Dave Merkel is the CEO and Co-founder of Expel, a cybersecurity company dedicated to making security operations more transparent and manageable. With over two decades of experience in the field, Merkel has held pivotal roles at Mandiant and FireEye, and has a background in federal law enforcement.
Who is the CEO of Expel?
With nearly three decades in the information security field, Dave Merkel has built a distinguished career marked by significant achievements. Before co-founding Expel, he served as the Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Products at Mandiant, and later as the global CTO of FireEye following its acquisition of Mandiant. Merkel's extensive background also includes roles such as a special agent in the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, where he pursued cyber criminals and conducted digital forensic investigations.
Additionally, he led AOL’s technical security organization, creating and running the first incident response capability for AOL and Time Warner. His leadership at Expel continues to drive innovation in managed detection and response services.
Work History
- Expel - Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (2016 to Present)
- Town of Herndon - First Lady (2015 to 2020)
- FireEye, Inc. - Chief Technology Officer (2014 to 2015)
- Mandiant - Chief Technology Officer (2011 to 2014)
- Mandiant - Vice President, Products and Threat Management Services (2006 to 2011)
- U.S. Air Force - AFOSI - Asst. Chief of Intrusion Investigations (1997 to 1998)
- US Air Force - AFOSI - Chief, Countersurveillance Operations (1997)
- US Air Force - AFOSI - Cyber Intrusions Investigator (1996 to 1997)
- US Air Force - AFOSI - Special Agent (1994 to 1996)
Education History
Dave Merkel's educational journey began at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. His time at the university, spanning from January 1990 to January 1994, laid the foundation for his extensive career in information security. The rigorous curriculum and hands-on experience provided him with the technical skills and knowledge that would later prove invaluable in his roles at Mandiant, FireEye, and Expel.
When did Dave Merkel join Expel?
Dave Merkel co-founded Expel in May 2016, taking on the role of Chief Executive Officer from the company's inception. As the CEO, Merkel has been instrumental in steering Expel's growth and innovation in the cybersecurity sector.
His tenure at Expel spans over seven years, during which he has leveraged his extensive experience in information security to build a company known for its transparent and effective managed detection and response services.