Securing the Expanding Attack Surface in Cyberspace

As the Cyber Technology Officer, Mr. Thomas advises the Commander on all aspects of intelligence, cyber and related technologies, working with intelligence, cyber and science and technology organizations to generate and ensure the integrity of capabilities, concepts, policies, operational programs, studies and training that support and enable Marine Corps maneuver in the cyberspace. He works to enable cyber and intelligence focused compute and store, collaboration, access control and identity management, data encryption and governance.  He leads defensive cyber operations for the hybrid cloud environment and champions setting the conditions to adopt and implement principles of zero trust. He supports leading the USMC risk management framework modernization efforts and creates opportunities for emerging technology needed for connected and denied disrupted and intermittent environments. He leads enabling cyber and intelligence for compute and store, collaboration, access control and identity management, data encryption and governance creating use of processes, tools, techniques and protocols for proactive network resiliency and command and control with data driven decision making. Mr. Thomas demonstrates his passion for talent management through partnerships with industry, academia, institutions, and federal agencies.

Prior to Mr. Thomas’ assignment at MARFORCYBER, he served as the Chief Acquisition and Financial Officer for Network Cross Functional Team, Army Futures Command. He was responsible for the focused integration of network, command, control, communications, and intelligence to enable mission command across the Army’s tactical network through transport agnostic, data centric, modern security architecture and Cyber Electro-Magnetic Dominance. Mr. Thomas had oversight of a diverse team responsible for resource management, portfolio integration, market research, contracting, logistics and sustainment for the coordination and direction of the development of long-term acquisition strategies.

Previously, he has served as Chief Engineer and Chief of Technical Management at Project Manager Distributed Common Ground Systems – Army, Fielding and Training. He developed long-term strategies for technology research, investment, integration, and fielding of the Army’s cornerstone intelligence system for sensor tasking, Processing, Exploitation and Dissemination (PED) at all echelons.

Mr. Thomas began his career as a Department of Defense civilian with the Communications Electronics Research, Development, and Engineering Center (CERDEC) where he led research projects on Network Robustness and developed Cyber Offensive Operations techniques. He is a member of the Army Acquisition Corps and subsequently held acquisition positions including information assurance engineer, lead systems engineer and Assistant Program Manager within the Army and including a joint duty assignment at the International Programs Office. He has also served as a Strategic Initiative Officer at the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army, Acquisition Logistics and Technology.

Mr. Thomas holds a Master of Engineering in Telecommunications from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering and Economics from Rutgers University along with several technical certificates. He is a graduate of the OPM Senior Leadership program in Organization Leadership. He holds Defense Acquisition University Level III certification in both program management and systems engineering.

His leadership philosophy is to exemplify integrity, agility, humility, and have a people first approach. He strives to be approachable, provide unity and collaboration, and sound judgment. In his leisure time, Shery enjoys traveling, reading books to increase his knowledge base, sports/exercise, being an active leader within his church and community, and spending time with family and friends.