Apprentice with our corporate experts. Leverage decades of expertise delivering workforce-ready, on-the-job training in threat hunting, risk management, ethical hacking, incident response, cloud security, and beyond.
Our instructors and coaches train learners who have moved into companies across multitude of industries, including:
Ajay Menendez brings over 30 years of IT and cybersecurity expertise, specializing in hands-on, real-world training. His extensive Fortune 50 corporate experience in cybersecurity architecture, enterprise IT management, and engineering has shaped his approach to practical education. Ajay has developed and delivered immersive apprentice-style training programs, drawing on his background managing large-scale cybersecurity initiatives and technical teams. He focuses on preparing learners to perform real job tasks through on-the-job shadowing, hands-on instruction, and task-oriented learning. Ajay’s technical acumen covers a broad spectrum of Enterprise
Systems, Storage and Networking, with a focus on Engineering,
Architecture, Design, and Optimization.
Dr. Adan Duby , PhD • CISSP • GCFA • GCIH
Adam Duby is a cybersecurity engineer with expertise in malware analysis, cyber threat intelligence, Windows forensics, and reverse engineering. A former officer in the U.S. Army combined with corporate background enables him to design and deliver operational training programs that replicate real-world scenarios. Adam has developed advanced upskilling curricula and hands-on exercises tailored to industry needs. As a former assistant professor at West Point, where he led courses in Cyber Security Engineering and Digital Forensics, and an active practitioner in the corporate sector, Adam combines practical experience with innovative teaching to prepare professionals for real-world cybersecurity challenges.
Victor Batiz, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran with 15+ years of IT and cybersecurity experience, has excelled in tactical communications, SOC leadership, and corporate security roles. His military service, including managing critical communications during Operation Enduring Freedom, developed his ability to lead teams in high-pressure environments. Victor has led diverse teams across industries, from government and healthcare to Fortune 500 corporations, giving him broad experience in applying cybersecurity solutions to varied challenges. As a prior instructor at EdX, he leveraged this expertise to design task-based, hands-on training that prepares learners for real-world cybersecurity demands.
Russ Memisyazici has a strong foundation in training university and those in military service, bringing disciplined leadership and mission-critical experience to his professional endeavors. With extensive expertise in training and corporate environments, he has developed and implemented cutting-edge hands-on cybersecurity range platforms tailored to operational readiness. Russ’s academic background, combined with real-world experience, positions him to teach advanced operational skills that align with the latest trends in DevSecOps, networking, and cybersecurity. His deep understanding of technical concepts and evolving industry needs ensures learners are equipped to tackle modern challenges in the field.
Ron Shepard, a U.S. Air Force veteran with over a decade of cybersecurity experience, specializes in SCADA, OT systems, and corporate IT security. He has built and led Security Operations Centers (SOCs), managed engineering teams in threat intelligence and incident response, and developed strategies for industrial and corporate environments. His military and corporate background uniquely equip him to design operational training programs with real-world scenarios, including penetration testing, threat hunting, and cloud security, ensuring learners are prepared for today’s cybersecurity challenges.
Sean Callinan, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, brings over a decade of expertise as a formal CompTIA instructor, specializing in IT and cybersecurity certifications from CompTIA, ITIL, Microsoft and Linux Professional Institute. His military background, including leading battalion-level training during Operation Iraqi Freedom, honed his leadership and instructional skills. Sean’s role as a CompTIA instructor, combined with his ability to blend certification training with real-world, on-the-job scenarios, provides a unique perspective for learners. His hands-on approach and corporate experience ensure his training programs effectively prepare professionals for practical industry challenges.
At RapidAscent, our team of instructors and career coaches is diverse and deeply experienced, bringing a wealth of knowledge from both commercial industries and military active duty backgrounds. Many of our team members have honed their skills in real-world, high-pressure environments, ensuring they bring practical, operational expertise to every session. They are not just educators but seasoned professionals who have lived and breathed the challenges of their fields. This breadth of experience allows us to deliver training rooted in actionable, hands-on tasks that mirror the demands of the workplace. Our instructors focus on day-to-day best practices, equipping learners with the practical tools and confidence they need to excel from the start of their careers.
Ed Driver, RapidAscent’s Senior Lead for Coaching, is a cybersecurity professional with extensive experience as a penetration tester, cloud engineer, and instructor. With certifications like GIAC GPEN and CompTIA CySA+, Ed brings a wealth of expertise to coaching learners in practical, real-world scenarios. His hands-on experience in penetration testing at Black Tower Security, combined with his work in cloud engineering and cybersecurity instruction at RapidAscent, uniquely positions him to guide learners toward success. Ed’s ability to blend technical expertise with coaching ensures learners gain the confidence and skills needed to excel in cybersecurity roles.
Chris Huber, a U.S. Air Force veteran with over 20 years of experience in cybersecurity, secure communications, and operational management, brings a unique blend of military and corporate expertise. As a cybersecurity intern and coach with RapidAscent, Chris applies his experience leading training programs and managing mission readiness in the Air Force to deliver impactful, real-world training. With advanced certifications and expertise in network security, incident response, and Zero Trust architecture, he equips learners with the skills needed to excel in today’s cybersecurity landscape.
Jeff is a Cybersecurity Instructor at RapidAscent, bringing best
practices in automation and secure system development on
commercial ERP systems. He has built end-to-end applications as
a software engineer at Galvanize. He brings his experience and
training in team exercises at the Hack Reactor Full Stack
Development academy and carries a BS in computer science
Washington University.
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