# Dave DeWalt

> Dave DeWalt is the founder and CEO of NightDragon, a growth-stage investment and advisory firm focused on cybersecurity, defense, and AI. A former CEO of Documentum, McAfee, and FireEye and a University of Delaware wrestling All-American, he combines technology company operating experience with investment, board service, and support for portfolio hiring and market expansion.

- **Role:** Founder, Managing Director, CEO at NightDragon
- **Organizations:** NightDragon, Documentum, EMC, McAfee, FireEye, Oracle, Eventus Software, Quest Software, Segue, Delta Air Lines, National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in computer science, University of Delaware, Honorary Doctor of Science, University of Delaware
- **Known for:** 1986 NCAA wrestling All-American with a seventh-place national finish., Three consecutive East Coast Conference wrestling titles., University of Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, 2003.

## Career timeline

- **1982-1986** — Competed on the University of Delaware wrestling team; finished with a 101-9 career record.
- **1986** — Graduated with a computer science degree and moved to Silicon Valley; began his technology career in Oracle sales.
- **2003** — Documentum was acquired by EMC for approximately $1.9 billion; joined EMC. Inducted into Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame.
- **2010** — As McAfee president and CEO, led the company during Intel’s announced approximately $7.68 billion acquisition agreement.
- **2011** — Appointed to the President’s National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee.
- **2012** — Joined FireEye as chairman in June and became CEO in November.
- **2013** — FireEye completed its September IPO and acquired Mandiant in December.
- **2015** — Delivered Delaware’s commencement address and received an honorary Doctor of Science.
- **2021** — NightDragon announced Growth I in July; its December accounting reported a final fund size of $767 million.
- **2023** — NightDragon opened its first international office in Tel Aviv and recruited Barbara Massa as partner and COO.
- **2026** — NightDragon co-led Horizon3’s Series E and joined the NATO DIANA Capital Network.

## Achievements

- 1986 NCAA wrestling All-American with a seventh-place national finish.
- Three consecutive East Coast Conference wrestling titles.
- University of Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, 2003.
- Led Documentum during its approximately $1.9 billion sale to EMC.
- Led McAfee during Intel’s approximately $7.68 billion acquisition agreement.
- Led FireEye through its 2013 IPO.
- Received an honorary Doctor of Science from the University of Delaware in 2015.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — NightDragon announced its membership in the NATO DIANA Capital Network on September 21.
- **2026-08** — DeWalt and Morgan Kyauk explained NightDragon’s co-lead investment with NEA in Horizon3’s $250 million Series E and their joining its board.
- **2026-01** — Appeared with WWT’s Kate Kuehn in a discussion of AI accountability for enterprises and boards.

## Links

- Website: https://www.nightdragon.com/company/team/dave-dewalt/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ddewalt

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/dave-dewalt
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-10