Lt. Gen. Ronnie D. Hawkins, Jr. (USAF) Ret., is the former Director of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and Commander, Joint Force Headquarters – Department of Defense Information Networks (DODIN). In his latest role he led a global organization of military and civilian personnel who plan, develop, deliver, and operate joint, interoperable, command and control capabilities and a global enterprise infrastructure in direct support of the President, Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Combatant Commanders, Department of Defense components, and other mission partners across the full spectrum of operations.

General Hawkins received his commission as a distinguished graduate of the ROTC program at Angelo State University in 1977. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Angelo State University; a Master of Science degree in management and human relations from Abilene Christian University; a Master of Science degree in national resource strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University; and a Master of Divinity degree in church ministries from Liberty Theological Seminary.

General Hawkins commanded Cadet Squadron 24 at the U.S. Air Force Academy; the Air Combat Command’s Computer Systems Squadron and Communications Group; and the Air Force Officer Accession and Training Schools at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. He served as the Director of Communications and Information, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces; Director of Communications Operations, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Installations and Logistics, Headquarters U.S. Air Force; and Director, Infrastructure Delivery, Office of Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. General Hawkins served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Communications and Information Systems, Multi-National Force-Iraq, and as Vice Director, Defense Information Systems Agency, Fort Meade, Md., Prior to his DISA assignment, General Hawkins was the Deputy Director, Command, Control, Communications and Computer Systems (C4), Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Among his many awards, General Hawkins has been awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal.