4th Annual Cocktails & Codebreakers Recap & Photos
22 October 2025
George Barnes NCF BoD Chair; Tom Fanning Southern Company; Frank Cilluffo McCrary Institute; Robin Burns Calvert County Schools; Admiral Michael Gilday; Laura Nelson NCF; and John Doyon INSA
The 4th Annual Cocktails & Codebreakers was held on 22 October 2025 in Hanover, Maryland at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve.
Cocktails & Codebreakers is a joint program of the National Cryptologic Foundation (NCF) and the Intelligence and National Security Foundation (INSF). Thus, the evening began with a warm welcome from NCF President & CEO Laura Nelson and INSF Executive Vice President John Doyon. Laura recognized all of the evening's generous sponsors, to include Carahsoft (Title Sponsor), Google Public Sector, IBM, Nightwing, Amazon Web Services, SIMS Software, Tower Federal Credit Union, COPT Defense Properties, and MANTECH. See the list of sponsors and their logos below on this page.
Mr. Chaz Hazzan from Carahsoft introduced our Keynote Speaker, Tom Fanning, Retired Chairman, President & CEO of Southern Company. Under Fanning's leadership, Southern Company advanced clean, safe, and reliable energy, launched the first new U.S. nuclear generation unit in a generation, and invested over $20 billion in low- and no-carbon energy. Fanning also serves in critical national security and cybersecurity roles, including co-chair of the Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council (ESCC) and member of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission.
Tom Fanning - Keynote Address for 2025 C&C
Dr. Alisha Jordan, NCF Director of Education, updated our guests about the expansion over the past year of the NCF's education program - including the growing Ambassador Program, the popular Cyber Saturday programs, our continually updated cybersecurity booklets (for students, teachers, and the general adult community), and our recent inaugural Education Summit.
Dr. Jordan went on to present the NCF Teacher of the Year Award to Robin Burns, a high school teacher from Calvert County (MD) who prepares the next generation to thrive in the digital age and whose impact goes well beyond the classroom. Robin has 17 years of teaching experience and nine years teaching cybersecurity and networking. She also holds multiple industry certifications, presents at conferences across the nation, and inspires other educators to bring cybersecurity to life for their students. Additionally, Robin is the 2025 Maryland CTE Teacher of the Year. We were honored to recently feature her on our #CyberChats Podcast and look forward to a continued partnership.
NCF Director of Education Dr. Alisha Jordan with NCF 2025 Teacher of the Year Robin Burns, Calvert County Schools at 2025 Cocktails & Codebreakers
Laura Nelson welcomed ADG Creative's President Evan Davis to share with the crowd about the NCF's currently ongoing re-branding - to include new messaging regarding our mission, a new logo, and eventually a new website. Evan explained the significance behind the new NCF logo. The “C” in NCF represents open access to cyber education and the cryptologic industry. It also represents a silent “C” bringing attention to a formerly private field. The "Key" shape represents our commitment to cryptology and our partnership with the National Security Agency (NSA). It also represents how we connect the dots.
The evening then featured an engaging discussion between ADM Michael Gilday, USN (Ret.), 32nd Chief of Naval Operations, and Frank Cilluffo, director of Auburn University’s McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security. Admiral Gilday commanded multiple destroyers, led Carrier Strike Group 8, and directed operations for both U.S. Cyber Command and NATO’s Joint Force Command. He has been awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and Bronze Star. Frank Cilluffo brings decades of expertise in cybersecurity, national security, and critical infrastructure, ensuring a compelling and insightful discussion.
Fireside Chat at 2025 Cocktails & Codebreakers - featuring ADM Michael Gilday, USN (Ret) and Frank Cilluffo, McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security
NCF Board Chairman George Barnes - 2025 Cocktails & Codebreakers
Finally, our formal program wrapped up with closing remarks from NCF Board Chairman George Barnes.
Many thanks to everyone who came out to support this fantastic evening. Special thanks to our generous sponsors for their continued support of the NCF mission.
Photo Gallery
Please visit our 2025 Cocktails & Codebreakers Shutterfly album to view an album of photos from the evening.
Below is a selection of photos from the album.
THANK YOU to our 2025 SPONSORS!
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Carahsoft - Title Sponsor -
Google Public Sector - Bar Sponsor -
IBM - Goodbye Gift Sponsor -
Nightwing - Registration Sponsor -
Amazon Web Services (AWS) - Crypto Sponsor -
SIMS Software - Cyber sponsor -
Tower Federal Credit Union - Cyber Sponsor -
COPT - Cyber Sponsor -
MANTECH - Host Committee
Prior Cocktails & Codebreakers Events
Cocktails & Codebreakers is an annual event co-hosted by the National Cryptologic Foundation (NCF) and the Intelligence and National Security Foundation (INSF) to pay tribute to cryptologists and codebreakers - acknowledging our rich cryptologic history and its impact on cybersecurity today.
In 2022, the NCF and INSF co-hosted the inaugural Cocktails & Codebreakers. The event is held each year in Hanover, Maryland.
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The 3rd Annual Cocktails & Codebreakers event - co-hosted by the National Cryptologic Foundation (NCF) and the Intelligence and National Security Foundation (INSF) celebrated "Men and Women in Cryptology" and featured a Fireside Chat with Mr. Harry Coker Jr., White House National Cyber Director and Gen Timothy D. Haugh, USAF, Commander, U.S. Cyber Command; Director, National Security Agency/Chief, Central Security Service. A second Fireside Chat featured Mr. Montel Williams, military veteran/retired cryptologic officer (US Marines & Navy), actor & motivational speaker. Both Chats were moderated by Mr. Steve Scully, journalist and host & anchor of "The Briefing with Steve Scully" on Sirius XM POTUS 124. The program also included special awards for two NCF Ambassador Program educators and a book signing by National Cryptologic Museum Director Vincent Houghton, PhD. Click on the event title or photo for the Recap Page.
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The 2nd Annual Cocktails & Codebreakers event - co-hosted by the National Cryptologic Foundation (NCF) and the Intelligence and National Security Foundation (INSF) celebrated "Men and Women in Cryptology" and featured a Fireside Chat with guest speakers The Honorable Ronald S. Moultrie, Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence & Security (USDI&S) and GEN Paul M. Nakasone, Commander, U.S. Cyber Command; Director, National Security Agency; Chief, Central Security Service. Our Fireside Chat was moderated by Greg Myre, NPR National Security Correspondent. Author Jason Fagone also joined us and signed copies of his book about Elizebeth Friedman. Click for the Recap & Photos page.
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The 2022 program honored women codebreakers and coincided with the U.S. Postal Service release of a special Women Cryptologists of WWII forever stamp. The event featured special guests Ms. Kemba Walden, the first Principal Deputy National Cyber Director, Office of the National Cyber Director and Mr. Bill Nye, an American science educator and inventor. See a full recap of the 2022 program - including photos and video.
