Jay Rhykerd

Jay Rhykerd is the Chief Information Security Officer at Sheetz, a $13B privately held convenience store chain, where he leads the organization's cybersecurity strategy, risk management, and compliance initiatives. With over 25 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity, Jay has held roles at companies like SRA International and UPMC, bringing a wealth of knowledge in conducting security assessments and implementing remediation strategies.

A proud alumnus of the University of Pittsburgh, Jay holds a Bachelor's degree in Information Science and a CISO certificate from Carnegie Mellon University. His leadership philosophy emphasizes aligning cybersecurity measures with business objectives, ensuring that security initiatives support and enable organizational goals.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Jay is an advocate for neurodiversity in the workplace. He has openly shared his personal journey with ADHD, aiming to raise awareness and foster inclusive environments that recognize and value diverse cognitive perspectives.

As a member of the SCI Alumni Board, Jay is committed to mentoring the next generation of technology professionals and contributing to the advancement of computing and information sciences.