Bytes & Bites

You’re Invited: Lunch & AI/Cyber Conversation

Join AI and cybersecurity practitioners for a lunch discussion focused on the evolving role of artificial intelligence, the opportunities it presents, and the considerations organizations must navigate, including how organizations transition from AI experimentation to secure, sustainable implementation, the cybersecurity risks and compliance considerations accompanying AI adoption, the infrastructure investments, and how education and workforce training must adapt to prepare the next generation of talent.

Learn More about Moderator and Panelist

MODERATOR

Christopher N. George Security Consultant and Cyber Security Instructor

He is an Information Security Consultant and Cyber Security Instructor at Amarillo College, where he has spent 13 years teaching networking, digital forensics, incident response, and cloud security. He also owns Route 66 Computer Company, providing security consulting and compliance guidance (PCI-DSS, HIPAA, FISMA) across healthcare, legal, and government sectors. Christopher's certifications include CompTIA PenTest+, Linux+, ISC2's Certified in Cybersecurity, and multiple. CompTIA stackable credentials spanning cloud, network security, and vulnerability assessment.He is currently completing graduate coursework in Information Security and Assurance while coaching the National Cyber League and Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition teams.

PANELISTS

Dr. Michael Chambers, DCS, CISSP, LCCA, CCA, CCP

Cybersecurity and compliance professional with 18+ years of experience supporting the Department of Defense (DoD), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) cybersecurity programs.

· NIST RMF practitioner since 2008

· Former U.S. Army Warrant Officer (255A) and Chief Warrant Officer 2 (USAR)

· Experience supporting Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Parsons, Pantex/NNSA, aerospace, and manufacturing environments

· Hands-on experience with NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 4 & Rev. 5, NIST SP 800-171, CMMC, SSPs, SARs, POA&Ms, eMASS, and control inheritance

· Doctor of Computer Science, specializing in cybersecurity governance and compliance frameworks

· Founder, 11th Hour Compliance, LLC, and current CMMC Readiness Consultant

Michael Keough Chief Information Officer, Region 16 Education Service Center

With 15 years of experience in education technology leadership, Michael Keough is a visionary and technical evangelist dedicated to ensuring students and communities are prepared for Infrastructure 4.0. As the CTO of Region 16 Education Service Center, Michael has a proven track record of building district-wide broadband networks in Dumas ISD and Canyon ISD, enhancing opportunities for students and the local community. Over the past three years, he has led the re-visioning and construction planning of an interconnected fiber network to join all schools in the Texas Panhandle into a resilient, high-speed network. His commitment to ensuring broadband for all in the Panhandle drives his efforts to provide resilient, reliable, high-speed connectivity options for students and communities. Michael's advocacy extends to the future success of Texas, emphasizing the critical role of infrastructure in supporting schools, workforce development, economic growth, and the agriculture industry through modern and impactful practices.

Wesley Alvarez Vice President, North America - EC-Council

The Vice President for North America at EC-Council, where he leads strategic initiatives focused on advancing cybersecurity education and workforce development across the region. With more than 17 years of experience in cybersecurity training and education environments, Wesley specializes in skills-based outcomes, career development, and experiential learning models that align education with real-world industry needs. His work spans the design and implementation of national and global cybersecurity program models across leading institutions and organizations, helping translate workforce demand into scalable, high-impact learning frameworks. Throughout his career, Wesley has collaborated closely with global ministries, accrediting bodies, and industry influencers to drive educational transformation, align industry standards, and support employer-driven recognition and endorsements. Today, Wesley remains actively engaged on multiple education advisory boards focused on certification standards and cybersecurity workforce readiness, ensuring that skills development and learning outcomes remain closely aligned with evolving employer and market demands.

John Laur AI Strategy and Implementation Consultant

As an AI strategy and implementation consultant specializing in regulated and high-compliance sectors. He previously served as the CTO, technology, and security lead at EnergyNet/Efficient Markets from founding through 2025, building an energy and real estate marketplace platform with $17 billion in cumulative transactions. His work focuses on practical AI planning, business process automation, software development efficiency, and secure private cloud infrastructure.