Chad Layfield, MSEE

Provides expert advisory support to the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense (MOD) in cybersecurity. Under the Global Defense Reform Program (GDRP), Assists the MOD’s Information Security Directorate in planning, establishing, and operationalizing a Cyber Defense Center (CDC). Advise on institutional development, technical requirements, organizational design, policy formulation, and workforce development necessary to build a sustainable and effective CDC. This effort supports broader U.S. government goals to enhance Bulgaria’s cyber defense capabilities, improve interoperability with NATO and U.S. defense systems, and strengthen ministerial-level governance and strategic planning in the cybersecurity domain. Coordinates with U.S. Embassy Sofia, Department of Defense entities, and other international stakeholders to ensure aligned and effective implementation of this critical capability!

Develops Cybersecurity Operations and Electromagnetic Warfare Strategies in the Middle East. Tain, Advise, Assist, and Mentor partner nation military leaders in cyberspace operations, electromagnetic warfare, intelligence, mine warfare, and interdiction operations.

Created and managed the US Navy's FIFTH Fleet FIRES cell responsible for the planning and execution of all Maritime Fires both Kinetic and Non-Kinetic in the Middle East Area of Responsible. • Managed and led 32 Navy and Army Officers, enlisted, and civilian experts in Information Operations (Cyber Operations, Electronic Warfare, Military Deception, Phycological Operations, Space, Operational Security, Counter-Unmanned Vehicles, and Strategic Communications) and Tomahawk Land Attack Missile. This high caliber team synchronized all Maritime Fires with all components in the CENTCOM AOR; the most active AOR in the DoD! • Supervised and led the Maritime FIRES and Information Warfare working groups developing over 30 actionable Concepts of Operations and Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures that were essential for mission success. • Metric Analysis - Conceived and implemented performance metric collection and analysis process. Identified gaps and solutions to improve force readiness. • Process Improvement – Developed and executed doctrine that defines how Naval forces conduct synchronized Maritime FIRES in the C5F AOR. • Program management – Managed the planning an execution of Counter Unmanned Systems in the region. Wrote joint doctrine and policy with other services and regional allies to combat this growing treat.

Responsible for the Manning, Training, and Equipping of all Naval Forces in Electronic Warfare, Cyber Operations, Cryptologic Warfare, Information Technology Support, Intelligence and Counter Unmanned Systems. • Consults with all Navy echelons on improving Information Warfare force readiness and training. • Reviews and provides subject matter expert advice on Information Warfare doctrine before it is released for implementation to the fleet. • Built a cross-functional team with all platform Type Commanders, Carrier Strike Groups, System Commands, Maintenance and training commands to identify Information Warfare afloat readiness issues and work to solutions.

Provided executive level leadership to 320 military and civilian personnel providing Cyber, Electronic Warfare, Cryptology, Intelligence, and Information Operations readiness support and training to naval forces world-wide while solely responsible for a $3.6M annual budget. • Training and Readiness. Responsible for the Information Warfare (Cyber, Cryptology, Electronic Warfare, Intelligence, and Operational Security) training and readiness for all surface and sub-surface Naval combatants in Norfolk, VA, Mayport, FL, Bahrain, and Rota Spain. • IT Project Management. Oversaw and directly responsible for the modernization, operational support and continued cyber hygiene of 2 Excepted Networks to include the purchase of portfolio management in direct support of two high demand operational entities. • Cyber Accreditation Management. Oversaw network accreditation and RMF assess-only projects, leading to achieving two major ATOs.

As a Wireless/RF Enginnering Program Manager, responsible for the technical management and support of engineering development projects within Apple’s Hardware (HW) division. The specific HW responsible for was cellular, WiFi/BT, Near Field Communication (NFC), BBHW along with the software (SW) required for signal processing, and antennas allowing us to Tx and Rx our valued data. Ensured our HW did not create emission interference with neighboring components and had physical integrity though our rigorous reliability testing. Responsible for enabling large cross-functional teams to deliver complex systems quickly and with high quality. Understood the who, what, and how of hardware and software system development, orchestrated all of it into a program plan and schedule, then successfully manage execution of the program plan. Here are the the major responsibilities of this role: • Support system definition and drive closure of architecture and technical options in the early stages of a project. • Identify and highlight technical risk areas and mitigation strategies in partnership with Apple technologists. • Cross-functionally communicate at a very senior level key developments and updates on new projects/products. • Grasp complex technical topics and abstract key issues and risks in an actionable form to upper management. • Establish and manage program feature baseline, scheduling, critical path, and technology risks areas for execution. • Lead cross-functional teams, including EE, PD, Software, Operations, NPO in engineering and validation activities. • Plan and execute product prototype builds in China. Briefed Apple Executives on status and progress on each phase of product build.

Led the largest command in the Information Warfare Training Domain responsible for 39 courses of instruction encompassing 15 Officers, 258 enlisted, 58 civilians, and 2,200 joint service students daily. Our team ensured the fleet and national sites worldwide received well trained service members. • Taught the Navy Cryptologic Officer’s most demanding milestone course in Cryptologic, Cyber and Electronic Warfare doctrine. • Oversaw the stand-up and ensured successful delivery of training for the Navy’s newest cryptologic collection and Electronic Warfare suites.

The ABET accredited BSEE courses I taught as an adjunct professor in the Electrical Engineering department prepared students to specialize in areas such as electronics, robotics, electronic-based communications, signal and image processing, controls, and power systems.