berkeley, California, and a MS in Management (Sloan Fellow) from Stanford University Graduate School of Business, Stanford, California where he graduated top of his class. He was a commissioned officer and the Distinguished Graduate of Armor Officer Basic at Ft. Knox, Kentucky.   He also holds degrees in EE from the University of Michigan.  He is the co-author of Built on Trust – How to Gain Competitive Advantage in Any Organization, Contemporary Press, 2000.

Terry Thomas joined Zephyr Photonics in 2009 and was responsible for customer and partnership development. He was Zephyr Photonics’ liaison for government legislative funding initiatives. Prior to joining Zephyr Photonics, Mr. Thomas was VP of Sales and Marketing for Intexys Photonics (acquired by Photonera). Before that he was VP of Sales for Phyworks Ltd. (acquired by Maxim0). Previously, he was VP of Sales for Picolight Inc. (acquired by JDSU). Earlier, he was Founder and CEO of TMR Sales, a manufactures representative firm which reached in excess of $100M annually.