Ben Bridges leads recruitment for the Air Force Sustainment Center's Software Directorate at Tinker AFB. He works at the intersection of federal workforce development and technology modernization, helping connect candidates to civilian careers in one of the Department of Defense's largest software organizations. He will speak on federal civilian career pathways, the security clearance process, and how students from any background can pursue meaningful government careers.

Timothy Tate serves as a Cyberspace Effects Officer with the 223rd Cyber Operations Squadron of the Arkansas National Guard. His role spans both military cyber operations and civilian life, making him uniquely positioned to discuss how students can pursue cyber careers through the National Guard while maintaining civilian careers and education. He will speak on the practical realities of military cyber service, career development, and the growing importance of AI in national defense.

Paul Montrose oversees cybersecurity risk and compliance at Acxiom, a global data and technology company headquartered in Conway, Arkansas. As both an industry leader and UCA adjunct faculty member, Paul bridges the gap between academic preparation and industry expectations. He will speak on industry cybersecurity careers, how AI is reshaping compliance and risk roles, salary realities, and what employers are looking for across all majors.