Scott A. Anderson of Forge Institute

Scott Anderson will share his unique pathway into a cyber career.

He will also discuss "Arkansas Cyber" and the Forge Institute, the latter of which he is the Executive Director.

Biography:

As the Executive Director of the Forge Institute, Scott leads the development and execution of the organization’s numerous innovation, training and cyber operations programs. In addition, Scott is responsible for partnership development, stakeholder engagement, and he oversees compliance of our national security collaborations. 

Prior to joining Forge Institute, Major Scott A. Anderson retired as Commander of the 223rd Cyberspace Operations Squadron of the 189th Airlift Wing of the Arkansas Air National Guard. In this role, Scott was responsible for standing up the organization on orders from SECAF and leading all aspects of the Cyber Operations Mission, including change management, leadership, and partnership development. Scott is results-driven and highly focused on developing and executing business strategies, including building relationships or coalitions to achieve mission success.

Scott enlisted in the United States Air Force as a Communications and Navigations Apprentice. After serving Active Duty for 8 years, he joined the Arkansas Air National Guard, where he cross-trained to Cyber Systems Operations. In 2008, he was commissioned as an Intelligence Officer. After Qualifying as a Mission Operations Commander (MOC), he became an Instructor, MOC Subject Matter Expert, Chief of Standards and Evaluations; executing hundreds of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) missions supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He also served in/as Joint Incident Awareness and Assessment Team, Cyber Conversion Officer, Information System Security Officer, Physical Security Manager, Personnel Security Manager, Communications Security Responsible Officer, and Intelligence Oversight Manager. Scott was born and raised in Washington State and after graduating from Woodland High School, he graduated with honors from ITT Technical Institute, earned a BS in Industrial Technology from SIU, and a Masters in Science in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas. Scott lives in Central Arkansas with his wife Laura, they have four children. Scott was deployed to Columbia supporting Counter Drug Operations as well as Haiti after the devastating earthquake in 2009. 

Key Accomplishments

• Masters of Science in Operations Management, University Of Arkansas

• Retired USAF Major, Commander Cyberspace Operations Squadron, responsible for leading change and leading people

• Arkansas Traveler, Designated as a goodwill ambassador for the State of Arkansas

• Built the AF’s most agile and relevant cyber training unit, after direction from SECAF

• Multiple Awards and Decorations including three Meritorious Service Medals