Colonel Wade D. Rupper (Ret.) is currently the Sr. Director of Business Development for Telos Corporation. In his capacity, he is responsible for directing all initiatives focusing on Cyberspace Operations strategic partnership opportunities within the US Federal Government focusing on the Department of Defense, the US Government Intelligence Community and Department of Homeland Security. 

Prior to landing at Telos Corporation, Colonel Rupper served as the Deputy Director, Command Control, Communications and Cyber Systems – United States Transportation Command and Deputy Chief Information Officer.  He was responsible for Unified Combatant Command long range cyberspace planning, policy, guidance, direction, technical control, portfolio governance, resource allocation ($200M annually) and program management for projects involving the development and implementation of major enterprise, data management, cloud integration and transportation systems program deliveries.   The USTRANSCOM cyber portfolio was valued in excess of $600M.

As a twelve year Colonel, Colonel Rupper was Commander and Vice Commander of the 251st Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group, Ohio Air National Guard, Springfield, Ohio.  He was responsible for leading a 925 member Air Combat Command gained communications cyberspace group which was tasked with oversight of seven Engineering Installation Squadrons, one Combat Communication Squadron and their affiliated personnel in support of the National Command Authority for units located within six states.  Col Rupper was accountable for the day-to-day operations of the group, contingency operational tasking support, and annually overseeing 200 plus Title 10 and T32 organic infrastructure build and extend enhancement projects.   He ensured the group ready to deploy in order to meet their wartime requirements within 72-hours of tasking.  Additionally, Col Rupper also served on the Air National Guard Director’s Field Advisory Council (ADFAC) lead for EI and Combat Communications as ANG Weapons Systems Chairman addressing operational, resourcing and policy opportunities.  Col Rupper was responsible for all facets of organize, train and equipping of EI forces currently supporting 8 Joint Chiefs of Staff Combatant Commanders with exceptional theater cyberspace infrastructure and sustainment of build and extend services saving US taxpayers over 65% per project when compared to DoD contractors.

Colonel Rupper’s numerous assignments included: Cyberspace Engineering Group Commander, Cyberspace Security, Economic Development, and Education Board Member - Governor Appointee – Governor’s Executive Board - State of Ohio (Founding member and the Joint Active, Guard and Reserve Military Representative for Ohio), Cyberspace Engineering Installation Vice Commander, Combat Communications Group Vice Commander, Combat Communications Group Director of Operations, Combat Communications Group Director of Logistics, Numbered Air Force Director of Operations, NGB/A6 Crisis Action Team Director (ONE, OEF, and ODS/ODS),  Expeditionary Communications Squadron Commander, Squadron Communication-Computer Systems Officer and Logistics Readiness Officer.  He enlisted in the Ohio Air National Guard in 1983.

Col Rupper has served as JTF/J6, JECG/J6 and JTF/CC during multiple JCS sponsored USSTRACOM, EUCOM, AFSPC and ACC exercises conducted during the 2004-2019 timeframe.  In 2010, Col Rupper served as the Director of Current Operations, Headquarters 3AF/A6 overseeing all JCS, EUCOM and USAFE supported expeditionary communications taskings.  In 2005, Col Rupper was assigned as US Northern Command deployed JTF/J-6 Future Plans Officer directly supporting Title 10 Hurricane Katrina and Rita relief efforts.   Col Rupper adeptly served as Commander of the 332nd Expeditionary Communications Squadron, Al Jaber AB, Kuwait.  During this deployment, the 332ECS was responsible for all communications customer requirements for the coalition and joint base of 8,500 personnel at both Al Jaber Air Base and Kuwait City International Airport. He directed Joint Base Al Jaber Survival Recovery Center activities overseeing Ability to Survive and Operate activities for all joint, coalition and associated contractor personnel.  Col Rupper was selected ANG/A6 Crisis Action Team Director from 14 Sep 2001 - 28 Feb 2002 overseeing all reserve component EC&I and ATCS activation requirements in support of Operation NOBLE EAGLE and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.  He also deployed as NGB CAT/A6 OIC during Operation DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM from Jan-Apr 1991.  Since 2007, Col Rupper has been a voting member of the NGB/A6 Cyberspace and Expeditionary Cyberspace Weapons Systems Council.  He continues to serve with distinction as the NGB/A6 EC&I lead field working group representative for all ANG full-time position descriptions since 1999 ensuring all Combat Communications and Engineering Installation Squadrons are properly identified and staffed with appropriate full-time manning positions.

Col Rupper is married to the former Teresa Suzanne Comer of Kettering, Ohio, and they are the proud parents of three daughters – Meghan, Molly, and Madelyn.  The family resides in Kettering, Ohio.