Decision-Zone Inc. Launches U.S. Subsidiary, Appoints Distinguished National Security Experts to Lead
Nov. 5, 2024 – Decision-Zone, Inc., a pioneering technology company based in Ontario, Canada, today announced the formation of its U.S. subsidiary, Decision-Zone USA, with the appointment of Dr. Starnes Walker as Chairman of the Board and Daniel Fata as Vice Chairman. This strategic move aims to directly engage with U.S. federal agencies, including the Intelligence Community and the Department of Defense, to address the pressing need for advanced autonomous technology solutions in national security.
Dr. Walker, currently serving as a Member with the Homeland Security Expert Group, brings a wealth of experience to Decision-Zone USA. His distinguished career includes roles as Chief Technology Officer and Technical Director for the U.S. Navy, where he was instrumental in establishing the U.S. Fleet Cyber Command and the U.S. 10th Fleet for OPNAV, as Director of Research at the Department of Homeland Security, and Executive Director and Chief Scientist at the Office of Naval Research for the Department of Navy. Walker previously served as the Founding Director of the University of Delaware Cybersecurity Initiative (UDCSI), with a key focus on corporate cybersecurity in the banking/ financial, energy, chemical, and electrical-grid industrial sectors. His vision and expertise will be invaluable in shaping Decision-Zone USA’s strategic direction.
Following the appointment of our new Chairman, Decision-Zone USA is also proud to introduce Mr. Daniel Fata as Vice Chairman of the Board. Mr. Fata brings nearly 30 years of distinguished experience in defense, government, and strategic advisory roles. Previously, Mr. Fata served as Vice President for Policy and Strategy Engagement at Lockheed Martin, where he directed initiatives in defense and industry strategy. His past government roles include Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Europe and NATO Policy, where he served as an advisor to two Secretaries of Defense on policy for Canada, Europe, Russia, Eurasia, NATO, and the EU. As President of Fata Advisory, LLC, he has continued to provide insight to government and private sector clients including dual-use technology companies. He is actively engaged with leading think tanks including CSIS, the Ronald Reagan Institute, and the Alexander Hamilton Society. Mr. Fata’s unique combination of defense expertise, policy experience, and strategic advisory capabilities positions him perfectly to help lead the company through its next phase of growth
Completing the current leadership appointments, Rear Admiral Mike Brown, USN (ret.) joins as the Chairman of the Advisory Board, bringing distinguished experience in cybersecurity and national security from both government and private sectors. Currently serving as Founder and President of Spinnaker Security LLC and Director at Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, Brown’s career includes pivotal roles at the Department of Homeland Security as Director of Cybersecurity Coordination and senior positions with the U.S. Navy, including Director of Information Operations for the Chief of Naval Operations. His private sector experience includes serving as President of RSA Federal LLC, where he also chaired the International Cybersecurity Forum at RSA Conference. Brown’s unique blend of military, government, and commercial cybersecurity expertise will be instrumental in guiding Decision Zone USA.
Decision-Zone USA will spearhead the deployment of the company’s groundbreaking DADA X platform, an autonomy platform that leverages a new method of computation called Event Computation. This innovative approach enables real-time decision-making at the edge of operations, revolutionizing multi-domain integration and command and control capabilities.
The DADA X platform is event-driven, programmed using an advanced language developed for DARPA at Stanford University. This language incorporates causal operators, enabling a level of speed, precision and explainability previously unattainable.
Decision-Zone USA is poised to play a crucial role in advancing U.S. military and intelligence capabilities. The company’s technology promises to address the integration of highly complex defense systems, accelerate decision cycles, and provide unprecedented levels of autonomy.
Dr. Starnes Walker
Chairman of the Board
Current Roles:
- Global Strategy Officer, Defense, Intelligence & Homeland Security
- Standing member of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) program for the National Academies.
- Member of the Homeland Security Experts Group, founded under the Aspen Institute and transitioned to MITRE.
Previous Roles:
- Chief Technology Officer and Technical Director, U.S. Navy; instrumental in establishing the U.S. Fleet Cyber Command and the U.S. 10th Fleet.
- DHS Director of Research, senior executive managing National Lab programs, 5 DHS laboratories, university programs, and 12 DHS Centers of Excellence.
- Executive Director – Office of Naval Research, Department of Navy
- Associate Director (National Security) – Argonne National Laboratory.
- Founding Director of the University of Delaware Cybersecurity Initiative, focusing on cybersecurity in critical sectors such as defense, banking and energy.
- Founding Senior Advisor for S&T at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, senior executive responsible for transitioning and deploying emerging technology, developing strategic global defense partnerships.
Daniel Fata
Vice Chairman of the Board
Current Roles:
- President, Fata Advisory, LLC
- Affiliated with think tanks: American Enterprise Institute, Council on Foreign Relations, CSIS
- Commissioner, congressionally-mandated Afghanistan War Commission (2022-present)
Previous Roles:
- Vice President for Policy and Strategy Engagement, Lockheed Martin (2017-2021)
- Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Europe and NATO Policy (2005-2008)
- Policy Director for National Security and Trade for Rep. Christopher Cox and Sen. Jon Kyl
- Vice President, The Cohen Group (global strategic advisory firm)
- 25+ years experience in Congress, Department of Defense, and defense industry
- Advisor to two Secretaries of Defense on policy for Canada, Europe, Russia, Eurasia, NATO, and EU
Michael Brown
Chairman of the Advisory Board
Current Roles:
- Founder and President, Spinnaker Security LLC; Director, Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston; Director, Achieve Cybersecurity Holdings LLC
Previous Roles:
- Served as the Director, Information Operations (Chief of Naval Operations), Deputy Director for Cryptology (CNO) and Special Assistant for Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) and Information Operations (Commander, Naval Network Warfare Command)
- Served as the Director, Cybersecurity Coordination, Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- President, RSA Federal LLC, responsible for RSA federal business, federal compliance and working with the US government
- Chair, International Cybersecurity Forum, RSA Conference