Leadership

KATHARINE KELLEY

Ms. Katharine Kelley, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Human Capital, U.S. Space Force. She provides executive leadership and managerial direction for the Space Force in all functional areas of personnel management to include force structure analysis; personnel programs; civilian personnel; readiness; senior officer matters; quality force issues; equal opportunity; and family support for military and civilian personnel located at 175 locations worldwide in support of the service’s space launch, space surveillance, missile warning, and satellite command and control operations.

Ms. Kelley earned a commission through the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Villanova University as a Logistics Officer for the 1^st Infantry Division. She transitioned to a civilian role within the Department of the Army working the most comprehensive base realignment and closure process in the department’s history, as well as managing logistics, enterprise infrastructure, and space management. In 2016 Ms. Kelley assumed responsibilities as Superintendent at Arlington National Cemetery where she was responsible for rebuilding trust and confidence in the Army’s operation of the cemetery and setting the strategic direction for recapitalization, expansion and technology innovations. Prior to her current position, Ms. Kelley served as the Chief Human Capital Officer for Army Futures Command. There, she stood up the command’s headquarters in Austin, TX and served as the senior advisor on all aspects of human resources including the establishment of the Army’s first software focused training for soldiers and civilians.

EDUCATION
1999 Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Villanova University, Villanova PA
2003 Masters of Arts in International Relations, University of Oklahoma, Heidelberg GE
2012 Masters of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies, U.S. Naval War College, Newport RI

ASSIGNMENTS
1999-2003, Logistics Officer, European Command, J4 & 1st Infantry Division - Stuttgart GE
2004-2007, Business Process Associate, Booz Allen Hamilton - Washington DC
2007-2008, Strategic Planner, Army Materiel Command - Ft Belvoir VA
2008-2011, Chief, Base Realignment and Closure, Army Materiel Command - Ft. Belvoir VA
2012-2013, Chief, Standards and Evaluation, Arlington National Cemetery - Arlington, VA
2013-2014, Director, Enterprise Management, Information Technology Agency - Pentagon
2014-2016, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Services, Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army - Pentagon,
2016-2019, Superintendent, Arlington National Cemetery - Arlington, VA
2019-2022, Chief Human Capital Officer, Army Futures Command - Austin TX
2022-Present, Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Human Capital, U.S. Space Force - Pentagon

AWARDS AND HONORS:
• Naval War College’s James D. Forrestal Award for Excellence in Force Planning
• Distinguished Civilian Service Medal (2nd award)
• Meritorious Civilian Service Award (2nd award)
• Superior Civilian Service Award (3rd award)
• Meritorious Service Medal
• Army Commendation Medal
• Army Achievement Medal
• Joint Service Medal

(Current as of September 2022)