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We love our instructors; they are what makes us great! We have assembled a great team here at TrainACE, and here are some of our stars:

John T. Eberle

Mr. Eberle has taught at TrainACE for over 14 years and is our longest serving contract instructor. He is certified in both Microsoft and CompTIA courses and has also taught in Waldorf, MD, Jackson, MS, and at Southern Methodist University’s Center for Computer Excellence. He has over 35 years of experience in the IT field. Mr. Eberle has performed almost every job in the field from help desk technician to Manager of the largest US Government Major Shared Resource Center in America. He was the lead Systems Administrator for the US Air Force Office of Special Operations for over seven years. Mr. Eberle brings experience and insight to students that have become harder and harder to find. Mr. Eberle has been involved in Microsoft since DOS 1.0. His students routinely rate him highly and have provided many referrals.

His certifications include: MCSA Windows 7, MCSA Windows 8, MCSA Server 2016, MCSA Server 2012, EDST Windows 7, MCITP – SA, MCITP – EA, MCSE 2003, MCSA Windows 10, MCSA 2008, MCSA Server 2016, and MCSE Mobility, Windows Server Virtualization, Cloudera Certified Administrator on Apache Hadoop, A+, Network+, I-Net+, Security+, Cloud+

Rita Whitfield

Rita is one of our most qualified and popular instructors, with over 15 years experience in teaching cybersecurity, software and IT. She most commonly teaches our CEH and Security+ classes, but is certified in wide range of disciplines across the IT industry.

Rita's certifications include:

  • Microsoft - MCT, MCITP, MCAS, MOS
  • Cisco - CCNA, CCNA Security
  • CompTIA - A+, Network+, Security+, CASP, Cloud+, CySA+, CASP+
  • EC-Council - CEI, CEH, CND, CHFI
  • ISC2 - CISSP, CCSP
  • ISACA - CISM, CISA

Wilhemina Rias-Martin

Wilhemina Rias-Martin is certified in both Microsoft and CompTIA courses, as well as being an HP and a Dell Certified Technician. She is an experienced IT practitioner, having spent three years at TESST College of Technology as a System Administrator, and three years at KHEC IT Technical Services as an IT Support Analyst. Prior to joining TrainACE, Willie honed her skills as an IT instructor with 7 years working at Brightwood College of Technology as the Information Technology Chair and Instructor.

At TrainACE, Willie specializes in teaching CompTIA A+ and Network+, and Microsoft. She is certified in CompTIA A+ and Network+, is an HP Certified Service Technician, and a Dell Certified Service Technician, as well as a Microsoft Certified Professional.

Vincent McKeown:

Vincent McKeown is a very skilled TrainACE instructor for the Project Management Professional boot camp certification and possesses the current PMP certification. He has over 15 years’ experience as a Project Manager in IT networks, Audio/Visual and Land Mobile Radios as well as 16 years providing telecommunications, engineering, acquisition, and management support. McKeown has an MA in IT Management, an MBA with an emphasis in Management and Leadership, a BS in Management, and US Navy Electronics training. He has served the private sector, government, and military and is currently employed by TWD & Associates, Inc. as the Project Manager. McKeown’s extensive career experience in Project Management makes him an excellent and well-respected instructor at TrainACE.

John Oyeleke

John Oyeleke brings a wealth of knowledge and experiences in training the next generation of cybersecurity analysts. He specializes in the area of computer forensics — using “fingerprints” of previous cyber attacks to pre-identify “means & methods” to help students recognize the blueprint for future attacks. His unique approach blends traditional with non-traditional applications to help prepare each student to thwart the newest breed of “out-of-the-box” thinkers by giving each student a vision… rather than a formula. He is also highly instrumental in helping organizations achieve effective oversight by incorporating systems audit skills by ensuring systems meet compliance levels as dictated by management or regulatory requirements, as well as facilitating cost savings using IT solutions. For the individual, these learned skills and techniques become the basis of a computer forensics career in either the private or public sector. To date, Mr. Oyeleke has provided professional IT training services on three continents including North America, Europe, and Africa for candidates from organizations such as Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA); Department of Homeland Security (DHS); Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); U.S. Army, Air Force and Navy; AT&T; VISA; Career Changers; as well as a diverse commercial client-base to include several Fortune 500 firms. Whether you are just beginning your career, looking to enhance your toolkit, or seeking widespread organizational change…Mr. Oyeleke can provide a full range of training to meet your personal or corporate needs having served in a wide array of IT positions such as Security Administrator – Active Directory; Help Desk Manager; and Instructor.

His certifications include A+, Network+, Security+, CEH, CHFI, CISSP, CASP, CISA, CISM, MCP.

