About

Our Mission

NEC NSS deploys groundbreaking solutions for government use, including end-to-end systems for access control and security, Next Gen identity verification, scene processing, advanced analytics, and intrusion detection.

Our integrated hardware and software solutions support some of the U.S government’s most critical missions, including those of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Defense (DOD), Department of State (DOS), Department of Justice (DOJ), and the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC).

Learn About the NSS Board

Dr. Kathleen L. Kiernan – President

Dr. Kathleen L. Kiernan is President of NEC National Security Systems (NSS). Dr. Kiernan will execute the company’s vision of providing world-class biometric and identity, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and computer vision applications for federal government agencies in defense, intelligence, law enforcement, and homeland security agencies.

A 29-year veteran of Federal Law Enforcement, Dr. Kiernan is a recognized expert in strategic thinking, strategy development, and facilitating critical incident management exercises across government and private sector organizations. She is the founder and CEO of Kiernan Group Holdings (KGH), a women-owned global consulting firm specializing in intelligence, law enforcement and national security. Previously, she served as the Assistant Director for the Office of Strategic Intelligence and Information for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

Dr. Kiernan has developed and trademarked four approaches to complex national-level issues (Fuciferi Versuiti^®, Emerging Technology Innovation CenterTM, PWP^® and G.O.T. Preparedness^®). She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the American Security Today Platinum Award for Best Educational Program in Homeland Security in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. She is also an adjunct faculty member of the Johns Hopkins School of Education and the Center for Homeland Defense and Security at the Naval Postgraduate School.

Dr. Kiernan holds a Doctor of Education from Northern Illinois University, a Master’s Degree in International Transaction from George Mason University, and a Master’s of Science from Joint Military Intelligence College.

Chris Jackson – Board Member

Chris Jackson is President and CEO, NEC Europe Ltd. and NEC Corporation of America, heading up the respective regional operation.

Joining at NEC in 2008, Chris held a number of senior roles including Vice President Information Systems & Supply Chain, Vice President Partner Alliances & Services EMEA, Vice President Sales Northern & Central Europe and Vice President Carrier Business Unit.

As a commercially minded and driven technology professional with over 20 years experience in solution sales, delivery, outsourcing and transformation programmes, Chris has a broad experience of leading sales teams, focusing on high performance and business growth with proven track record of building teams and developing people across large geographic region. He is known to have a significant experience in leading major cost down initiatives, delivering measurable results through both cost management and business model shifts, including large outsourcing/off-shoring programmes.

In April 2020, he was appointed as President & CEO at the European headquarter as the first European head to lead the organisation.

As of April 2023, Chris is appointed as President & CEO of NEC Corporation of America and Corporate Senior Vice President of NEC Corporation. Chris is aiming to drive business growth in European and American market even further and promote diversified culture to globalise the entire organisation.

Chris is married with two children and graduated from University of York.

Brigadier General Francis X Taylor – Board Member

Francis Taylor is the President and CEO, FXTAYLOR Associates. He retired from the United States Federal Government  in January of 2017 as Undersecretary for Intel and Analysis at the Department of Homeland Security. From Mar 2005 until Nov 2013, he was Vice President and Chief Security Officer for the General Electric Company. Prior to joining GE, Mr. Taylor had a distinguished 35-year career in government service, where he held several senior positions managing investigations, security and counterterrorism issues.

Most recently, he served as the Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security and Director of the Office of Foreign Missions, with a rank of Ambassador. Ambassador Taylor also served as the US Ambassador at Large and Coordinator for Counterterrorism for the Department of State from July 2001 to November 2002. In this role, he was responsible for the implementing US counterterrorism policy overseas and coordinating the US government response to international terrorist activities.

During his 31 years of military service, Ambassador Taylor served with distinction, rising to the rank of Brigadier General in September 1996. In his final active-duty assignment, Brigadier General Taylor headed the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.

Mr. Taylor received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Government and International Studies from the University of Notre Dame in 1970 and 1974. He is a Distinguished Graduate of the Notre Dame ROTC program.

Kay Kapoor – Board Member

Kay Kapoor has an expansive 29-year career, leading and running large technology organizations in private-sector and public-sector markets. She currently serves as CEO of Arya-Technologies, providing independent consulting to organizations in the government, regulatory, financial, and technology industries, especially around growth strategies and M&A.

Recently, Kapoor led AT&T's $15B Global Public Sector business providing innovative technology and communications solutions to customers across federal, state, local & international governments and education markets. Over the course of 5 years, she transformed the segment and delivered hyper-growth. Achievements include capturing multibillion-dollar contracts including the landmark FirstNet contract, to build a nationwide public safety broadband network for first responders.

Previously, Kapoor served as Chairman & CEO of Accenture Federal Services, a $1.3B wholly-owned subsidiary of Accenture LLC. Before that, she worked at Lockheed Martin Corp for 20 years, leading complex organization units and government relations. She ultimately served as Vice President & COO of Lockheed's $4.0B, 13,000 employee, IS&GS-Civil unit.

Kapoor sits on the Dean's council of Harvard's Kennedy School and the advisory board of Harvard's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. She is a member of the Dean's Advisory Council at Johns Hopkins, Carey School of Business. Kapoor earned a Masters degree in Business from Johns Hopkins University complemented by executive programs at MIT and Harvard. She earned her Bachelor's degree from University of Maryland.

Dr. Michael Vickers – Board Member

Michael Vickers, who assumed the responsibilities as undersecretary of defense for intelligence March 17, 2011, has been the longest serving Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence in the department’s history.

Previously, he served as the department’s first and only assistant secretary of defense for special operations/low-intensity and interdependent capabilities from July 2007 to March 2011, and acting Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence from January 2011 to March 2011.

Vickers’ federal service has spanned nearly four decades; serving in a variety of positions as a national security decision maker and intelligence community leader. In addition to his tenure at the Department of Defense, he also served in the U.S. Army as a Special Forces non-commissioned officer and Special Forces officer and was a CIA operations officer.