Ms. Cathleen Williamson serves as the Director of the Office of Geomatics and Targeting overseeing a workforce charged with providing Geosciences, Elevation, Global Navigation Satellite Systems, Geodetic Surveying, Precise Imagery, and Precision Engagement expertise in support of National System for Geospatial Intelligence (NSG), Allied System for Geospatial Intelligence (ASG), Department of War, IC, and USG customers.
Ms. Williamson leads the office in accomplishing two primary functions: 1) the provision of accurate and timely geodetic, geophysical, geotechnical analysis, and geospatial intelligence information; and 2) the provision of accurate, timely, and relevant controlled imagery, elevation, and imagery derived GEOINT data in support of targeting weapon systems, navigation, and collection systems. Both functions enable National Security, DoW, and IC objectives by providing assured positioning, navigation, timing and targeting.
Ms. Williamson previously served as the Senior Technical Executive (TX) for the Source Directorate. The Source TX is responsible for ensuring Data, Algorithms, and Technology capabilities are integrated to achieve Mission Imperative success. She managed the Source Data, Algorithm and Technology (SDAT) Working Group, the Source governance body that works across Groups, and multiple Integrated Program Offices (IPOs) to inventory, integrate and recommend the Source mission prioritization of technical activities for Source Leadership decision, providing transparency to solution providers. She monitored the planning, budgeting, and execution dependencies across KCs and advised Leadership on the mission impacts of financial management processes such as Program Builds, Spend Plan development, Unfunded Request (UFR) prioritization, and Congressional Mark allocation. She championed for adoption of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning and spearheaded Source innovation by defining Source’s hard problems and managing efforts across a number of innovation activities including Moonshot Labs, Accelerators, National Labs, Academia and In-Q-Tel. Additionally, she advanced NGA’s Mission Imperatives, leading Source support to the DOG-led Data Access and Data Integrity Mission Imperative, and providing technical guidance to the Source-led Accelerated Tasking Orchestration (ATO) and Assured Position Navigation Timing and Targeting (APNTt) Mission Imperatives.
Ms. Williamson also previously served as the Division Chief of the Elevation Domain, within the Office of Geomatics. She managed a team with expertise in Photogrammetry, GIS and computing skills. Her mission was to provide a dynamic global Elevation model, Functional Management, and Analysis of Elevation data to the DoD/IC/Government Stakeholders to ensure accuracy of all GEOINT in support of APNTt.
Prior to this position she served as the Deputy Division Chief for Geosciences. The missions provided geodetic, geotechnical, geophysical and terrain content capabilities and support. Ultimately, providing the foundation of Functional Management and Analysis to ensure the accuracy of all GEOINT created across the community. Functions included providing fundamental WGS 84 coordinate systems, datums, grids, projections, gravity/magnetic models for navigation, weapon systems, targeting, and geotechnical models for the NSG.
Before beginning her career at NGA, Ms. Williamson served as a United States Coast Guard (USGG) Shipboard Captain (the most Senior job in the Merchant Marine on territorial waters). She was responsible for the safe operations and navigation of vessels to ensure the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) for all persons on board. She was responsible for the overall performance management and development of all Marine Navigation/Engineering employees and acted as a multi-billion-dollar ship-owner agent in dealing with custom officials. Additionally, she served as a Military Naval Officer (Lieutenant) within the Strategic Sealift Officer (SSO) program. As a Commissioned Naval Officer, she supported National Defense sealift requirements and capabilities, which were executed by the Military Sealift Command (MSC), providing the capability for crewing of sealift ships and shoreside support to Navy Commands that required unique Maritime expertise.
Ms. Williamson holds a Master’s Degree in Systems Engineering from the George Washington University (GWU) and dual Bachelor’s Degrees in Logistics Management/Marine Transportation from the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA).