Tom Lash Takes the Helm at Riverside Research as CEO to Drive National Security Innovation

Riverside Research Welcomes Tom Lash as New CEO

On September 10, 2026, Riverside Research, a prominent nonprofit dedicated to supporting U.S. national security, proudly announced the appointment of Tom Lash as its new President and CEO. With nearly three decades of experience in national security and federal markets, Lash brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership in technology innovation.

Lash's extensive background includes leadership roles in both the public and private sectors, making him a well-recognized figure in the field. Before joining Riverside Research, Lash was the CEO of Vibrint, a national security technology firm where he successfully led acquisition strategies and formed key technology partnerships. His work at Vibrint solidified the company's reputation as a competitive powerhouse in areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and cloud computing.

Prior to his tenure at Vibrint, Lash spent six years at Amazon Web Services (AWS). Here, he played a crucial part in overseeing contract execution for federal projects and led a team that focused on the national security sector, which consisted of over 125 technical experts.

Lash steps into his new role at Riverside Research, taking the reins from Steven Omick, Ph.D., who departed after a decade of influential leadership. Under Omick's stewardship, Riverside Research reinforced its relationships with various agencies while boosting its research capabilities within the national security framework.

Jim Shields, Chair of Riverside Research's Board of Trustees, expressed confidence in Lash's leadership, highlighting his proven ability to navigate complex organizations and forge trusted connections across the intelligence community. "Tom's strategic vision and mission-oriented approach will undoubtedly enhance our growth and maintain our commitment to technical excellence," Shields stated.

In his acceptance speech, Lash conveyed his enthusiasm for joining Riverside Research. He expressed his eagerness to collaborate with the talented team at Riverside to ensure that they continue to meet the evolving needs of their partners in the national security community. He emphasized the organization's commitment to fostering innovation in sectors like AI/ML, secure architectures, and mission-driven research.

Lash holds an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from the University of Virginia, a master's degree in electrical and computer engineering from George Mason University, and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University. Additionally, he contributes to the academic community as an adjunct lecturer at Georgetown University, where he teaches graduate courses on cloud security.

As Riverside Research aims to build upon its established foundation, Lash's appointment is expected to catalyze strategic growth and further strengthen the organization's influence within the national security landscape. Riverside Research continues to prioritize its nonprofit mission, emphasizing collaboration and innovation in research and development across various technology domains, including AI, machine learning, and computational intelligence.

For more information about Riverside Research and their initiatives, please visit their official website at www.riversideresearch.org.