On behalf of the University System of Maryland (USM) and the Maryland Research & Education Network (MDREN) board, we are pleased to announce the selection and appointment of Dan Whitcher as Executive Director of the Maryland Research & Education Network (MDREN), effective December 15, 2025. In this role, Dan will lead the strategic direction, operations, and modernization of Maryland’s high-performance research and education network, which connects universities, research institutions, and partner organizations across the state.

Dan brings more than three decades of leadership experience across the private sector, federal government, public sector organizations, and higher education institutions. Throughout his career, he has held senior technology leadership roles including Chief Information Officer (CIO), Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Chief Enterprise Architect (CEA), and Senior Technology Advisor, leading complex digital transformation initiatives and large-scale infrastructure modernization efforts. His experience spans enterprise architecture strategy, cybersecurity governance, advanced networking, and cloud infrastructure modernization, supporting mission-critical systems across government agencies, academic institutions, and enterprise organizations.

With deep expertise in technology strategy and infrastructure leadership, Dan will work closely with institutions across the USM to strengthen partnerships, expand network capabilities, and support emerging research demands in areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, and high-performance computing. His leadership will help ensure Maryland’s research and education community has the secure, resilient, and scalable digital infrastructure needed to accelerate discovery and collaboration.

The University System of Maryland invites colleagues and partners across the academic and research community to reach out, connect, and join in welcoming Dan to the USM family as he begins this important role supporting Maryland’s research and education mission.