Meet Kevin Heaney, who was inspired following the September 11th attacks to pursue a career in national security that has led him to #NNSA.
National Nuclear Security Administration
June 25, 2024
minute read time
How do you support NNSA?
I work in NNSA’s Office of Cybersecurity within the Office of the Associate Administrator for Information Management and Chief Information Officer. I lead efforts with our engagement teams and experts at our labs, plants, and sites to develop plans, policies, trainings, and exercise programs that build cyber incident response capacity across the nuclear security enterprise.
What is your personal background, and how has that shaped you and your approach to your career?
I am a very proud New Jersey native! I grew up outside New York City and the attacks of September 11, 2001, were a shocking event in my development and shaped the rest of my life. My parents and many people in my town commuted back and forth to NYC every day. The only career I’ve ever imagined since then has been in national security. As a kid and teenager, I thought that would look like a James Bond movie or an episode of 24.
What did you study in school and how did it impact you personally and professionally?
I went to St. John’s University in New York for a bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security, which was a new degree field combining elements of criminal justice, intelligence studies, and foreign affairs. This led to an internship and then a full-time role in New Jersey’s Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. I loved my 3.5 years in state government, but I eventually left to pursue a Master of Public Policy at the University of Virginia’s Frank Batten School for Leadership and Public Policy. There I focused on cybersecurity and national security policy, and wrote my capstone thesis on the Department of Defense’s cyber capacity building programs with foreign allies and partners.
What led you to a career in nuclear security?
A classmate recommended NNSA’s National Graduate Fellowship Program. I received the offer to join the summer 2022 cohort and I was thrilled to say yes! I initially served in NNSA’s Office of Counterterrorism and Counterproliferation, where I performed functions like my old job, such as developing training and implementing capacity building efforts – only this time in radiological and nuclear response. Later that year, I backfilled an opening to support NNSA’s Office of Policy and Strategy Planning with their enterprise-level strategic planning communications and events. I knew that I wanted to work in cybersecurity and was thrilled when the opportunity arose to move full-time to the Office of the Chief Information Officer after the end of the fellowship.
What is the best part about your job?
The talent that DOE and NNSA possesses in the labs, plants, and sites is mind-blowing. Whenever I find myself drowning in track changes or staring at the same Word document, I get refreshed by the conversations I have with our experts and front-line network defenders. Not only do they have incredible amounts of knowledge and experience, but they are great teammates who want to help others learn and collaborate. We also couldn’t do our work without the benefit of private-sector talent and product development. The nationwide cyber community has been incredibly welcoming and mission focused.
What is your proudest accomplishment while supporting NNSA?
While serving with NNSA’s Office of Counterterrorism and Counterproliferation, my team delivered live virtual training to Ukrainian personnel during the opening weeks of Russia’s unwarranted invasion. It was humbling and gratifying to work with my team to quickly develop training materials on radiological and nuclear safety and get them out to partners defending their country’s freedom.
Tell us something interesting about yourself.
I have officiated 3 weddings – one for an immediate family member and two for very dear friends. It’s an incredible honor and a responsibility that I take very seriously!
What advice would you have for anyone interested in a career in public service?
By choosing public service, you can find incredibly meaningful work that keeps you motivated and interested in your efforts for an entire career. Stay determined, curious, and with a “mission first” mindset and you can find the right path that motivates you and fulfills your sense of purpose.
Who is someone that inspires you and why?
My parents have become my biggest inspirations! They both worked full-time jobs in successful careers, juggled three kids’ sports, hobbies, and social lives, and provided everything we needed and more while always managing to have a sense of humor. They have always supported my goals and my dream of public service. They’ve both recently retired (to become full-time grandparents!) and I couldn’t be happier for them.
How do you plan to celebrate Pride Month?
I am the Social Chair for the Energy PRIDE employee resource group, and we have a super busy month planned! We raised the Pride Flag outside Forrestal with Secretary Granholm, marched in the Capital Pride parade and worked the festival on Pennsylvania Avenue, bringing in guest speakers and leaders, and assisting with new DOE workforce policies affecting the LGBTQ community. Outside the office, there are a ton of Pride events around DC where I will be celebrating with my partner and friends. My life is filled with so much joy, love, dignity, and validation. But my joy would not be possible without the work and sacrifice of the heroes who came before me to create this better environment for queer people – and we know there remains so much work to do to achieve full, secure, resilient equality nationwide. That is why we celebrate Pride!