Accelerating Success Across the CMMC Ecosystem
Our mission is to accelerate CMMC success across the ecosystem by preparing organizations for assessment, performing Level 2 assessments with C3PAO partners, expanding C3PAOs' assessment capacity with our experienced CCAs, and delivering high-quality CCP and CCA training.
Meet the Team
The 1st Defense CMMC leadership team brings decades of executive and technical experience from organizations including IBM, Microsoft, State Farm, Gartner, root9B, and Shadowscape, along with hands-on leadership as Lead CCAs on dozens of CMMC Level 2 assessments and as instructors delivering CCP and CCA training. Together, we accelerate the CMMC ecosystem by providing end-to-end CMMC training, readiness, and assessment services that help OSCs achieve certification, professionals advance their careers, and C3PAOs scale the number of assessments.
James McCarter
Managing Director & Co-Founder
GSLC, A+, Net+, Sec+, Project+, ITIL
Mark Debry
President & Co-Founder, Assessor
LCCA, CISM, CCA/CCP Instructor,
CMMC Industry Speaker
Mike Forgione
Director of Cyber Operations, Assessor
LCCA, CISSP, Cyber SME
Dana Hamilton
Assessor
LCCA, CISA
Mike George
Assessor
LCCA, CySA+
John Lambros
Assessor & Marketing
CCA, CRISC
Jay Swanson
Assessor
CCA, CISSP, PMP
Brian Kendall
Assessor
CCA, PMP
Burke Manwaring
Assessor
CCA, PMP
Thomas Weis
Assessor
CCA, CySA+
Jerry Bell
Lead Readiness Expert
Our Purpose
At 1st Defense CMMC, our purpose is to make CMMC simpler, faster, and more predictable for everyone involved. We exist to remove confusion, reduce friction, and bring structure to a process that often feels overwhelming. By applying real assessor experience, we help organizations and professionals move forward with clarity and confidence.
Everything was developed by certified assessors to benefit the entire CMMC ecosystem.
Our Values and Roles
We operate at the intersection of readiness, assessment, training, and growth. Our role is to guide, support, and strengthen every participant in the CMMC lifecycle.
Everything we do is grounded in our desire to ‘Accelerate Success’ for everyone in the CMMC ecosystem, and we do that based on our extensive partnerships and experience on real assessments.
For OSCs
we simplify certification and help navigate assessments with confidence.
For MSPs
we support stronger readiness programs and more defensible client outcomes.
For C3PAOs
we expand assessment capacity and accelerate business growth.
For CCAs
we provide opportunities to work as 1099s on C3PAO assessments.
For Individuals
we create clear career paths into one of the most in-demand areas of cybersecurity.
Turn On-Demand Capacity into Competitive Advantage
We help you complete more assessments, reduce scheduling constraints, increase revenue capacity, and grow your business without adding internal resource costs. You get scalable execution, consistent quality, and faster delivery to grow your business.
Accelerate your CMMC Journey Now!
Every organization’s compliance journey is different. We meet you where you are, providing clear guidance and dependable support from preparation through certification.
1st Defense CMMC can help - Let's Talk!