Not so long ago, two cyber nerds met at the NSA and set out to “do a startup.” Their goals were twofold: They wanted to create a network-aware endpoint technology and provide practical cyber training that actually taught tomorrow’s cyber professionals how to successfully defend against hackers.
In 2017, Level Effect was born thanks to co-founders Greg Ake and Rob Noeth. Not too long after, Anthony Bendas, Operations Director and Instructor, joined. And after completing the CDA Bootcamp himself, Will Nissler came on board as our Infrastructure Lead and Instructor. Then, in 2022, Rachel Bishop (that’s me!) joined to elevate the company’s marketing efforts.
And now, we’re so proud and excited to announce that we’ve got two new members joining our team! 🥹
Matt comes to us with 18 years of experience as an intelligence analyst and trainer with the US Air Force and defense contracting industry. A graduate of the Winter 2022 CDA Bootcamp Cohort and a Cyber Defense Certified Professional, Matt brings a wealth of cybersecurity experience.
Learn a bit more about Matt below.
I’ve been involved in training to some degree or another my whole career. When I heard there was an opportunity to work with a team of people I knew and liked, I was all in! Being involved in the training and development of the next generation of Cyber Defenders is another lure. It’s a mission that resonates with me.
As a training coordinator, I have a little involvement in a lot of tasks! One of the roles I’m most passionate about is student success, which means doing whatever I can to ensure that each student is able to successfully complete their training. That usually involves tracking student engagement on assignments and class attendance, keeping records up to date, reaching out to those who are interested in our programs, and making sure that student questions get answered. It also means providing mentorship and guidance, something that I really enjoy doing.
I started my career in 2003 as an intelligence analyst in the Air Force. After leaving the military, I continued my service through a career in the defense industry, training Airmen to do the same things I once did in the military while working for companies like Northrop Grumman, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Raytheon. I did a variety of jobs in my field, from analyzing data, to operating the sensors that collected the data, to managing the programs that enabled the processing and analysis of the data. After 18 years in the defense space, I wanted a change. Enter Level Effect! I went through the bootcamp and found I had a passion for Cyber Threat Intelligence (go figure!) and malware analysis. When I had the opportunity to come back and help others looking to make the same transition into a new field, I pounced on it!
I like to spend time with family and friends, and to get outside. I have too many hobbies to list! Here are a few: Gaming, longboarding, fossil/artifact/rock collecting, blacksmithing (I make knives), fishing (I’m learning to fly fish lately), woodworking, home improvement, travel, gardening/landscaping, shooting, reading (fiction and non-fiction), and music (playing and listening). Some things I’m looking forward to getting into soon are rock climbing and archery. I’ve got a wide variety of interests, but if it involves concentration and attention to detail then I’ll probably try it out!
A good chair/desk set up is key for me. I’ve sat for long periods most of my career, so I really value ergonomics! I like a chair that's highly adjustable in the arms, and a deep desk so I can rest my elbows on it and still have distance from the monitors. Having two monitors in the 27-32" range is also important because I’m a multitasker, but like to stay as organized as feasible. Mechanical keyboards are nice too—I like the clickity clack feedback!
Interacting with folks who are dedicated to challenging themselves by learning a new skill is always fun; and I get more out of helping others learn than studying a new topic for my own benefit. I know that in my own learning journey I need to hear, see, and do a new task before I understand it. So, what I really love doing is distilling those learning experiences into a methodology that will help others learn those same tasks in a streamlined way.
Real talk: We hired Jessica to keep us sane. She’s a guru at multitasking, and her attention to detail is second to none. She brings more than 15 years of paralegal experience, which has given her a knack for taming even the wildest schedules and coordinating office operations with the precision of a Swiss watch.
And if she looks a bit familiar to you, you're onto something. She happens to be Rob's sister. Those Noeth genes are strong.
Learn more about Jessica below.
Level Effect has launched several successful courses/bootcamps, making a significant impact in the cyber training space. When I was approached to join the team I jumped at the opportunity. I’m truly excited to be working alongside an incredibly talented team, and to be able to contribute to this impactful work with my skills and knowledge.
I’ll be providing administrative support behind the scenes.
I have spent the last 15 years working in the legal field, primarily as a lead legal assistant/paralegal. Throughout my career, I have developed strong organizational and administrative skills, and have become proficient in legal software and technology. My constant objective is to streamline processes and improve productivity. I believe that my solid background as a legal assistant/paralegal, combined with my dedication, attention to detail, and strong communication skills, make me well-suited for this new role.
I’m a homebody to my core and I love creating an incredibly cozy home. Having a hot cup of coffee in the morning while staring out an open window or sitting in the backyard listening to birds chirping is part of my morning ritual. I also have a small parrot (a Green-Cheeked Conure) named Frankie whom I adore to spoil with my time and attention. My favorite form of movement is walking. I listen to so many podcasts during my walks and my commute to work. I mostly listen to finance podcasts and podcasts about parrot care. Despite the passing of time, my love of Korean dramas has not waned. Food happens to be a big focus in many dramas, and so either going on my own, with a friend, or nicely dragging my husband with me to try all the Korean food nearby is an infrequent indulgence.
I thrive in open space, clear of clutter, especially when it comes to my deep work processes. While I have only ever worked with a single monitor, I recently invested in an adjustable acrylic dual monitor stand. Office supplies are some of my favorite things, but only a few specific pens and highlighters ever make the cut with my particularly picky standards. I’m also a light/bright mode person on my phone and computer apps. I understand that this may make many of you cringe.
I'm genuinely thrilled about the possibilities this new role brings. The opportunity to make a significant impact, collaborate with a talented team, grow professionally, and contribute to the success of the organization is what I'm most looking forward to.
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We’re so excited to have you on our team, Matt and Jessica!