Ms. Christina J. “Chris” Parrett is the Director of Senior Executive Management and Enterprise Human Resources Information Technology, Analytics and Artificial Intelligence with the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. She is responsible for the full lifecycle management of the Civilian Senior Executive portfolio; and now establishing the enterprise integration of Human Capital IT, analytics and AI for the Department of Air Force, more commonly referred to as “Execs and Techs.”
Prior to her current position, Ms. Parrett served as the United States Space Force’s first Director of Civilian Human Capital Policy and Programs at the Pentagon. In this role, she was responsible for the successful execution of the $750 million civilian pay budget while supporting seven personnel systems at over 230 locations worldwide. She increased Alternative Personnel System usage from 16% to 87%, to position space to be more competitive in the market for top talent with a decrease in first year hiring timelines by over 75% as the department shifted to a more compensation-to-contribution personnel model. Additionally, successfully defended a $200 million increase to the civilian pay budget for FY25; improved the services budget/manpower/personnel data integrity from 63% to 98% within two years; was a drafting member of the Guardian Ideal, the service’s first human capital strategy; established the Guardian Family Career Program, a pioneering initiative to provide long-term career options for Guardian spouses and family members; led legislative efforts for USSF inclusion in enhanced pay authority for faculty in 10 U.S.C § 9371; and spearheaded the design and implementation of the Human Capital Ecosystem, a service-wide HR IT modernization effort.
Prior to the Space Force, Ms. Parrett served on the Department of Defense Human Resources Transformation Team; leading legislative reform that resulted in FY20 NDAA consolidation of Direct Hire Authorities to streamline civilian hiring across the department, codified in 5 U.S.C. § 9905. Additionally, she spearheaded projects on modernizing HR IT, management and hiring improvement, and agile HR policy and procedure development.
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and History, Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, Mich.
2005 Master of Business Management, Organizational Development, Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, Mich.
2012 Entre-leadership, Dave Ramsey School of Leadership, San Antonio, Texas
2024 Executive Leadership Seminar, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. October 1998–November 2005, Private Sector, multiple, mid-management, 24-hour operations; audit and compliance, business acquisition transition, recruiter, incentive compensation, Grand Rapids, Mich. and Columbus, Ohio
2. June 2006–August 2008, Human Resources Assistant, Civilian Personnel Advisory Center, Army Civilian Human Resources Agency, Heidelberg, Germany
3. August 2008–January 2010, Director of Staff, Headquarters United States Army in Europe International Operations Division, Heidelberg, Germany
4. January 2010–January 2014, Lead Human Resources and Manpower Analyst, Headquarters United States Army in Europe, Operations Directorate (G3), Heidelberg, Germany
5. January 2014–May 2015, Senior Human Resources Analyst, Headquarters United States Army in Europe, Logistics Directorate (G4), Wiesbaden, Germany
6. July 2015–October 2015, Training and Development Specialist, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Government Accountability Offices, Washington, D.C.
7. February 2014–November 2024, Founder, Busy Does Fit, Self-Employed
8. October 2015–July 2016, HR Policy and Suitability Adjudicator, Department of Navy, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.
9. July 2016–July 2017, Lead Human Resources Analyst, Department of Air Force Office of the Administrative Assistant, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
10. July 2017–September 2018, Chief of Senior Leader Services, Department of Air Force Office of the Administrative Assistant, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
11. September 2018–September 2020, Human Resources Business Reform Specialist, Office of Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Mark Center, Va.
12. June 2020–January 2025, Director of Civilian Human Capital, United States Space Force, Deputy Chief of Staff for Human Capital (S1), the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
13. January 2025–January 2026, Director of Senior Executive Management, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Department of Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
14. January 2026–present, Director of Senior Executive Management and Enterprise Human Resources Information Technology, Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Department of Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Office of the Secretary of Defense Award for Excellence – HR Reform Team
Frederick E. Vollrath Award for Excellence, Senior Human Resources Civilian of the Year
Meritorious Civilian Service Award, stand up of United States Space Force
Meritorious Civilian Service Award, excellence in support of Political Transition
Commander’s Award for Civilian Service, furthering International Operations initiatives
Inspector General Best Practices, Overseas Entitlement Program
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTS
Gartner's ReImagine HR – Panel Member, “Leading in a Hybrid Environment” (2022)
Clearance Jobs.com – “Flexibility and Mobile Opportunities” (2022)
Army Wife Network, Show #917: “People Management in the Space Force” (2022)
NASA Mission Support Industry Forum – “Industry Innovation” Panel Member (2023)
AFA: “People First: Spouse Employment, Health and a Better Life” with Ms. Mollie Raymond (2023)
Gartner's Unbreakable HR: Lead a Change-Ready Workforce (May 2024)
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Senior Professional in Human Resources
(Current as of July 2026)