Cocktails & Codebreakers

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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). View a photo gallery of the event below.

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.

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.

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.