Leadership

Chairman & CEO

David Phelps

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.

General Manager

Julie Xiang

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.

Vice President of Emerging Technology, Investment Professional

Seth Spergel

Seth Spergel is Vice President of Emerging Technology at Merlin, 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.

Senior Director of Corporate Development, Investment Professional

Eric Bell

Eric Bell is a Senior Director at Merlin Ventures, where he is responsible for deal sourcing, due diligence and providing finance and strategy support to portfolio companies. Eric has more than 15 years of experience as a technology investment banker, entrepreneur, and investor. Prior to joining Merlin, Eric led technology acquisitions and investments at Gannett, was an investment banker at AGC Partners, a growth equity investor at Blue Delta Capital Partners, and an analyst at Citigroup Private Bank focused on alternative investments. Eric holds an MBA from Georgetown University and a BA from Hendrix College.

Chief Financial Officer

Ron Sayco

Ron Sayco is Chief Financial Officer at Merlin, where he is responsible for the overall financial function including accounting, financial planning and analysis, treasury, tax, auditor, and banking relationships, as well as leading various strategic initiatives.

He has more than 20 years of experience in finance and corporate development. Before Merlin, Ron was CFO of OverHorizon LLC, a managed satellite services company that he helped take public. Before that, he was Head of Corporate Development and Strategy for Thales Communications and Thales USA, where he led acquisitions and strategic investments. Ron also served as Director of Corporate Development for BAE Systems, helping acquire large companies and divesting non-core businesses. Before joining the corporate world, Ron was Vice President at BB&T Capital Markets, where he was a founding member of the government technology and defense electronics investment banking practice focusing on M&A and raising public/private equity.

Ron has an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science from UVA’s McIntire School of Commerce with concentrations in Accounting and Finance. He is a CPA and a CFA® charterholder.

General Counsel

Michael Spies

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.

Chief Marketing Officer

Stephen McCarney

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.

Vice President, Business Development, Merlin Ventures

Daniel Barresi

Dan is Vice President of Business Development for Merlin Ventures. He has more than 25 years of experience providing cybersecurity and IT software solutions and services that enable enterprises and public sector customers to become more secure, deliver increased customer value, and better align with their missions. Since early 2017, Dan has led go-to-market strategy, sales, and marketing for Merlin Ventures’ vastly emerging technologies across North America.

Prior to Merlin, Dan held several IT and software leadership roles at IBM, Oracle, Nuance Communications, and the Brady Corporation. Those roles provided him with extensive experience working with healthcare, pharmaceutical, financial, and public sector organizations. Dan is a graduate of Boston College, where he majored in marketing.