Maria Thompson has led North Carolina government’s cybersecurity organization for the past six and a half years, and it has been quite an amazing run. Back in 2015, I interviewed Maria, along with the N.C. state CIO at that time, Chris Estes. They shared their visions, and an ambitious state government technology road map.
Now, as Ms. Thompson moves to the private sector, she leaves behind a long list of accomplishments and awards, but more important, she has built a cybersecurity program that offers a national model for others to emulate. In my experience, Maria’s passion for excellence and genuine results are rarely matched in government, and her humor and positive approach only amplify her strong cyber knowledge and many skills — learned from years in military leadership.
Maria is a team player who has built many partnerships, and these relationships have yielded great results. I always enjoy working with Maria on projects, and hear the same from others all over the country. Here is an example of a speech that Maria gave:
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