Forge Institute names Air Force Veteran Wes Nickels Chief of Staff

Forge Institute expanded its ranks today when they named U.S. Air Force veteran Wes Nickels as Chief of Staff.  Nickels joined the team after completing the DoD SkillBridge through the Forge Fellowship program. 

“Wes brings a unique set of skills, experience and perspective only a distinguished career in the Air Force can provide,” said Lee Watson, Chairman and CEO of Forge Institute. “We’re honored to have him join our team as we continue to expand our various cyber defensive programs and services.”

Nickels joined the Forge Fellowship program in March of 2022, and after his successful completion, he became Forge Institute’s first Chief of Staff.  Additionally, Nickels will instruct a number of Forge Institute’s upcoming Law Enforcement and Intelligence related courses, driving relationships with Forge partners to the next level. 

Prior to joining Forge Institute, Nickels served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force in various Security, Law Enforcement, and Counterintelligence roles.  As a former Supervisory Special Agent with the Department of the Air Force’s Office of Special Investigations (OSI), Nickels brings a wide range of skill sets to Team Forge, specifically his more than 16 years of leadership and supervisory experience. 

“I’m honored to join this groundbreaking team that is committed to leading the effort in cooperation between federal, state, and local governments, academia, and the private sector to defend the nation against cyber threats,” said Nickels. “I’m also excited to be able to contribute to the growth of the exceptional Fellowship program which has helped me and dozens of Veterans transition to civilian employment.”

Nickels’ newest role enables him to continue his commitment to serve and protect the Nation by lending his leadership, experience and specialized skills to the next generation of cyber defenders.

Key Facts

• Wes Nickels has been appointed as Chief of Staff at Forge Institute, where he formerly completed the Forge Fellowship, an official DoD Skillbridge Program

• Nickels recently retired as a Supervisory Special Agent with the Department of the Air Force’s Office of Special Investigations (OSI)