Nearly all of the top officials at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have recently left or plan to leave the agency by the end of May, according to an internal email obtained by Cybersecurity Dive. The departures are raising serious concerns about the strength and stability of the U.S. government’s top cyber defense agency at a time of growing global cyber threats.
In an email sent to staff, newly appointed deputy director Madhu Gottumukkala confirmed that five of CISA’s six operational divisions and six of its ten regional offices are losing senior leaders this month.
High-Level Departures Across the Board
Among the confirmed exits:
- Steve Harris, acting head of the Infrastructure Security Division, left on May 16.
- Trent Frazier, acting head of the Stakeholder Engagement Division, left on May 2.
- Vince Delaurentis, the deputy head of the Emergency Communications Division, is leaving on May 30.
- Matt Hartman, deputy head of the Cybersecurity Division, and Boyden Rohner, head of the Integrated Operations Division, have also departed.
These losses, experts warn, could weaken CISA’s ability to coordinate with partners in critical infrastructure, private cybersecurity firms, foreign allies, and emergency managers at the state and local levels.
Regional and Administrative Teams Also Affected
Leadership changes extend beyond headquarters. Directors from several regional offices have already left or will soon depart:
- Region 2: John Durkin
- Region 4: Jay Gamble
- Region 5: Alex Joves and Deputy Director Kathy Young
- Region 6: Rob Russell
- Region 7: Phil Kirk
- Region 10: Patrick Massey
These regional leaders have played a key role in strengthening CISA’s national reach, building trust with local partners, and promoting the agency’s cybersecurity services.
On the administrative side, several top officials are also stepping down:
- Val Cofield, Chief Strategy Officer, and Tarek Abboushi, Chief Financial Officer, will leave on May 30.
- Juan Arratia, Chief Contracting Officer, left on May 16.
- Blair Duncan, Chief Human Capital Officer, left on May 2.
Concerns Inside and Outside the Agency
The wave of resignations has caused unease among CISA staff. “With these significant number of senior departures… there’s a lot of anxiety around when the cuts and departures will finally stop,” one CISA employee said anonymously.
Another employee expressed concern that the wrong people are leaving, stating, “All of these departures make it feel like people are leaving the mission and creating a vacuum.”
Outside experts are also worried. Suzanne Spaulding, former head of CISA’s predecessor organization, called the loss of institutional knowledge “sad and maddening.” She warned that the departure of experienced leaders, particularly those who work closely with critical infrastructure operators, will reduce the country’s cybersecurity readiness.
Agency Leadership Responds
Despite the turmoil, agency leadership remains optimistic. CISA Executive Director Bridget Bean said in a statement, “CISA is doubling down and fulfilling its statutory mission to secure the nation’s critical infrastructure and strengthen our collective cyber defense.”
Gottumukkala, who began as acting director on May 19, told employees he has been “inspired” by the work being done at the agency and pledged to move forward despite the challenges.
Still, questions remain about how the agency will maintain its momentum and credibility amid so many high-level exits, especially as threats from foreign adversaries continue to rise.
