Cyber Resilience Across Critical Sectors: Safeguarding Miami-Dade’s Business Community, Utilities, Ports, and Infrastructure 

Dr. Lynette Cardoch is Moffatt & Nichol’s Vice President & Director of Resilience & Adaptation, leading collaborative efforts to deliver comprehensive resiliency solutions & adaptation services in the coastal zone. Remit covers three practices: Ports, Water, and Transportation. Services range from coastal planning (e.g., decision economics and strategic consulting) to engineering of nature-based (e.g., wetlands and beaches) and built infrastructure (e.g. maritime structures). She is a coastal ecologist with over 20 years of experience in regulatory and water policies, coastal restoration, and urban and coastal resiliency. With her technical qualifications and collaborative management style, her assignments include steering interdisciplinary teams of engineers, scientists, and regulators. She has also worked closely with coastal utilities and natural resource agencies on integrated planning and operationalizing resiliency, particularly for coastal protection, storm surge, and interior flooding. She is an active resident of Miami-Dade County, having participated on the Biscayne Bay Task Force. She also serves on the County’s Planning Advisory Board. She was appointed by Gov. DeSantis to the Florida Commission on Community Service, colloquially known as Volunteer Florida. In October 2021, she was appointed to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Science Advisory Board’s (SAB) Ecosystem Sciences and Management Working Group (ESMWG). Lynette also serves as a government relations liaison, interacting with elected and appointed officials, taking the science and engineering to the policy level. As a native Spanish speaker, she frequently participates in international efforts. 

Mike Asencio is the Director of the Cyber Policy Program at the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy. In this role, he manages the statewide CyberSecureFlorida Training Initiative, funded by Cyber Florida. His expertise spans AI, cybersecurity, cyber infrastructure resiliency, cyber safety, and public policy in the cyber domain, demonstrating his commitment to protecting digital landscapes.

Mike Asencio's career highlights his extensive expertise in working with government entities and private sector companies to develop innovative solutions for complex challenges. His work in cybersecurity resiliency and policy-making has been instrumental in shaping robust cybersecurity strategies and public policies. His dedication to public policy, cybersecurity, and community engagement continues to shape the future for a safer cyberspace.

Fluent in Spanish, Mike holds an M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction, Learning Technologies, and a B.A. from Florida International University.

Chris Carr brings over 18 years of experience at Crown Castle, where he has held diverse roles in Sales, Business Development, and Sales Management. He currently serves as Manager of Cyber Defense & Managed Solutions, based in Lake Worth, Florida. When he's not leading cybersecurity initiatives, you’ll likely find him on the golf course, enjoying his favorite pastime.

Jim Betzhold is the Chief Information Security Officer at the South Florida Water Management District; Jim oversees the District's Cybersecurity and Application Security Teams. Jim’s technical acumen spans across multiple domains encompassing cybersecurity, networking technologies, electronic systems design, and software and hardware development. He excels in architecting IT and critical infrastructure systems, ensuring a balance between business requirements and robust cybersecurity controls. He is recognized for his pivotal role in establishing a comprehensive security strategy that effectively safeguards the organization's IT and OT critical infrastructure.