Andrew Wood is a Partner at The Potomac Advocates, where he leads strategic engagements at the intersection of defense policy, intelligence operations, and space enterprise strategy. Andrew works directly with senior decision-makers in government and industry to advance initiatives that strengthen U.S. national security, enhance defense capabilities, and expand the role of commercial innovation across the national security enterprise. He advises leading aerospace and technology firms on how to align their capabilities with evolving U.S. defense and intelligence priorities, helping them navigate complex policy and budget dynamics to translate strategic objectives into meaningful mission impact.
Andrew joined The Potomac Advocates in 2023 after more than 30 years of distinguished service in the United States Air Force, where he specialized in intelligence operations, congressional liaison, and defense strategy. His final assignment was at the Pentagon in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Budget (SAF/FML), serving as the liaison to the House and Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittees. In that role, he advised senior Air Force leadership and Congress on multi-billion-dollar portfolios covering ISR, space, cyber, and advanced technology programs.
Prior to his Pentagon assignment, Andrew commanded the 485th Intelligence Squadron in Germany, directing a highly specialized, multi-site unit supporting some of the nation’s most sensitive intelligence and operational missions. Under his leadership, the squadron provided critical signals intelligence, cyber, and targeting support to U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command, and U.S. Central Command, as well as interagency partners executing global counterterrorism, counterproliferation, and strategic surveillance operations. Throughout his career, he has held key leadership roles spanning intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; special operations; targeting; information operations, and legislative affairs, deploying in support of high-priority missions across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and South America that directly advanced U.S. and allied national security objectives.
Since transitioning to private consulting, Andrew has become a recognized and trusted voice in national security and space policy, advising clients on how to effectively engage within the congressional appropriations process and the Pentagon’s Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) system. He maintains close working relationships with key members and professional staff on the House and Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittees, the House and Senate Armed Forces Subcommittees, as well as senior officials across the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community. Andrew is known for bridging industry innovation with the realities of defense budgeting and oversight, helping clients align their strategies with evolving national security priorities and funding decisions.
A Virginia resident, Andrew holds advanced degrees in intelligence and national security studies and remains an active advocate for defense innovation, commercial partnerships, and veterans’ initiatives. He and his wife, Rachel, have been married for more than 30 years and have two adult children.
EDUCATION
2016 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB
2012 Master of Arts, Strategic Intelligence, American Military University, Charlestown, WV
2010 Air and Space Operations Course, Hurlburt Field, FL
2010 Squadron Officer’s School, Maxwell AFB, AL
2008 Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Operations Course, Goodfellow AFB, TX
2005 Intelligence Officer Course; Goodfellow AFB, TX; AETC Commander’s Top Graduate
2006 Air and Space Basic Course; Maxwell AFB, AL
2004 Basic Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, AL; Distinguished Graduate
2004 Bachelor of Science in Social Psychology, Parkville, Missouri; Summa Cum Laude
USAF OFFICER ASSIGNMENTS
1. Nov 2004-Jun 2005, Student, 315th Training Squadron, Goodfellow AFB, TX
2. Jul 2005-Aug 2008, Chief of Intelligence, 319th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL
3. Aug 2008-Jul 2009, Mission Operations Commander/Flight Commander, 11th Intelligence Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL
4. Jul 2009-Oct 2011, Chief, AEF Intelligence Scheduling, HQ AFPC, Randolph AFB, TX
5. Oct 2011-Oct 2012, Chief, AF DCGS Capabilities Management, HQ AFISRA, Lackland AFB, TX
6. Oct 2012-Jul 2014, Executive Officer, Plans, Programs, Requirements and Assessments, HQ AFISRA, Lackland AFB, TX
7. Jul 2014 – Jul 2015, Director of Operations, 13ᵗʰ Intelligence Squadron, Beale AFB, CA
8. Jul 2015 – Jun 2016, Student, 38ᵗʰ Student Sq, Air Command & Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL
9. Jul 2016 –Aug 2019, Congressional Budget and Appropriations Liaison, Secretariat of the Air Force for Financial Management, Pentagon, Washington D.C.
10. Aug 2019 – Jun 2020, Chief, Space and ISR Capabilities, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, Springfield, VA
11. Jun 2020 – Jun 2022, Commander, 485th Intelligence Squadron, National Security Agency, Mainz-Kastel Germany