Ryan Connell is the Director of Strategic Acquisition Operations in the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office. In this role, he supports AI acquisition policy, AI experimentation, and the Tradewinds Solution Marketplace. Mr. Connell joined CDAO in 2024, previously supporting the congressionally mandated commercial acquisition cadre of experts in DoD. Ryan spent the last 8 years focused on DoD contract strategy for the integration of commercial technology, leveraging commercial business practices, and removing barriers to entry for nontraditional defense contractors Mr. Connell has 15 years in Defense acquisition experience which includes cost estimating, pricing & negotiation, cost & compliance, commercial acquisition, and market-based pricing.. Ryan has his MBA, DAWIA certifications in both contracting and program management, is on NCMA Boston’s Board of Directors, and leads NCMAs agile and innovation CoP.
