When You Need Compliance Certainty.
888-997-3635
The Compliance Consulting Team You Can Trust
Your Data is Worth More Than Gold.
At Semel Consulting, we help regulated businesses navigate complex compliance requirements with clarity, confidence, and expert guidance. From healthcare organizations and financial institutions to government contractors and educational systems, our clients trust us to translate regulations into actionable strategies that protect operations, reduce risk, and satisfy auditors.
With decades of combined experience, Mike Semel and Rose Ketchum have been known for unmatched expertise in cybersecurity, business continuity, and compliance with standards like HIPAA, CMMC, NIST, PCI DSS, FTC Safeguards, and GLBA.
Whether you're responding to a new requirement, preparing for an audit, or developing a long-term resilience plan, we’ll help you build the systems and documentation you need to operate securely—and sleep better at night.
Semel Consulting is not a law firm, a software company, or a generic IT vendor. We are a boutique compliance and resilience consultancy with deep technical roots, boardroom-level communication skills, and a proven track record of success across multiple industries.
Mike Semel
Mike Semel
CEO & Founder
Mike Semel is recognized as a thought leader in the IT, compliance and business continuity industries. He is the President and Complianceologist at Semel Consulting, focused on regulatory compliance and Business Continuity planning. Mike is a CMMC Certified Assessor (CCA), CMMC Certified Professional (CCP), CMMC Registered Practitioner, Certified Security Compliance Specialist, Disaster Recovery Institute Certified Business Continuity Professional & Certified Cyber Resilience Professional, Certified HIPAA Security Professional, and Certified Health IT Specialist. He has owned or managed MSP companies for over 30 years; served as Chief Information Officer (CIO) for a hospital and a K-12 school district; and managed operations at an online backup company. Mike is the only expert who consulted with CompTIA on the original Security Trustmark (2008), the Security Trustmark Plus (2014), and the Cybersecurity Trustmark (2023)He is the best-selling author of How to Avoid HIPAA Headaches.
Recognized Areas of Expertise
CMMC and NIST 800-171 Compliance, NIST CSF, HIPAA Compliance (certified) & Joint Commission compliance; IT Management; Disaster and Business Continuity Planning (certified); assessments for compliance and business continuity; IT Assessments for School Districts; Executive Level consulting; CIO for hire; network design; IT policies and procedures; project management; ROI evaluation; training; Able to create compliance documentation, , executive level reports marketing materials, effective proposals; IT cost control & budgeting; IT investment justification; able to effectively communicate technology with non-technical executives.
Professional Credentials & Accomplishments
CMMC Certifications
• CMMC-AB Certified Assessor (CCA), 2024
• Certified Professional (CCP), 2023
• Registered Practitioner (RP), 2021
Business Continuity & Cyber Resilience
• Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP), Disaster Recovery Institute International (since 2006)
• Led plans for a $4B credit union, a $1B health plan, and over 200 small businesses
• Clients successfully navigated Superstorm Sandy, the Joplin Tornado, and other major disruptions
• Certified Cyber Resilience Professional (CCRP), 2022
• Member, DRI International Professional Practices Select Committee, 2021
Security & Compliance Leadership
• Only person to consult on all three CompTIA Trustmarks:
- Original Security Trustmark (2008)
- Security Trustmark Plus (2014)
- Cybersecurity Trustmark (2022)
• Certified HIPAA Administrator (since 2003)
• Certified HIPAA Professional (since 2006, HIPAA Academy)
• Certified Security Compliance Specialist, 2012
• Led HIPAA Security Rule assessments for hospitals, practices, government agencies, and school districts in multiple states
• Authored the Certified HIPAA Security Professional (CHSP) Training Course (4Medapproved; CEU-qualified)
