Our Team

When choosing which cyber security company will protect your business, it is critical to vet the leadership. Get to know our experts and what sets them apart from the competition.

Leadership
Advisory Board

Jarrett Kolthoff

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER/FOUNDER

Jarrett Kolthoff, CEO & Founder of SpearTip, emerged as an internationally recognized cybersecurity expert, keynote speaker, and entrepreneur shortly after leaving military service as a Counterintelligence Agent. The SpearTip team responds to cyber intrusions across the globe and protects our clients 24/7 with our ShadowSpear Platform, focusing on protecting Enterprise corporations and Managed Service Providers.

Jarrett holds a BA in Political Science & Economics Rockhurst University and a Masters in International Relations from Troy State University. Jarrett brings real world experience backed by numerous technical certifications, including Sans Global Information Assurance Certification–Forensic Analyst (GCFA) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

Joe Hoosech

VICE PRESIDENT

A decorated member of the United States Marine Corps, Joe attained the rank of Master Sergeant (E-8) before retiring from active duty in 2005. At SpearTip, Joe is tasked with continually improving internal processes, as cybersecurity strategies and tactics adapt, evolve and change seemingly by the minute. Joe’s dedication and commitment to every organization the company serves can be seen across multiple disciplines ranging from Incident Responses, Assessments, and Digital Forensics, to Managed Detection and Response.

Chris Fava

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

When it comes to finances, Chris makes the numbers work at SpearTip. Chris brings over three decades of accounting and business experience to the SpearTip team, after having worked in Construction and Commercial Real Estate for most of his career. Chiefly among Chris’ duties are annual budgeting, creation of monthly financial statements, and external reporting to financial institutions and other outside entities, as well as both short- and long-term strategic and financial planning.

William Ekiss

PRINCIPAL SECURITY ENGINEER

A Benedictine College alumnus, Mr. Ekiss holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology and a Master of Science in Cybersecurity. Because of his desire to continually grow in the field of cybersecurity, he continues to attend training courses to build on his already in-depth understanding of digital forensics, while also staying current with new technologies in a rapidly changing field. Mr. Ekiss holds the industry recognized Magnet Certified Forensic Examiner (MCFE) certification. He is also actively involved in Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Axiom Magnet Forensics.

Timothy Reboulet

PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT

Timothy Reboulet has over 20 years of international and domestic law enforcement experience. As a Senior Special Agent with the United States Secret Service, Tim has served on the Presidential Details of President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama and more recently focused on federal cyber security risk detection and mitigation. Tim’s cyber background includes leading the USSS Electronic Crimes Task Force inclusive of government and corporate participants and assignments to Europol (European Cyber Crime Center —EC3) and Critical Systems Protection division. Tim will take over SpearTip’s Advisory Services and assist organizations with both pre and post breach scenarios.

Debbie Scott

DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION

A United States Marine Corps Veteran, Debbie achieved the rank of Sergeant E-5 before her retirement in 1991, but continued to advance her career with a Bachelor of Science Business Management degree from Northern Kentucky University. Utilizing her planning and event management skills, Debbie organizes and arranges casework for our Security Operations Center. She enables processes to run smoothly and is a driving force for SpearTip’s success. Debbie takes on different roles every day to ensure SpearTip’s administrative sector is flowing as efficiently as possible by working in tandem with the engineers in our Security Operations Center.

Charles Tony

REGIONAL DIRECTOR - MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

Charles Tony has 15 years of experience working closely with private and public sector clients in the Middle East to develop robust and future-ready technology solutions that reduce business operational costs, increase bottom-line benefits, and enhance brand value. His areas of expertise include Smart Cities, the Internet of Things (IoT), Cybersecurity, Energy, and Sustainability Management. Skilled in market research, business development, consultative sales, Go to market strategy, and technical design development for SaaS-based applications.

Kip Woods

DIRECTOR, SOFTWARE ENGINEERING

Kip brings 2+ decades of multi-discipline IT experience into his role of leading the Product Management and Software Engineering teams through clear communication and focused collaboration. His background in Infrastructure, Service Management, Project Management, and leadership provide a well-rounded pool of knowledge for tackling strategic and tactical challenges. At SpearTip, Kip is primarily charged with supervising the enhancement and maintenance of the ShadowSpear Platform.

Joshua Peebels

DIRECTOR, SECURITY OPERATIONS CENTER

As Director of Security Operations overseeing the ShadowSpear department, Joshua Peebels leads multiple teams of diverse and skilled engineers and analysts as they work 24/7 to secure, monitor, and advise partners on security best-practices. Utilizing a developed think-on-his-feet skillset from professional Improvisation Acting, along with a strong communication background as an American Sign Language Interpreter, Joshua provides a unique leadership style that focuses on partner-first relationships and a desire to consistently enhance and grow his team. Outside the office, Joshua champions apprenticeship programs to promote industry growth and to give back to his personal entry into the Cyber Counterintelligence landscape.

