Meet OCII

David Keely is the executive director of OCII. He brings passion, expertise and a deep understanding of the cybersecurity landscape that are critical to the success of the organization’s diverse initiatives.

Keely maintains a strategic vision for progressing OCII’s core mission while overseeing the institute’s budget, helping ensure the longevity needed to continue supporting Oklahoma’s small businesses, educators and communities.

During OCII’s impactful inaugural year, he played a key role by serving as the organization’s director of operations and later as interim executive director.

Keely retired from the U.S. Air Force and Oklahoma Air National Guard in 2019 as a colonel with nearly 40 years of experience in cyber operations, communications, logistics and security/law enforcement. Among his key positions were adviser to the commander of Air Force Space Command, adviser to the commander of Air Forces, Central Command, adviser to the commander of Air Forces Cyber, and deputy director of cyber and communications for Air Combat Command.

Keely also commanded an engineering and installation squadron and served as deputy commander of a mission support group that enabled global F-16 operations.

Following retirement, Keely served as the civilian director of communications and cyber, and later as executive director of staff in the Oklahoma Air National Guard’s 137th Special Operations Wing.

Keely is a member of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association and serves with a local charitable organization that raises funds for abuse survivors.

Keely earned his bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University and his master’s from the U.S. Army War College.

Tywania Griffin is the director of educational programming, where she organizes cybersecurity and computer science educational events. In this role, Griffin also develops and delivers the OCII curriculum to a broad audience in different formats, including micro-credentialing, teacher training and hands-on experiential labs.

Before joining OCII, Griffin was the high school director at Millennium High School in Tracy, CA, where she guided educators to deliver high-quality, diverse learning experiences tailored to each student’s needs. She was pivotal as the associate director of student services in supporting the system design and implementation of integrated student support models across KIPP NorCal schools in Stockton, California.

With a background in both math education and computer science, Griffin has taught a wide range of secondary math subjects and computer science courses. She created and led the computer science department at Millennium High School, introducing students to essential programming and cybersecurity skills.

Besides her educational career, Griffin is an experienced DJ who has performed at various public and private events. She holds a master’s degree in educational leadership and school development from Teachers College of San Joaquin in Stockton, California; a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education from Delaware State University; and an associate degree in criminal justice from Delaware Technical & Community College.

Ryan McPherson is OCII’s operations manager. In this position, he works to connect and advance Oklahoma’s cyber ecosystem through education, research, community engagement, and security.

McPherson retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2018 with over 20 years of intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), conventional and cruise missile targeting, counterterrorism, counter weapons of mass destruction, and offensive cyber operations experience in the United States, Japan, Germany, Korea, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Qatar, UAE, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Before retirement, McPherson’s career was characterized by a series of intelligence and operational positions within the U.S. Air Force. His roles spanned from strategic targeting and intelligence analysis to supporting various operations and leading iIntelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance initiatives across different commands and continents. His counterterrorism and human intelligence expertise contributed to critical missions during Operation Enduring Freedom. McPherson’s leadership extended to overseeing intelligence systems and operations, culminating in his final assignment, where he led specialized teams in cyber operations. As the Team 800 Combat Support Team Lead, McPherson managed a team specializing in target analysis, capabilities development, and offensive cyber operations. Additionally, he worked closely with intelligence mission partners to successfully deliver and employ offensive cyber tools. His diverse experience reflects a deep commitment to national security and global military operations.

Following the Air Force, McPherson’s next step as a principal cyber analyst was marked by operational and technical cyber capabilities analysis. His expertise ensured that research and development projects aligned with operational needs and technical specifications for timely adoption by Department of Defense end users. McPherson’s focus on integration into existing platforms and compliance with quality standards through rigorous testing and evaluation underscored his commitment to excellence in advancing government-required infrastructures and cyber weapon systems.