Leadership & Operational Excellence
• Outsourced CIO, White Pine County School District (2007–2012); secured over $1M in E-rate funding
• CIO, Schuyler Hospital (2004–2006); eliminated downtime, increased IT flexibility, and cut operating costs by 32%
• Apple Education Sales Consultant (1990–1991); oversaw $10M in education sales across NY and PA
• Elected Chair, CompTIA IT Security Community, 2011
• Co-chair, CompTIA Ambassadors
Industry Recognition & Thought Leadership
• Member, FBI InfraGard (2003–present)
• Best-Selling Author: How to Avoid HIPAA Headaches (2017)
• Co-author: CompTIA Security Trustmark Quick Reference Guide (2009)
• Featured in Business Solutions Magazine, Hewlett-Packard Success Story, and D-Link Case Study
• Wrote 4,000-word cover story for Computing Channels Magazine
• Speaker at national conferences with audiences of up to 800 people
• 30+ years managing teams of 7 to 30 engineers and technicians
• Advisor to Compaq, Ingram Micro, Xerox, and other leading tech firms
• Chaired software development teams and served on executive advisory panels for multi-billion-dollar companies
• Subject Matter Expert, CompTIA Security Trustmark Development Team (2008)
Executive Experience
Semel Consulting August 2012 – Present
President / Chief Compliance Officer
Job Responsibilities: Provide startup financing. Develop and implement business and cybersecurity strategies. Hire and manage contracted workforce. Deliver consulting services. Sales and marketing. Manage client relationships. Deliver compliance services for HIPAA, CMMC, NIST, PCI DSS, GLBA, FTC Safeguards Rule, State Laws, Contracts, and Cyber Insurance. Create Business Continuity Plans across industries. Provide content for compliance software. Create compliance training courses. Conference speaking. Write for publications and websites.
Business Continuity Technologies – June 2010 – August 2012
VP / Owner / Security Officer
Job Responsibilities: Develop and implement business and cybersecurity strategies. Hire and manage workforce. Manage technical and consulting services. Sales and marketing. Manage client relationships. Deliver compliance services for HIPAA, NIST, PCI DSS, GLBA, State Laws, Contracts, and Cyber Insurance. Create Business Continuity Plans across industries.
White Pine County School District, Ely, NV – July 2007 – August 2012
Chief Information Officer
(Outsourced through Business Continuity Technologies and Connecting Point of Las Vegas)
Job Responsibilities: Develop and implement cybersecurity strategies. Select cybersecurity tools. Create and implement processes. Manage hybrid workforce of employees and contractors. Manage technical services and budgeting. Create cybersecurity policies. Oversee user training. Advise leadership and board. Managed compliance with FERPA, CIPA, E-Rate, State Laws, and grant requirements.
XiloCore (Online Backup Provider) – January – June 2010
Chief Operating Officer
Job Responsibilities: Manage technical team. Oversee helpdesk. Manage data restoration team. Train users. Manage client relationships. Managed compliance with HIPAA, FERPA, CIPA, E-Rate, State Laws, and grant requirements. Create Business Continuity Plans across industries.
Connecting Point of Las Vegas – May 2006 – June 2010
VP / Owner
Job Responsibilities: Develop and implement business and cybersecurity strategies. Hire and manage workforce. Manage technical and consulting services. Sales and marketing. Manage client relationships. Deliver compliance services for HIPAA, NIST, PCI DSS, GLBA, State Laws, Contracts, and Cyber Insurance. Create Business Continuity Plans across industries.
Schuyler Hospital / Seneca View Skilled Nursing Facility – June 2004 – May 2006
Chief Information Officer
(Outsourced through Chemung Computer and Databranch)
Job Responsibilities: Develop and implement cybersecurity strategies. Select cybersecurity tools. Create and implement processes. Manage hybrid workforce of employees and contractors. Manage technical services and budgeting. Create cybersecurity policies. Oversee user training. Advise leadership and board. Managed compliance with HIPAA, State Laws, and accreditation requirements.
