Ronald Appel, a seasoned law enforcement professional with over three decades of experience, has joined Harmonia Holdings Group as the Vice President for Law Enforcement and Cybersecurity. The news was announced by Appel on his LinkedIn profile, marking a significant addition to Harmonia’s leadership team.
Appel brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having served as a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and its predecessor, the U.S. Customs Service Office of Investigations, for 24 years. His extensive career in law enforcement spans over 30 years, during which he has held various key positions within HSI as well as a Police Detective for the Royal Palm Beach Police Department and Deputy Sheriff at the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
Throughout his illustrious career at HSI, Appel rose through the ranks, serving in numerous roles, including program manager, section chief, resident agent in charge, assistant special agent in charge, unit chief, and division chief. His most recent role was as the Chief Operating Officer of the DHS Cyber Crimes Center. In this capacity, Appel provided comprehensive digital forensic, cyber intelligence, and investigative support for the Department of Homeland Security.
Appel’s responsibilities at the Cyber Crimes Center included overseeing the child exploitation investigations unit, coordinating training and programmatic efforts for over 7,000 cyber-enabled and cyber-dependent criminal investigations, and managing a substantial discretionary budget of $75 million. He led a team of 220 direct reports, comprising special agent criminal investigators, technical experts, intelligence officers, Department of Defense (DoD) personnel, IT professionals, HR and administrative support staff, and multiple vendor contractors.
Appel’s dedication to law enforcement and his expertise in cybersecurity have been evident throughout his career. His leadership and technical acumen have significantly contributed to enhancing investigative performance and ensuring the protection of national security.
Harmonia Holdings Group is a leading provider of innovative technical solutions to federal agencies. The company specializes in delivering cutting-edge technology and services to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of government operations.