A recognized pioneer of intelligence-led security, John brings more than two decades of experience building, scaling, leading, and investing in intelligence-driven cybersecurity companies at the forefront of the industry. John is the current Chairman and CEO of iCOUNTER, Executive Chairman of Apollo Information Systems, CEO of JPW Advisory, and most recently served as Mandiant’s President and Chief Operating Officer. He held various roles with Mandiant and FireEye since iSIGHT Partners was acquired in 2016 and subsequently acquired by Google in 2022, including Chairman of the FireEye Advisory Board from April 2020 to April 2021, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer from February 2018 to April 2020, Executive Vice President of Global Services and intelligence from January 2017 to January 2018, and President of iSIGHT from January 2016 to January 2017.

Prior to joining Mandiant, John served as founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of iSIGHT Partners from December 2006 to January 2016. From 2003 until its acquisition by Verisign in 2005, John was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of iDEFENSE, a security intelligence firm. During the last two decades, Watters has also invested in and/or served on the Boards of Directors of many cybersecurity companies including Archer Technologies, NetWitness, TippingPoint, ThreatGrid, Threat Connect, and others.

Prior to entering the cybersecurity industry in 2002, John served in a variety of roles in the investment industry, including General Partner of several investment firms, as President and CEO of Dorset Capital Corporation, an investment firm, since 1998. From 1994 to 1998, he was founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EFO Holdings, a wealth management firm responsible for managing the investments of the Esping Family and several other high net worth families. He spent his first six years in the investment business in NYC, most recently as Vice President of Wealth Management at Bankers Trust.

John is also a Venture Partner at SYN Ventures, a Venture Partner at American Frontier Funds, serves on the Boards of Directors of Batuta, Mitiga, and Oleria, and is the founder, director, and President of the STAIRS Program, a non-profit organization supporting inner-city education. John holds a B.S.C degree in Finance from Santa Clara University, attended the London School of Economics, and has served on dozens of corporate and non-profit Boards of Directors.