Ali Wasti

Ali has a teaching and Systems Admin career that spans over 20 years. After growing up just outside London, Ali worked as a Principal Information Officer for the Social Services Department. In 1996 he came to the US and began his teaching career as an MCT. He has been teaching Microsoft curriculum all the way back to Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0. In 2015 Ali took a break from teaching, accepting a position as a Systems Admin. Missing being in the classroom he returned to the teaching full time with TrainACE in 2017. When not in the classroom Ali can be found on a local hiking trail or playing guitar.

His certifications include MCSA and MCDST Windows 7, MCSA Server 2012, MCSE Server 2008, 2003 and 2000. CompTIA A+, Net+, Security+ and Cloud

Lou Fashina

With more than 20 years of experience working in the IT industry, Lou started teaching at TrainACE in 2007. He has performed almost every role in the field from Help Desk Technician to Senior Network Engineer/Architect for leading companies in the private sector, Healthcare, and US Governments, including Verio International, University of MD Medical System and the U.S Department of Interior. Lou uses his wealth of experience to great effect in the classroom, not just preparing his students for certification exams, but also guiding them on how to apply their skills in a production environment. Born and raised in Lagos Nigeria Lou came to the US at 15 then became interested in Information Technology from his older brother who was a CCIE.

His certifications include Cisco CCNA, CCNP Routing, and Switching, CCIE Written, CompTIA A+ and Network+

Timber Wolfe

Timber Wolfe has been a computer consultant for 22 years and has a baccalaureate in Computer Engineering from the University of Florida. He has experience in low-level electronics, troubleshooting hardware, and software systems. He has worked at the board level, with micro-controllers, written high-level interfaces to the hardware and high-level applications. He has worked his entire professional career in the DoD world. He participates in Red Team events sponsored by government agencies and cyber defense competitions. He has been conducting penetration tests for over ten years on software and hardware systems.

Timber teaches a variety of security classes for Advanced Security and also authored the HoneyNetting and Honey Pot training course.

His certifications include: A+, Network+, Security+, CEH, CHFI, ECSA, LPT

Rico Cody

Rico is a retired Lieutenant Colonel, who served in the Air Force for 25 years as a Communications and Cyber Officer. He has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Fayetteville State University and a Master of Science in Network Security from Capitol Technology University. Rico has a diverse breadth and depth in IT starting as a network engineer to being an Air Force Unit Commander leading hundreds of technicians to provide end to end IT services for thousands of customers.

Rico currently holds 13 certifications including the following: CISSP, CISM, CASP, Sec+, Net+, C|EH, E|CSA, E|CHFI, PMP, ITILv3, and LSSBB.

John Martin

John is a Washington DC native and attended The University of Maryland where he earned a BA. John started his IT career as a Desktop Support Technician at St Albans School. After gaining valuable experience, John has held various positions as a Systems Administrator and most recently as a Network Engineer for a major insurance company. John has field experience supporting Microsoft Server products from NT4.0, Server 2000, Server 2003, Server 2008 and Windows desktop operating systems from Windows 95 through Windows 10. He also has extensive experience in Network infrastructure managing Cisco Routers, Switches and Firewalls.

John first started teaching at TrainACE in 2009.

Certifications include CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Cisco CCNA

Femi Alabi

Femi started with TrainACE in 2013. A Senior System Engineer with over 20 years of IT experience and 15 years of continuous technical training body of work under his belt. Femi first certified as Microsoft Technical Trainer (MCT) in the year 2000 and has a Business Degree and a Master’s Degree in Information Technology (MIT). Currently working as a Technical Consultant with a US government agency in DC. His experience in the IT field is broad and deep. Drawing from this wealth of experience in the technical field over the years, Femi is a Self-professed champion for students, working as a catalyst to help students achieve their goals in the classroom.

His certifications include CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+ and CCNA

Eric Calkin

Eric T. Calkin holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Eastern Kentucky University in Computer Science. Eric earned his A+ Certification in 1993 and CCNA in 1999. Eric has an extensive background in serving as a Technical Instructor and Technical Consultant, with specialized expertise in Networking and Security. His experience in training has spanned over 25 years, receiving excellent feedback and reviews from across 17 U.S. states. Eric started with TrainACE in 2016. Eric’s experience has prepared thousands of students to prepare and gain a level of competence and confidence to pass numerous specialized software exam certifications. Eric holds himself to high standards and maintains up-to-date knowledge by continuing to assess his skills through registering for current examinations every couple of years to ensure he provides students the knowledge and skills they need to pass up-to-date examinations.

