Meet the Speakers at ACS


Thomas MatyókDr. Thomas Matyók

Associate Professor in Public Safety at MGA

Dr. Matyók is an Associate Professor in the Doctor of Science in Public Safety graduate program and executive director of the Joint Civil-Military Interaction (JCMI) research and Education Network. Tom has taught Conflict Prevention, Management, and Resolution at universities in the United States and Germany. Dr. Matyók has also taught military peace leadership in Professional Military Education settings at Army and Air Force senior service colleges. He has led seminars in Conflict Analysis and Resolution at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. Prior to academia, Tom was a career Infantry officer with assignments throughout the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East. He is presently a Professor of Human Security at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies where he leads advanced leadership seminars.

Dr. Matyók conducts high-impact, policy-relevant studies regarding the strategic environment, its principle strategic challenges, and the relative balance of national, regional, and human security. Tom was a Fulbright Senior Scholar at the University of Konstanz in Southern Germany, a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the U.S. Army War College, and a visiting research professor at the U.S. Army Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute (PKSOI). His research and outreach responsibilities at PKSOI were in the areas of strategic policy and securing U.S. interests in an era of persistent irregular and hybrid conflict. Dr. Matyók served as executive director of the U.S. Air Force Negotiation Center (AFNC). While at AFNC, Dr. Matyók researched the role of negotiation in the military across the Interagency and introduced the concept of Military Negotiation. Most recently, Dr. Matyók taught Military Peace Leadership at the Ivan Chernyakhovsky National Defense University of Ukraine.


Adrian BakerDr. Adrian Baker, DPT, PRC

Assistant Professor, Rehabilitation Science, MGA

Dr. Adrian Baker is an Assistant Professor in the Rehabilitation Science program at Middle Georgia State University. She earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine in 2009 and achieved her Postural Restoration Certification (PRC) in 2013—an advanced credential focused on addressing movement and postural asymmetries through integrated neuromuscular, skeletal, and respiratory techniques.

Her professional interests include postural restoration, prosthetics, and teaching students how to effectively utilize today’s technologies in rehabilitation and fitness settings. Dr. Baker is committed to shaping the next generation of rehabilitation professionals by blending foundational clinical knowledge with emerging innovations, critical thinking, and real-world application. With over a decade of experience, she remains passionate about preparing future clinicians to deliver thoughtful, evidence-based care in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment.


Jessica Sisa, MS, OTR/L

Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy, MGA

Jessica Sisa is an Assistant Professor in the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program at Middle Georgia State University and a licensed occupational therapist with 17 years of clinical experience in adult rehabilitation. A proud graduate of MGA’s OTA program in 2008, she went on to earn her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Belmont University in 2018 and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Public Administration degree from Valdosta State University.

Her professional interests include the impact of health policy on practice environments, clinician and caregiver burnout, and the role of human behavior and the environment in shaping occupational performance. Jessica is passionate about helping her students understand the complex systems that influence patient care and preparing them to think critically about their role in promoting well-being, safety, and sustainable practices in modern healthcare settings.


Adam HamAdam Ham, CISSP

Chief Technology Officer - Georgia Public Safety Training Center

Adam Ham is the Chief Technology Officer at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC). With over two decades of experience, Adam has worn many hats, starting as a database administrator and working his way up to his current role. Leading a team of IT professionals, Adam focuses on the smooth operation of various technical aspects, including applications, infrastructure, audio-visual systems, and printing services. His journey from the ground up reflects his dedication to the Training Center's mission of delivering innovative public safety training.

Adam has survived multiple cyber attacks during his career and is working to mature the cyber security program at GPSTC. Adam recently obtained his CISSP certification and is currently studying for his CEH certification. Adam's strategic vision and hands-on experience enable him to guide his team in effectively supporting the diverse technological needs of public safety.


Luminita Hartle

Assistant Professor, Special Education, MGA

Dr. Luminita Hartle is an Assistant Professor of Special Education in the Department of Teacher Education and Social Work at Middle Georgia State University. Her scholarly interests include early childhood special education, educator professional development, and family engagement in educational contexts. She earned her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Special Education from Illinois State University in 2017.


Will HarpWill Harp

IT Director - Jones County Government

Will Harp has served as the Director of Information Technology for the Jones County Board of Commissioners since 2009, following his initial appointment to the county in 2007. A native of Macon, Georgia, Will earned his Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from Macon State College in 2007.

With a strong foundation in network administration, Will has led numerous initiatives to modernize and secure the county’s IT infrastructure. In 2019, he further advanced his professional development by completing the Certified Government Chief Information Officer (CGCIO) program through the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, equipping him with specialized knowledge in public sector IT leadership and governance.

Outside of his professional responsibilities, Will enjoys spending time outdoors and actively supports his two daughters in their various activities, alongside his wife, Amy. His dedication to both his career and family reflects a balanced commitment to service, leadership, and community.


