Two Six Technologies’ Daniel J. “Rags” Ragsdale ’81 has accepted a position in the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) as deputy assistant director for workforce and education.
In his new position, Ragsdale will work on issues related to cyber workforce and education. He will lead efforts to coordinate between different agencies and will also act as a mentor.
“Over the past four decades I have had the good fortune to serve in a wide variety of leadership roles as a career Army officer, a DoD civilian, and in the private sector at Two Six Technologies,” Ragsdale said. “I leave Two Six with a deep sense of accomplishment, and the utmost respect for its truly exceptional leadership team and consistently excellent personnel.”
Ragsdale brought to Two Six Technologies a 40-year record of service in the U.S. Army, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), and DARPA, amassing unparalleled expertise in cybersecurity and cyber operations. During his two years at Two Six, he served as Vice President for Research and Development, and later as Vice President for DoD Strategy.
Prior to Two Six Technologies, Ragsdale served as the DOD’s Acting Director of Defense Research and Engineering for Modernization, where he was responsible for driving DOD-wide innovation by facilitating development and facilitation of advanced technologies for the Joint force. Before that, he was Principal Director for Cyber, responsible for coordinating cyber modernization efforts across the DOD.
Earlier positions include founding director of the Texas A&M Cybersecurity Center; DARPA Program Manager, overseeing a $175M portfolio cybersecurity, cyber operations, and behavioral science R&D programs; 30 years in the U.S. Army in a variety of operational, R&D, and educational roles; and nearly 15 years on the faculty at the United States Military Academy, West Point, culminating as Vice Dean for Education.
Ragsdale is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy. He earned a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Texas A&M University.
