Todd Sowers
Hackett,ACT
Summary
Deep expertise in leading teams to achieve results in corporate governance, developing partnership and sustaining them, access operations, intelligence operations, cyber campaign planning and support to military operations.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Director RFAS Nomads
Australian Signals Directorate
Canberra, ACT
02.2023 - Current
- Currently transitioning a high-performing software developer engineering team from its previous operational focus to become a capability-driven team, following REDSPICE Directives.
Cyber International Partnerships
Australian Signals Directorate
Canberra, ACT
06.2022 - 02.2023
I declined to remain in my previous role (Acting EL1 Mission Support Lead) due to my colleague returning from maternity leave. I chose not to accept the permanent position offered, demonstrating my commitment to honour, integrity and gender equality. Consequently, I moved to the Cyber International Partnerships team only temporarily while I investigated my options. In the temporary role, I developed and maintained relationships with international partners to ensure ASD strategies achieved successful cyber partnerships.
Acting EL1 Mission Support Lead
Australian Signals Directorate
06.2021 - 06.2022
- I acted for a colleague on maternity leave conducting strategic planning, business continuity plans and governance frameworks
- I declined the offer to remain in the role because I did not agree it was fair to replace a colleague who was returning from maternity leave; a matter of honour and integrity.
Offensive Cyber Operations Planner
Australian Signals Directorate
10.2018 - 06.2021
- Co-authored strategic offensive cyber operations plans and frameworks.
Counter Terrorism Analyst
Australian Signals Directorate
07.2017 - 10.2018
- On my return to Australia after a three-year posting to US Cyber Command, I conducted signals intelligence operations in ASD.
ASD Exchange Officer to US Cyber Command
Australian Signals Directorate
07.2014 - 07.2017
- I returned to the ASD to post to US Cyber Command
- I led the cyber exercises control node, and was a Cyber National Mission Forces operations Planner for Defensive Cyber Operations.
Intelligence Operations Specialist
Defence Intelligence Organisation
Canberra, ACT
10.2010 - 07.2014
- After 5 years in ASD supporting high tempo military operations, I transferred to DIO to write high-level briefs and assessments for Defence Portfolio Ministers, Parliamentary Committees and Cabinet, and The Chief of the Defence Forces
- Deployed to a Afghanistan as a Liaison Officer in support of counterterrorism operations.
Intelligence Operations Specialist
Australian Signals Directorate
07.2005 - 07.2010
- Support to offshore military, police and human intelligence operations.
Education
Bachelor of Security Analysis (Asia-Pacific) - National Security Studies
Australian National University
ACT12-2004
Skills
- Corporate Governance
- Partnership Engagement
- Strategic Planning
- Writing briefs
- Coordination across partner agencies
- Operations, Planning & Targeting
- Business Continuity Planning
- Strategic Assessment
- Information Management
- Workforce Planning
- Staff Coordination
- Staff Development
- Business Development
Awards
- 2020, Australian Signals Directorate, Meritorious Performance Award for Cyber Operations Planning
- 2017, United States Cyber Command, Deputy Commander’s Performance Excellence Award for leadership in cyber exercise operations
- 2017, United States Coast Guard Cyber, Commander’s Performance Excellence Award for leadership in cyber exercise operations
- 2016, United States Cyber Command, Commander’s Performance Excellence Award for leadership in cyber exercise operations
- 2015, United States Cyber Command J7 Exercise Division, Commander’s Letter of Recognition for leadership in cyber exercise operations
- 2012, Defence Intelligence Organisation - Intelligence Operations Specialist, (Deployed to Combined Team Uruzgan in Afghanistan) Australian Operational Service Medal (Civilian Defence) Australian Operational Service Badge (Civilian)
- 2008, Defence Signals Directorate, Special Access Operations Certificate of Recognition for signals intelligence access operations
- 2008, Defence Signals Directorate, Australia Day Central Bureau Award for signals intelligence operations in support of military operations
- 2008, Defence Signals Directorate, Australia Day Merit Award for signals intelligence operations in support of military operations
- 2007, Defence Signals Directorate, Certificate of Appreciation for signals intelligence support to military operations
- 2006, Defence Signals Directorate, Australia Day Central Bureau Award for signals intelligence operations in support of military operations
- 2021, Melbourne Business School, Gateway Leadership Program
- 2021, PEP Worldwide Canberra, Personal Efficiency Program
- 2019, Defence Potential, Leadership for New Managers Program
- 2018, Australian Government Department of Defence, Information Environment Advanced Analysis Course
- 2012, University of New South Wales, Diploma of Business Management
- 2010, RogenSI, Presentation Skills Program
- 2010, Australian National University, BA Security Analysis (Asia-Pacific)
- 2001, Monash University, BA Economics (transferred to ANU)
- 1990, Sam Houston State University, BA Architecture (Deferred to U. S. Navy)
Affiliations
- Scuba diving and reef restoration
Accomplishments
- Co-authored ASD's foundational priority one cyber operations plan
Timeline
Assistant Director RFAS Nomads
Australian Signals Directorate
02.2023 - Current
Cyber International Partnerships
Australian Signals Directorate
06.2022 - 02.2023
Acting EL1 Mission Support Lead
Australian Signals Directorate
06.2021 - 06.2022
Offensive Cyber Operations Planner
Australian Signals Directorate
10.2018 - 06.2021
Counter Terrorism Analyst
Australian Signals Directorate
07.2017 - 10.2018
ASD Exchange Officer to US Cyber Command
Australian Signals Directorate
07.2014 - 07.2017
Intelligence Operations Specialist
Defence Intelligence Organisation
10.2010 - 07.2014
Intelligence Operations Specialist
Australian Signals Directorate
07.2005 - 07.2010
Bachelor of Security Analysis (Asia-Pacific) - National Security Studies
Australian National University