Major General (Ret.) Chris Finerty is a proven leader, strategic advisor, and national security advocate with more than 30 years of service in the United States Air Force and Department of Defense. His career has been defined by a rare ability to solve complex problems, build consensus across diverse stakeholders, and guide critical decision-making at the intersection of defense policy and legislative affairs.
A 1992 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Science, Chris later earned his MBA from Regis University in Denver — laying the academic foundation for a career that would span global operations, policy leadership, and congressional strategy.
Over the course of his distinguished military service, Chris held several high-impact roles, including:
- Director, Department of the Air Force Office of Legislative Liaison, where he led a team of over 80 professionals in shaping the Department's congressional engagement strategy, managing budget communications totaling $200 billion annually, and advising senior leaders across the Air Force and Space Force.
- Director, National Guard Bureau Legislative Liaison, serving as the principal advisor on Capitol Hill strategy to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
- Vice Commander, Air National Guard Readiness Center, overseeing operational readiness for more than 100,000 Airmen across a fleet of over 1,000 aircraft.
Chris’s work has had lasting impact across the defense enterprise, from supporting senior-level confirmations and high-stakes congressional testimony to driving modernization programs for critical Air National Guard assets. He is also a seasoned pilot with over 3,300 flight hours and a record of life-saving missions in both combat and peacetime — credited with over 40 lives saved during his flying career.
Beyond the Pentagon, Chris brings his leadership to the community as a parent and advocate, having served as President of the Key Center School PTA. He also maintains a Top Secret/SCI security clearance and continues to lend his experience to national security efforts that span government, industry, and public service.
Today, Chris Finerty remains a trusted voice in defense, frequently featured in articles and policy discussions centered on the future of American military power, congressional defense relations, and strategic leadership in an evolving global landscape.