About Us

Our Mission

1st Action delivers innovative business solutions through strategic planning, secure technology, and expert management of technical environments—empowering clients to succeed and thrive in complex, ever-changing landscapes.

Meet the CEO Dan Crawford

Dan served 27 years in the U.S. Army, starting his career as an Infantry Private and retiring as a Colonel in the Signal Corps. Dan’s journey included both Active Duty and Traditional National Guard service in the Georgia and Alaska National Guards.

During his career, Dan specialized as an Army Strategist and Systems Engineer.

He led combat troops in Iraq, commanded the National Guard’s Regional Cyber Center, taught at the U.S. Army School for Advanced Military Studies, helped establish the Information Advantage Scholars Program at the Command and General Staff College, and advised two members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Dan graduated from the University of North Georgia with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management, from the University of Maryland Global Campus with a Master of Science in Information Technology Managment, and earned a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from the School of Advanced Military Studies. Dan is a graduate of both the U.S. Army War College Basic Strategic Arts Program, and the U.S. Army’s Advanced Strategic Leadership Studies Program.

Dan is a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the Military Officers Association (MOAA), the American Legion, the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), and the Army Strategist Association. Additionally, he serves as a board member for the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) DC Chapter, and a board member and life member of the Albert J. Myer Chapter of the Signal Corps Regimental Association.

Dan’s publications include the following articles:

“Advantage Horizon: Data Analytics Offers an Information Edge” – Signal Magazine, June 2023.
“Leading in the Information Dimension” – CGSC Foundations Magazine, pg. 16, Spring 2023.
“Advancing Research in the Information Domain” – CGSC Foundations Magazine, pg. 24, Winter 2023.
“Army National Guard Cybersecurity Support to State and Local Authorities” – Army University, available at Ike Skelton Combined Arms Research Library, May 2022.
“Time for a Changing of the Guard” – Signal Magazine, January 2020.

Our Team

Our team consists of highly skilled professionals with years of experience in their respective fields. We work together to deliver the best possible results for our clients.