April 2026 Monthly Meeting: "Moving Up the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Without Blowing Your Budget"
2026-04-09 17:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
Please join us at our next Chapter meeting on Thursday, April 9th at The Madison Hotel, where we will host a powerhouse panel of cybersecurity leaders from diverse industries and maturity levels for an in-depth discussion on a topic that impacts every organization today: Moving Up the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Without Blowing Your Budget
This session will explore:

Why measurable maturity matters more than buying more tools
Barriers organizations face: resource gaps, complexity, compliance pressures
Securing executive buy-in with business-value-aligned strategies
Practical crawl/walk/run roadmaps
Leveraging fractional expertise, managed services, funding strategies
Real-world frameworks: NIST CSF, CIS Controls, ISO 27001

Goal: Every attendee will walk away with a realistic roadmap to improve cyber maturity regardless of industry, size, or risk profile. Special Thanks to Our Sponsor
We extend our sincere appreciation to Blue Mantis and Netwolves for generously sponsoring this meeting and supporting SIM New Jersey’s mission to foster learning, leadership, and community among technology executives.
Meet the Panelists Adrian Tilston – Cyber Program Lead, Resourcive
As Cyber Program Lead, Adrian serves as a conduit to bridge the gap between Finance, IT, and Procurement departments when it comes to assessing and executing on cybersecurity initiatives. His team helps clients build programs in line with their business goals and risks while ensuring security vendors are utilized to drive maximum value from those services.
Prior to joining Resourcive, Adrian served in the US Army Special Forces as a Green Beret, followed by developing security solutions as a government contractor before founding Proteus Advisors.
Adrian holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point, and his first introduction to cybersecurity was booting from a Backtrack live CD in 2006. Adrian is an avid sailor, and his drive is best illustrated by completing an Ironman distance triathlon (his first and last) 18 months after getting spinal fusion surgery. John Erickson – Director of IT Infrastructure & Cybersecurity, Berjé Inc.
John Erickson is the Director of IT Infrastructure & Cybersecurity at Berjé, Inc., a family‑owned supplier of flavors, fragrances, and essential oils headquartered in Carteret, New Jersey. He brings more than 30 years of broad IT experience spanning financial services, retail, consumer packaged goods (CPG), healthcare, and manufacturing.
In his current role, John leads both the infrastructure and cybersecurity functions, with a focus on technology platforms, security policies, procedures, operational controls, and continuous awareness programs designed to protect the organization and its data.
John is a Past President of the Society for Information Management, New Jersey Chapter (SIM NJ) and has served on its Executive Committee since 2017. Ken Fishkin, CISSP, CIPP/US, CIPM, CIPT – Associate Director of Information Security, Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Ken Fishkin serves as Associate Director of Information Security at Lowenstein Sandler, where he leads the firm’s cybersecurity strategy and operations. Since joining the firm in 2019, he has overseen its cybersecurity program to not only protect the organization but also advance its broader business mission.
Previously, Ken served as Director for the Cybersecurity practice at a national accounting firm, advising organizations on strengthening security programs, maturing incident response capabilities, and aligning risk management strategies with evolving regulatory and industry standards.
Ken is widely recognized for his leadership within the cybersecurity community. As President of the ISC2 New Jersey Chapter, he guides the chapter’s strategic growth, expands regional engagement, and champions high-quality professional education for practitioners at all career stages. He strengthened partnerships across industry, academia, and the public sector and advanced mentorship initiatives. His contributions helped reinforce the chapter’s role as a trusted hub for professional development and community advancement.
He serves on the Executive, Threat Intelligence, and PHISH Committees of the Legal Services ISAO and sits on several advisory boards, including InfraGard NJ, HMG Strategy, and the New Jersey Gartner CISO community. In addition, he mentors students at Saint Peter’s University and regularly delivers guest lectures at conferences and university events. Through his leadership, mentorship, and service, Ken demonstrates a sustained commitment to advancing both organizational resilience and the broader cybersecurity profession. George Griesler – Senior Director of Cybersecurity, National Football League (NFL)
George Griesler is a senior cybersecurity executive with over two decades of experience leading enterprise-scale security, network infrastructure, and cyber defense programs across global organizations and high-profile sporting environments. He leads advanced cyber defense capabilities spanning security operations, threat detection and response, vulnerability management, and strategic integration of managed providers. His work focuses on ensuring resilience across complex, high-visibility environments where cybersecurity, physical operations, and fan experience intersect.
Currently, as the Senior Director of Cybersecurity Operations & Defense at the National Football League (NFL), George is responsible for protecting critical league infrastructure, NFL clubs, NFL stadium operations, and marquee global events—including the Super Bowl, NFL Draft, and International Series Games.
Prior to the NFL, George held senior leadership roles, including Director of Global Networking & Security at International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), where he led global network transformation and cybersecurity strategy, and Director of IT & Security at the United States Golf Association (USGA), where he supported the National Championship operations for over 155 years.
A collaborative and forward-thinking leader, George is passionate about developing high-performing teams, aligning cybersecurity with business outcomes, and advancing innovative defense strategies to address an evolving threat landscape. Current focus areas include driving large-scale initiatives in zero trust, firewall modernizations, cyber threat intelligence, and AI-enabled security operations.
Samantha Vandeven – Vice President, Cyber Intelligence, JPMorgan Chase
Agenda
5:30 Registration and Networking
6:15 Dinner
6:45 Business Meeting
7:00 Presentation and Q&A
8:00 Networking
We look forward to an engaging, practical, and insight-rich session that will help all of us elevate our security programs in meaningful, sustainable ways.

