Michael Orlando Appointed to Forge Institute's Esteemed Advisory Board
Renowned Counterintelligence Leader Enhances the Board with Decades of National Security Experience
Forge Institute is thrilled to announce the newest member of its Advisory Board, Michael Orlando, a seasoned leader with deep expertise in counterintelligence and national security. In his role on the board, Mr. Orlando will leverage his extensive background to further Forge’s goal of developing a fortified regional defense innovation ecosystem.
Mr. Orlando comes to Forge Institute with a rich history of national security leadership, including serving as the most recent Acting Director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), where he led significant national security programs and consulted with Fortune-ranked companies on security matters. His deep experience in national security matters further highlights his readiness to foster innovation and security advancements supporting Forge’s national mission.
Sharing his enthusiasm for joining Forge Institute, Mr. Orlando noted, “The Forge Institute stands as a pillar in nurturing a robust regional defense innovation ecosystem, bridging vital gaps between the private and public sector and academia. I am eager to contribute to the excellent work Forge is doing, championing initiatives that are critical in today’s rapidly evolving security landscape.”
Lee Watson, Chairman & CEO of Forge Institute, expressed his excitement about Mr. Orlando joining the board. “Michael brings a vast reservoir of knowledge and hands-on experience in counterintelligence and national security leadership to our advisory board. His remarkable background embodies the spirit of resilience and innovation that Forge upholds. We are confident that his insights will be pivotal in steering Forge towards fostering an ecosystem where security, emerging technology, national defense, and innovation go hand-in-hand,” said Watson.
Currently, Michael Orlando is the Senior Director of Global Physical Security for Micron Technology, where he is a member of Micron’s corporate security leadership team, leads the global physical security operations and provides enterprise-wide strategic risk and security guidance.
A graduate of the State University of New York at Cortland and Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, Mr. Orlando has also been honored with numerous awards throughout his career, including the FBI Director’s Award for Outstanding Counterintelligence Investigation. His addition to the Forge Advisory Board symbolizes a significant stride in Forge's pursuit to remain at the cutting edge of defense innovation and security.
Key Facts
Michael Orlando joins the Forge Institute Advisory Board, bringing a wealth of national security and counterintelligence experience to the table.
With a decorated career at the FBI and the National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC), Orlando will be an indispensable asset to Forge's initiatives.
Orlando’s expertise spans leading complex investigations and managing national security programs, which aligns with Forge's mission to foster a robust regional defense innovation ecosystem.
