Amanda Simpson

Amanda Renae Simpson (born March 26, 1961) is an American pilot, businessperson and politician. Simpson is an advisor and consultant on aerospace, energy, and culture and belonging as Founder and CEO of Third Segment LLC.

Simpson retired as vice president for Research and Technology at Airbus Americas and was the head of Sustainability for Airbus in the Americas. Simpson was the former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Operational Energy and was previously the executive director of the U.S. Army Office of Energy Initiatives, leading the Army's efforts to implement large-scale renewable energy projects. Her first posting in the Army was as the special assistant to the Army Acquisition Executive. In that role, she was a principal advisor to the United States assistant secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology on all matters relating to Army acquisition, procurement, research & development and logistics. Upon Simpson's appointment to the position of senior technical advisor in the Bureau of Industry and Security in 2010, she became the first openly transgender woman political appointee of any presidential administration. Simpson worked in the United States Department of Defense and was the first transgender person to lead an U.S. Department of Defense organization.

Early life and education Simpson was born in Chicago as the oldest of four siblings.

She received a Bachelor of Science in physics from Harvey Mudd College in 1983; a Master of Science in engineering from California State University, Northridge, in 1988 on a Hughes Aircraft Fellowship; and an MBA from the University of Arizona in 2001 on a Raytheon Fellowship.

Simpson is a contributing writer in AIAA Aerospace America magazine. "Simpson's View " is a monthly opinion column on issues relating to the future of the aerospace and aviation industries.

Political career Simpson served as a commissioner on the City of Tucson Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Commission from 2001 until 2008, representing Councilwoman Carol West.

Simpson was a candidate for representative of District 26 in the Arizona House of Representatives in 2004. She won the Democratic primary with over 57% of the vote, but was unsuccessful in the general election where she finished third, receiving 20% in the best two of four contest.

In the 2004 election, she was elected precinct committeeperson, and was chosen as a state committeeperson by the Democratic Party of Legislative District 26 in 2006. She was also elected to the Executive Board and held the office of district treasurer in 2008. She continued to hold those posts until her resignation upon accepting a post in President Obama's administration in 2009. In 2005, Simpson was one of the founders of the Democrats of Oro Valley Club. She was also the first vice chair of the Arizona Democratic Party LGBT caucus.

At the Arizona Democratic State Convention in 2008, Simpson was elected as an Arizona delegate for Hillary Clinton to the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

In late 2009, Simpson accepted an appointment by the Obama administration, where she served in the Department of Commerce as the senior technical adviser to the Bureau of Industry and Security.

In July 2011, she was reposted to the Pentagon as the special assistance to the assistant secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA/ALT). In July 2013, she was detailed to the Army Energy Initiatives Task Force, where she served as the deputy executive director until January 2014, when she was named the executive director by the assistant secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy & Environment (ASA-IEE).

In September 2015, Simpson was sworn in as the first deputy assistant secretary of Defense for Operational Energy. This position was the result of the merging of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Operational Energy, Plans and Programs with the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Installations and Environment to create the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations and Environment in late 2014. Simpson served until the end of the Obama administration, as she was asked to resign, along with nearly all appointees. She departed the Pentagon on January 19, 2017.

In 2022 it was reported that the White House had narrowed their choice for the next Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to between Phil Washington and Simpson. Washington was subsequently nominated for the position.

Non-profit board service Simpson has served on the boards of the Wingspan Community Center, the Southern Arizona Gender Alliance, the Arizona Human Rights Fund, the National Center for Transgender Equality, Out and Equal Workplace Advocates, and the Southern Arizona Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.

While an employee at Raytheon, she served on the boards of the Raytheon Women's Network; Raytheon Global Women's Network; the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Allies Alliance; and the Raytheon Diversity Council. At Airbus she serves as the executive sponsor for the Pride at Airbus, Women's Interactive Network, and Families@Airbus Employee Resource Groups.

Simpson serves on the University of Michigan Aerospace Engineering Department Industrial Advisory Board and the Georgia Tech External Advisory Boards for the Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory and Strategic Energy Institute. She is also a member of the Spruce Goose Advisory Board for the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum.

Simpson is a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and served on its Systems Engineering Technical Committee from 2007 to 2009. She is also a fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and serves on the board of directors of the Washington, D.C., branch.

Recognition 2024 AIAA Mary W. Jackson Diversity and Inclusion Award 2023 Out & Equal LGBTQ+ Corporate Advocate Outie 2022 LGBTQ Victory Institute Hall of Fame 2018 Harvey Mudd College Outstanding Alumni Award 2017 DoD Pride Civilian Leadership Award 2017 Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service 2016 Arlington Gay Lesbian Alliance (AGLA) Champion Award 2015 National Conference for College Women Student Leaders Women of Distinction Award 2015 MTV - "9 Transgender Trailblazers Who Paved The Way" 2014 Time - "21 Transgender People Who Influenced American Culture" 2013 Julie Johnson Founder's Award by the National Center for Transgender Equality 2013 Community Advocacy Award by The Capital Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce 2011 LGBT Icon by Equality Forum 2011 Echo Hall of Fame by Echo Magazine 2011 Named one of the "Hidden 105" by Out 2010 OUTstanding Individual Award (OUT for Work) 2010 Louise Young Award (Raytheon) 2006 Raytheon Missile Systems Team Excellence Award 2005 Arizona Human Rights Fund Individual Award 2004 Tucson YWCA Woman on the Move 2001 Raytheon Woman on the Move 1999 DARPA Award for Significant Technical Achievement