Thomas Goffus
Assistant Secretary General for Operations
2022
Tom Goffus was appointed as Assistant Secretary General for Operations in January 2022. He advises the Secretary General on strengthening defense capabilities of NATO partners, preparing NATO for the defense of Alliance territory, and responding to crises. In October 2023, Tom Goffus was appointed as NATO Secretary General's Special Coordinator for Counter-Terrorism.
Prior to joining the NATO International Staff, he served as Policy Director on the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for European and NATO Policy, National Security Staff Director for Strategic and Eastern European Affairs, and Senior Military Advisor for European and Eurasian Affairs at the State Department. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy, was commissioned in the Air Force, and flew the F-15, T-6, and T-37 aircraft.
Nationality
American
Work Experience
Jan 2022 - Current
NATO Assistant Secretary General Operations
2018 –2021
Policy Director, United States Senate Armed Services Committee
2017 – 2018
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for European and NATO Policy, The Pentagon
2013 - 2017
Professional Staff Member, United States Senate Armed Services Committee
2011 - 2012
Director for Strategic and Eastern European Affairs, National Security Staff, The White House
2009 - 2011
Senior Military Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, The State Department
1985 – 2012
Military Service, United States Air Force
Education
2005
NATO Defense College Senior Course 107, Rome, Italy
1997 - 1998
Master of Arts National Security and Strategic Studies, United States Naval Command and Staff College
1987 -1988
U.S. Undergraduate Pilot Training, Williams Air Force Base
1985 - 1986
Master of Science Aeronautics and Astronautics, University of Washington
1981 - 1985
Bachelor of Science Aeronautical Engineering, United States Air Force Academy