A Distinguished Career of Service and Strategy
Chris Finerty’s journey from a young cadet at the United States Air Force Academy to a two-star general at the Pentagon is defined by purpose, performance, and principle. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Science, he pursued an MBA from Regis University—laying the groundwork for a career that seamlessly fused operational expertise with strategic and legislative leadership.
Over three decades of service, Chris amassed more than 3,300 flight hours as a command pilot, flying aircraft such as the T-37, T-1, UH-1N, and HH-60G. His combat deployments spanned Kuwait, Turkey, the Philippines, and Afghanistan, where his direct actions contributed to saving over 40 lives.
But his impact went well beyond the cockpit.
Chris played pivotal roles in modernizing Air National Guard capabilities, managing a $10B budget for 105,000 airmen, and guiding senior leaders through critical Congressional hearings and confirmations. As Director of Legislative Liaison for the Air Force and Space Force, he built and sustained trusted relationships with Members and Committees of Congress—ensuring that America’s defense priorities were communicated effectively and preserved through every phase of the legislative cycle.
His leadership has shaped policy across the Department of Defense, National Guard Bureau, and defense industry, especially in moments that demanded bipartisan coordination and nuanced diplomacy.
Beyond the Uniform
Off the battlefield and outside the briefing room, Chris’s sense of duty extends into his community and family life. He served as President of the Key Center School PTA and holds an active TS/SCI security clearance. His personal values—integrity, service, and excellence—guide everything he does.
Chris now seeks to continue his mission: serving the nation through meaningful roles that protect its interests, support its military, and enhance its partnerships across all branches of government.
VMware
As Director of Security and Compliance for the government, education, and healthcare sector, Doug provided strategic guidance on cybersecurity priorities and compliance requirements including FedRAMP, FIPS, and HIPAA.
U.S. Marine Corps
During his distinguished 27-year military career, Doug led the Marine Corps Cyberspace Operations Group (MCCOG), overseeing security, operation, and defense of the Marine Corps Enterprise Network with over 300,000 subscribers. He supervised critical network installations and managed both Network and Security Operations Centers to defend against persistent threats. In his final role, he executed CIO and CISO functions for the entire Marine Corps.
EDUCATION
- Master of Science in National Security Strategy
National War College/National Defense University - Master of Science in Computer Science
Naval Postgraduate School - Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
U.S. Naval Academy