John Hellickson is a veteran information security and risk management executive who brings over 30 years of information technology experience, with the last 26 years focused on security and risk management. As a Cybersecurity Executive Consultant, John specializes in cybersecurity strategy, governance & cyber resilience to help chief executives develop business-aligned cybersecurity strategies and to manage those security programs long-term with measurable outcomes. John is also a small business owner in the Colorado Springs area, helping local businesses reduce their operating costs through innovative mobile compaction Smash Truck™ services while helping his customers positively impact the environment.
John previously served as Global Chief Security Officer at First Data, the world’s largest third-party processor of credit and debit card transactions. He joined First Data in the late 1990s as a hands-on security engineer and quickly progressed through security leadership ranks to lead the 400-person $96M global security program. Earlier in his career, John served seven years in the US Air Force, supporting base communications, information technologies, and managing the security of highly classified systems directly supporting the United States nuclear war plan at US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM).
The mission and over a decade-long commitment that Here to Serve has been providing had hit home with John, where close family and friends have gone through battles with cancer who could have benefited from the wraparound support services that Here to Serve provides. “I could not find a more impactful non-profit for families forced into the cancer journey that was unfortunately sprung upon them!🎗️” John shared that he wanted to help the organization on its own journey of being more easily recognized and known for being the most supportive and trusted wraparound services to ease the burden for those families navigating cancer.
