Meet Jeff: USF CU Cybersecurity by Day, Wok Chef by Night

At USF Credit Union, Humans of Finance is our storytelling series celebrating the people who quietly -but powerfully - make banking feel safe, personal, and human.

Today, we’re spotlighting someone who’s been protecting our members, employees, and future for more than two decades: Jeff Billy.

By day, Jeff is USF CU’s Information Security Officer, safeguarding systems and staying one step ahead of ever-evolving cyber threats. After hours, he’s known as “Chef Jeff,” experimenting with wok techniques, fried rice, and recipes from cultures around the world.

While the settings may be different, the mindset is the same: stay curious, stay sharp, and never stop learning.

25+ Years of Quiet Protection

With more than 25 years at USF CU, Jeff has seen the organization grow far beyond its early days - alongside the university and the surrounding community.

While members may never see Jeff’s work directly, they feel it every day - in the confidence to log in, click, transfer, and trust.

And despite the critical nature of his role, Jeff stays humble. “I get more praises than I think I would deserve,” he admits.

Cyber Security Never Gets Boring

Cyber security isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it role - and that’s exactly why Jeff loves it.

“Every day is different,” he says. “That’s what’s exciting about what I do- it’s never the same thing, and it never gets boring.”

From phishing emails to social media scams, the threats are constantly evolving. Jeff describes it as “kind of like a military engagement with cyber scammers.” Staying ahead means staying curious, skeptical, and proactive.

“What I quote to myself is just be skeptical,” Jeff shares. “Don’t take everything at face value - because everything is not what it may seem.”

The Biggest Threats Right Now

Today’s cybercriminals don’t just rely on shady links and obvious scams. They rely on trust.

“The biggest threats right now are business email compromise,” Jeff explains. “That’s when someone you know gets their account taken over, and the bad guys start sending emails as them.”

The result? Messages that look real, feel urgent, and can fool even smart, cautious people.

That’s why Jeff emphasizes one simple habit - both at work and at home.

Jeff’s Best Tip for Staying Safe Online

“What I tell my mom,” Jeff says with a smile, “is run something by someone else who’s tech-savvy before you follow through with a request or demand.  You can never have enough eyes on a potential fraud or scam situation.”

Sometimes, safety is as simple as asking one more question.

Chef Jeff!

Outside of firewalls and threat detection, Jeff has another passion that surprises people: cooking.

“Another nickname of mine is Chef Jeff,” he says.

Lately, he’s been diving into New York - style Chinese food - perfecting wok technique, experimenting with fried rice, and learning through YouTube videos from cultures around the world.

“The way I like to learn is being self-taught or watching videos,” he shares. “It’s so much easier now.”

Whether it’s cybersecurity or cooking, Jeff believes in constant learning - and bringing curiosity to everything he does.

A Simple Daily Goal

For all the complexity of Jeff’s job, his daily goal is refreshingly human.

“What I try to do every day is greet someone and try to interact with them,” he says. “It can make a difference in their day - and it makes a difference in my day.”

It’s a reminder that even in the most technical roles, connection still matters.

If Jeff Had a Billboard…

It wouldn’t be flashy. It would simply say:
“JB always tries to keep us safe!”

If you’re looking for a place where people are working behind the scenes to protect you - while still showing up with heart, humility, and a wok full of fried rice- you’ll find it at USF CU.

Better Banking for All starts with people like Jeff!