Databranch, Elmira Heights, NY – June 2004 – May 2006
Regional Manager
Job Responsibilities: Develop and implement cybersecurity strategies. Hire and manage local workforce. Manage technical and consulting services. Sales and marketing. Manage client relationships. Deliver compliance services for HIPAA, NIST, PCI DSS, GLBA, State Laws, Contracts, and Cyber Insurance. Create Business Continuity Plans across industries.
Chemung Computer, Elmira Heights, NY - January 1980 – June 2004
Owner
Job Responsibilities: Provide startup financing. Develop and implement business and cybersecurity strategies. Hire and manage workforce. Manage technical and consulting services. Sales and marketing. Manage client relationships. Deliver compliance services for HIPAA, NIST, PCI DSS, GLBA, State Laws, and Contracts.
2011 “Channelnomics Influencer” Award Winner
"TESTIMONIAL CALL OUT"
“Great news! Attached is the letter we received from the OCR saying they are closing our HIPAA case without further action. Mike, thank you so much for your assistance with the response. I can’t tell you how much we appreciate your input that greatly influenced this outcome.”
— Rebecca Stodolak
Rose M. Ketchum
Rose M. Ketchum
Vice President, Business Development
Rose Ketchum is a seasoned business development strategist with over two decades of experience helping organizations navigate complex technology decisions and compliance requirements. She has successfully led regional and national growth initiatives across healthcare, education, government, and financial sectors, earning a reputation for building lasting client relationships and translating technical solutions into business value. As Vice President at Semel Consulting, Rose is known for her ability to communicate with executives across industries, scope the right solutions, and guide organizations through compliance-focused transformation with confidence and clarity.
Industry Experience
• National and regional business development across regulated industries:
- Healthcare: Medical practices, clinics, hospitals, and skilled nursingFinancial: Banks and credit unions
- Education: K-12 and higher education
- Public Sector: State and local government
• Account management and long-term relationship development
• Certified in HIPAA compliance and regulatory frameworks
• Data center security and secure infrastructure strategy
• Network security and telecom assessments
• Skilled nursing facility nutrition systems
• Project management, user training, and solution implementation
• Proposal writing, IT investment justification, and executive communication
Certifications
• Certified HIPAA Security Professional (CHSP), 2015
• Certified HIPAA Administrator, 2003
• Cisco Certifications: Sales Expert, Advanced Wireless, Unified Communications
Leadership Experience
Semel Consulting — Vice President, Business Development, June 2015 – Present
Finger Lakes Technologies Group — Senior Account Manager, September 2007 – June 2015
The Computing Center — Account Manager, January 2007 – September 2007
CBORD Group, Inc. — National Long-Term Care Software Account Manager, January 2005 – January 2007
Chemung Electronics / Chemung Computer — Territory Account Manager, 1983 – January 2005
Monroe Systems for Business — Account Manager, 1981 – 1983
We are compliance and business continuity certainty experts—trusted to bring clarity, strategy, and peace of mind.
At Semel Consulting, we uncover the blind spots that leave businesses vulnerable to investigations, fines, lawsuits, and uncovered claims. From your state laws to your insurance policy exclusions, we dig deeper so nothing gets missed.
State data breach laws
Contractual cybersecurity requirements
Credit card security
Cyber insurance requirements
Accurate & thorough Security Risk Assessments
Compliance with federal and state laws
Cyber insurance policy reviews
Contract reviews
Business continuity planning
Policy templates, training, and checklists
“When it comes to compliance there is nobody else in the industry who knows more and is a better resource than Mike Semel. You can count on him.”
Michael Mittel, President, RapidFire Tools
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We Help Businesses
Comply With Everything: Federal & State Regulations, Contracts, & Cyber Insurance
Confidentially Identify Hidden Risks
Secure Your Data
Protect The People You Serve
Protect Your Workforce Members
Protect Your Reputation
Protect Your Finances
So You Can Focus On Your Mission
CONTACT
Phone: 888-997-3635
Fax:888-667-7849
Semel Consulting, LLC
6547 Midnight Pass Road #90
Sarasota, Florida
34242
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