Nick is the Founder and COO of OpticaLabs and the first ever Director of Emerging Technology Policy at the US Department of Homeland Security. He is a seasoned technology executive and builder with extensive experience growing and scaling companies, complemented by deep expertise in cybersecurity, emerging technology policy, and the safe, secure, and sustainable deployment of emerging technologies.

A noted expert in cyber operations, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and outer space, Nick currently holds a faculty position at the NYU Center for Global Affairs teaching graduate courses related to emerging technology and geopolitics.

Nick has a 20+ year career in the US Military Intelligence Community & Homeland Security with a focus on operations and bringing technical solutions to high stakes national security challenges. He is also a former federal policy maker, authoring multiple executive orders and Cabinet-level policies as well as advising the White House on critical emerging technology topics.

Nick is a graduate of Saint Leo and Old Dominion Universities and currently lives in the Washington, DC area with his wife and their dog.