Ryan Consaul

Photo of Ryan Consaul
Senior International/Defense Researcher; Professor, Pardee RAND Graduate School
Washington Office

Education

M.A. in national security studies, University of Kentucky

Overview

Ryan Consaul is a senior international/defense researcher at RAND and a professor at Pardee RAND Graduate School. Previously, he served as a subcommittee staff director on the House Homeland Security Committee's Oversight and Management Efficiency Subcommittee where he led the Committee's oversight of the Department of Homeland Security's management activities including acquisition management; information technology; financial systems; human capital; employee integrity; and issues of waste, fraud, and abuse. Consaul was responsible for drafting legislation to reform DHS's acquisition process, improve DHS vehicle management, and authorize department management activities, among other critical areas.

Prior to the committee, Consaul was a senior analyst at the Government Accountability Office leading evaluations of DHS and DOD programs. His work included analysis of TSA's behavior detection program, DHS credentials, access controls at military installations, defense biometrics, and naval acquisition programs, among other issues.

Consaul holds a Master's Degree in National Security Studies from the University of Kentucky's Patterson School of Diplomacy and is a graduate of Virginia Military Institute.

Research Focus

Commentary

  • Department of Homeland Security logo on a federal building, photo by memoriesarecaptured/Getty Images

    Setting Priorities for the Next DHS CIO

    In its latest leadership vacancy, the Department of Homeland Security has lost its chief information officer. This position carries important statutory powers, a sizable budget, and critical responsibilities to ensure the proper functioning of the department. A new CIO will have an opportunity to continue the scaffolding necessary to forge a culture of unified purpose and unified effort for protecting the homeland.

    Dec 16, 2019 Homeland Security Today

  • A U.S. Border Patrol agent at the San Ysidro port of entry from Mexico in San Diego, California, November 9, 2018

    Shutdown Could Provide Opening for Adversaries to Corrupt Those Protecting the U.S. Homeland

    Every day that the government shutdown continues prolongs the financial hardship for those on the front lines protecting the United States and gives cartels and transnational criminal organizations an opening to try to corrupt the DHS ranks. As negotiations continue to stall, the Trump administration and Congress should consider taking steps to guard against this vulnerability.

    Jan 22, 2019 The Hill

  • DHS seal painted on brick wall

    Homeland Security Should Consider Filling Vacancies at the Top Before Tackling Department Reform

    Vacancies in key management positions in the Department of Homeland Security will likely present a challenge to the implementation of Trump administration government reform and reorganization proposals. Naming permanent deputies could help the administration carry out its reform plans at DHS.

    Jul 13, 2018 The Hill