​Brian A. Kropa, a senior level Executive, is the Technical Advisor for Advanced Cyber Technology, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts. Mr. Kropa serves as the technical advisor and proponent on cyber-related dual use technologies in areas such as cybersecurity, offensive and defensive cyber systems, multi-level security and software-defined C4ISR systems. He is responsible for providing advice and guidance to the highest Air Force, Space Force, and government officials and provides expert technical advice and support to Air Force PEO/Directorates and system program offices.
In 2005, Mr. Kropa graduated from the Advanced Course in Engineering Cyber Security Boot Camp at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Information Directorate, or AFRL/RI, in Rome, New York. He joined the Air Force in 2006 as an Associate Computer Scientist and in-house Researcher with AFRL/RI and spent several years working on groundbreaking cyber research topics. As a Computer Scientist and Program Lead, he led several computer and network security initiatives and built prototypes that led to successful transitions in Cyber Situational Awareness, Secure Cloud Computing and Cyber Mission Assurance.
In his previous position, Mr. Kropa was the Chief Engineer for the Enterprise Information Technology & Cyber Infrastructure Division, or AFLCMC/HNI. He led the engineering workforce and technical direction across the Air Force Enterprise IT portfolio. HNI develops, acquires, deploys and sustains the enterprise networks, user endpoints, enterprise applications, cloud computing environments and digital transformation services for the Air Force. HNI is a 900-plus member division that spans four geographic locations and is the program management office for more than 150 cyber and IT projects supporting the Air Force as well as joint and coalition operations worldwide. As a Branch Lead Engineer for the Advanced Technology Branch, Special Programs Division, he led the technical direction for SAP Enterprise IT.
EDUCATION
2005 Advanced Course in Engineering, Cyber Security Boot Camp, Rome, N.Y.
2006 Bachelor of Science, Computer Science, Ithaca College, Ithaca, N.Y.
2011 Master of Science, Computer Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y.
2013 National Reconnaissance Operations Center Systems Knowledge Course, Rome, N.Y.
2020 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2020 Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/EN AFIT SYS482 Chief Engineer Course, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. June 2006–May 2009, Associate Computer Scientist, Defensive Cyber Branch, Air Force Research Laboratory, Information Directorate, Rome, N.Y.
2. May 2009–March 2017, Computer Scientist, Cyber Operations Branch, Air Force Research Laboratory, Information Directorate, Rome, N.Y.
3. March 2017–September 2018, Branch Lead Engineer, Advanced Technology Branch, PEO C3I&N, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.
4. September 2018–March 2022, Chief Engineer, Enterprise IT & Cyber Infrastructure Division, PEO C3I&N, AFLCMC, Hanscom AFB, Mass.
5. March 2022–present, Senior Leader, Technical Advisor for Advanced Cyber Technology, Engineering Directorate, AFLCMC, Hanscom AFB, Mass.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Special Act or Service Citation, Department of the Air Force
John A. Graniero Team Award
Air Force Outstanding Information Operations Team of the Year Award
Notable Achievement Award for Cyber Mission Assurance
Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/HN Chief Engineer of the Year
Team Hanscom Category III Civilian of the Year
Meritorious Civilian Service Award
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
Certified Acquisition Professional, Level III, Engineering
Certified Acquisition Professional, Level III, Science and Technology Management
(Current as of August 2022)