Charles A. Lee serves as the Executive Director of Joint Interagency Task Force West (JIATF West), where he leads the Task Force’s critical counter-drug mission within the USINDOPACOM area of responsibility. Mr. Lee brings over two decades of experience in interagency collaboration, partner nation capacity building, international IT/program management, and technical supervision.

Mr. Lee joined JIATF West in 2004 and has since held several senior leadership positions, most recently serving as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Mission Support. In that role, he oversaw the Task Force’s Information Technology (J6), Logistics (J4), and Human Resource (J1) divisions, driving modernization efforts and operational efficiency.

A forward-thinking leader, Mr. Lee has championed several key initiatives, including the implementation of Department of Defense Impact Learning Level 5 (IL5) compliance for mission partners in Oceania and the successful transition to enterprise-level IT services. He excels at building strong relationships with international partners – including Australia, New Zealand, and numerous Pacific Island nations facilitating seamless information sharing and enhancing regional security. He is adept at navigating complex requirements and collaborating with both government and private sector entities to deliver cutting-edge solutions.

Before joining JIATF West, Mr. Lee held positions with Cisco Systems, Inc. and served as a Communications Officer in the United States Air Force (USAF). He holds a Master of Science in Information Systems from Hawai'i Pacific University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. He is also a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps and the USAF Squadron Officer’s School and has recently completed the Joint C4I Intelligence/Cyber Staff and Operations Course of the National Defense University’s Joint Forces Staff College.

Last Updated: 26 July 2025