The Human Network: Beyond the Code

In the rapidly evolving landscape of the Tampa Bay tech ecosystem, we often focus on the “bits and bytes”—the software deployments, the zero-trust architectures, and the billion-dollar valuations. But if you sit down with the leaders actually moving the needle, you’ll find that the true backbone of CyberBay isn’t just code; it’s community.

In Episode 2 of the CyberBay Podcast, host Serena Gandandy sat down with Collin Ellis, Manager of Solutions Engineering at ThreatLocker, for a conversation that spanned from the shores of Jamaica to the hallways of Bloomingdale High School and the high-stakes world of global cybersecurity.

Recorded live at the 2025 CyberBay Summit, this episode serves as a masterclass in how professional relationships and human-centered leadership are turning Tampa into the next Cybersecurity Center of Excellence.

From Jamaica to Brandon: A Local Story with Global Impact

Collin’s journey to the top of a leading cybersecurity firm didn’t start in a Silicon Valley lab. It started with a move from Jamaica to the United States in 2007, eventually landing in the Brandon/Tampa area in 2010. For Collin, Tampa immediately felt like home—not just because of the weather, but because of the pace and the people.

“I’ve watched State Road 60 just blossom,” Collin reflects, noting the rapid development of the region over the last decade. This local perspective is vital to the CyberBay movement. It isn’t just about importing talent; it’s about nurturing the talent that already calls Florida home.

In a “small world” moment that perfectly illustrates the tight-knit nature of the Tampa Bay community, it was revealed during the podcast that both Collin and Serena attended the same local high school. These shared roots create a level of trust and collective experience that serves as the “secret sauce” for regional collaboration.

The “Golden Era” of ConnectWise: A Blueprint for Success

If there is a foundational pillar of the CyberBay story, it is ConnectWise. For Collin, his introduction to the tech space began with a ConnectWise internship in 2015 while he was a student at the University of South Florida (USF).

“I got my start because of one of my favorite people in the world, Carrie Dean Hart, and mentors like Adam Slutskin,” Collin says. At the time, he was balancing a full-time course load and the heavy responsibility of caring for his two younger brothers.

This is where the CyberBay philosophy transcends business. Collin speaks with deep gratitude about how the leadership at ConnectWise—specifically Arnie Bellini—didn’t just treat him as an intern, but as a human being. They provided the flexibility and support he needed to manage his family life while growing professionally.

The Power of the ConnectWise Alumni Network

Arnie Bellini’s vision was that “all roads lead to ConnectWise.” While many interpreted this as a business strategy, Collin sees it as a cultural one. The “ConnectWise Alumni” have since spread across dozens of other companies in the region, bringing that same culture of mentorship, technical excellence, and human care with them.

Moving to ThreatLocker: The Startup Advantage

In 2018, Collin transitioned to ThreatLocker, which at the time was still in its startup phase. This move was driven by a desire to wear multiple hats and break out of his comfort zone—a piece of advice he now gives to every aspiring cybersecurity professional.

“If you can find a startup to work with… it does everything for you,” he notes. At ThreatLocker, Collin found another leader who shared his hands-on, human-first approach: CEO Danny Jenkins.

The similarity between leaders like Bellini and Jenkins—technical, visionary, yet deeply approachable—is what keeps talent rooted in CyberBay. It creates an environment where an engineer isn’t just a number, but a vital part of a mission.

Why Zero Trust Matters: Real-World Validation

As a Manager of Solutions Engineering, Collin lives at the intersection of sales and high-level technical implementation. ThreatLocker is known for its Zero Trust endpoint security, a philosophy that assumes no software should be trusted by default.

Collin highlights two major industry events that validated his mission:

  1. The 2020/2021 Exchange Compromise: Watching through the ThreatLocker portal as clients remained 100% protected while the rest of the world scrambled.
  2. The SolarWinds Orion Attack: A “backdoor” attack through a trusted vendor.

“Our job is to make sure… you don’t have to worry about whether your vendors are developing securely,” Collin says. “We just know what’s supposed to happen, and that’s all that’s allowed to happen.”

Empathy as a Technical Skill

Perhaps the most striking part of Collin’s leadership style is his reliance on empathy. In a field often characterized by cold logic, Collin argues that understanding the human on the other side of the screen is paramount.

“If a client is dealing with an issue, it’s my issue,” he states. “If it’s affecting them at work, it’s going to affect them at home.”

For Managed Service Providers (MSPs) in the Tampa area, this approach is a breath of fresh air. Instead of “shoving software down their throats,” Collin and his team focus on solving fires and adding value.

Conclusion: All Roads Lead to Connection

As we look toward the future of CyberBay 2025 and beyond, Collin Ellis stands as a testament to what is possible when a region chooses to invest in its people. He is a product of Jamaica, a product of USF, a product of ConnectWise, and a leader at ThreatLocker.

His story proves that the “Cyber Bay” vision—first championed by Arnie Bellini and now carried forward by a new generation of leaders—is working. Tampa isn’t just becoming a tech hub; it’s becoming a community where everyone has a hand in the mission to secure the digital world.

Want to join the movement?

This blog post is a companion piece to the CyberBay Podcast, Episode 2. Watch the full interview with Collin Ellis on YouTube.