Executive Team
Our people are as innovative as our cybersecurity technologies and solutions
Our people are as innovative as our cybersecurity technologies and solutions
Our executive leaders are collectively driven by a common passion to make Merlin the go-to cybersecurity platform that empowers organizations with the most innovative, effective solutions to close critical security gaps and simplify digital risk management.
David Phelps is the founder of Merlin and currently serves as the Chairman and CEO. David is responsible for defining the company’s strategy and direction, setting the corporate culture, and leading the senior executive team in support of future growth. Prior to founding Merlin, David developed a deep understanding of the federal marketplace during his 25-year career, which included service in the U.S. Navy and industry positions with Ford Aerospace, Martin Marietta, Loral Aerospace, and The Aerospace Corporation. By combining his extensive background in satellite command and control, ground systems design and development, and high-performance computing with an extremely successful business model, he has turned Merlin into one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the United States.
Julie Xiang is General Manager for Merlin, where she is responsible for leading the company and growing revenue in both the public and private sectors. Julie has more than 16 years of information technology sales and sales management experience, including seven years at IBM, where she achieved significant recognition. She has also held leadership positions at Oracle and Datatel Inc. Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the Shanghai International Studies University, a Master of Education from Boston University, and a Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Science from the University of Maryland University College.
Seth Spergel is the Managing Partner of Merlin Ventures, where he is responsible for identifying cutting-edge companies for Merlin to partner with and invest in. Seth has more than 20 years of experience building, selling, and investing in software and startups. Most recently, Seth was VP for Infrastructure Technologies at In-Q-Tel, a strategic investment firm that invests in startups that meet the mission needs of government customers. There, he led a team of technology experts to evaluate companies and identify novel uses of their technology within In-Q-Tel’s customer set.
Prior to In-Q-Tel, Seth was the VP of Engineering for ThinkGeek, an online seller and manufacturer of “geeky” toys and clothing. He also spent 12 years at IBM in roles ranging from software developer to sales manager.
Mike Spies is General Counsel and Secretary for Merlin, where he is responsible for managing all aspects of Merlin’s legal functions, practices, and policies. He also advises Merlin leadership regarding matters of legal risk while helping lead corporate expansion through strategic financings, acquisitions, and investments.
Before joining Merlin, Mike served as the Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of Hosting.Com Inc. and its various subsidiaries, including Stelligent Systems and Ntirety. Prior to that, he practiced law with Bryan Cave LLP and Holland & Knight LLP, two of the largest law firms in the United States.
Mike earned a J.D. from William & Mary School of Law. He also graduated from the College of William & Mary with degrees in economics and international relations.
Stephen McCarney is the Chief Marketing Officer at Merlin and is responsible for all aspects of Merlin Cyber’s marketing strategy and initiatives to accelerate brand and business growth.
Stephen is an accomplished information security marketing technologist and accelerated growth executive with more than 25 years of experience. Before joining Merlin, he led marketing for OPAQ (acquired by Fortinet), a secure access service edge (SASE) provider and Gartner Cool Vendor which he helped form in 2016. Prior to OPAQ, Stephen was VP of Marketing for Arxan Technologies, a leading application security company, where he developed and drove global branding and go-to-market programs. His past leadership roles include global security marketing at Unisys Corporation and other companies large and small.
Stephen also formed and led a strategic marketing and business growth consulting firm for four years. His firm served as an advisor to clients such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Deltek, Marine Healthcare Services, and the U.S. Army. He is a graduate of George Washington University.
Rachel Weisz is Vice President of Federal Sales for Merlin, where she leads the company’s federal sales team and helps grow revenue in the public sector market. She accelerates sales by working across her team to create flexible cybersecurity solutions with innovative consumption models that provide increased value to stakeholders.
Rachel has more than 20 years of experience selling, designing, developing, and implementing technology solutions to support strategic business objectives. Before joining Merlin, she spent two years at Gartner connecting federal clients with the most effective resources to inform their technology decision-making. Prior to that, Rachel spent 17 years with IBM in sales, sales management, and delivery roles achieving the highest achievement recognition.
She holds an MBA from the University of Maryland Smith School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Duke University.
Miguel Sian brings over 20 years of experience in IT systems engineering, solutions architecture, consulting and technical program management. Currently working as the Vice President of Technology at Merlin, Miguel leads a team of cybersecurity solution architects, engineers and client success managers who provide technical services for the public sector and commercial markets. Prior to joining Merlin, Miguel was at VMware where he served in a technical leadership position in the pursuit and capture of large federal programs related to cloud, mobility, cybersecurity and end user computing. In the private sector, Miguel led a team of systems engineers that supported the largest-ever launch of new low-fare service in the history of the airline business.
He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science, Master of Science in Management of Information Technology, and several technical certifications including CISSP, CCSP and ITIL.
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