Wagner named CEO for Agile Defense

Reston-based Agile Defense, an IT solutions provider for national security customers and the U.S. Department of Defense, has named Rick Wagner as its new top executive.

Wagner previously led Microsoft’s $5 billion federal arm until Candice Ling took over the role during the summer.

Agile announced the leadership change in a news release Tuesday. Wagner replaces CEO Jay Lee, who served in the role from 2010 to 2023. He will transition to a strategic advisory role supporting corporate growth and mergers and acquisitions, while continuing to serve on the company’s board. Agile Defense is backed by Enlightenment Capital, an aerospace, defense, government and technology investment firm, which acquired the company in November 2022.

“Agile Defense has built an amazing team dedicated to helping customers integrate technologies by delivering end-to-end IT services and solutions,” Wagner said in a statement. “I am excited to join the Agile Defense team and look forward to leveraging my experience as we enter the next stage in our partnership with Enlightenment.”

Founded in 1998, Agile Defense provides IT and cloud migration services; development, security and operations (DevSecOps); and cybersecurity assessment and risk management to the military and other federal customers. The company in May announced it  acquired Falls Church-based XOR Security, a provider of cybersecurity operations and engineering and virtual security operations, boosting its personnel to more than 1,000 employees. Agile Defense announced in late September that it had won a contract to help the Army Project Manager Mission Command deliver technology to the battlefield through the management of mission critical networks in support of the service’s Program Executive Office Command Control Communication-Tactical (PEO-C3T). The office develops, acquires, fields and supports the Army’s tactical communications networks.

“We are delighted to bring Rick on board,” Jason Rigoli, Agile Defense chairman and Enlightenment Capital partner, said in a statement. “Agile has grown significantly, and Rick is uniquely qualified to help the company expand its capabilities and provide differentiated offerings for both existing and new customers.”