Desmond Walton Email & Phone Number

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Perform cutting-edge advisory services at the intersection of international relations, international trade, and international business in the Asia-Pacific region. Help the world’s premier companies understand how governments, systems and individuals inter-relate, and develop plans to achieve goals based on a deep understanding of the markets and unique access to information. Focus on the nexus between politics and economics, as well as the forces driving change in each of our client's markets.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Senior Adviser on Asian security and defense issues.

Bangkok Metropolitan Area, Thailand

Department of Defense’s principal representative in Thailand; coordinated and led all DOD programs and activities with key Asian Ally to include strategy development, public diplomacy, intelligence-sharing, Foreign Military Sales, multi-lateral security initiatives, and crisis management.• Managed and mentored a diverse team of 67 military, DOD civilians, and Thai nationals: aligned efforts with strategic objectives, effectively allocated resources, and optimized staff performance.• Enhanced U.S. access and influence while building Thai capacity consistent with U.S. strategy.• Led development of U.S. – Thai Joint Vision Statement resulting in vastly improved strategic coordination on key regional issues including maritime security and disaster relief.• Locked in over $400M in FMS deals including F-16 upgrades, Blackhawks, advanced weapons.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

U.S. Government focal point for policy initiatives related to Southeast Asia. Formulated, coordinated, and oversaw implementation of U.S. regional programs and policies advancing U.S. regional interests in Southeast Asia. • Effectively guided policy initiatives through complex interagency process with numerous stakeholders including foreign governments, NGOs, Congress, State Department, Treasury, Defense, and others.• Conducted direct, high-level negotiations with senior foreign officials in preparation for Presidential visits and meetings.• Routinely provided expert analysis of critical issues to senior White House leaders in a very time-sensitive environment.• Conceived of and led preparations for two Presidential meetings with Southeast Asian leaders leading to improved coordination on trade, security, political, and environmental issues.

Policy director for Southeast Asia. Responsible for managing the full range of defense and military relations with Southeast Asia on behalf of the Secretary of Defense.• Managed a team of six highly trained area specialists to provide timely, cogent, and effective support to the Secretary of Defense on matters related to U.S. security policy in Southeast Asia.• Represented the Secretary of Defense in the national security interagency process by employing effective leadership, communications, negotiating, and consensus-building skills.• Developed, coordinated, and executed policies that built critical capacity in partner nations.• Strengthened defense relationships and enhanced regional security cooperation.• Coordinated U.S. regional defense policy with the White House, State Department and Congress.

• Effectively managed cost, schedule, and performance of over $200 million in FMS and grant assistance to the Royal Thai Army. • Provided advice and assistance to U.S. defense industry to capitalize on opportunities for investment and growth in Thailand and the region. • Significant Accomplishments: successfully negotiated major new procurement programs (FMS) including UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, AH-1 Cobra helicopters, and M16A4 rifles.

Honolulu, Hawaii

• Responsible for developing, coordinating, and synchronizing USPACOM’s security cooperation programs in Southeast Asia• Managed cost, schedule and performance of critical FMS programs. Managed National Disclosure Policy actions. Managed Foreign Military Financing (FMF) request process.• Significant Accomplishments: Leading role in groundbreaking Philippine Defense Reform effort – subsequently adopted as Department of Defense standard for transformational security cooperation; developed, coordinated, and implemented over $150 million in innovative security assistance programs designed to increase operational capacity of the Philippine Armed Forces.

Commissioned in 1986 as a U.S. Army Engineer. Service in Korea, Honduras, and Gulf War. Completed Special Forces training in 1992 with multiple deployments throughout Asia. Transitioned to Foreign Area Officer in 1998.• Trained and led Special Forces Detachments for multiple sensitive operational deployments to Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand.• Operations Officer for Special Forces Group. Planned and prioritized resources to support training and operations of 1000-man Special Forces Group. Managed a multi-million dollar training budget. • Liaison to Indonesian Army. Represented the United States at the Indonesian Army Staff College and advised the U.S. Country Team on progress of reform within Indonesian Army.

Master Of Arts (Ma), International Policy

Education record

Thai Language

Education record

Education record

Indonesian Language

Education record

Education record