Biography
Chester “CJ” Maciag has spent more than three decades serving the Department of War (DoW) at the intersection of technology, education, and national security. His mission is to ensure America sustains its edge in cyberspace and across the Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) by cultivating the people, partnerships, and programs that power modernization.
Mr. Maciag serves as the VICEROY National Director and Director for Cyber-Spectrum Academic Engagement within the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (OUSW(R&E)). He leads national talent pathway programs that develop mission-capable cyber-spectrum leaders prepared to meet tomorrow’s non-kinetic operational challenges. Through VICEROY’s Virtual Institute, national cyber competitions, and strategic academic collaborations, he unites universities, research institutions, industry, and military partners to strengthen the nation’s cyber-spectrum workforce pipeline.
Previously, Mr. Maciag served as the Acting Principal Director for Cyber within USW(R&E) and as the Acting Director for the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Electromagnetic Warfare (C5ISREW) office, directing approximately $4 billion annually in defense-related research and development programs.
He began his career at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Information Directorate in Rome, New York, serving 30 years, while concurrently dedicating 20 years to academia at Utica University. He holds degrees from Rochester Institute of Technology, Utica University, and Air University.
Known as “Captain CJ,” he also maintains a U.S. Coast Guard 50-Ton Merchant Marine Captain’s License. He is an active member of the Military Cyber Professionals Association and the Association of Old Crows.