Who We Are

About Us

Meet the team behind BSides Cleveland and learn about our mission to support the Northeast Ohio information security community.

What is BSides Cleveland?

BSides Cleveland is the Cleveland, OH chapter of Security BSides — a non-membership community of the information security curious, students, practitioners, and professionals supporting Northeast Ohio and beyond.

Security BSides is a framework for community-organized and funded security conferences. Each event is unique in its own way, but all share the goal of providing a free or low-cost venue for sharing knowledge and building community among information security professionals and enthusiasts.

Our annual conference brings together hundreds of cybersecurity professionals, researchers, students, and enthusiasts for presentations, Capture the Flag competitions, networking, and more.

Our Values Contact Us

Get in Touch

Questions about BSides Cleveland? Want to get involved? We'd love to hear from you.

bsidescleveland@gmail.com

Sponsorship

Interested in sponsoring BSidesCLE?

sponsors@bsidescle.com View Sponsorship Info

Board of Directors

The volunteer leadership team making BSides Cleveland possible

Michael G Mendez

President

Having completed a bachelor's and master's degree at SUNY Fredonia studying Computer Science, Communications, and Business, Michael first went into emergency management in Chautauqua County, NY expanding his volunteer firefighting background into disaster planning and operations. After a relocation to Ohio, Michael is now the Information Security Officer for an industry leading company focused on staffing skilled trades and craftsmen. He is a long-standing Adjunct Lecturer at his alma mater, has taught Bootcamp-style programming courses at Case Western University, and has published a textbook on web development.

Geoff Sternecker

Treasurer

Geoff keeps the lights on and makes sure the bills get paid. One of these days, he may submit a bio of his own. Or maybe not. Time will tell?

Tom Pieragastini

Secretary

Tom Pieragastini comes into the security world from an untraditional background; philosophical education within the university. Since leaving academia Tom has had roles in threat intelligence, web application testing, and now as a consultant with a focus on red team tactics and long form security analysis. His interests vary widely, from giving talks on disinformation theory and interdisciplinary approaches to information security analysis, to low level Windows systems internals and novel ways to call internal functionality. Tom is currently the Senior Technical Services Lead at Leviathan Security Group.

Juliette Moss

Board Member

Juliette has worked in the cybersecurity field directly for the last six years, and in tech for eight. She began building computer systems, and working with operating systems for over twenty. Current work experience, and focus is as a security consultant focused on software and network penetration testing at Leviathan Security Group. Experience includes web, native, and mobile application security testing, with extensive experience in threat modeling and attack surface analysis. Juliette has a deep appreciation for sci-fi/fantasy novels, and is a known coffee enthusiast. She can often be found reading technical documentation, and organizing data for project management.

Ken Smith

Board Member

Ken Smith is currently the Director of Offensive Security Learning & Development for Praetorian. Over the last fifteen years, Ken has served in various consulting and industry leadership roles. He previously taught information security at the University of Mount Union for ten years and worked with graduate students on proposals at the SANS Technology Institute for two years. Ken is a Cleveland native and former US Army Signals Intelligence Operator with 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

Cassie White

Board Member

Cassie White is a cybersecurity professional with over a decade of experience in security operations, defending networks, untangling alert storms, and transforming cybersecurity chaos into manageable challenges. Armed with CISSP and GSEC certifications, she has secured digital landscapes across multiple industries and recently returned home to Ohio after surviving several winters in Philadelphia. Currently serving on the BSides Cleveland board, Cassie is committed to strengthening connections in the local security community whether by mentoring new talent, fostering collaboration among peers, or helping Cleveland become a vibrant hub for cybersecurity enthusiasts.

Our Values Statement

The principles that guide everything we do at BSides Cleveland

Our Commitment

At BSides Cleveland, we are committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity, progressiveness, and equity. We believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, national origin, socioeconomic background, or any other characteristic.

Our organization is driven by a deep commitment to social justice, and we strive to create a community that reflects the rich diversity of the world we live in. We recognize that achieving true equity requires ongoing effort and a willingness to confront and dismantle systemic barriers.

Inclusivity

We are dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where all members of our community feel valued and respected. We believe that diversity of thought and experience strengthens our collective ability to contribute unique perspectives and drive meaningful change.

Equity

We are committed to addressing systemic barriers and promoting equal opportunities for all members of our community. We recognize that achieving equity requires intentional action to address historical inequities and ongoing disparities, and we actively work to create a level playing field.

Empowerment

We believe in the power of education and collaboration to empower individuals and communities to create positive change. We provide resources, opportunities, and support to enable our members to develop their skills, knowledge, and leadership capabilities.

Social Justice

We are committed to challenging oppressive structures and advocating for the rights and dignity of marginalized groups. We believe that true security cannot exist without social justice, and we strive to align our work with principles of equity and fairness.

Transparency & Accountability

We operate with integrity and transparency, welcoming feedback and holding ourselves accountable to our community and to continuous improvement. We believe that open, honest communication is essential to building trust and achieving our mission.

Collaboration

We leverage partnerships across sectors to address complex security challenges and create lasting change. We believe that by working together, sharing knowledge, and building coalitions, we can achieve more than any individual or organization could accomplish alone.

Compassion & Empathy

We create a supportive culture where individuals feel seen, heard, and valued. We approach all interactions with compassion and empathy, recognizing that each person brings their own unique experiences, challenges, and strengths to our community.