NOMINATION HIGHLIGHTS

It is a privilege to nominate Lance Taylor for Cyber Professional of the Year in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the cybersecurity profession, his trusted leadership, and his enduring commitment to mentorship, thought leadership, and operational excellence.

Lance is a highly respected cybersecurity leader with more than two decades of experience spanning military service, national intelligence, and enterprise security. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force and the National Security Agency (NSA), Lance has operated at the highest levels of cyber defense, supporting mission-critical national security initiatives and shaping long-term cyber strategy. He earned his commission as a Cyber Officer through the Air Force’s Airman’s Education and Commissioning Program while completing his degree in Computer Science, and later played a pivotal role in developing the Air Force’s modern cyber warfare training curriculum, which continues to influence cyber operations today.

In his current role leading Threat Intelligence at CLEAR, Lance is responsible for building and advancing intelligence-led security capabilities that proactively identify, assess, and mitigate emerging threats. His work strengthens CLEAR’s defensive posture through strategic threat intelligence, actionable insights, and risk-informed decision-making. Lance is widely recognized for his ability to translate complex threat data into meaningful business and security outcomes, ensuring leadership teams can act decisively in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

Beyond his operational leadership, Lance is a recognized thought leader within the cybersecurity community. He regularly contributes to local and national forums, sharing practical perspectives on intelligence-driven defense, threat modeling, and modern security operations. Through speaking engagements and industry dialogue, he helps bridge the gap between intelligence theory and real-world application, elevating the practice of cybersecurity across organizations.

Lance is equally distinguished by his dedication to mentorship and talent development. He actively supports emerging and mid-career cybersecurity professionals, offering guidance on technical growth, leadership development, and career progression. His mentorship is grounded in service, integrity, and approachability, empowering others to grow with confidence and purpose.

Lance Taylor exemplifies what it means to be a modern cyber professional: technically accomplished, strategically minded, and deeply invested in developing people and programs that create lasting impact. His career reflects sustained excellence, trusted leadership, and meaningful influence across both mission-driven and enterprise environments.

For these reasons, Lance Taylor is exceptionally deserving of recognition as Cyber Professional of the Year.