McPherson is active in the community, serving his church, volunteering at school, and helping to lift children out of poverty through his sponsorships with Compassion International. He has a bachelor’s in history from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and a master’s degree in diplomacy and military studies from Hawaii Pacific University.

Josh Massad is a cyber researcher, a Futurist, a non-resident Fellow at the Army Cyber Institute at West Point, an Association of Professional Futurists member, and a Core member at the Threatcasting Lab at Arizona State University. Massad has worked on projects regarding emerging technology and future threats with West Point, DTRA, NATO, MITRE, and the Secret Service.

At OCII, Massad spearheads the Green UAS program, a national initiative dedicated to bolstering cybersecurity within the American commercial drone sector. His work empowers drone companies to fortify their own security measures and safeguard their products against cyber threats.

With a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma in ancient history with a minor in the classic’s and classical Greek language, a master’s degree from the University of Central Oklahoma in Crime and Intelligence, and a Ph.D. in human and social dimensions of science and technology at Arizona State University, he is truly a student of the past, present, and future. His Ph.D. is funded by the National Science Foundation Research Traineeship, Citizen-Centered Smart Cities and Smart Living program. His dissertation explores defending smart cities from drone swarms through a science, technology, and society (STS) lens utilizing the Threatcasting method. Massad researches how to anticipate disruptions, navigate challenges, and help shape the future organizations envision.

Randy Roberts is OCII’s Cyber Innovation Strategy Manager. In this capacity, he is responsible for operating the Cyber Fellows initiative, a fully funded Ph.D. program designed for students from various academic programs who share a strong interest in cyber research and entrepreneurship.

Roberts brings over 30 years of experience in delivering mission-critical IT services. His extensive career spans several outsourcing companies, including Perot Systems, Sabre, EDS, and HP. Roberts has specialized in application development, system engineering, network operations, and cybersecurity throughout his career.

Since 2004, Roberts has concentrated on cybersecurity, specifically network security. At HP, he led a global team responsible for operating network security systems for our outsourcing clients. His leadership in this role was instrumental in maintaining the security of some of the largest online properties.

Roberts joined UTulsa in 2017. Initially, he focused on recruiting students for the university’s online Masters in Cybersecurity program. In 2022, he moved to the current position with the Cyber Fellows initiative, where he continues to recruit students and engage commercial partners to help influence the next generation of cybersecurity experts.

Roberts is actively engaged with several key cybersecurity industry organizations. He is a member of ISACA, ISSA, and InfraGard. He also serves on the board of directors for the InfraGard Oklahoma Members Alliance. His involvement in these organizations underscores his commitment to staying at the forefront of cybersecurity developments and contributing to the community.

Cameron Alred is a lifelong Tulsan. He graduated from Stanford University Online High School in 2015 and enrolled at UTulsa as a Presidential Scholar in 2016. During his undergraduate studies, he was inducted into the Phi Eta Sigma honor society and participated in leadership roles in the Alpha Phi Omega and Sigma Nu fraternities. He received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from UTulsa in 2020, earning the department’s Sidney Born Award for Outstanding Achievement in Mechanical Engineering.

Alred joined the inaugural cohort of the UTulsa Cyber Fellows program in the fall of 2020, and he returned to UTulsa to pursue his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering under Joshua Schultz, Ph.D. studying discrete muscle-inspired robot actuators. He joined OCII as a graduate research fellow in May of 2024, contributing to the development of the K-12 cyber curriculum, emphasizing physical components such as robots, drones, and control systems.

In addition to his Ph.D. work, his broader interests include robotic prostheses and cybernetics, biological robotics, RF hacking and security, aviation and spaceflight, and ensuring safety, security, ethics, and equity in a world fundamentally shaped by technology.

Eric Iñiguez is an OCII fellow, cybersecurity practitioner, and a Ph.D. student in cyber studies at UTulsa, where he graduated in 2022 with his bachelor’s degree in computer science. With OCII, Iñiguez works to develop curriculums and activities to teach cybersecurity to anyone from kindergarten to post-secondary education.