Karen OchoaDr. Karen Ochoa

Assistant Professor in Teacher Education at MGA

Karen Ochoa is an Assistant Professor of Teacher Education at Middle Georgia State University, where she also serves as the Assessment Coordinator for the Teacher Education program. With over 20 years of experience in the field of education, Dr. Ochoa brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to preparing future educators. She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Research and a Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern Mississippi, a Master’s in Elementary Education from William Carey University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies/Pre-Law from the University of West Florida. Her interdisciplinary academic background enriches her approach to teaching and research, blending analytical rigor with a deep understanding of educational practice.

Now in her third year at Middle Georgia State University, Dr. Ochoa continues to contribute to the advancement of teacher education through innovative curriculum development and strategic assessment practices. She is a member of the state-level task force working to create an Artificial Intelligence for Educators Endorsement in Georgia, reflecting her commitment to integrating emerging technologies into educational frameworks. Her leadership and forward-thinking initiatives position her as a key figure in shaping the future of teacher preparation in the region.


Ben HubbardBen Hubbard

Manager of Technology Infrastructure, Flint Energies

Ben Hubbard serves as the Manager of Technology Infrastructure at Flint Energies, where he oversees the strategic planning, implementation, and maintenance of the organization’s IT systems. With nearly 13 years of experience in the Information Technology field, Ben brings deep expertise in systems administration, networking, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance.

Throughout his career, Ben has earned several respected industry certifications, including the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) from ISC2 and the Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH) from EC-Council. These credentials reflect his commitment to maintaining the highest standards of security and ethical responsibility in the digital space.

In addition to his role at Flint Energies, Ben is an Adjunct Instructor at Central Georgia Technical College’s School of Business and Computer Technologies. He is passionate about mentoring the next generation of IT professionals and sharing his real-world experience in the classroom.

Ben is dedicated to continuous learning and innovation, and he remains actively engaged in advancing technology solutions that support operational excellence and cybersecurity resilience.


Siggy TettehSiggy Tetteh

Chief Technology Officer - Robins Financial Credit Union

Sigismund (Siggy) Tetteh has over 28 years in the Information Technology (IT) field, 22 years in HealthCare IT. In March of 2021, he joined Houston Healthcare’s executive leadership team as the Vice President and Chief and Information Officer. He is responsible for the oversight and management of the health system’s (IT) areas in planning corporate growth and coordinating the strategic plan with the development of IT systems. This includes:

  • Developing state of the art comprehensive information strategy.
  • Collaborating with the medical, nursing, and administrative leadership to develop and implement systems/programs that support operations, and improve cost effectiveness, service quality, and business development.
  • Overseeing telemedicine, the telecommunications and network services, and all clinical and financial IT systems.
  • Meeting all regulatory guidelines for information management and proactive identification of strategies to meet future needs of the health system.
  • Serves as the HIPAA Security Officer over all Cybersecurity.
  • He also serves on several boards including three college IT advisory boards and the Boys Scouts of America’s Explorer board.

Siggy enjoys road cycling, playing ping pong and tennis, listening to audiobooks, volunteering, and traveling with his family in his spare time. He has a BBS in Information Technology from Middle Georgia State University and an MBA from Georgia College & State University’s J. Bunting College of Business. He is a member of the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) - Certified Healthcare CIO and Certified Digital Health Executive (CDH-E). He is also a Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt for Healthcare.


John CozartJohn Cozart

Chief Operations Officer - Robins Financial Credit Union

John Cozart is an accomplished executive with over 23 years of experience in the financial services industry. As the Chief Operations Officer at Robins Financial Credit Union, he leads strategic initiatives across information technology, cybersecurity, operational processes, and project management, ensuring seamless operations and enhanced member experiences.

John holds both a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Information Systems and a Master of Business Administration from Mercer University, where he has earned the distinction of being a "Double Bear." His leadership and technical expertise have positioned him as a key figure in driving organizational efficiency and innovation within the financial sector.

In addition to his professional achievements, John is deeply committed to community service. He actively supports local nonprofit organizations and dedicates time to coaching youth sports. Having lived in Macon, Georgia, for over 42 years, John takes pride in giving back to the community that has been such a significant part of his life.


Adam McGuire

Information Security Officer - MGA

Adam McGuire has been an Information Security Officer for Middle Georgia State University since February of this year. Before that, he worked for MGA as a student worker, System Support Specialist, and Network Administrator. While he was working at MGA as a student worker, he was also the first IT Intern at the U.S. District Court in downtown Macon and earned his CompTIA Security+ certification while working in those positions.

Adam earned his BSIT from Middle Georgia State University while working as a full-time System Support Specialist. He was also formerly a Youth Pastor and Worship Leader.

When he isn’t thwarting phishing emails and pushing cybersecurity training, you might find him hiking or riding horseback if the weather is nice.


Return to Top << Return to ACS Home