# Christopher Povak

Christopher Stephen Povak (born November 26, 1970) is a United States Space Force major general who serves as the deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office and commander of the Space Force Element to the National Reconnaissance Office. He previously served as the deputy director of the Space Warfighting Analysis Center.
Povak received his commission from Clarkson University in 1992. He has extensive experience in satellite operations, engineering, and acquisitions with the Air Force Space Command and National Reconnaissance Office. He has commanded NRO's Aerospace Data Facility-Colorado, Air Force Element at RAF Menwith Hill, and Operations Division 7. He has also served as a military legislative advisor to Senator Joseph I. Lieberman.
In 2021, Povak transferred to the Space Force. A year later, he was promoted to major general. As deputy director of the NRO, he assists the director in managing the strategic and tactical priorities of the NRO. He also leads the military personnel assigned to NRO, manages the associated service resources, and serves as senior advisor to the director on all military matters.

## Education

* 1992 Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, Clarkson University, Potsdam, N.Y.
* 1997 Undergraduate Space and Missile Training, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
* 1998 Master of Science, Electrical Engineering, Colorado Technical University, Colo.
* 1999 Squadron Officer School, Distinguished Graduate, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
* 2003 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
* 2005 Master of Arts, Military Operational Art and Science, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
* 2005 Air Command and Staff College, Distinguished Graduate, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
* 2007 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
* 2011 Senior Executive Fellowship, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
* 2012 National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
* 2012 Master of Science, National Security Strategy, National War College, National Defense University, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.

## Military career

In September 2022, Povak was nominated for promotion to major general.

## Assignments

1. March 1993–July 1996, Air Force Satellite Control Network Capacity Engineer, 50th Space Wing Plans, Schriever Air Force Base, Colo. 2. August 1996–August 1997, Flight Commander, Operating Division 4/DC, Onizuka Air Force Station, Calif. 3. September 1997–May 2000, Chief, Space Systems Engineering, Operating Division 4/DC, Onizuka AFS, Calif. 4. June 2000–May 2002, Director of Operations, Air Force Operations Element, Washington, D.C. 5. June 2002–August 2003, Director of Engineering, Air Force Operations Element, Washington, D.C. 6. September 2003–July 2004, Congressional Fellow, Office of Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, Washington, D.C. 7. August 2004–June 2005, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 8. June 2005–July 2006, Chief, Space Programs Planning, Programming, and Budgeting, Directorate of Space Acquisition, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va. 9. August 2006–July 2007, Chief, Congressional and Media Affairs Branch, Directorate of Space Acquisition, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va. 10. August 2007–June 2008, Program Element Monitor, Transformational Satellite Communications, Directorate of Space Acquisition, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va. 11. July 2008–June 2010, Commander, Operations Division 7 and Deputy Chief Overhead Collection Management Center, Fort George G. Meade, Md. 12. July 2010–July 2011, Executive Officer to the Deputy Director, National Reconnaissance Office, Chantilly, Va. 13. August 2011–June 2012, Student, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D. C. 14. July 2012–July 2015, Commander, Air Force Element, RAF Menwith Hill, United Kingdom 15. August 2015–May 2016, Deputy Director, Mission Operations Directorate, National Reconnaissance Office, Chantilly, Va. 16. June 2016–August 2019, Commander, Aerospace Data Facility Colorado, Buckley AFB, Colo. 17. June 2016–August 2019, Commander, Air Force Element Space Operations Wing, Buckley AFB, Colo. (December 2018–June 2019, Acting Commander, Air Force Element, NRO, Chantilly, Va.) 18. September 2019 – July 2021, Deputy Commander, Joint Task Force Space Defense, Schriever AFB, Colo 19. July 2021 – September 2022, Deputy Director, Space Warfighting Analysis Center, Washington D.C. 20. September 2022- present, Deputy Director and Space Force Element Commander, National Reconnaissance Office, Chantilly, Va.

## Awards and decorations

Povak is the recipient of the following awards:
* Command Space Operations Badge
* Air Force Master Acquisition and Financial Management Badge
* Space Staff Badge
* Air Staff Badge
* Defense Superior Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
* Legion of Merit
* Defense Meritorious Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
* Meritorious Service Medal
* Joint Service Commendation Medal
* Air Force Commendation Medal
* Joint Service Achievement Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
* Joint Meritorious Unit Award with one bronze oak leaf cluster
* Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
* Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
* National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
* Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
* Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal with one bronze service star
* Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon
* Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and one bronze oak leaf clusters
* Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
* Air Force Training Ribbon

## Dates of promotion

| Rank | Branch | Date |
| Second Lieutenant | Air Force | May 15, 1992 |
| First Lieutenant | Air Force | October 15, 1994 |
| Captain | Air Force | October 15, 1996 |
| Major | Air Force | April 1, 2003 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Air Force | December 1, 2006 |
| Colonel | Air Force | May 1, 2012 |
| Brigadier General | Air Force | March 2, 2019 |
| Brigadier General | Space Force | ~April 29, 2021 |
| Major General | Space Force | September 29, 2022 |