Ex-NSA Official to Head Red Cell Partners’ New Cyber Practice Unit

McLean, Virginia-based incubation firm Red Cell Partners has announced the appointment of George Barnes, former National Security Agency deputy director, as president of the company’s newly established Cyber Practice.

Barnes, a speaker at a past Potomac Officers Club event, retired as NSA deputy director in September 2023 after six years in the post. He will run Red Cell’s cyber initiatives from incubation to investment, including recruitment and partnering with entrepreneurs seeking business opportunities in cybersecurity, Red Cell said Wednesday.

Besides his Red Cell appointment, Barnes was earlier named as one of the new members of the advisory board of national security firm Peraton.

According to Grant Verstandig, Red Cell’s founder, CEO and chairman, Barnes’ NSA experience will help the company “deliver urgently needed solutions to address some of the most critical problems” of the United States today.

With Barnes as its head, Red Cell Cyber Practice will competitively push innovation to bolster cybersecurity for government and commercial clients in a network-centric environment, Verstandig added.

Barnes expressed excitement in his leadership role in Red Cell Cyber Practice, saying it provides partnership opportunities “with founders who are driving meaningful change to preserve the integrity of networks and advance national security.”