Iñiguez grew up in Southern California, where he learned how to re-invent old junk into new gadgets in his dad’s garage. While attending Chaffey High School, he felt frustrated by the lack of computer science and cybersecurity educational opportunities. Collaborating with teachers and classmates, he founded the Chaffey High School Tech Club, where guest speakers and students had the space to host lectures on related topics. Iñiguez went on to pursue new skills and experience from the nationally recognized cybersecurity programs at UTulsa so that he could return to public schools in underserved communities and provide students with opportunities to pursue careers in cybersecurity.

As an undergraduate, Iñiguez enjoyed a variety of enriching opportunities. He was a research assistant in attack graph model research. Through internships, Iñiguez gained experience in digital forensics with the United States Secret Service and security engineering with Cloudflare’s detection and response team. Iñiguez taught computer science and cybersecurity Fundamentals in Timothy Crisp’s Will Rogers High School classroom. In extracurriculars, he also helped found UTulsa’s Root 66 Cyber Clubs and Women in Cyber Security chapter and competed in the Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC) and Collegiate Penetration Testing Competition (CPTC).

Before returning to UTulsa and joining OCII, Iñiguez worked as an IT security administrator with Paycom and a software developer at the Tulsa city-county library.

The OCII has a unique and exciting mission that allows Iñiguez to develop his skills and knowledge further while simultaneously building opportunities for others to engage in cybersecurity.

Timothy Crisp is a researcher, instructor, curriculum designer, and a Ph.D. student in cyber studies at OCII. He began his career as a K-12 teacher and currently teaches computer science and cybersecurity as an instructor and department chair at Will Rogers College High School and middle school. Crisp holds a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma, where he discovered his passion for education policy.

Through OCII, Crisp conducts cutting-edge cybersecurity curriculum and NICE Frameworks integration research. In addition to his studies and work, Crisp is the technical director for a local Episcopal church and pianist for the worship team. He has managed projects ranging from audio/visual and networks to software selections. In his free time, Crisp loves to try all of the restaurants in Tulsa and is known to be OCII’s resident foodie.

Fatemeh Azam collaborates with the education team to create hands-on cybersecurity lessons using technologies like drones, IoT devices, and smart city innovations.

She holds a master’s degree in computer science with a specialization in software engineering from the University of Isfahan. Her thesis on anomaly detection provided a strong foundation for her work at Irisa Co., where she began as an research and development engineer before transitioning into technical project management.

At Irisa Co., she contributed to network security projects, including enhancements to security information and event management (SIEM) systems and the development of a high-performance log collection and management system for large-scale data processing.

Before joining OCII, Fatemeh gained experience in community-focused project management and education. At the University of California San Diego, she worked with the International Families and Scholars Office (IFSO), where she helped organize events to support international families and scholars. Having experienced life in the U.S. as part of an international family, she wanted to contribute to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for others.

Her time as a para specialist in the San Diego Unified School District deepened her commitment to educational accessibility and inclusive learning. These experiences shaped her passion for making education more accessible through technology, and she hopes to help bridge the gap between innovative tools and meaningful learning opportunities.

Preston Smith is a dedicated computer scientist and cybersecurity specialist with a passion for helping others understand the critical roles that privacy and security play in our daily lives. With over 20 years of experience in IT and security, he has built a career rooted in technical expertise and a commitment to protecting sensitive information. Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Arkansas.

His journey in technology began in high school, where he first engaged with computers and later implemented barcode systems at a mercantile store. This hands-on experience led him to a corporate IT role, where he engineered and supported enterprise systems. Finding a strong affinity for system administration, Smith embraced the challenges of keeping systems stable and secure. Even as he pursued his degree, he remained drawn to system administration, recognizing that root-level administration was foundational to securing IT environments.

