Steve Walker

Steve Walker, as President of Steve Walker & Associates and Managing Partner of Walker Ventures, augments the traditional investing model by offering his leadership and guidance to executives of his portfolio companies. Steve brings his strengths of strategic direction, technology vision, investment strategy and corporate organization to technology companies, and serves on several portfolio companies' Board of Directors. Steve consistently evaluates new investing opportunities and works with a network of individuals throughout the venture capital community to make another entrepreneur's dream a reality.

Steve was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Trusted Information Systems, Inc. (TIS), which he founded in 1983 with a modest investment of $30,000. Before its purchase by Network Associates in a deal valued at $350 million, TIS had become a publicly traded company, employed more than 350 people, and had offices throughout the world. Having its foundation in network security advanced research and development, the founders of TIS were responsible for creating revolutionary technologies including the world's most secure firewall, Gauntlet, and the first fully exportable encryption, RecoverKey.

Having been a 22-year veteran of the Department of Defense at the National Security Agency, the Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Steve was one of the elite members of a team responsible for the development of the ARPAnet , the legendary breakthrough messaging system that allowed the birth of the Internet and email, as we know them today.

Also to his credit, Steve has over 35 years of experience in system design and program management. He is nationally recognized for his pioneering work on the DoD Computer Security Initiative, establishment of the National Computer Security Center and the Defense Data Network, and has extensive experience with the design and implementation of large-scale computer networks and information systems.

In 1984, Steve received the Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Award, and in October 1988, he received the first National Computer System Security Award. In March 1995, Steve was the recipient of Federal Computer Week's "Federal 100 Award." In May 1998, he was the recipient of the KPMG High Technology Entrepreneur Award. The Governor of Maryland appointed Steve to the Maryland Technology Development Corporation Board of Directors in July 2000. He is a member of the President's Export Council Subcommittee on Encryption. Digital South Magazine recently named Steve one of "The Most Influential People in the New South's New Economy". Additionally, Steve is currently a member of the Board of Governors of Wesley Seminary.

Steve's academic credentials include an MS from University of Maryland and BS from Northeastern University, both degrees are in Electrical Engineering. He testifies regularly before the U.S. Congress and is widely accepted as an expert and leader in information security technology and policy. Steve belongs to several investment communities including The Capital Investors and the Venture One Advisory Board.