Defense veteran and innovation technologist Brian Hibbeln to join ROC’s Board of Directors. Former DoD and NRO leader brings 30+ years of operationalizing advanced technology for warfighters and intelligence operators, advancing ROC’s mission to fast-track sovereign, tactical AI for the U.S. and its allies.

ROC Announces Board Appointment

ROC today announced the appointment of Brian A. Hibbeln to its Board of Directors. A distinguished 30-year veteran of the Department of Defense (DoD) and the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC), Hibbeln brings direct insight and experience to ROC’s mission to deliver next-gen AI to the tactical edge.

As the former Assistant Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Special Capabilities, founding Director of the DoD’s Special Capabilities Office (SCO), and a senior intelligence executive managing a $10B technology portfolio, Hibbeln understands what it takes to accelerate state-of-the-art technology from concept to operational reality.

Hibbeln’s appointment comes at a time when ROC continues to define the high-water mark for Vision AI performance. ROC ranks as the #1 U.S. provider in NIST’s global Face Recognition Technology Evaluation (FRTE). This core technology powers ROC Watch, our unified platform for biometrics, tactical video analytics, and decision intelligence.

Transforming Emerging Technology into Mission-Ready Capabilities

Hibbeln’s tenure in public service was marked by his proven ability to unite people, funding, and advanced technologies to benefit warfighters. As the founding Director of the DoD’s Special Capabilities Office, he led Joint Capability Technology transformation, overseeing a $2B+ portfolio championing the novel use of commercial systems, sensors, and platforms to give the U.S. a decisive battlefield edge.

His deep technical expertise, with degrees in physics from the U.S. Air Force Academy and the Air Force Institute of Technology, was further honed as Chief Scientist and Chief Systems Engineer at the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). He has spent his career translating advanced R&D into operational capability, a mission that aligns directly with ROC’s core focus.

“Brian Hibbeln has spent his entire career living the mission we serve. Equal parts strategist, scientist, and operator, he is a rare leader who has successfully harnessed breakthrough technology and put it in the hands of warfighters under the most demanding conditions. His deep roots in the IC and DoD, combined with his pure science background and venture capital experience, gives him a unique 360-degree view of the innovation ecosystem. Brian’s counsel will be invaluable as we continue to support the critical infrastructure of the U.S. and our allies.”

B. Scott Swann
Board Member & CEO of ROC

Shaping the Future of National Security

Hibbeln currently serves as a General Partner at StealthPoint Ventures, a senior advisor for Blackstone Private Equity, and a senior fellow at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, the nation’s premier think tank for technology policy, bridging the gap between government missions, private capital, and disruptive technology.

“The future of national security will be defined by our ability to deploy intelligent, autonomous systems at the point of need. ROC is building foundational AI for that future. Throughout my career, the hardest challenge has always been bridging the gap between cutting-edge innovation and the operators on the front lines. ROC’s focus on fast, accurate AI that can operate anywhere — mobile, covert, disconnected, and in real-world conditions — is precisely what the mission requires. I am honored to help guide this team as they scale their technology and deliver a state-of-the-art, sovereign capability at this defining moment for American AI leadership.”

Brian Hibbeln
Board Member, ROC

About Brian Hebbeln

Brian A. Hibbeln is a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Department of Defense and Intelligence Community. He served as the Assistant Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Special Capabilities and was the first Director of the DoD’s Special Capabilities Office. He also held senior roles at the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC). A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy with an M.S. in Physics from the Air Force Institute of Technology, he is now a venture capitalist, board advisor, and senior fellow at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, focused on accelerating critical technology into public and private sector ecosystems.

About ROC

ROC is a U.S. leader in Vision AI, building sovereign biometric, video analytics, and mission intelligence solutions. ROC’s platform unifies identity and intelligence into a single ecosystem — providing faster, more accurate, and cost-efficient technology trusted by defense, law enforcement, and enterprise partners worldwide.

  • Digital Identity & IDV
  • National ID & Civil ABIS
  • Law Enforcement AFIS & ABIS
  • Tactical Video Analytics
  • Access Control