Rear Adm. Daniel MacDonnell is a native of Boston, Massachusetts and was commissioned an ensign in January 1987 upon completion of Aviation Officer Candidate School, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.  In 1990, he was re-designated as a special duty officer, cryptology—now cryptologic warfare.  MacDonnell is a graduate of Norwich University and received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering.  He holds a master's degree in management from Salve Regina University.  In addition to being a fully joint qualified officer, MacDonnell is a graduate of the National Defense University-Joint Forces Staff College and the Naval War College - College of Command and Staff.  He has completed executive leadership programs at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, Cambridge, Massachusetts and University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

MacDonnell’s active duty tours include a mobilization with the International Assistance Force Joint Command, Kabul, Afghanistan and assignments with the National Security Agency, Naval Network Warfare Command, Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Georgia, Center for Expeditionary Counterterrorism Operations, USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) and Naval Security Group Activity Edzell, Scotland.

Selected for flag officer in 2013, MacDonnell’s first flag assignment was as reserve deputy commander, Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet, Fort Meade, Maryland.  His first flag tour as commanding officer was between 2014-2017, as commander, Naval Information Force Reserve (CNIFR), Fort Worth, Texas.  As CNIFR he concurrently served as reserve deputy commander, Naval Information Forces, Suffolk, Virginia.  Post-command he was deputy director, Warfare Integration for Information Warfare (N2N6F), Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, 2017-2018.  He held four Reserve Commanding Officer tours: Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet, NIOC Georgia; NIOC Maryland - Fort Devens, Massachusetts and Naval Security Group Reserve Devens.

MacDonnell was selected as the 11th deputy chief, Central Security Service, National Security Agency, in September 2018.  MacDonnell is the first Navy admiral selected to hold this position and presently serves on active duty in this capacity.

His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit (two awards), numerous personal Navy and Joint awards, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Medal and campaign and unit awards.

In his civilian career MacDonnell is a senior executive at one of the largest banking corporations globally, currently focused on cybersecurity and resiliency.

Last Updated: 15 March 2022