Former FBI ​​Deputy Assistant Director Gary Stoops Joins the Forge Institute Advisory Board

Today we announce the addition of former FBI Deputy Assistant Director General Gary Stoops to the organization’s advisory board. Mr. Stoops worked for many years with the National White Collar Crime Center and was instrumental in the creation of the National Security and Intelligence Program at Fairmont State and its Open Source Intelligence Exchange (OSIX) laboratory.

“When I retired from the FBI, I wasn’t ready to retire from serving my country,” said Stoops, a 25 year veteran as an investigator, manager and executive for the FBI in the criminal, counterintelligence and counterterrorism programs.

Stoops, who is also a veteran of the US Marine Corps, has worked for a number of non-profit organizations as an executive and consultant. He has provided advice and facilitation to public and private sector organizations, helping their leadership to better understand the current cyber issues confronting the Intelligence Community and law enforcement.

“Gary is so deeply connected to the cybersecurity community,” said Lee Watson, CEO of Forge Institute. “His perspective is an incredible asset to our mission, which is to make our nation safer from cyber attacks.”

The Forge Institute Advisory Board is composed of former and current members of defense and anti-crime institutions such as the CIA, FBI, and U.S. Military. The purpose of the advisory board is to lend specialized guidance to Forge Institute’s mission to transform Arkansas into a rallying point for cyber defense.

Forge Institute is an active leader in Arkansas’ growing cyber-community, providing cyber training to Arkansas’ workforce and numerous tech-based companies. Mr. Stoops  begins his advisory role with Forge Institute immediately. 

Key Facts

• Gary Stoops is the former FBI Deputy Assistant Director General 

• The Forge Institute Advisory Board is composed of former and current members of defense and anti-crime institutions such as the CIA, FBI, and U.S. Military

• Forge Institute is an active leader in Arkansas’ growing cyber-community, providing cyber training to Arkansas’ workforce and numerous tech-based companies