May 2026 Monthly Meeting
2026-05-14 17:30 - 20:30 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
SIM NJ is thrilled to welcome Ashley Davis, TV personality, business leader, and strategist fresh off the release of her debut book, The Power Pivot.
In a world where change is constant and uncertainty is inevitable, adaptability sets you apart. Cultivating emotional intelligence, grit, grace, and courage can turn these pivotal moments into opportunities for extraordinary growth.
Whether you’re a leader seeking to inspire transformation or an individual striving for that next breakthrough, you’ll need to know the difference between staying stuck and stepping into your full potential. Ashley’s proven framework—Intentional Planning, Intentional Purpose, and Intentional Change—offers tangible tools to help you embrace intelligent risk, unlock enthusiasm, and chart a course to sustainable success.
Note: SIM members in attendance will receive a complimentary copy of Ashley’s new book, The Power Pivot. BIO
Ashley E. Davis is a partner at S-3 Group, a leading government relations and public affairs consultancy. Prior to this, Ashley was a lead principal at West Front Strategies, a multi-million dollar lobbying firm she co-founded in 2015. In this capacity, she oversees advocacy efforts for the interests of her Fortune 500 clients before the legislative and executive branches of the U.S. government.

Ashley built her public policy expertise over a career in the public and private sectors, including serving in a leadership role at the White House from 2001 to 2003.

Following the September 11 attacks, as the Special Assistant to the National Director (and later Secretary) of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, Ashley directed daily operations and 120 staff at the newly created Office of Homeland Security within the Executive Office of the President. She was also a member of the eight-person task force that created the Department of Homeland Security, the first new U.S. federal agency in 60 years. During that time, Ashley was involved in creating several government programs that still exist, including USA Freedom Corp. and several classified programs.

Following her tenure at the White House, Ashley served as a managing principal on the executive committee of Blank Rome and managed the law firm’s strategic alliances with over 20 international public affairs firms. At that time, she was the youngest practice group leader in the firm’s history.

Today, Ashley’s CEO-level clients seek her expertise in areas including homeland security, healthcare (she has been involved in all recently passed federal healthcare laws), energy, technology, education, and international trade.

Ashley holds a Masters of International Business from McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University; a Masters of International Business from the ESADE Business School (Spain); and a Corporate International Masters Business-A Degree from the FGV EBAPE School (Brazil). She holds an undergraduate degree from Westminster College.

