IT & Cybersecurity Operations Leader · ISSM · 18+ Years DoD
travis@buteranet.com · buteranet.com
I am a U.S. Navy Senior Chief (E-8) with 18+ years managing mission-critical enterprise IT and cybersecurity programs in support of submarine forces — one of the most demanding operational environments in the Department of Defense (DoD). I currently serve as Cyber Assistant, Information System Security Manager (ISSM), and Cyberspace Workforce Program Manager at Commander, Submarine Squadron ONE (COMSUBRON ONE), responsible for cybersecurity posture across seven operational fast-attack submarines.
My record is built on turning around failing programs, executing high-stakes inspections under pressure, and developing technical teams that perform when it matters. I contributed to the highest-scoring Fleet Cyber Command cyber inspection in submarine history — recognized with a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal from the Commodore.
In a single year, I executed three cyber inspections and one Key Management Infrastructure (KMI) inspection — all satisfactory or better. I have also co-authored occupational standards at the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) level for the Information Technology Networks (ITN) rate.
I hold a B.S. in Information Technology from Purdue Global, Summa Cum Laude (December 2025), and I am on a deliberate path toward Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and CISSP certification as I transition to the civilian sector. My planned retirement is October 2027.
Alongside active duty, I build production software. The Combat Information Center (CIC) project at github.com/tdbutera/cic is a production AI orchestrator I architect and maintain on my own time — 10 containerized services, a 9-gate CI/CD pipeline, and a privacy routing layer designed using the same least-privilege principles I enforce as an ISSM. It is publicly auditable evidence of hands-on technical depth, not just leadership of technical teams.
Beyond active duty responsibilities, I architect and ship production infrastructure software — publicly auditable evidence of hands-on technical depth alongside senior leadership experience.
A production artificial intelligence (AI) orchestrator built in Python 3.12 with FastAPI, Anthropic Claude tool-use, and real integrations to Cloudflare and OPNsense firewall application programming interfaces (APIs). Features a 9-gate Continuous Integration/ Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipeline, strict typing, 100 percent test pass rate, and a two-tier privacy routing layer that keeps sensitive data off public AI APIs — directly applicable to classified and cleared environments.
View on GitHubA founder-operated managed services provider (MSP) serving churches, nonprofits, and small businesses across Hawaii. Enterprise-grade network infrastructure, layered security (CrowdSec inbound + Maltrail outbound), structured cabling, Wi-Fi engineering, and 24x7 monitoring — deployed at small-organization budgets. Active engagements include a faith organization deployment, a small business network refresh (reference architecture), and an ongoing nonprofit consultation. Four-layer managed service model with a documented 5-phase engagement process: discovery, assessment, design, deployment, and managed operations.
Visit msp.buteranet.comA standalone product company building, deploying, and managing private on-premise AI appliances for organizations that cannot use cloud AI — churches, law firms, medical practices, government contractors, faith-based nonprofits. Local large language model (LLM) inference (vLLM and Ollama), Qdrant vector database, IBM Docling document understanding, LlamaIndex agent orchestration, and Neo4j knowledge graphs — running entirely behind the client's firewall. Zero data egress by architecture, not by policy. Self-healing infrastructure — a private AI appliance that knows your organization's content, operates fully offline, and serves your entire staff without per-query billing.
Visit intelligence.buteranet.comTargeted at cleared defense firms — Leidos, SAIC, Booz Allen Hamilton, GDIT, Peraton. Emphasizes TS/SCI handling, full RMF/ATO lifecycle, ACAS/VRAM compliance, eMASS, inspection leadership, and ISSM authority across multiple platforms.
Download — butera_issm_v2.pdfBuilt for corporate, healthcare, finance, and defense-adjacent roles. Leads with enterprise infrastructure scope: 7-site operations, $5.1M in managed assets, 100% uptime performance, and a 32-person technical development track record.
Download — butera_itdirector_v2.pdfFull USAJobs-format resume optimized for federal hiring. Includes veterans' preference documentation, KSA language, and complete career history formatted for 2210 IT series positions at NSA, CYBERCOM, DIA, DHS, DISA, and Navy civilian billets.