DJ Hoeksema

MANAGER, SECURITY OPERATIONS CENTER

As the Manager of the ShadowSpear platform, DJ leads multiple teams of Analysts and Engineers in protecting SpearTip's Partners 24/7. Together with his teams, the SOC detects, analyzes, and prevents hundreds of Cyberattacks daily leveraging the ShadowSpear Platform to defeat threat actors. DJ brings years of IT experience and hands-on Security Experience to his role. As a leader, DJ promotes hands-on learning, laboratory engagements, and reviewing previously found security incidents. Outside of work, DJ spends a lot of time on DIY projects renovating his home.

Craig Palubiak

Craig is a renowned corporate executive, business owner (of national and global firms), management consultant, author, adjunct professor, and speaker who focuses on building start-up and growth companies, identifying new markets, expanding through both organic and M&A growth, and facilitating ownership transitions.

Craig’s numerous specialties include service within several industries, including financial, manufacturing, distribution, service, construction, education, software, publishing, healthcare, technology, and cyber counterintelligence.

Throughout his career, Craig has delivered hundreds of workshops and presentations globally. He earned his Master’s degree in Business Administration in Finance and Marketing from Northern Illinois University and his Bachelor’s in Business from University of Missouri.

As a member of SpearTip’s Advisory Board, Craig lends his expertise on numerous business growth strategies.

Bill Linnenbringer

In his 32-year career with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a registered public accounting firm, Mr. Linnenbringer held numerous leadership positions, including managing partner for the U.S. banking and financial services industry practice, chairman of the global financial services industry practice, and member of the firm's policy board and world council of partners.

Mr. Linnenbringer also served on the Board of Directors of SunTrust Banks, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange listed financial services company, before retiring in 2016. He also served as a director of TeleTech Holdings, Inc., and chairs its audit committee. In the community, Mr. Linnenbringer supports Education with a scholarship fund for undergraduate students at his alma mater, University of Missouri.

Brian Bonner

Mr. Bonner served as Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Texas Instruments from January 2000 to May 2014. In this role, Mr. Bonner managed the business processes and technology for the corporation and was a member of the company’s strategy leadership team. During his 33-year tenure, Mr. Bonner served Texas Instruments in several executive roles with positions in product P+L management, worldwide marketing, and acquisition integration.

Mr. Bonner is known as a technology-driven, C-Suite leader with a record of managing a broad range of businesses, operations, and technology product development for global corporate enterprises. Mr. Bonner holds an M.B.A. in Marketing and Finance from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, an MSEE and BSEE from the University of Michigan, and a B.A. in Physics from Kalamazoo College.

David Major

Mr. Major graduated from Syracuse University in 1965 with a degree in the life sciences, after which he served in the US Army as a Captain in Armor Branch for 5 years before being appointed an FBI Special Agent. He served in four Field Offices as well as three assignments at FBI Headquarters.

Mr. Major has made a life-long commitment to the practice and study of counterintelligence and its subset, counterterrorism, making him one of the nation's top experts on the subject. His views and advice are sought after by the government, private companies, and global media.

Upon retiring from the FBI in 1994, Mr. Major founded the Centre for Counterintelligence and Security Studies (CI Centre) to provide high-quality counterintelligence, counterterrorism, and security training for the government and corporate sectors. The CI Centre has developed numerous training courses and has trained over 100,000 people in counterintelligence, intelligence, counterterrorism, and investigative skills.

Jerry McElhatton

Experienced President with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology, operations and services industry. Strong business development professional skilled in Transition Management, Risk Management, Business Development, Venture Capital, and Competitive Analysis.

Jerry has extensive management, technology, and consulting experience and is extremely knowledgeable of global financial and payment services, as well as operational process improvement programs. He has successfully completed numerous global and domestic assignments in Financial Institutions, Manufacturing, and for Technology and BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) providers. He has recruited top talent and built teams of resources to successfully manage and implement major strategic global technology systems throughout his career.

Mike Fagan

Michael Fagan served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri for 25 years, until February 2008, and now consults on domestic and transnational criminal law and procedure, anti-money laundering, counterterrorism, intelligence, and emergency planning issues. In his tenure, Mike served as a Special Attorney to the United States Attorney General from 1995 to 1997.

As Coordinator of the Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council in 2001, Mike governed regional counterterror efforts for over six years and continues today as a Special Advisor to the Missouri Office of Homeland Security, as well as a member of the St. Louis Regional Response System Advisory Board. The Department of Justice conferred on Mike the National Exceptional Service Award and the EOUSA Director’s Award.

Paul Schnoebelen

MANAGING DIRECTOR AND PRESIDENT - THE FORTUNE GROUP LLC

Paul has over 35 years of investment banking experience in advising corporate clients and their owners in the evaluation and completion of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, recapitalizations and a variety of capital raising transactions. He has represented clients in a wide range of industries including business services, branded consumer products/services, industrial manufacturing/distribution and healthcare services. Paul has extensive expertise in working with and understanding the unique characteristics of founder- and family-owned businesses.

He is also President of FG Capital, The Fortune Group’s FINRA-registered broker-dealer subsidiary. Paul currently holds Series 24, 82 and 63 securities licenses.

Paul holds an MBA from the Harvard Business School and a BS in civil engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology (formerly University of Missouri-Rolla).

Rapid Response

ShadowSpear Platform

Advisory Services