Washington, D.C. – August 13, 2024 – WestExec Advisors today announced that former Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Shawn Barnes and former Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator in the National Security Council Katie Tobin have joined the firm as Senior Advisors. Distinguished public servants, they will advise clients on matters ranging from defense budgeting to space and border security, and beyond.
Shawn served in the Senior Executive Service at the Department of Defense from 2014 to 2024, most recently as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, Congressional Budget and Appropriations Liaison. In that role he led advocacy efforts with Congress for multiple annual Air Force and Space Force budgets. He also played a critical role in the establishment of Space Force, working across space policy, operations, acquisition and integration. Prior to his time as a civilian leader at the Pentagon, Shawn led a distinguished 28-year career as an Air Force officer. In addition to serving as Chief of the Space Policy Branch on the Joint Staff, he developed long term acquisition plans and managed the life cycles for critical space situational awareness systems, as well as leading a multi-squadron group in operational testing and tactics development for space systems.
Katie served on the National Security Council from 2021-2024, including as Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for the Los Angeles Declaration on Migrant Protection and as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Transborder. An expert in a range of homeland security, immigration, and refugee issues, Katie previously served as External Relations Officer for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), leading engagement between UNHCR and the U.S. Government. Earlier in her career, Katie was a Refugee Officer with the Department of Homeland Security, practiced at a law firm in Chicago, and served as a law clerk on the Senate Judiciary Committee. In addition to WestExec, Katie is currently a nonresident scholar with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
“As challenges to national security continue to proliferate and grow ever more complex, it is imperative that those developing the innovative solutions to confront these challenges benefit from the best available strategic advice,” said Michèle Flournoy, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of WestExec Advisors. “We are delighted to welcome Shawn and Katie to the WestExec team and to offer our clients the benefit of their deep experience and sound judgement on these critical issues.”
WestExec Advisors, LLC helps business leaders make the best decisions by advising on geopolitical risk and emerging opportunities. To learn more, visit www.westexec.com or email info@westexec.com.