Mark Smith has been teaching for the past 23 years. Ten years ago, at the high school in his district, he started a Cisco Academy, which has grown into a full-fledged CTE program offering Python programming, IT Essentials, CCNA 1, and CCNA 2. In addition, he runs a top-ranked regional cybersecurity club. He is an adjunct at a local community college as well. Mark earned his master’s in instructional technology and has CompTIA ITF+, CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CCST: IT Support, CCST: Networking, and CCST: Cybersecurity certifications.

David Bayne has spent years teaching IT, both at the high school and community college levels, and has prepared hundreds of students for careers in IT. He holds CCNA and CompTIA A+ certifications, as well as a master’s degree in educational technology. He currently teaches Internet of Things, drone programming, and inventing design courses. When David is not teaching, he reads (mostly mysteries and sci-fi) and spends time with family. He lives near Sacramento, California, with his wife and daughters and their three cats.

John Pickard is an associate professor at East Carolina University in the College of Engineering and Technology, with more than 20 years of experience teaching information and cybersecurity technology. He also works as a subject matter expert and content developer in support of the Cisco Networking Academy.

Throughout his career he has held various IT certifications, including Cisco Certified Network Professional, Cisco Certified Network Associate, Microsoft Certified Professional, EMC Information Storage and Management, IPv6 Forum Certified Engineer (Gold), IPv6 Forum Certified Trainer (Gold), CompTIA Network+, and CompTIA A+. John is also a Cisco Certified Academy Instructor.

John received his PhD in technology management at Indiana State University, an MBA from Wayland Baptist University, and a bachelor of science in professional aeronautics from Embry-Riddle University.

His research interests include IPv6, IPv6 adoption, wireless sensor networks, Internet of Things (IoT), and industry-academia partnerships.