Catherine Simons

• Deputy Posture Branch Chief
• U.S. Indo-Pacific Command
• https://www.pacom.mil/About-USINDOPACOM/USPACOM-Area-of-Responsibility/

Catherine Simons is the Deputy Posture Branch Chief in the Strategy & Policy Division, Strategic Planning and Policy Directorate (J5), Headquarters, United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM).  She overseas the posture planning team, driving the development and implementation of national and regional posture initiatives.

Throughout her career, Catherine has consistently delivered impactful outcomes in policy and planning across various sectors, including defense, science and technology, maritime and transportation, and international development.  Her expertise in leading high-level collaborations with U.S. Federal, State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial agencies, as well as international governments and multilateral organizations, has earned her recognition as a strategic leader.

Prior to her current role, Catherine led Congressional engagement for the USINDOPACOM Logistics and Engineering Directorate (J44), where she supported the execution of high-priority military infrastructure projects across the Indo-Pacific region. She also served as Director of the Pacific Northwest & Alaska Gateway Office at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration, support ports in Alaska, Washington and Oregon.  Her educational background includes:

• Master of Arts, Defense and Strategic Studies, U.S. Naval War College, 2023
• Master of Science, Freshwater Sciences and Technology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2014
• Bachelor of Arts, International Economic Development, African Studies, University of Minnesota, 2011

Catherine’s career assignments include:

• Congressional Affairs Specialist, U.S. Navy, Naval Sea Systems Command Headquarters, Washington, DC
• Legislative Affairs Specialist, U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, Washington, DC
• Technical Writer, U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Washington, DC
• Senior Maritime Infrastructure Advisor, U.S. Committee on the Marine Transportation System, Washington, DC
• Chief Operations Officer, See & Be Seen, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
• NOAA Sea Grant Knauss Marine Policy Fellow (2015), supporting the Oceanographer of the Navy (N2/N6) as an Interagency & International Policy Liaison

Catherine was raised in Wisconsin and resides in Kaneohe with her spouse, an active-duty U.S. Coast Guard officer, and their rescue dog, Niki.