A solution is only as valuable as the foundation it stands on. That's why relationships matter, and why we go the extra mile to truly understand our clients' unique business needs.
Challenges are opportunities for success. Together, we'll lay the foundation for success that will last.
Leadership
Ande Smith
President
Ande leverages his wealth of government and private sector experience to support higher education.
Ande has served as CIO for the state of Maine and CTO for the state of Connecticut. He's also acted as CISO for large private sector organizations.
He accepted his BS in Nuclear Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a Masters of Public Affairs from the University of Connecticut, and earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Maine School of Law.
Mary Natale
Chief Operating Officer
Mary provides support for Delivery Services and Operations.
She has over 30+ years of extensive IT, Cybersecurity, Risk, Compliance & Audit and Regulatory experience. Her previous experience with a multinational global bank allows her to offer Deer Brook's leadership team a unique and effective perspective.
Mary earned her BSBA in Computer Information Systems from Suffolk University.
Brendan D. Travis
VP of Business Development
Brendan is a business-minded solutions advisor bringing over 20 years of experience in security, risk, and compliance focused on organizations who are committed to protecting sensitive information and minimizing business disruption.
Collaborating with cross-functional, multi-disciplinary teams, Brendan reconciles organizational business drivers to satisfy compliance obligations and mitigate cybersecurity risk.
He is Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC), is a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), and holds an MBA from Clarkson University. He recently achieved certification as a CMMC Registered Practitioner (RP) in support of the Defense Industrial Base (DIB).
Tracie Bradbury
VP Audit, Advisory & Professional Services / CISO
Tracie leads our Audit, Advisory & Professional Services team to deliver tailored services.
Known for her personalized approach, Tracie helps organizations navigate complex regulatory landscapes, assess risk, and implement robust government frameworks. She also focuses on the human element of security, to ensure that clients understand how to effectively manage risks.
Tracie is a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).
Hope Jacobson
VP of Higher Education
Hope drives our Higher Education Services.
Hope's wealth of experience includes serving as assistant vice president of a large national bank and spending her earlier years as liaison between clients and departments.
With an interest for business process improvement, Hope is committed to providing success and satisfaction for clients.
RK Richards
Managing Director, Deer Brook Dynamics
RK's extensive experience includes leading large-scale ERP and financial system transformations across higher education, non-profit, K-12, and state and local government organizations.
With his unique blend of public accounting, financial management, and change management expertise, RK leads Deer Brook Dynamics in helping organizations translate technology investments into measurable outcomes.
