Zach Fuller
Managing Partner, Head of Business Operations & Strategy
Zach Fuller is a founding partner of Silent Sector, where he leverages his diverse business background and experience as a former U.S. Army Green Beret to help protect mid-market and emerging companies. His career includes success in real estate investment, where he helped raise over $300 million in private capital to fuel an Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Private Company.
Lauro Chavez
Managing Partner, Head of Cybersecurity Strategy & Research
Lauro Chavez is a founding partner of Silent Sector and a privacy advocate with over 20 years of experience in system engineering, architecture, and GRC. Following an extensive career supporting the U.S. Army and the Department of Defense on high-level sensitive projects, he now leverages his deep expertise in cybersecurity and network integrity to protect his clients.
Jennifer Hicks
Director of Operations
Jennifer Hicks is the Director of Operations at Silent Sector, bringing more than two decades of experience across operations, healthcare, sales, and regulatory compliance. Her healthcare background has provided her with a strong understanding of HIPAA requirements, responsible data handling, and the importance of balancing security, compliance, and operational efficiency. She applies that experience to help clients navigate engagements smoothly, improve internal processes, and receive responsive, well-coordinated support.
Taylor Pasanello
Director of Strategic Growth
Taylor is the Director of Strategic Growth at Silent Sector, bringing a distinctive background in digital asset management, business development, sales strategy, and emerging technologies—from infrared sensing and blockchain to physical security architecture. This breadth of experience has cultivated a unique perspective on how novel technologies align with business strategy, where the most significant risks lie, and how to scale solutions for customers without introducing unnecessary complexity.
Brian Contario
Principal Cybersecurity Architect & Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO)
Brian Contario was Silent Sector’s inaugural customer at the company’s founding. The impact was so profound that he felt called to join the Silent Sector mission himself. Today he leverages that firsthand experience and unique background to help dozens of organizations achieve and maintain their cybersecurity goals. Brian brings 35 years of experience in enterprise software development and IT, as well as 25 years of securely architecting and operating public-facing SaaS applications with high-profile customers and high-value assets.
Rachel Atkinson
Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO)
Rachel Atkinson is a Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) with over 15 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity across higher education, healthcare, aerospace, defense, and the global enterprise landscape. She specializes in helping organizations navigate complex compliance and risk environments, including SOC 2, HITRUST, HIPAA, and GDPR. Rachel is passionate about building practical security programs that protect critical assets while enabling sustainable growth.
Ian Schleuter
Enterprise Architect and CISSP
Ian Schlueter is an Enterprise Architect and CISSP with over 30 years of IT and cybersecurity experience supporting global Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies. His background in systems integration, architecture, governance, and IT service management is grounded in TOGAF, COBIT, and ITIL principles. Drawing on this experience, he helps clients implement right-sized, low-complexity security and compliance programs that support their business objectives.
Claire Thomas
Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO)
Claire Thomas is a vCISO at Silent Sector with more than three decades of experience in technology, governance, and project delivery. Her cybersecurity expertise includes governance, risk, and compliance (GRC), IT controls, audit readiness, risk management, and secure technology initiatives. A CISA- and CRISC-certified professional, Claire has led enterprise projects involving PCI compliance, payment-card tokenization, data and systems migrations, and control development. She combines technical and operational expertise with disciplined program leadership to help organizations build efficient, auditable environments that reduce risk and strengthen cybersecurity resilience.
Jodie Minear
Senior Project Coordinator
Jodie Minear is the Senior Project Coordinator at Silent Sector, bringing more than a decade of customer service and managerial experience, along with a strong understanding of client needs. Her professional discipline also extends to the fitness industry, where she has earned her pro card in figure bodybuilding—an accomplishment that reflects her commitment to peak performance, goal-oriented work, and consistent results.