Retired
Richard C. Schaeffer, Jr. is a former Senior Executive with the National Security Agency (NSA), with over 40 years total U.S. Government service, including 15 years as a member of the Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service. He brings extensive leadership, management and technical experience in the area of Information Security and Intelligence. During the early phase of his career Mr. Schaeffer led technical programs and organizations from several dozen to several hundred people, with financial responsibility from several million to over a billion dollars.
Since retiring in 2010 from the position of Information Assurance Director, Mr. Schaeffer has continued to pursue his passion for improving the security of U.S. and partner interests in the Cyber domain. He started a private consulting firm, Riverbank Associates, LLC, located in Severna Park, Maryland, providing U.S. and international clients with expert services in the areas of cyber and intelligence consulting. His client base has included a full range of private sector companies from small start-ups, to mid-size companies, to large system integrators and commercial businesses. He serves as Chairman of the Strategic Advisory Group for Paladin Capital Group, the largest investor in “Cyber” product, service, and technology companies in the world.
He serves on the advisory boards of a number of government, private sector and non-profit companies and organizations. In September 2012, he was named President of the National Cryptologic Museum Foundation and in 2018 became Chairman of the Board. He also serves as a Director on two Proxy Boards addressing the concern of foreign investment and control over elements of foreign owned companies doing classified business with U.S. Government clients. He remains a strong advocate in the area of cyber education and training, believing that the Nation’s future in the complex world of Cyberspace depends upon a corps of professionals who are well equipped to deal with a rapidly changing technology and threat environment.
Throughout his career, Mr. Schaeffer has been recognized for his vision, leadership, and commitment to excellence. He is known for his strategic thinking, ability to build cohesive teams, political savvy, technical competence, extensive network of cyber and intelligence professionals, and ability to communicate complex topics to any audience.