Bill Walker

Bill Walker is the Executive Director of National Security and Cyberspace Programs, and of WVU Cyber, where he spearheads strategic partnerships across government, defense and the private sector to address some of the nation’s most complex cyber and critical infrastructure challenges. Bill works to ensure the University remains at the forefront of innovation, translating cutting-edge research into operational capabilities that enhance national security and economic competitiveness.  These efforts ultimately strengthen the defense of civilian and military infrastructure and advance America’s technological edge in cyberspace. 

With more than three decades of distinguished service in both military and civilian capacities within the U.S. Department of Defense, Bill brings unmatched expertise in national security, leadership, and cyber operations. Before joining WVU in late 2024, he spent nearly a decade building and leading United States Cyber Command’s Cyber Defense Headquarters, serving as the Deputy Director of Intelligence, Deputy Executive Director, and culminating his tenure as Chief of Staff. There, he managed a programmed budget of over $1.1 billion and oversaw military and civilian professionals responsible for the daily operations of over 250,000 cyber professionals worldwide. His leadership safeguarded and operated the Department of Defense’s global cyber enterprise, encompassing more than 15,000 classified and unclassified networked and cloud environments, the largest and most complex network infrastructure on the planet. 

Earlier in his career, Bill held multiple senior posts in state and local government, where he led high-performing agencies that safeguarded communities, modernized essential services, and measurably improved the quality of life for citizens.  A decorated veteran of both the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, he continues to serve in uniform as the Director of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance in the West Virginia Air National Guard. 

Bill resides just outside of Washington, D.C., with his wife, Jessica, and their son, Grayson.