CHARLESTON, S.C. – Michael Kozma was recently selected as the Palmetto Tech Bridge (PTB) director as part of the NavalX Tech Bridge Network.

In this position, Kozma leverages the tech bridge concept to accelerate technology capability development through connection, curation, and collaboration. He also serves as a connector between the Navy, Marine Corps and regional innovators, including startups, academia, non-profits, small businesses, private capital, and government entities.

As part of the PTB, he is responsible for scouting emerging technologies, identifying strategic partnerships, and facilitating collaborative projects to quickly deliver innovative solutions to the fleet.

The PTB is aligned under the mission of Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic, whose headquarters is located in the unique innovation ecosystem of Charleston, South Carolina.

As a regional organization, the PTB’s geographic mission draws a line from Raleigh-Durham’s Research Triangle to the north, Atlanta to the west and Jacksonville, Florida, to the south.

Kozma also serves as the NIWC Atlantic cybersecurity competency manager. As a manager, Kozma is responsible for cybersecurity workforce development, performance management, and oversight to ensure the capabilities delivered to the warfighter are secure by design, secure in development, and secure in operations.

A native of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, Kozma has more than 16 years of cybersecurity management and technical experience at NIWC Atlantic. He began his career as a NIWC Atlantic cybersecurity intern assigned to the NIWC Atlantic, Washington, D.C. office, where he provided cybersecurity support to Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI), Marine Corps Forces Cyber Command (MARFORCYBER), and United States Central Command (USCENTCOM).

Kozma received his Bachelor of Science degree in computer science and computer security, minor in mathematics, from East Stroudsburg University , and a Master of Science in information security at Nova Southeastern University. He has received numerous technical certificates including DAWIA Level III Engineer certification, DAWIA Level II Information Technology certification, DAWIA Level I Program Management certification, CompTIA Security+, and CompTIA Linux+.

To learn more about PTB, visit our LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/palmetto-tech-bridge/ or on our website at https://www.niwcatlantic.navy.mil/Palmetto-Tech-Bridge/.

About NavalX
NavalX is at the forefront of naval innovation, dedicated to leading the Department of the Navy's (DoN) innovation ecosystem and shaping its competitive advantage in a complex and constantly changing world. NavalX brings together a wide range of stakeholders to create a vibrant naval innovation ecosystem. Through this ecosystem, NavalX accelerates the development and transition of capabilities that address the critical needs of the DoN, ensuring that the Navy remains agile and adaptable