Chris Finerty Brings Three Decades of Military Leadership
and Congressional Expertise to National Security
Chris Finerty is an accomplished senior leader with more than 30 years of experience serving in critical roles across the U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard, and the Department of Defense. With a career defined by objective focus, collaboration, and the ability to solve complex problems involving multiple stakeholders, Finerty has established himself as a trusted voice in both military operations and legislative affairs. His professional path reflects a rare combination of operational command, strategic vision, and deep engagement with Congress, making him uniquely positioned to contribute to the future of national security policy.
Education and Foundation
Finerty began his career at the United States Air Force Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Science in 1992. He later advanced his leadership and business acumen with a Master of Business Administration from Regis University in Denver, Colorado, in 1997. These academic foundations prepared him for a career that would bridge technical expertise, operational leadership, and high-level policy engagement.
Distinguished Military Career
Over three decades, Finerty rose through the ranks to Major General, holding key command and staff positions at the Pentagon, Andrews Air Force Base, and abroad. His early years included flying assignments in Wyoming, New Mexico, Alaska, and Japan, with combat deployments to Kuwait, Turkey, the Philippines, and Afghanistan. A command pilot with more than 3,300 flight hours in aircraft such as the T-37, T-1, UH-1N, and HH-60G, Finerty’s missions directly contributed to saving more than 40 lives in combat and peacetime operations.
His operational leadership expanded significantly during his tenure as Vice Commander of the Air National Guard Readiness Center, where he oversaw a force of more than 105,000 Airmen, 1,150 aircraft, and a budget exceeding $10 billion. This responsibility required balancing readiness, modernization, and strategic planning for global deployment missions across every Combatant Command.
Expertise in Legislative Affairs
Finerty’s career is especially distinguished by his extensive work as a liaison between the Department of Defense and Congress. As Director of the Department of the Air Force Office of Legislative Liaison (2019–2023), he led a team of more than 80 personnel managing every aspect of legislative strategy for the Air Force and Space Force. He served as principal legislative counsel to four Secretaries of the Air Force, two Chiefs of Staff of the Air Force, and two Chiefs of Space Operations. His leadership ensured that the Department’s $200 billion annual budget priorities were effectively communicated and preserved throughout Congressional authorization and appropriations processes.
Prior to this role, Finerty served as Director of Legislative Liaison for the National Guard Bureau (2017–2019), where he provided strategic counsel to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, a four-star Joint Chiefs of Staff member. His ability to forge close relationships with Armed Services and Appropriations Committee members and staff proved essential in advancing the priorities of both Army and Air National Guard units across the nation.
Earlier, he was instrumental in legislative engagement as Division Chief for both the National Guard Bureau Legislative Programs and the Air Force Congressional Appropriations Office. He also supported Senate confirmations for presidentially appointed Department of Defense officials during a critical administration transition, guiding high-level personnel through complex legislative processes.
Leadership Beyond Uniform
In addition to his military and policy accomplishments, Finerty has devoted time to community leadership, including serving as President of the Key Center School Parent Teachers Association. He also maintains an active TS/SCI security clearance, underscoring his continued readiness to serve in national security roles that demand the highest levels of trust.
Legacy and Future Objectives
Chris Finerty’s career reflects a rare blend of operational command, policy insight, and legislative strategy. From combat rescue missions to securing Congressional support for the Department of the Air Force and Space Force, his leadership has consistently bridged the gap between military readiness and national policy. Now seeking to apply his extensive experience in the national security sector with a focus on the Department of Defense and Congress, Finerty continues his lifelong commitment to strengthening America’s defense posture and legislative alignment.