Smith’s expertise in privacy and security expanded further when he took on a role at a research facility, ensuring digital security measures aligned with HIPAA privacy regulations. His work was not just about compliance—it was about instilling trust in data protection processes, ensuring that individuals’ information was handled securely and ethically.

His career took a pivotal turn when he joined the Defense Industrial Base as a Security Manager. Leveraging his background in government regulations, Smith was tasked with implementing the Risk Management Framework (RMF) and navigating security controls such as NIST 800-53 and DFARS 800-171. His role in protecting critical infrastructure and national security assets became a source of pride, reinforcing his belief in the importance of cybersecurity in safeguarding the country’s warfighters.

With a passion for continuous learning, Smith remains committed to advancing his expertise, engaging with industry organizations, and sharing knowledge on privacy and security. His mission is to help others understand and appreciate the importance of cybersecurity—ensuring that businesses, individuals, and institutions can navigate the digital landscape with confidence and resilience.

Andrea Delheimer is an innovative instructional designer and STEM educator with over 15 years of experience crafting engaging, learner-centered educational experiences. As part of the Oklahoma Cyber Innovation Institute (OCII), Andrea leverages her passion for instructional design to develop dynamic curriculum and training programs that inspire critical thinking and problem-solving. She excels at collaborating with Subject Matter Experts and stakeholders to transform complex instructional goals into meaningful, accessible learning materials.

Andrea currently serves as a Career Tech STEM Educator at Moore Public Schools, teaching junior high students through project-based learning that encourages real-world applications in STEM, including cybersecurity concepts. She delivers hands-on, engaging learning opportunities and experiences that allow students to explore and discover new roles. Additionally, Andrea leads professional development sessions, mentors educators, and optimizes the use of technology in the classroom.

Andrea’s background includes roles as a K-5 STEAM Educator and Assessment and Testing Coordinator, where she honed her skills in curriculum development, instructional assessment, and adult learning theory. She holds a Master of Education in Educational Technology and Instructional Design with an Adult Learner Specialty from Western Governors University and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Oklahoma.

In her free time, Andrea supports her teenage children in their band performances and sports activities, proudly juggling roles as cheerleader, snack coordinator, and occasional sideline strategist. When she’s not navigating the thrilling world of bleachers and band competitions, she enjoys getting lost in a good book and seeking out new adventures—whether it’s a spontaneous road trip or exploring hidden local gems. Balancing STEM lessons, teenage schedules, and the occasional plot twist keeps life both exciting and entertaining.

Nicole Phelps is an accomplished executive assistant with a background in cybersecurity and technical writing. She supports OCII’s executive director and officers in their work on the organization’s diverse initiatives.

Nathan Sweaney has served the IT and cybersecurity industries for over 25 years with most of that in consulting and advisory services. He helped build a cybersecurity consulting startup, performing and managing thousands of offensive security testing engagements for a wide range of clients. He has also served as a vCISO, CTO and CSO. He supports the mission of OCII with a wide range of business-world experience and strong ties to the local cybersecurity community. He excels at translating technical nuance into business-speak and finding practical, operationally feasible approaches for organizations to mitigate risk and minimize compliance obligations.

With a long history of supporting cybersecurity and other non-profit organizations across Oklahoma, Sweaney has been very active in promoting community groups such as ISSA, InfraGard, ISACA, ISC2, SecTulsa, OWASP Tulsa and others. He helped found the local chapters of several groups and has served on boards of directors in various positions. He is also a founder and organizer of BSidesOK, the largest cybersecurity conference in Oklahoma since 2015, and has served on the advisory boards for Tulsa Community College and TulsaTech’s cybersecurity programs.

Sweaney is an engaging international speaker and has conducted training sessions, briefings, and presentations both publicly and for clients on a wide variety of cybersecurity topics. He has spoken at dozens of cybersecurity conferences including DEF CON, ASIS International, the PCI Security Council, and many others. He has also developed and taught several multi-day courses on Network Penetration Testing, Secure Code Development, Tactical Security Operations, Social Engineering and more.