Download — butera_federal_2page.pdfTailored for private sector opportunities in technology leadership, cybersecurity, and enterprise IT. Translates military experience into civilian business impact and strategic value.
Download — butera_private_resume.pdfAdditional versions available upon request · Email me directly and I will send the right version.
| Certification | Issuer | Status | Target / Earned |
|---|---|---|---|
|
CompTIA Security+ CE
DoD 8570 Baseline · IAT Level II
|
CompTIA | In Progress | Renewal · Target: Q4 2026 Priority |
|
CISM
Certified Information Security Manager
|
ISACA | In Progress | Target: Q4 2027 |
|
PMP
Project Management Professional
|
PMI | Planned | Target: 2028 |
|
CISSP
Certified Information Systems Security Professional
|
(ISC)² | Planned | Target: 2029 |
|
KMI KOAM
Key Management Infrastructure — Operator
|
DoD / Navy | Active | Earned: March 2022 |
|
CANES Administrator SW3/SW4
Consolidated Afloat Networks & Enterprise Services
|
Navy (NEC 735A) | Active | Earned: August 2024 |
|
ISSM
Information Systems Security Manager
|
Navy (NEC 741A) | Active | Earned: December 2020 |
My planned retirement is October 2027. If you are a hiring manager, recruiter, or senior contact who has told me to reach out — this is the page I will keep current. The certification tracker above reflects exactly where I am in my professional development path.
Open to cleared contractor, federal civilian, and corporate IT/cyber leadership roles. Preference for Tennessee post-retirement — open CONUS.
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Book a 30-min Discovery CallNo commitment — just a conversation about fit and timing.
After executing full Risk Management Framework (RMF)/Authority to Operate (ATO) lifecycles across seven operational submarines, I have learned that the framework’s biggest gaps are not technical — they are organizational. Here is what most contractors get wrong before the package even hits the Information System Security Manager (ISSM)’s desk.
Read Post →The question I get most from recruiters: "How does running networks on a submarine translate to enterprise IT?" The honest answer is that the technical skills are table stakes. What actually transfers is the operational discipline that civilian environments rarely demand.
Read Post →Most commands fail cybersecurity inspections not because of technical gaps — but because of preparation failures that happen weeks before the inspector arrives. Six failure modes I have watched repeat across every inspection cycle.
Read Post →I have spent 18+ years telling engineers what is wrong with their security posture. Last year, I became the engineer. Building CIC — a production AI orchestrator for my home infrastructure — I applied every RMF control I enforce professionally. Here is what I found when I ran my own audit.
Read Post →My CompTIA Security+ CE expired in 2018. Every recruiter notices. Here is the honest explanation — no excuses — and what coming back to foundational material after eight years in the field taught me about the gap between certification knowledge and operational reality.
Read Post →Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES) is not a single system — it is a multi-enclave, multi-classification network architecture deployed across the U.S. Navy surface and submarine fleet. Here is what managing it at the technical level actually taught me about resilience, authentication, and continuous auditability.
Read Post →The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 compliance industry has created a market for fear. Most small defense contractors are being oversold complexity on requirements that a disciplined internal effort can address in 90 days. Here is what Level 2 actually requires and where to start.
Read Post →“When I go to war, I am taking Chief Butera. He will be my DOOW as this steel stallion gallops through the gates of hell.”
“A frocked Senior Chief already recommended for Master Chief — promote at first opportunity.”
“My number one of five highly competitive First Class Petty Officers on a flag staff — select him now.”
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Travis D. Butera — U.S. Navy Senior Chief (E-8)
Information System Security Manager (ISSM) · 18+ Years DoD Enterprise IT & Cybersecurity · Active TS/SCI
All figures based on base salary. Open to discussing full compensation package including benefits, clearance premium, and remote flexibility.
Professional references are available upon request, provided through official channels in accordance with Department of Defense (DoD) privacy requirements. I can provide direct supervisor contacts and peer references from both current and previous commands. Please request via email and I will respond within 24 hours.