UVA dean, T-Mobile boss join former Congressman’s cybersecurity firm

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - From the outside, it might seem like an unlikely partnership.

Whiskey-maker and former Congressman Denver Riggleman is teaming up with University of Virginia School of Data Science’s founding dean Philip Bourne.

“I know a lot of people jump back into politics. As you know, I wasn’t very good at it,” said Riggleman, who served one term in Congress before losing his seat in a primary election. “The reason I did this is because I think really my technical background is the best way that I can help to preserve democratic institutions.”

However, Riggleman said bringing Bourne onto his startup’s board is a “fulfillment of a dream.”

Riggleman founded Charlottesville-based cybersecurity startup RIIG just after January 6 when he served on a Congressional committee to investigate the 2021 riot at the Capitol.

“January 6 was a huge reason why I started this company, and I think truth and data matter,” Riggleman said. “I think what you’re seeing is fantasy out there and you’re seeing with disinformation, there’s a reason that I’m doing this again.”

Now, he is welcoming Bourne along with former T-Mobile Executive Vice President Cody Sanford to its board.

Riggleman said he hopes Bourne’s expertise in data science and Sanford’s expertise in telecommunications will help inform their cybersecurity solutions.

As for what you can expect to see from RIIG, the startup is planning to work in its own backyard, with area law enforcement, helping to solve problems caused by what Riggleman calls “manpower shortages.”

“There’s something incredible about the people who serve our public, and I think if we can use technology to bridge some of their investigative gaps, this allows us to do things for the public that that I would say before you can never do,” Riggleman said.

Bourne’s UVA connection was also made Riggleman want him onboard. He said he hopes to hire more from UVA.

“The UVA students that are at the School of Engineering at the School of Data Science. I want to hire them,” Riggleman said. “So that’s, you know, there’s some selfishness here. It’s not only do we have this incredible partnership, but it’s identifying that incredible talent that comes out of the University of Virginia.”

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