Name:
Dan

Where do you live?
Pinecrest

Where are you originally from and what brought you to town?
Originally from Israel. My parents moved here when I was younger.

What’s kept you busy this summer?
This summer, I’ve been in Miami spending time with my four children. And, getting ready to launch a new cyber security training course. 

Right now, we are partnering with top-tier universities to offer professional training certificate programs and to grow the cyber security workforce in the US. Starting in October, the University of Miami – Division of Continuing and International Education will open bootcamps for Cyber Security Professional & Ethical Hacking training programs powered by HackerUSA. 

Who will take these classes?
People who want a new career in the highly lucrative and in-demand cyber market or people already in the industry who want to go further by taking our ethical hacker training course. The demand for cyber experts is huge and will only grow over the next 10-20 years and starting salaries are very high. We help people who complete the course find a job. 

How did you get into cyber security?
Every company today needs a cyber security expert, because the question is not if you will be attacked, it’s when. We started HackerU ten years ago. My close friend and business partner came out of the Israeli military with me. Over the first seven years, we became the number one Israeli IT and cyber training center. In the last three years, in addition to training, we have grown our cyber technologists and services. Our goal is to increase cyber skills in the US workforce and to train companies how to defend themselves against cyber crime.  We enable people to prioritize their cyber security issues and take control of their IT infrastructure.

Knowing what you do about cyber security and being a parent, how do you protect your kids, and do you use tools to limit their vulnerability?
You can block sites, but I don’t think that works well enough. I think, talking and awareness from a very young age and being a friend to monitor where they go. The net is dangerous and has places you don’t want them to see but I think the only way is to make them aware of it. There was a recent news story of a six-year-old playing in her front lawn. Some guy came up and invited her for a ride and instead she ran inside the house. Her mom talked with and educated her. It’s the same on the internet. The only way to fight it, is to teach about cyber criminals and predators.

The other cyber lesson for kids is to ensure they know whatever they say online and any pictures they upload will be there forever.

What other projects are you working on?
I am an angel investor in other disruptive high-tech firms in Israel .

When you evaluate a company, how do you determine if it is a good investment?
Product, People, Process. First – does the product have a big enough market, is it hot & sexy, innovative – does it have a competitive advantage? Do the people make a good team? Are they capable of executing the plan? I look at the timing that we live in, does the product fit right now? Finally, I look at the processes that they have set up.

Are there any companies that you have invested in the you are proud of, that you would like to share?
We invested in Born Free baby bottles, which were the first BPA free baby bottles in America. BPA is a cause of cancer. In the beginning we were sued for making claims about BPA. Now, the FDA has changed the law and forbids BPA in baby bottles. So, it was a good business and we could do something good along the way.

How often do you come to the Pinecrest market?
At least every other week if not every week.

Do you have a market ritual? If so, please describe.
We have two or three main places. My kids cannot go a weekend without your Rainbow smoothie, and I can’t go without your Turmeric Tonic. Also – your new Turmeric cookies (AKA healthy Golden Coins) are to die for. I have been using the tonic for 2 years, and when I have it, I feel better.

What’s your favorite thing to buy at other stands at the market?
My kids like the hibachi steak and chicken, and sometimes I get the salmon poke.

A favorite activity I enjoy with my kids?
We have cookoffs at home – like our own Master Chef. We each choose a different dish to cook. We get the ingredients, we cook together, and eat together and then score each other. The winner gets bragging rights. My second son won the last couple times with delicious desserts.  It’s fun family time.

I wish the market had:
More space. Often the tables are all full. If the middle had more seating, it would be cozier, and we could hang out more and eat more.

Favorite market story:
Every Saturday night and Sunday morning, our kids are like – Can we go to the market? Can we? I have to have the Rainbow! In this day, for kids to get out of their ‘Fortnite’ – and want to go someplace together is special.

Most-frequented local restaurants and what dish to order:
My wife’s favorites are Zuma and Petite Mason. Also, we love Bazaar Seafood at the SLS. Sakura on Le June always has high quality sushi and the chef has been there for 35 years.  

For special occasions, I go to: 
For Valentines dinner, I blind folded my wife and drove her around the city and then came back home. As she opened her eyes, our boys were the host, waiter and cooks. They had the table set for two with a menu they prepared. She cried all night and said it was the best dinner ever.

Do you have a family or favorite recipe that you would share?
I made mussels this week and it’s so easy and so good. Start with onions and garlic in some olive oil. Add a cup of white wine, parsley, basil, tomatoes or tomato paste and a little spice. Cook the mussels for eight minutes until they open. It’s delicious.

What’s the area’s best-kept secret?
Paddle boarding out of Gables by the Sea. I love going out around the mangroves. There is also a little lake off Chapman field before you get to the ocean that’s wonderful.

Rainy-day activity:
A good Marvel movie

Do you participate in any community or philanthropic events that you would like to share? 
On October 27th, the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Group is coming from Israel to perform – Horses in the Sky. They are an amazing dance group and my partner’s daughter is in the group.

Is there a question that you would like to ask the LNBs?
What’s the big secret you are planning next?

(A+W) Besides our new LNB GroveStand fridge pickup locations, we are working on new products. This week, we have been testing recipes for our dried fruit rolls. We will bring a bunch of samples Sunday. Ask for a taste and please let us know your thoughts.

Is there a question that you would like to ask the community?
Are we doing enough for our kids to face the challenges of tomorrow?

If you would like readers to be able to contact you, how should they get in touch?
info@hackerusa.com