She is a member of the BigSpeak Speakers Bureau and Gotham Artists, is a highly sought after contributor on major news networks, podcasts and panels and serves as an expert speaker for the Office of U.S. Speaker Program at the Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. She sits on several non-profit and corporate Boards such as Turning Point Brands Inc., Brooklyn Dumplings, The USA Gymnastics Foundation, Vital Voices Global Partnership, the Women’s Democracy Network at the International Republican Institute, Kennedy Center National Symphony Orchestra, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, and is a member of Women Corporate Directors. She is a member of the Economic Club of Washington DC.
She is also the Co-CEO of the Belizean Grove, a preeminent global network of influential women committed to building collaborative, trusted partnerships. As Co-CEO, Ashley is responsible for curating unique and purposeful meetings and experiences aimed at bringing members together to foster a better understanding of the complex issues of our time, share expertise, and look for solutions. Special Thanks to Our Sponsor
We extend our sincere appreciation to Dale Workforce Solutions for generously sponsoring this meeting and supporting SIM New Jersey’s mission to foster learning, leadership, and community among technology executives. Agenda
5:30 Registration and Networking
6:15 Dinner
6:45 Business Meeting
7:00 Presentation and Q&A
8:00 Networking
We look forward to an insightful session!

2026 Summer Barbecue!
2026-08-13 17:00 - 21:00 | Deutscher Club, 787 Featherbed Ln, Clark, NJ, 07066, United States
Join us for SIM NJ’s annual free and informal summer barbecue. We are returning to the Deutscher Club in Clark, New Jersey.
Dress casually and enjoy an evening of mouth-watering food, beverages, and great company with your fellow SIM NJ members. There will be no formal presentation or speaker at this event – it’s all about enjoying time catching up. The event is FREE to all SIM NJ Members. DON’T MISS IT!

Sep 2026 Monthly Meeting: Inside the Next Transition
2026-09-10 17:30 - 20:30 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
We often look to the future by focusing on what is new, but history offers another way to see what may be coming. In this keynote, Frank Diana explores how recurring patterns of pressure reveal when established systems are beginning to lose fit with a changing world, and how the interaction of technological, social, economic, geopolitical, scientific, philosophical, and environmental forces can turn separate changes into systemic transitions. The goal is not to predict what happens next, but to recognize the pressures already shaping the future while there is still room to influence what comes next.

About the Speaker

Frank Diana is a futurist, author, and keynote speaker focused on understanding systemic change and the forces reshaping our world. His work draws on history, convergence, and patterns of pressure to help leaders see how major transitions form before their outcomes become obvious. He is the author of Inside the Next Transition: Seeing Systemic Change Before Pathways Harden, which explores how recognizing pressure in the present can give us greater visibility into the futures beginning to take shape.

Agenda
5:30 Registration and Networking
6:15 Dinner
6:45 Business Meeting
7:00 Presentation and Q&A
8:00 Networking

Event Sponsor

Oct 2026 Monthly Meeting
2026-10-08 17:30 - 20:30 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States

Nov 2026 Monthly Meeting
2026-11-12 17:30 - 20:30 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States

2026 Holiday Celebration
2026-12-13 18:00 - 22:00 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
Join us at our flagship SOCIAL EVENT OF THE YEAR!
Get ready to ring in the season in style! We invite you to our annual Holiday Party on Friday, December 19, 2025, at The Madison Hotel. Enjoy an evening of festive cheer and delightful company in the elegant ambiance of one of Morristown’s finest venues.

Date: Sunday, December 13, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: The Madison Hotel
Cost: TBD, covers the cost of the SIM NJ Member and their guest

Entertainment: The evening will be filled with the soulful sounds of holiday jazz by the Adam Machaskee Quintet. From timeless holiday classics to jazzy renditions of your favorite seasonal songs, their music will set the perfect backdrop for a memorable night.
✨ Highlights:
Festive cocktails and delicious bites
Live jazz music to set the holiday mood
Beautifully decorated surroundings, capturing the magic of the season
Come dressed to impress, ready to celebrate the holidays with us! Don’t miss this festive occasion with family, friends, and colleagues to share in the joy of the season!