Cettifications include: MCSE/MCSE 2000/MCSE 2003; TS 2008; MCT, Cisco CCNA RS v2/v3; CCNA Security. CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Cysa+ and CASP+

Yaseen Al Juboori

Yaseen holds both a B.S. and a Master Degree in Computer Engineering. He has been teaching for over ten years including the last three years with TrainACE. Before coming to TrainACE, he taught at the University of Baghdad - Computer Engineering college, and at Al Mansour College. Yaseen has worked in various positions over a career that spans 25+ years in Information Technology. He has extensive experience in Network Design including contributed to the building of LAN and WAN infrastructure for the operations of the Iraqi Stock Exchange and Depository. Yaseen has experience with Windows based server products and Windows 95 all the way up through the latest Windows 10, Cisco routers, switches and firewalls, C, C++, PASCAL, Visual Basic, Visual C++, Intel 8086 Assembler and SQL.

Certifications include CompTIA A+ and Network+

Johnathan Bradley

Johnathan Bradley has been in the IT field for over 16 years. As an active-duty Army warrant officer, John is a subject matter expert and leader in digital communication. He has trained numerous soldiers, civilians, and officers in all aspects of information technology. John is also a college professor specializing in IT topics such as Cisco Certified Network Associate and Professional, Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker, and Microsoft Server 2016. When John isn't working, he can be found on the water or building something in his basement.

His certifications include CISSP, CCNP, CCDP, CCNA Security, CCNA Cyber Ops, MCSA Server 2012 & 2016, JNCIA, CEH, CASP, SEC+, Net+, ITILv3, GSEC, and Solarwind Certified Professional (SCP)

Luisa Villegas

Ms. Luisa Villegas is a senior project management expert with more than 20 years of experience in designing, managing, and evaluating international development projects. Currently working as a consultant by sharing her solid understanding of rigorous project management through teaching, advising, and coaching. She is a PMI-certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and PMI Authorized Training Partner as well as SCRUM Fundamentals Certified (SFC). She is a highly rated instructor for various project management-related courses, including the 5-day PMP Preparation Bootcamp.

Ms. Villegas is trilingual in Spanish, English and Portuguese. Ms. Villegas holds a Master’s degree in Political Science with emphasis in International Politics from Georgia Southern University, a Social Communications and Journalism degree from the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, in Colombia, and graduate certificates in STEM education, and in Online Instructional Design.

Carlo Anez Mazurco

Carlo Anez Mazurco teaches our Spanish language classes. He is a distinguished Information Security Leader and Business Innovation & Growth Strategist based in Aldie, Virginia. With an exceptional career dedicated to advancing cybersecurity vision, direction, and guidance, Carlo boasts a rich technical background coupled with a strategic approach to innovation in the cyber domain. His expertise spans designing and implementing cutting-edge security technologies, training dynamic teams, and accelerating business growth through strategic alignment with cyber threat analytics, DevSecOps, and cloud-based managed services. A GIAC Certified Incident Handler, Carlo has further solidified his reputation through certifications in operationalizing MITRE ATT&CK, CompTIA Security+, and Juniper Networks, among others.

Currently serving as a Senior Consultant at Recorded Future and CEO at Samkana Leadership Practice, Carlo's multifaceted roles underscore his ability to merge mission with technology, turning vision into actionable strategies that deliver tangible value. His experience as a Lead Cyber Security Instructor at the University of Michigan's Nexus Cyber Security Professional Program exemplifies his commitment to education, equipping the next generation of cybersecurity professionals with the skills and knowledge to succeed. Beyond the classroom, Carlo's military service as a Power Production Engineer reflects his dedication to innovation and excellence. Fluent in Spanish with proficiency in French, Carlo's global perspective enriches his approach to cybersecurity and leadership, making him a valuable asset to any organization or educational endeavor.

Dean J. Pompilio

Mr. Pompilio is the President and founder of SteppingStone Solutions, Inc. He formed the company in 2000 and began focusing upon IT and cybersecurity consulting. Mr. Pompilio began his IT career in 1989 and he has worked for several Fortune 500 companies in addition to several large financial institutions. These companies include Motorola, Bank of America, Capital One, and the World Bank. He has also held Sr. Security Engineer roles at the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of State.

Mr. Pompilio began teaching IT and cybersecurity certification courses in 2011. He has trained thousands of IT professionals and military personnel in dozens of countries around the world. Mr. Pompilio is also an adjunct professor at the University of Charleston, WV. He has extensive knowledge of cybersecurity, and guidance relating to risk management. He prepares students for certifications from CompTIA, EC-Council, ISACA, and ISC2.

In addition to providing training, Mr. Pompilio has been creating custom curriculum since 2012. This curriculum includes traditional courseware and on-demand video classes. He has produced highly-rated content for several prominent training platforms.