Richard D. Ferguson - CTO, National Security Expert, US Army Commander

Richard D. Ferguson

Chief Technological Officer

richfergus rich@luli.us (775) 223-4416Reno, NV

Why me?

I have extensive software development, infrastructure, cloud and cybersecurity experience │ Built (bootstrapped) and exited a profitable startup │ Led massive technology initiatives │ Planned and implemented several worldwide product initiatives │ Personally wrote enterprise software being used by the US Army in various locations │ Led the development of a one-of-a-kind AI tool on a FedRamp platform │ Designed strategy and led the largest migration of Presidential data in history for the most important office in the world

What I Offer

My career has afforded me the opportunity to drive major technology advancements across many diverse sectors. Below are some of my major achievements.

Active

Lead and Support FedRAMP Authorizations

From: Coleridge Initiative, Lulius Innovation

First-of-its-kind, FedRAMP-authorized research Cloud Service Provider powering secure, data-driven research at scale.

Technologies

FedRAMPRMFAI AssistantCloud SecurityAWS

Impact

Enabling secure collaboration for researchers, policymakers, and government organizations

Active

Drive AI Solutions

From: Lulius Innovation

Built a set of AI-powered tools for a FedRAMP platform to assist researchers in navigating complex regulatory requirements.

Technologies

AIAWS BedrockPythonCloud Integration

Impact

Supporting military operations across multiple Army locations

Completed

Deliver Innovation in High-Stakes Conditions

From: The White HouseColeridge Initiative

Planned and led the largest transfer of Presidential records in U.S. history to the National Archives.

Technologies

Data MigrationArchival SystemsPRA ComplianceEnterprise Data

Impact

Presidential Award 2010 - Seamless transition on January 20, 2009

Completed

Build IoT Products for Worldwide Deployment

From: Haws Corporation

Built IoT prototypes leading to productization for one of the oldest companies in the US.

Technologies

IoTDevOpsProduct ManagementCloud Integration

Impact

40% IT budget reduction while improving service delivery worldwide

Completed

Devise, Architect, and Launch a Profitable Startups

From: Lulius Innovation

Learned how to build a lean startup, bootstrap, and scale from the ground up, leading to a successful exit.

Technologies

IoTDevOpsProduct ManagementCloud Integration

Impact

Obtained a DoD ATO, gained APMS Approval, and fielded a novel product to multiple locations within the Army Aviation enterprise

Completed

Cloud Security and Compliance Leadership

From: Coleridge Initiative, Lulius Innovation, Haws Corporation

Architected and led cloud security and compliance initiatives, ensuring robust protection of sensitive data and systems.

Technologies

AWSGoogle CloudOKTACloud Integration

Impact

Obtained a DoD ATO, gained APMS Approval, and fielded a novel product to multiple locations within the Army Aviation enterprise

Completed

Lead complex initiatives in complex environments

From: Coleridge Initiative, Lulius Innovation, Haws Corporation

Leading cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions in challenging and dynamic environments; to include Combat, Federal, and Commercial settings.

Technologies

StaffingLeadershipProject ManagementProduct Management

Impact

Obtained two(2) Sikorsky Life Saving rescue awards

Experience

30+ years of technology leadership across government, military, and private sectors

Coleridge InitiativeCurrent Position

Chief Technological Officer

Nov 2023 – Present

FedRAMP-authorized research Cloud Service Provider

Lulius InnovationFounder

President and Chief Technological Officer

July 2016 – Present

Bootstrapped startup - DoD enterprise software

US Army MDARNGMilitary Leadership

Commander, 29th Combat Aviation Brigade

July 2019 – April 2023

4,300 Soldiers, billions in equipment

Haws CorporationEnterprise CTO

Global Director of Technology and Innovation (CTO)

Sep 2016 – July 2019

Innovation lead, IoT development, 40% cost reduction

Harvard UniversityHarvard NSF

National Security Fellow

June 2015 – Sep 2016

Nationally competitive fellowship

The Federal Labor Relations AuthorityPresidential Appointee

Federal Chief Information Officer

Jul 2009 – June 2012

First full open-source government website, $18M budget

The Executive Office of the President (The White House)The White House

Chief of Engineering, Infrastructure and Support

Jul 2007 – Jul 2009

Innovation for POTUS, $35M budget, Top Secret/SCI

The Executive Office of the President (The White House)Historic

Presidential Transition Program Manager

Aug 2008 – Jan 2009

Largest Presidential records transfer in U.S. history

U.S. Senate (Brookings Institution)Brookings Institute

Congressional Fellow

Jan 2005 – July 2007

Senate Majority Leader staff, DoD appropriations

Nevada National GuardState Leadership

Deputy CIO

May 1999 – Jan 2005

28 locations, 15,000 users, 30 staff

Nevada National GuardCareer Start

Network Operations Center Manager

Oct 1995 - May 1999

24/7 operations, network fundamentals

Technical Expertise

Comprehensive skills across programming, cloud, security, and compliance

Programming & Development

JavaScriptNode.jsSvelteTypeScriptVueAngularCPHPColdFusionHandlebarsCI/CD

Certifications

PMP (2003/2008/2013)CISSP (2004/2013)ITIL (2006/2011)VCP V4 (2011)MCSE+I (2000)MCP Exchange (2000)IANM/DISA4 (1999)

Security Clearance

Top Secret / SCI - FBI Adjudicated (Presidential)

Awards & Recognition

Notable achievements and honors

Technologist of the Year 2023

2023

Nevada's Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (NCET)

Presidential Award

2010

For leading the first ever 'electronic Presidential Transition' (POTUS 43)

Informatic Innovation Award

2004

Association of Medical Directors of Information Systems (AMDIS)

Education

Academic credentials and training

National Security Fellow

Harvard University - John F. Kennedy School of Government

National Security

Masters of Leadership, MA

Georgetown University - McDonough School of Business

Leadership

Graduate Certificate

Georgetown University - Senior Executive Leadership (SES Prep)

Executive Leadership

Congressional Fellowship

The Brookings Institution

Legislative Affairs

B.S. Biology

University of Nevada

Biology

Military Aviation

Master Aviator

UH-60 Black Hawk Instructor Pilot (current) • 3,800+ flight hours

Qualified US Army Safety Officer

GitHub Activity

Contribution activity over the past year

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