A Career Built on Service, Trust, and Leadership

By Charlotte Mateo On July 27, 2026 · In Consultant Highlight

Updated: July 27, 2026

For more than three decades, Lonnie Garris III has built a career around a single mission: helping organizations understand and manage risk. 

From military intelligence operations and cybersecurity leadership to consulting and entrepreneurship, his work has consistently focused on protecting people, information, and critical assets in an increasingly complex world. 

Today, as a cybersecurity advisor, virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO), entrepreneur, and consultant, Lonnie brings a unique perspective shaped by 24 years of service in the United States Air Force. While the tools and technologies have changed throughout his career, the leadership principles guiding his decisions have remained remarkably consistent. 

A Trusted Partnership with Benchmark IT

In 2025, Benchmark IT was working with one of its Connecticut-based clients, a specialty manufacturer focused on precision electronics, including products used in defense-related applications. As the company worked to strengthen its cybersecurity posture and prepare for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements, it needed a leader who could bring both deep cybersecurity expertise and a strong understanding of risk management. 

Benchmark IT identified Lonnie as an ideal fit. 

Drawing on his background in military intelligence, cybersecurity leadership, and strategic advisory work, Lonnie was able to quickly contribute to the client’s objectives while helping guide critical security initiatives. 

He credits the Benchmark team with understanding both his experience and the client’s needs, creating a partnership that aligned closely with his expertise and professional goals. 

“Benchmark recognized my skills and experience and paired me with a company that was a great fit.” 

The continued partnership has allowed Lonnie to focus on delivering value while continuing to grow professionally through meaningful and challenging work. 

From Military Intelligence to Cybersecurity

Lonnie’s professional foundation was built in the Air Force, where he spent 24 years serving as an intelligence officer before retiring as a Colonel. 

As cyber threats became increasingly intertwined with intelligence operations, he found himself working at the intersection of both disciplines. 

“Foreign intelligence services were increasingly using cyber methods to collect information,” he explains. “Corporate America was facing many of the same types of threats that we were seeing in the military.” 

Recognizing the growing importance of cybersecurity, Lonnie began preparing for his transition into the private sector before leaving military service. He earned advanced cybersecurity certifications, including the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) credential, and developed a vision for helping organizations apply national security principles to modern business challenges. 

Today, he serves as a trusted advisor and virtual Chief Information Security Officer, helping organizations strengthen security programs, assess risk, and navigate an increasingly sophisticated threat landscape. 

One of the defining moments of his military career came when he was recognized as the Air Force’s Field Grade Officer of the Year within the intelligence community. The recognition opened the door to emerging intelligence programs focused on unmanned aerial vehicles and advanced intelligence operations. 

The experience not only expanded his technical expertise but also reinforced a passion that would follow him throughout his career: developing people, building teams, and helping organizations prepare for the future. 

The Three T’s of Leadership

Ask Lonnie about leadership, and his philosophy can be summarized in three simple words: 

Train. Trust. Travail. 

The framework evolved during his military career, where leaders are encouraged to develop and communicate their own leadership style. 

For Lonnie, leadership starts with preparation. 

“If I haven’t trained someone properly, I can’t hold them responsible.” 

Once individuals have been given the tools, resources, and knowledge they need to succeed, the next step is trust. 

Rather than micromanaging, he believes leaders should empower people to do what they were hired and trained to do. 

The final component—travail—reflects a leader’s responsibility to work alongside their team when challenges arise. 

“If there are issues, I’ll sit down with them and we’ll work through it together.” 

The Three T’s have guided Lonnie throughout military service, consulting engagements, and executive leadership roles. While simple in structure, the philosophy reflects a deeper belief that strong teams are built through investment, accountability, and shared commitment. 

At the center of that philosophy is trust. 

Whether leading military personnel, mentoring future leaders, or advising executive teams, Lonnie believes trust is earned through preparation, consistency, and sound judgment. It is a principle that extends beyond leadership and into the cybersecurity work he does today. 

Organizations rely on trusted advisors to help them navigate increasingly complex risks, balance competing priorities, and make informed decisions. For Lonnie, the same leadership principles that guided him throughout his military career continue to shape how he approaches cybersecurity: understand the mission, build trust, and help people succeed. 

Helping Organizations Navigate Modern Risk

Today, Lonnie works with organizations ranging from small businesses to larger enterprises, helping leadership teams understand cybersecurity risk and make informed decisions. 

One of the biggest challenges he sees is that many organizations still struggle to view cybersecurity as a strategic business priority rather than simply a technology expense. 

At the same time, many companies continue to rely on legacy systems that remain critical to operations but are increasingly difficult to secure and maintain. 

His role often involves helping leaders balance operational realities, regulatory requirements, and evolving cyber threats while creating practical security strategies that align with business objectives. 

As cyber incidents continue to make headlines and regulations become more stringent, Lonnie believes organizations are becoming more proactive in their approach to security. That shift has created greater demand for experienced advisors who can bridge the gap between technology, risk management, and executive decision-making. 

Beyond Cybersecurity

In addition to his consulting work, Lonnie is also a co-founder of Cool Amps, a startup focused on recovering critical minerals from batteries and manufacturing scrap materials. 

The venture emerged from a chance connection between fellow innovators and engineers, demonstrating the same curiosity and collaborative mindset that has shaped much of his professional journey. 

While cybersecurity remains his primary focus, entrepreneurship provides another avenue for tackling complex challenges and contributing to emerging industries. 

A Legacy of Service

Today, Lonnie continues to advise organizations while enjoying the flexibility to spend more time with his family, including his son, who recently entered high school. 

Looking back, his career reflects a consistent commitment to service, leadership, and continuous learning.  

Whether advising executives, mentoring future leaders, or helping organizations strengthen their cybersecurity posture, Lonnie continues to approach every challenge through the same lens that guided his military service: integrity, service, and excellence. 

Those principles have carried him from intelligence operations to cybersecurity leadership, and they continue to shape the impact he makes today. 

At Benchmark IT, we are proud to partner with professionals like Lonnie and grateful for the expertise, leadership, and perspective he brings to every engagement.