Mr. Samuel Allen – Director

Samuel Allen is a Computer Engineer within the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate, Information Assurance Branch (AFRL/RIGA). He graduated from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and the Information Assurance Internship/Advanced Course in Engineering (ACE) in 2012. He served as an Air Force Developmental Engineering Officer for 4 years before separating and starting work at AFRL/RI as a Federal Civilian employee in 2015. Samuel has previously worked as the ACE Lead Developer and Network Engineer. He is a Linux enthusiast and his favorite programming language is Golang. He is married with two children and enjoys cycling, reading, and playing card games.

Ms. Lauren Fossel – Deputy Director

Lauren Fossel is a Computer Scientist within the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate, Information Assurance Branch (AFRL/RIGA). She graduated from Williams College with a double major in computer science and astrophysics in June of 2022. She was a member of the 2020 virtual ACE class, and returned for two additional summers as a Graduate Assistant. Lauren, a Colorado native, enjoys running and adventure racing, most notably running rim to rim through the Grand Canyon and racing a half marathon up a 14,000 ft mountain.

Mr. Brady Shuck – ACE Exercise and Development Engineer

Mr. Brady Shuck is a Computer Science graduate from the University of Maryland Global Campus. Before joining the ACE staff, he completed the ACE program in 2021 and returned as a Graduate Assistant in 2022 and 2023. He currently works as an Exercise and Development Engineer and hopes to continue helping grow and improve the ACE program. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, coding, reminiscing about Maryland crabs, collecting useless facts, and playing video/tabletop games of all kinds.

Mrs. Wendy Carpenter – Griffiss Institute Director Of Internships

Wendy Carpenter is a graduate of SUNY Geneseo with a Bachelors of Science in Biology and minors in Education and Chemistry. Wendy has spent most of her career working in nontraditional educational settings and truly believes this is where she thrives. When not working, Wendy spends time at home with her husband, grown children and menagerie of pets. She also spends time volunteering at NEAR (Northeast Avian rescue), exploring her new home area of Central New York and indulging her passion for winemaking.

Mr. Eric Royer - Griffiss Institute Student Support Specialist

Eric Royer retired from the United States Army as a Military Police Soldier after 20 years of service. Eric’s last assignment was Fort Drum, NY. He deployed supporting Operations Joint Guardian (Kosovo), Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. My awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal x 2, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device, Army Commendation Medal x 6, Combat Action Badge, and the Air Assault Badge, and more. His military education includes the Domestic Violence Intervention Course, Sexual Harassment Assault and Response Prevention Leaders Course, Air Assault Course, the Army's Warrior, Advanced and Senior Leader's Courses, Military Transition Team Course, and Conventional Physical Security and Crime Prevention Course and the Department of Defense Facilities Engineering Course. After retirement, he worked to aide departing service members in their transition.

Ms. Ariana Belluscio - Griffiss Institute Project Support Associate

Ariana is the Project Support Associate in the Talent Division at Griffiss Institute. Ariana works to ensure all interns have an amazing and seamless experience. Ariana has a diverse educational background which includes an Associate's Degree in Business Administration as well as a Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy with a Minor in English Language. Ariana is currently working to advance her education further by obtaining a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources. She also has experience running multiple businesses in the 9th largest mall in the United States working as a General Manager. Through her diverse educational and occupational background, she has become an adept problem solver and critical thinker to excel in operational/project management and program logistics. In Ariana’s free time, she enjoys fully emerging herself into different cultures, through travel, trying/cooking new foods native to specific areas, and studying ancient history as well as native traditions.

Dr. Erich Devendorf – Advisor

Dr. Erich Devendorf is an advisor and previous Director of the Advanced Course in Engineering and AFRL/RI Cyber Exercise Lead. In these roles, he creates and executes multinational training exercises focused on the mission context of cyber and kinetic operations. His vision for mission-based training has transformed Air Force cyber warrior development and influenced military exercises. Dr. Devendorf’s support of aggressors squadrons has improved their ability to provide faithful threat emulation that challenges the current defensive cyber operations paradigm. He advocates a fundamental shift away from the defense of homogeneous systems to the maneuver of heterogeneous entities designed to complete the mission.

Col. Bill Gray, USAF (Ret.) – Advisor

Colonel Gray (USAF, Retired) retired from the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1991 after 30 years of service as a commissioned officer. During his time in the Air Force, he served in many positions including Headquarters, USAF (Chief of Intelligence Planning), United States Air Forces in Europe (Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence), and USAF Rome Laboratory (Director of Intelligence and Reconnaissance). After retiring from the Air Force, Colonel Gray served for 20 years in contractor research and development leadership positions supporting Air Force operations and intelligence. He is currently a member of the AFRL Volunteer Emeritus Corps. Colonel Gray is a graduate of Kent State University (Bachelor of Science, Mathematics Education) and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Master of Science, Management Science).

Col. Fred Wieners, USAF (Ret.) – Advisor

Fred Wieners is a retired Air Force officer who served for 29 years as a pilot and commander, a staff officer in the Pentagon, and as a professor and department chairman of military strategy and operations at the National War College in Washington DC. He also served as the Professor of Aerospace Studies commanding the ROTC officer commissioning program at Syracuse University. After retiring from the Air Force, Fred remained in uniform starting a Junior ROTC leadership and character education program at Rome Free Academy dedicated to ‘building better citizens for America.’ Fred currently serves as a faculty member facilitating various leadership development courses at the National Fire Academy for fire service Captains and Chiefs from around the nation. As a Federally Licensed Battlefield Guide he conducts numerous leadership staff rides for military, government and industry groups as well as ‘character development’ tours for educational groups using the Gettysburg National Military Park as the context for some insightful active experiential learning. He currently resides near Gettysburg with his wife Rita.