A Modern James Bond: Counterterrorism Expert Dexter Ingram Discusses National Security and Spying at Ruth Pauley Speakers October Event
Ever wondered what a modern-day spy looks like? The Sandhills community will get its chance to learn the secrets and tools of espionage as counterterrorism expert Dexter Ingram takes the stage at the Bradshaw Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, Oct. 20, presented by Ruth Pauley Speakers.
Titled “Secrets and Statecraft: What Three Decades of National Security Taught Me About the History of Spying,” the talk will delve into Ingram’s career as a counterterrorism, counter-weapons of mass destruction and counter-violent extremism strategist, including his service as a senior liaison to the FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Tickets are free but required and are now available exclusively at TicketMeSandhills.com. This is the second of five discussions scheduled by Ruth Pauley Speakers for its 2026-27 season. The series has offered complimentary presentations open to the public for the past 39 years.
“Most of what shaped history happened out of sight. I'll share some of those stories, along with a few from my own career. I think people will leave seeing world events a little differently,” said Ingram of his upcoming talk, which will include a Q&A session open to all attendees.
Ingram is an advisory board member at the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C., which provides insight into the shadowed world of espionage and the individuals who influenced the conflicts of their time. From Harriet Tubman to Julia Child, Harpo Marx to Ian Fleming, their stories tell a tale of danger and destruction, deception and delivery that changed world history.
Ingram retired in 2025 after a 30-year federal career that began in the U.S. Navy. At the State Department, he served as director of countering violent extremism and as acting director of the office coordinating the 89-nation Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. He also served as senior counterterrorism adviser at INTERPOL in Lyon, France, and as senior political adviser in Helmand, Afghanistan, and was detailed to DHS and the FBI. He has led U.S. delegations around the world on counterterrorism and nuclear security. He is the author of “The Spy Archives: Hidden Lives, Secret Missions, and the History of Espionage.”
The Oct. 20 event is funded in part by an endowment established by The Pilot newspaper in honor of longtime North Carolina newspaper owner and editor Sam Ragan. The endowment is intended to promote the free sharing of information as underscored by the First Amendment.
All events begin at 7 p.m. in Owens Auditorium at the Bradshaw Performing Arts Center. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Lobby doors open at 6 p.m., and theater doors open at 6:30 p.m.
The 2026-27 Ruth Pauley Speakers season includes five experts chosen to discuss current topics affecting our world, inviting dialogue with the audience to encourage deeper understanding. Tickets for each event are available one month before each discussion. The three remaining talks will take place in November, March and April at Owens Auditorium on the Sandhills Community College campus.
For more information about the season or how to donate, visit www.ruthpauley.org.
About Ruth Pauley Speakers
Since 1987, Ruth Pauley Speakers has provided residents of the North Carolina Sandhills and surrounding areas with opportunities to hear renowned thinkers, statesmen, artists, experts and other extraordinary speakers at no charge. Each year, the organization presents a new schedule of speakers to deepen society's understanding of key issues and encourage public participation in their resolution.
The series was named for Ruth M. Pauley, a prominent social worker who retired to Moore County in 1978 after a lifetime career in the United States and abroad. Her work with the U.S. Social Security Service, the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, and the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare led to worldwide impact, policy development and human care. In retirement, she volunteered for a variety of community charities serving those in need. She took particular interest in the contributions women can make to understanding social issues. As a lasting legacy, Ruth Pauley Speakers was formed to encourage critical study of local, state, national and world issues of concern to Moore County residents.