McCrary Institute welcomes former secretary of homeland security and national security executive to advisory board
Published: Aug 19, 2025 1:25 PM
By Staff report
The McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security at Auburn University announced the addition of two distinguished national security leaders to its advisory board: the sixth secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and current president of Lighthouse Strategies Kirstjen Nielsen and Auburn alumnus James Hoskins, a renowned former U.S. Air Force intelligence leader and visionary business executive who grew Scitor Corporation into a mission-critical national intelligence company until its acquisition by SAIC.
As board members, Nielsen and Hoskins will serve as senior advisors to the Institute, bringing deep experience from the highest echelons of national security and private-sector leadership. They join an already distinguished roster of advisors, including corporate executives, senior government officials and Auburn University leadership.
The McCrary Institute is dedicated to defending the systems that underpin our national and economic security, our communities and our way of life. Positioned at the intersection of policy, applied research and public‑private partnerships, the Institute serves as a trusted convener of national leaders — shaping strategy, aligning priorities and delivering real‑world cybersecurity solutions to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure.
From its policy hub in Washington, D.C., the Institute works closely with federal agencies, Congress and industry leaders to shape actionable public policy in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. In Auburn and Huntsville, its applied research teams develop and deploy practical solutions that help safeguard critical infrastructure systems across the Southeast and the nation.
“It’s a pleasure to welcome former Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen and Auburn’s own renowned engineer James Hoskins to our advisory board,” said Lt. Gen. Ronald L. Burgess Jr., McCrary Institute Advisory Board chairman and former director of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency. “Bringing on these renowned leaders in homeland and national security will only further our ability to help the McCrary Institute have a meaningful impact on our nation.”
“I am deeply honored to join the board of the McCrary Institute, a dynamic and mission-driven institution that not only leads in cybersecurity innovation and education but also stands as a national resource, shaping the future of policy, research and resilience,” said Nielsen. “The McCrary Institute stands out because it does not stop at ideas or theory — it ensures that innovation is tested against the realities of the field. By bringing operational context and real-world requirements into its work, the Institute grounds cyber policy, research and innovation in the challenges faced every day by operators and defenders of critical infrastructure. This ‘policy informed by practice’ approach ensures that strategies are not only conceptually sound but also executable, scalable and relevant. It is a privilege to contribute to such a unique and vital institution.”
“It’s an honor and privilege to serve Auburn University’s McCrary Institute,” said Hoskins. “The cybersecurity mission of the McCrary Institute is national in scope and priority. America’s future is in great hands considering the capabilities, personnel and facilities that have been assembled by McCrary with the aim to make a landmark difference.”
Frank Cilluffo, director of the McCrary Institute, praised the additions, saying the pair’s experience will strengthen the institute’s mission and its roster of national security leaders.
“I’m thrilled that Kirstjen and James are joining the McCrary Institute’s advisory board,” said Cilluffo. “They bring deep experience in national security, cybersecurity and public service — adding invaluable perspective to an already exceptional group. Their advice and counsel will help us strengthen our efforts to protect the critical infrastructure that underpins our nation’s security, economy and communities.”
The McCrary Institute’s advisory board members include:
Lt. Gen. Ronald L. Burgess – Chairman
Retired Director, U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency
Chief Operating Officer, Auburn University
William Ainsworth
Retired, Group President
Caterpillar Energy and Transportation
Janaki R.R. Alavalapati
Dean, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Auburn University
Michael A. DeMaioribus
DeMaioribus Technologies LLC
President Pro Tempore, Auburn University Board of Trustees
Mario Eden
Dean, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
Auburn University
Jim Heilbron
Senior Vice President and Senior Production Officer
Alabama Power Company
Richard Knop
Founder and Co-Managing Member
FedCap Partners LLC
Charles D. McCrary
Retired Chairman of the Board, Alabama Power Company
Chairman of the Board, Regions Financial Corporation
James Hoskins
Former Chairman and CEO
Scitor Corporation
Kirstjen M. Nielsen
Sixth Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
President, Lighthouse Strategies LLC
Christopher B. Roberts
President
Auburn University
Adm. Michael S. Rogers
Former Commander, U.S. Cyber Command
Former Director, National Security Agency
Zeke Smith
Executive Vice President, External Affairs
Alabama Power Company
Steven Taylor
Vice President, Research and Economic Development
Auburn University
Walt Woltosz
Co-Founder
Simulations Plus, LLC
About the McCrary Institute at Auburn University
The McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security at Auburn University is dedicated to defending the systems that power our national and economic security, our communities and our way of life. Positioned at the intersection of policy, applied research and public-private partnerships, the Institute serves as a trusted convener of national leaders — shaping strategy, aligning priorities and driving real-world cybersecurity solutions to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure. Learn more at McCraryInstitute.com.
Media Contact: , vnd0003@auburn.edu, 334.844.3447
