Daniel Rags Ragsdale

About Daniel Rags Ragsdale

I have had the privilege of spending more than 45 years at the intersection of emerging technology and national service. My journey has taken me from the austere conditions of overseas deployments as a West Point graduate to the high-stakes environments of the Pentagon and the White House. While the scenery has changed, the core mission remains the same. I enjoy solving complex problems that do not have easy answers.My fascination with AI began in the late 1980s, back when neural networks were largely academic curiosities. That early exposure taught me a humbling lesson that I carry with me today. While the infrastructure has finally caught up to the theory, the most enduring challenges are not actually technical. They are human.Throughout my professional life I have had the distinct privilege of leading some truly exceptional teams:* Investing in People: During my time at the White House as a Deputy Assistant National Cyber Director, my primary focus was on our nation’s Cyber workforce. Ensuring we have the right people with the right skills is the most critical component of our national defense.* Defense Innovation: While in senior technology roles in the Pentagon and at DARPA, I aimed to steward large-scale R&D portfolios to ensure our nation maintains a strategic edge. I have always viewed these roles as a stewardship of both innovation and the public trust.* The Human Element: I am a firm believer that AI should be focused on enhancing the capabilities of our colleagues, not replacing them. When we prioritize \"people-enhancing\" automation, we transform a technical tool into a true strategic advantage.I remain a student at heart. Today, through Full Spectrum Cyber Solutions, I partner with leaders to navigate the complicated waters of AI, cybersecurity, and policy. Beyond the boardroom, I am deeply committed to supporting our Veterans and their families, a cause that will always matter more to me than revenue.

Experience

1. Review Committee Member

   Cybersecurity Canon

   Aug 2024 — Present

Education

• Texas A&M University

  Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Computer Science

  1996 — 2001

• Harvard Graduate School of Education

  Management and Leadership in Education (MLE)

  2009

• United States Military Academy at West Point

  Bachelor's degree, Engineering (Computer Science Concentration)

  1977 — 1981

• Texas McCombs School of Business

  Postgraduate Certificate , AI and Data Science

• Naval Postgraduate School

  Master of Science - MS, Computer Science

Skills

• University Relations
• Team Leadership
• Security Clearance
• Educational Leadership
• Dod
• National Security
• Leadership
• Public Speaking
• Team Building
• Management
• Cyber Defense
• Research
• Program Management
• Policy
• Training
• Strategic Leadership
• Staff Development
• Organizational Leadership
• Military Experience
• University Teaching
• Security
• Top Secret
• Computer Security
• Force Protection
• Cyber Security Research
• Intelligence
• Cyber Security
• Government Contracting
• Operational Planning
• Intelligence Analysis
• Strategic Planning
• Project Planning
• Leadership Development
• Navy
• Counterterrorism
• Homeland Security
• Government
• Proposal Writing
• Military
• Higher Education