Meet our Executive Team
John R. Sciandra, is a 30-year veteran of the information technology business. He is founder and CEO/President of NACON Consulting, LLC a provider of distance learning solutions to the federal government. His IT career began while serving in the U.S. Army Special Operations where he designed and built complex mission support systems. After retiring from the Army he worked as a software engineer and chief architect. Shifting focus to concentrate on computer security, Mr. Sciandra worked at the U.S. Army CERT as an IA engineer and incident handler where he built a cyber forensics lab, supported a joint task force investigation and assisted the FBI in tracking down an international hacker. After forming NACON and working on Information Assurance contracts within the DOD, Mr. Sciandra shifted the company focus to fill a need in providing hands on style training solutions and this continues to be his passion. Mr. Sciandra holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Computer Science from Park University and a Master of Science degree in Information Security from James Madison University. Mr. Sciandra is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). As President and CEO, he continues to strive to offer creative solutions.
Belinda H. Sciandra is Vice President, Human Resources Officer and Contracts Supervisor for NACON. In this capacity, she leads HR operations and defines HR policies for the company’s employees and is responsible for overseeing all government contracts. In addition, she assists with PR and community relations. Ms. Sciandra earned a BA degree in Government and International Affairs from Florida State University and is a member of the National Press Club.
Kent Leonard serves as the Chief Operating Officer of NACON, reporting to the CEO, where his driving mission is delivering corporate guidance as well as day-to-day operational management. Kent provides direction regarding the design, development, and implementation of tactical and strategic directives to align NACON’s activities with their overarching objectives and corporate strategy. Kent Leonard is an accomplished information technology and operations leader who has been immersed in the distance learning and transaction-based technology industries since 1995. Kent’s prior leadership experience includes 12 years with Blackboard, Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBB), a global leader in enterprise technology and distance learning. Expertise in distance learning market segments includes K-12, higher education, associations, corporations, and government. As a highly regarded professional he has advised and managed several hundred implementations throughout North America. Kent also brings broad operational experience ranging from strategic operations to professional services, training, installations and client support. Most recently he was Vice President of Product Delivery at Event Innovation, a progressive technology company deploying networking applications for identity management and business intelligence. Prior to Blackboard, Kent represented software services company, NYMA Inc. responsible for promoting and advancing of relations with the federal government through the design, development, and delivery of turnkey software solutions for the Department of Energy (DOE) and Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). Kent holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Tech and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
Lew Staples has been associated with NACON Consulting LLC since 2003 and now serves as Chief Financial Officer. He has over 30 years’ experience in commercial banking and international business, 10 of those years living and working overseas. He has served as CEO of a foreign bank, general manager of a foreign branch of a major U.S. bank, partner in a trade finance and asset-based lending company, partner in an international economic development company, and secretary/treasurer of a U. S. private direct investment company. Lew was subsequently appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of International Bank for Investments and Development in Sofia, Bulgaria and later joined FLAG International, LLC, a company pursuing economic development throughout southeastern Europe. He has been a consultant in the United States and overseas to banks; companies in retail, technology, media, equipment leasing, and asset-based lending; central banks; privatization agencies; and non-profit organizations. He holds a Master of International Management degree from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Lafayette College. Lew is married to Dr. Irina Staples, a clinician specializing in infectious diseases. He has two sons and a daughter, all safely degreed and out of the house.
Grace Fishback is Controller for NACON, where she is responsible for facility management, HR Administration, annual budgeting, forecasting, business planning and analysis, financial reporting on all activities of the company and general accounting functions. Grace manages company-wide efforts to implement new processes and procedures and to analyze and recommend changes for current financial policies and procedures. Grace joined NACON in 2006 and was named Controller in 2008. She comes to NACON from Nordstrom where she principally handled account management and problem resolution. With extensive knowledge and education of accounting and finance, Grace has over 18 years experience in management and accounting. |