Sweaney also proudly serves on the board of directors for Campos de Sueños, a scholarship, vocational training, and feeding program for children in Santa Maria de Jesus, Guatemala. He has worked with that organization since its inception in 2012. Additionally, he serves as a deacon, teacher and orchestra member at South Tulsa Baptist Church. He has a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Oklahoma Baptist University.

Elijah has more than 25 years of experience in technology. He began working in information technology and security operations as a contractor in 2006, often at Fortune 500 companies and small businesses in Oklahoma. His work in these roles taught him to solve complex network problems quickly and with conviction. He learned to administer everything from Linux servers to cloud-hosted environments, as well as routers and switches.

He later orchestrated all the bits and bytes, granting them permissions to execute tasks and jobs that create the user experience and keep systems running. Roberson enjoys creating challenges and network infrastructure that reflect real-world scenarios students or organizations may face. (Yes, he even hides breadcrumbs and dad jokes in the challenge labs.)

Roberson found his way to The University of Tulsa in 2014 working as a Linux system administrator for a small department that published oil and gas research for the industry. From there he held multiple roles across departments such as computer science, cyber and IT, often rebuilding and designing networks from the ground up across the university before joining OCII.

Roberson holds several degrees including a master’s in cyber from The University of Tulsa. Roberson is engaged with several groups in the local community hosting and participating in hackathons, captor the flag challenges and setting up various labs and exercises. He loves curiosity and encourages it. He is also an accomplished bass player both upright and electric and enjoys classical music and rock ‘n’ roll.

Hunter Robbins is a security control assessor representative, responsible for bridging the gap between security solutions and businesses. Hunter has lived in Tulsa all his life, attending Bixby High School through 2017. He attended Tulsa Technology Center’s cybersecurity program and discovered a passion that spurred him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity and digital forensics. In 2024, Hunter enrolled in the online cybersecurity program at UTulsa.

Joining OCII while working on his master’s degree, Hunter works with small businesses to ensure every organization has positive security outcomes. Leveraging over six years of security and administration experience, Hunter brings a robust toolset for identifying problems, remediating security infrastructure, and educating stakeholders on policy and regulation. This skillset enables Hunter to provide guidance and offer solutions to outstanding security problems for businesses.

Outside of security control assessments, Hunter also participates in cutting-edge security research. He collaborates on drone security testing, RF pen testing/monitoring, and built a cross-framework security controls database.

Phoenix Perkins is a graduate assistant at OCII, conducting security control assessments. He is currently pursuing his master’s degree in cybersecurity at The University of Tulsa. Phoenix graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in management information systems. During his internship with Critical Start in 2023, he developed a passion for cybersecurity. In his current role at OCII and as a master’s student, he has become deeply immersed in all things cyber. Coming from a family with deep roots in Tulsa’s small business community, Phoenix is enthusiastic about the opportunity to help create a robust cybersecurity culture in Tulsa.

Tenille Smith is a cybersecurity analyst, educator, researcher and all-around digital investigator who thrives in the liminal spaces of theory and practice, where multidisciplinary knowledge is essential. With an academic background in international security studies and psychology, and years of hands-on experience across Blue and Red Team work, she brings a unique lens to how we think about threats, defenses and the people caught in between.

Her work centers on making cybersecurity approachable—whether she’s mentoring high school students through CyberPatriot, designing mobile cyber labs for K–12 classrooms across Oklahoma, or volunteering in hacker villages at DEF CON and RSA. She’s particularly passionate about OSINT, threat hunting and bridging the gap between technical concepts and real-world impact.

Tenille believes security education shouldn’t be locked behind jargon or job titles. From empowering rural communities to recognize phishing attempts to analyzing potential threat vectors, her goal is the same: build a safer digital world through shared knowledge and thoughtful action.