About the Center

Cyber Innovation Center (CIC), located in Bossier City, Louisiana, is the anchor of the 3,000 acre National Cyber Research Park and serves as the catalyst for the development and expansion of a knowledge-based workforce throughout the region.

As a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation, CIC fosters collaboration among its partners and accelerates technology, research, and development. One of its primary missions is to develop a sustainable knowledge-based workforce that can support the growing needs of government, industry, and academic partners.

 
 

Our Goals

  • Stimulate innovation-based economic growth through strategic partnerships.

  • Develop a knowledge-based workforce around STEM-related fields.

  • Foster collaboration and serve as a conduit for governmental agencies, private industries, and academic institutions to share ideas and advance research.

  • Build the necessary critical infrastructure that will attract federal programs to the area.

Our Strategies

  • Create a cohesive network of facilities and service providers.

  • Create symbiotic relationships with key government agencies.

  • Leverage relationship with Barksdale Air Force Base, home to Air Force Global Strike Command.

  • Create a supportive environment that encourages and focuses on technology commercialization.

  • Market and co-op cyber technologies and ideas through public/private partnerships.

  • Increase opportunities for internships, jobs, and exposure.

 
 

Leadership

Kevin Nolten
President

Kevin Nolten serves as the Cyber Innovation Center’s President and has over 15 years in non-profit management experience. Kevin, a native of Northwest Louisiana, has spent his entire career in education, training, and workforce development with a variety of focus areas to include K-12 and Higher Education. His expertise in workforce development has been sought after by both state and federal governments to advance cybersecurity knowledge and economic development.

Craig Spohn
President Emeritus

Craig C. Spohn, CIC Executive Director, has nearly 40 years of business experience in the Information Technology field, working in international, commercial, and federal government markets. Before serving as the executive director of CIC, Craig was with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) where he served as Vice President for Middle East Business and coordinated SAIC’s Saudi Arabian business as General Manager of the Saudi Joint Venture.

Laurie Salvail
Director of CYBER.ORG

Laurie heads up CYBER.ORG's academic outreach efforts and is passionate about working to make cybersecurity education available to K-12 teachers and students. She has over 12 years classroom experience and is currently working on her PhD in curriculum and instruction at Louisiana State University.

Dr. Chuck Gardner
Sr. Director of Government and Non-Profit Engagement, Cyber Innovation Center

Chuck heads up our outreach efforts to state, educational representatives on standards development and other non-profits that can fill a need for our users and partners. Chuck loves to travel and spends most of his days pounding the pavement seeking to educate and further the mission of the Cyber Innovation Center and its various initiatives. Need a recommendation for a kitchen gadget or podcast? Chuck is your guy.

Jeff Beene
Partnership Intermediary Agreement Director - The Collaborative Environment

Jeff manages innovation services and technology transfer and transition programs in support of Air Force Global Strike Command. He began his career in 1982 following graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy. His Air Force career included staff positions at Headquarters Air Force and tours as a vice wing commander and Vice Commandant of Cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy. His commands included a combat plans squadron, an operations group, and an air expeditionary group. After retiring from active duty, he served as the Aerospace Division Director at Texas State Technical College before returning to the Air Force in civil service as the Director of Staff for Air Force Global Strike Command and Eighth Air Force.

Russ Mathers
Director of STRIKEWERX/Deputy Director of the Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA)

Russ directs a staff of three providing innovation and collaboration services to the Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) headquarters. A native of Midland, MI, he completed 27 years of active duty with the U.S. Air Force, with roles as a B-52 pilot, B-2 pilot, US Strategic Command nuclear operations planner, and Chief of Combat Plans in US Air Forces, Korea. He retired as the Chief of Staff for Eighth Air Force. He then served five years in federal civil service as Executive Director of AFGSC/A6 and the Air Force Nuclear Command, Control and Communications Center. During his career he has been stationed at Barksdale for over 22 years.