Dr. Daniel “Rags” Ragsdale is Vice President of DoD Strategy at Two Six Technologies, responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive, company-wide strategy for engagements with senior DoD leaders and operators. These two-way engagements aim to ensure that Two Six Technologies continues to make substantial contributions to the development of leap-ahead capabilities for the Joint Force. Dr. Ragsdale joined Two Six Technologies, a fast-growing, forward-looking, and people-focused company, in July 2021, after completing a 40-year career in the Department of Defense (DoD). 

In his final DoD role, Ragsdale served as Acting Director of Defense Research and Engineering for Modernization, an ASD-level position in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. In that capacity, he was responsible for driving DOD-wide innovation by facilitating the rapid development and disruptive integration of advanced technologies to deliver vastly enhanced capabilities for the Joint Force. He was also responsible for advising Pentagon leaders on S&T investments and capability analysis and supervising the eleven Principal Directors for the Department’s modernization priority areas.

Previously, Dr. Ragsdale had served as the Principal Director for Cyber, where he was responsible for coordinating cyber modernization efforts across the DoD. His specific responsibilities included the establishment of DoD-wide policies and portfolio management of all DOD cyber modernization activities, including research and engineering, technology development, prototyping, experimentation, test and evaluation, and capability transition.

Before his return to the DoD, in early 2019, Dr. Ragsdale was the founding director of the Texas A&M Cybersecurity Center. In that capacity, he led, coordinated, and facilitated cybersecurity research and educational activities across the university. From 2011 to 2015, Dr. Ragsdale served as a DARPA Program Manager, where he managed a $175M portfolio of R&D programs focused on cybersecurity, cyber operations, and behavioral science.  

Before joining DARPA, Colonel (retired) Ragsdale served 30 years in the U.S. Army in various operational, R&D, and educational roles.  Ragsdale served nearly 15 years at the United States Military Academy, West Point, in various capacities, culminating in his service as Vice Dean for Education. Ragsdale also served with the 82nd Airborne Division, the 18th Airborne Corps, the Ranger Training Brigade, and the 17th Field Artillery Brigade. His combat deployments included Operations Urgent Fury (Grenada), Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), and Iraqi Freedom (Iraq).

Dr. 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.

Dr. Ragsdale’s awards and decorations include the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, six Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, Master Parachutist Wings, Pathfinder Badge, as well as the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara Medal (Field Artillery), and the Order of Thor Medal (Cyber).