Bill McKenna

Vice President of Strategic Programs and Government Affairs

Trilogy Innovations

Bill McKenna is Vice President of Strategic Programs and Government Affairs at Trilogy Innovations, where he leads advanced initiatives in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and homeland security missions. He spearheads Radiant Expanse, an AI/ML program focused on electronic warfare, soft-kill drone defense, and signal intelligence at the tactical edge, driving innovation to protect the nation against evolving threats.

Bill earned his Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security from The George Washington University in May 2025. His Capstone, “Predictive AI at the Tactical Edge: Lessons from Operationalizing Emergency Management During Civil Unrest,” explored how predictive AI can be integrated into crisis response to strengthen homeland resilience. This research underpins his federal work supporting DHS, DOJ, FBI, HHS, and Treasury in adopting responsible AI and modernizing mission systems.

Earlier in his career, Bill spent a decade in institutional sales, specializing in 401(k) plans and retirement platforms at ING, T. Rowe Price, and OneAmerica. His expertise centered on the implications of Sarbanes-Oxley, ERISA, and the USA PATRIOT Act for institutional investing. That experience, where financial policy, compliance, and governance converged, shaped his understanding of how regulatory frameworks guide secure, resilient systems. Today, he applies that foundation to emerging domains such as finaware, cryptoware, and blockchain-enabled digital trust.

In 1998, at the age of 24, Bill became the youngest elected official in the State of New Jersey, serving as a borough councilman in Dunellen. Two decades later, he was elected in Herndon, Virginia, before calling Morgantown, West Virginia, his home. He and his wife, Melissa, share their lives with two cavapoos (Maisie and Murphy), two cats (Maguire and Jupiter), and celebrate the achievements of their two stepchildren, Spencer, who works in Federal IT, and Claire, who is earning her Physician Assistant degree.

A recognized thought leader, Bill bridges policy, governance, and technology to ensure AI adoption advances both innovation and national security. At the Homeland Security Summit, he offers insights on how industry and government can collaborate to operationalize AI while safeguarding critical infrastructure, financial systems, and homeland security.

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