HOUSTON, TX, July 08, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- David K. Garton, DSc, MBA, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Over a career of more than 25 years, Dr. Garton has become recognized as a leading authority in cybersecurity and enterprise IT. He began his professional journey in the United States Air Force from 1998 to 2002 as an avionics sensor maintenance technician, where he developed a deep commitment to integrity, precision, and leadership. Transitioning to the civilian sector, he quickly rose through technical and executive ranks, building a reputation for solving complex cybersecurity challenges and leading innovative technology initiatives.

In 2002, he joined Century Bank as a network systems engineer and quickly advanced to acting chief information officer by 2003. This early leadership experience set the stage for his role as lead system administrator for information security at the United States Department of Defense from 2004 to 2011, where he managed complex security environments and received multiple distinguished service awards.

From 2011 to 2013, Dr. Garton served as IT manager for the Department of the Army, then briefly as a SharePoint developer at VISTA in 2013. His expertise in security compliance led him to the Defense Security Service from 2013 to 2015, where he worked as a special agent and information system security professional, ensuring defense contractors adhered to stringent Department of Defense cybersecurity regulations—a pivotal shift from purely technical roles to strategic leadership.

From 2015 to 2024, Dr. Garton held key positions at Plains All American, initially as an enterprise security architect and later as technical architecture manager. He developed innovative quantitative methods for assessing and managing security risk across complex enterprise environments. He also contributed to the American Petroleum Institute with a significant article integrating operational technology security practices with the Purdue model and NIST 800-53 standards.

Today, Dr. Garton is engaged in cybersecurity research and leads his entrepreneurial venture, Decision Matrix Strategies, which integrates decision science, linear algebra, artificial intelligence, and strategic planning for digital transformation. He remains committed to mentoring professionals and fostering strong networks even amidst economic uncertainties.

Dr. Garton earned his Doctor of Science in cybersecurity, graduating magna cum laude from Capitol Technology University in 2023. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and management information systems from Texas A&M University (2006), a Master of Business Administration in management information systems from Texas A&M (2010), and a Master of Arts in information security and assurance from Western Governors University (2017). Beyond his formal degrees, Dr. Garton holds numerous professional certifications, including Microsoft Certified Information Technology Professional (MCITP), Security+ (CompTIA), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI), and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). He emphasizes that while technology is critical, cybersecurity is ultimately a human issue, requiring both technical expertise and the ability to communicate effectively across diverse audiences, from engineers to executives.

Outside his professional career, Dr. Garton actively supports civic causes, volunteering with the Houston Food Bank since 2015. He has contributed to the cybersecurity field through publications such as Cybersecurity Science: A Complex System (ProQuest LLC, 2023) and Purdue Model Framework for Industrial Control Systems & Cybersecurity Segmentation (published in America's Evolving Oil and Natural Gas Transportation Infrastructure, 2019).

In his personal time, Dr. Garton enjoys reading, fitness, mentoring, and volunteering. Looking ahead, he plans to leverage advancements in artificial intelligence to transform cybersecurity practices and to translate complex scientific concepts into practical business strategies through Decision Matrix Strategies—all while maintaining balance between professional and family life.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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