Jan 08, 2010 - Claremont, CA - Amanda Simpson ’83 began her new role this week in Washington as senior technical advisor in the Department of Commerce, a professional honor that highlights her accomplished career in military technology.

Recently appointed by President Obama, she reports to the Under Secretary for Industry and Security where she will advise on policy with regard to exports of U.S. technology.  

"I am excited and looking forward to this new career, and am encouraged that my technical and defense electronics background will be of assistance to the Federal government," Simpson told HMC.

Simpson has worked in the aerospace and defense industry for nearly 30 years, most recently as deputy director in advanced technology development at Raytheon Missile Systems. Her academic credentials include an M.S. in engineering and business administration as well as a B.S. in physics from Harvey Mudd College. As a test pilot, Simpson flew over 50 different aircraft types including the T-39 and A-3 Sky Warrier as part of weapon systems development for Hughes Aircraft and Raytheon. She is a certified flight instructor with over 20 years of experience. Simpson learned to fly while part of the college’s Bates Aeronautics Program, which was led by Instructor of Aeronautics Emerita Iris Critichell.

While Simpson is one of the first transgender presidential appointees, for her the position is clearly a professional honor and opportunity.

“For others, it may be an example to all employers that employment should and can be based upon the ability to do the job and the effective performance in that job – and not about what gender a person is, or sexual orientation, or gender identity, expression or characteristics. And that's a good thing and may open doors for some who find them shut in their faces right now. But that is not why I was presented with this opportunity and certainly not why I accepted it,” Simpson said.

Simpson became the first openly transgender candidate to win a primary election in the United States in her run for the Arizona State Legislature in 2004.  She received the 2004 Tucson YWCA Woman on the Move Award, and was a 2005 Arizona Human Rights Fund Individual honoree.  She was recently elected an Associate Fellow by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.