Our leadership team brings extensive knowledge in information security, and is constantly focused on growth and innovation to always improve the service we offer to our clients.
Mr. Kevin Overcash is a veteran product management executive with over 30 years of experience in software engineering and product management, including over 2 decades building industry leading products and services in the information security industry.
Kevin manages the development of DirectDefense’s ThreatAdvisor, which provides a platform for delivering penetration testing, vulnerability management, and event monitoring services.
Kevin brings a wealth of experience in product management processes and strategic design to deliver intuitive products providing complex and technical services.
Prior to joining DirectDefense, Kevin began working in the information security industry in 1997 and has led product management, building products and service platforms at a number of leading companies, including: the security testing services on the Fusion platform at Trustwave, the managed scanning and domain service platform at NCC Group, the security testing platform at Accuvant, the Web application scanner and Web application firewall at Qualys, the Web application scanning platform at Whitehat Security, the WebDefend Web application firewall at Breach Security, the WebInspect Web application scanner at SPI Dynamics, and the Internet Scanner network scanner and RealSecure IDS at Information Security Systems.
Before working in the security industry, Kevin worked as a software engineer at NASA, Coca-Cola, and Radio Free Europe.
Mr. Jared Ballou has spent the last 15 years in the security industry. Jared’s focus on rapid client delivery and collaborative deal structuring has led to extensive growth and repeat business.
In 2018, Jared joined ObserveIT where he was responsible for growing a world-class sales organization while continuing to help build a company founded on a high-energy and high-integrity culture. In 2019, Proofpoint (A Thoma Bravo company) acquired ObserveIT. Jared led the Information Protection Business Unit, extending Proofpoint’s people-centric security portfolio by augmenting Proofpoint’s DLP capabilities with Endpoint, CASB, Web Isolation, and SASE solutions while continuing to collaborate with new and existing customers and partners to maximize their success to drive new business.
Before ObserveIT, Jared served as VP of Sales & Alliances at MixMode.ai, where he oversaw sales operations during the critical transition from stealth mode to public product launch.
Earlier, Jared served in various roles at Rapid7 (NASDAQ: RPD) from 2006 to 2016. He was the twenty-seventh employee to join the company in 2006. During his decade-long tenure at Rapid7, Jared helped architect a sales model that leveraged strategic partnerships to routinely drive record-breaking year-over-year growth.
At DirectDefense Jared is responsible for developing and fostering new and existing relationships that will drive new lines of revenue for the company.
Justin Karnousky leads the central region of the US, as Regional Vice President of Sales. He is hyper-focused on customer outcomes and solving complex problems. Justin has many years of cyber-sales experience ranging from products and services to security as a service while building and growing teams.
Prior to DirectDefense, Justin served as VP of Sales, Central and East for Defy Security. Before that, Justin served as Regional Vice President in the TOLA region for Critical Start / CyberOne. He has also held Account Manager roles at Proofpoint and Websense, Inc. (Forcepoint), where he exceeded sales goals year over year and was named to their President’s Clubs.
Justin and his family reside in Prosper, TX. Outside of work, Justin is a father to five girls and one boy, all under nine years old. He can be found doing handy work at a dance studio, MCing swim meets, or coaching his kids’ sports teams. When he’s not helping the kids, the honey-do list gets some attention too. Justin loves exploring new cities with his wife, Carly.
Justin’s mission statement is to build and lead the finest sales team in the nation at DirectDefense, with the goal of achieving national brand recognition and becoming a dominant national player. Justin serves to empower our employees while delivering the best customer outcomes possible.
Rick Tillery serves as MSSP Director for DirectDefense. Rick manages the DirectDefense team of Security Analysts who are focused on the detection of cyber security events and is responsible for the management of detection infrastructure and response to cyber security incidents.
Rick has worked extensively across the globe with various energy companies and law enforcement agencies including the Department of Defense, Denver Police Department, German Bundespolizei (Federal Police), in rail traffic, airports, ports, and several other special duties assessing, developing, and implementing a plethora of cyber security business transformations. His efforts have resulted in greatly reducing risk exposure and savings, ranging from $5 million to $500 million per year.
Rick was instrumental in re-developing, implementing, and managing Cyber Security Operations within the Department of Energy. Rick has spent more than 20 years in the US Military and industry, where he acquired deep cyber forensic and cyber security knowledge and skills, holding leadership positions working with various agencies’ capital projects, turnarounds, reliability, maintenance, operations, and consulting. He is a recently retired Chief Warrant Officer 3 from the U.S. Army.
Tracy McBride leads the project management team responsible for all aspects of client management including coordination and supervision of service delivery while supporting operations to further enhance the client experience. Tracy joined the company in 2017 as SOW / QA Sales Support before being promoted to Director of Client Services in 2022.
Tracy graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a B.S. in Exercise Science. She is a mother of three girls and enjoys spending time with her family and traveling when time allows.
Ms. Hannah Godwin leads DirectDefense’s efforts in developing new technology and channel partnerships and fostering strategic alliances. Hannah joined the company in 2012 as National Account Executive and later served as Channel Account Manager for North America in 2021, serving more than eight years at DirectDefense. Prior to joining DirectDefense, Hannah served as Account Manager at Optiv.
Hannah graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder with a B.A. in International Affairs. In her free time, she loves spending time hiking in the mountains or relaxing on the beach and spending time with her family and dogs.