Joan Myers

Director of Cyber Technologies, Applied Research Associates (ARA)

Joan Myers is an entrepreneurial, politically astute leader who has a deep passion for innovation, a global perspective and a strong sense of patriotism and commitment to U.S. competitiveness.  Currently she serves as Director of SOF and Cyber Technologies for Applied Research Associates (ARA.)  Former positions include Director, Special Projects for the Partnership for Defense Innovation/Defense Security Technology Accelerator, Director, US. Policy for SAS and she served as President and CEO of the North Carolina Technology Association (NCTA.)

Ms. Myer’s strengths in “building bridges” between public officials and business leaders have been pivotal in shaping the Information Technology sector and returning value to companies.   Actively engaged in the global Eisenhower Fellowship program, Ms. Myers studied Cyber Security and Cyber Terrorism and led the effort to create the NC Defense and Security Technology Accelerator.

Joan was also appointed by President George W. Bush to serve on the Presidential Rank Review Board in 2004.  In 2010 she was the chief architect of a cyber test bed project for DHS that engaged a holistic security model of threat, training and policy constructs targeted to small and mid-sized businesses. Ms. Myers has a successful track record in building relationships with public officials at all levels and engaging in policy issues across the innovation spectrum. 

Ms. Myers team-building history and collaborative nature has given her a proven track record of performance, deep respect in her peer group and state and national recognition.  Upon coming to North Carolina in 1990, she managed the Celebration North Carolina Foundation.  In 1993, she finished an appointment as the Assistant Secretary for Administration for the North Carolina Department of Transportation and later served as Vice President of Government Affairs for the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce.

Joan is a member of the College of Computing and Information Technology Advisory Board at University of North Carolina-Charlotte, a Board Member of Innovate- Educate a national organization focused on STEM education a Board Member, RTP Chapter, of the National Association of Corporate Directors and a Board Member of the Wake Tech Community College Foundation. Other positions held include Past Chairman, Council of Regional Information Technology Associations (CRITA), a former Advisory Board member of the Engineering Entrepreneurs Program at North Carolina State University, a former Board member of the North Carolina Information Resource Management Commission, a former Board member of the Governor’s Commission on National and Community Service and NCFREE.

Joan is the winner of the 2007 Women of Achievement Award, 2003 Business Leader Magazine Woman Extraordinaire and was named one of the Top 25 Women in Business by the Triangle Business Journal in 2001.  In addition, she has been honored by the FBI for her support of the InfraGard Program (2003). Joan presently serves as the president of the North Carolina International Leadership Initiative of the Eisenhower Fellowships organization and is a member of the International Counterterrorism Association, NACD, the OSS Society and the Triangle Tea Society.