Wed, Sep 16 · 12:00 PM EDT
Topic: FSO Consultants®: Navigating the Facility Clearance Process
What will be covered:
A practical overview of the Facility Clearance (FCL) process and why it matters for organizations pursuing classified government work.
Key requirements, timelines, and stakeholder responsibilities involved in obtaining and maintaining an FCL.
Common challenges companies encounter during the clearance process and how to avoid costly delays.
Best practices for establishing a compliant security program, including personnel security, insider threat, and safeguarding requirements.
What organizations should do now to prepare for future classified contract opportunities and position themselves for growth.
Guest Speaker SMEs:
Diana Edmondson is the Founder / President of FSO Consultants® and has 30+ years of experience in the defense and industrial security communities. Diana began her career in the defense industry serving in the United States Navy as an SH-60B helicopter pilot. Following 10 years on active duty, she transitioned to the civilian sector in finance at Merrill Lynch before being drawn back to the defense arena. As Program Manager for the Tactical Networks Program Office (PMW 160) Automated Digital Network System (ADNS) program she gained valuable experience in Department of Defense tactical network systems development, acquisition, test and evaluation, and life cycle support. Building upon this expertise, she became Director and Part Owner of CAVU Consulting, where she was introduced to the Facility Security Officer (FSO) position. While fulfilling that essential role, she recognized the critical need for FSO expertise for small companies that often lack the resources to employ a dedicated FSO. Convinced she could address that shortfall; Diana founded FSO Consultants in 2016. Her vision from the start was to provide clients with the expertise of a full-time, experienced FSO while relieving them of the administrative burden of an additional employee.
Diana was raised in Lakewood, Colorado and is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree with Honors in Economics. She received her Security Manager Certification from the Navy Criminal Investigative Service and her FSO Certification from the Center for Development of Security Excellence.
Erin Petkunas is the Vice President of FSO Consultants® and has over 20 years of experience in the defense and industrial security industries. Erin spent 12 years on active and reserve duty in the United States Navy as an MH-60R Helicopter pilot. Following her time in the Navy, Erin took a position as a contractor for Booz Allen Hamilton working on the Computer Network Defense and Key Management Infrastructure programs in the PMW 130 program office. At FSO Consultants, she found an opportunity to use her security and defense expertise to train and mentor her fellow FSO Consultants, as well as develop comprehensive security programs to meet the individual needs of our diverse clients. Erin’s depth of knowledge in every aspect of the National Industrial Security Program has been instrumental to the continued growth and success of FSO Consultants.
Originally from Little Rock, AR, Erin graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in English and completed a Master of Business Administration degree at Southern New Hampshire University. She received her FSO Certification from the Center for Development of Security Excellence.
