Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Christopher Plamp, COO

Our Chief Operating Officer Christopher Plamp plays a key leadership role in the development and execution of our mission delivery strategy and oversees USO global and regional teams and Arlington Operations, Programs, and Entertainment teams.

Christopher brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise from the military and non-profit sector to the USO team. Most recently, Christopher served as the Chief Executive Officer of Hire Heroes USA (HHUSA), where he led strategy and program partnership development to help transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses find employment. Christopher’s journey at HHUSA started in the programs arena, where he was the chief architect of their highly successful transition programs and underlying business processes.

Prior to his tenure at HHUSA, Christopher retired from the U.S. Air Force as a colonel in May 2014. He was an Air Force Command Pilot, flight instructor, and evaluator, primarily flying the A-10 Warthog and the MQ-1B Unmanned Predator.  He was an A-10 Fighter Squadron Director of Operations, an MQ-1B Reconnaissance Squadron Commander, a Flying Training Group Commander, and served in the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC).

Christopher participated in Operation SOUTHERN WATCH, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Christopher’s awards include: Defense Superior Service Medal; two Bronze Stars; the Legion of Merit; the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; three Air Medals; and the German Silver Cross of Honor.

Christopher holds a Master’s degree in Military Art and Science from the Army’s Command and General Staff College and a Master’s degree and in Strategic Studies from the Air War College. He also earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Air Force Academy.