Jon Harrison is a U.S. government official and policy advisor whose career has spanned diplomacy, Arctic policy, defense industry roles and, most recently, a senior civilian post in the Department of the Navy. In 2025 Harrison served as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Navy — a high-profile appointment that brought him into national headlines after a rapid personnel shakeup at the Pentagon.
This biography traces Harrison’s background, education, public service roles, the responsibilities he held in the Navy, and the circumstances that made him a subject of national attention. Where appropriate, the piece cites official bios and reputable reporting so readers have sources to check.
Early life and education
Publicly available profiles describe Harrison as educated in the United Kingdom; he holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Southampton. That academic grounding prefaced a career in government, diplomacy, and public policy.
While personal details (family, childhood city) are not as widely reported in mainstream profiles, Harrison’s education and early career choices oriented him toward international affairs and science-and-technology policy areas, which would later shape his Arctic and maritime work.
Career overview — diplomacy, Arctic policy, and industry
Jon Harrison’s professional résumé combines roles in the U.S. Department of State, positions related to Arctic and ocean policy, and leadership in the private aerospace sector. He served in roles advising on oceans and international environmental and scientific affairs, and in 2020 he was appointed by the President to the United States Arctic Research Commission (USARC), later serving as its chairman. That appointment placed Harrison at the center of U.S. Arctic policy discussions during a time of increased strategic interest in the polar region.
In the private sector, profiles indicate Harrison was associated with Albers Aerospace — described as an aviation and defense engineering group — where he held board-level or principal-shareholder responsibilities prior to returning to federal service.
Role in the U.S. Arctic Research Commission
Harrison’s USARC role was notable because the Arctic has become a key strategic and scientific focus for U.S. policy. As chairman he participated in or influenced discussions about Arctic research priorities, international cooperation, and issues that intersect science and national security, such as domain awareness and resource stewardship. The USARC profile and related government pages document his appointment and the policy portfolio he carried while on the commission.
From Arctic policy to the Department of the Navy — Chief of Staff
In January 2025 Jon Harrison moved into the Department of the Navy as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Navy, a senior civilian role that coordinates policy, strategy and administrative work across the department. His formal duties included helping manage the secretary’s schedule and priorities, coordinating staff and advising on policy and budgeting decisions affecting the Navy and Marine Corps. Official photos and records show Harrison acting in these capacities during senior leadership ceremonies.
Reporting from national outlets described his appointment as part of a broader set of civilian placements in the Department of the Navy, reflecting an administration focus on reshaping civilian leadership in the services. Journalistic accounts noted his background in Arctic and policy roles as part of the rationale for his selection.
What happened: removal and personnel shakeup
In early October 2025 reporting indicated Jon Harrison was removed from his role as Chief of Staff by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as part of a high-profile Pentagon personnel shakeup. Media reports characterized Harrison’s departure as one of several abrupt changes in the civilian leadership of the Navy and framed it within larger policy and organizational realignments taking place at the time. News outlets quoted Pentagon confirmations that Harrison would no longer serve as Chief of Staff and noted the broader debate such moves provoked about civilian oversight and direction of the Department.
Contemporaneous coverage tied Harrison’s ouster to tensions that arose during the confirmation of other senior officials and to disputes over staff assignments. Reporting suggested the changes were part of efforts to centralize authority and reconfigure the Navy’s policy and budgeting offices. Multiple outlets covered the sequence of events and official statements, which remain the best public record of the circumstances.
Board roles and academic affiliations
Alongside his federal service, Harrison has been active in education and local governance. He was appointed to the Board of Trustees at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) — a position that underlines his engagement with regional academic governance and higher-education policy. FAU’s official profile lists Harrison’s appointment and describes his affiliations with boards and local education institutions.
He is also noted as having served in leadership roles at the District Board of Trustees for Palm Beach State College, reinforcing his ties to higher-education oversight in Florida.
Timeline — key dates at a glance
- 2020: Appointed to the U.S. Arctic Research Commission; later served as chairman.
- Early 2020s: Roles in State Department advising on oceans, science and polar diplomacy.
- Pre-2025: Private-sector experience, including board-level work with Albers Aerospace.
- January 2025: Assumed the role of Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Navy.{index=35}
- October 2025: Removed from the Chief of Staff position amid Pentagon personnel changes.
Public profile and reputation
Public documents and reporting present Harrison as a policy-focused civilian official with experience in international environmental and Arctic affairs, and with a foot in both public service and defense-oriented private enterprise. As with many political appointees, his reputation in public media is shaped by the intersection of his policy work and the partisan or administrative shifts that occur when administrations or defense leadership change. Official bios emphasize his policy credentials and board service; news reporting has emphasized the political context around his Navy appointment and subsequent removal. Readers seeking a fuller picture should consult official pages and major reporting for primary-source quotes and statements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Jon Harrison?
Jon Harrison is an American policy official who has served in roles at the Department of State, the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, in the private aerospace sector, and as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Navy.
What education does Jon Harrison have?
Harrison holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southampton, according to official profiles.
When did Jon Harrison serve as Chief of Staff of the Navy?
He assumed the role in January 2025 and was publicly reported to have been removed in October 2025.
Why was Jon Harrison removed as Chief of Staff?
Public reporting indicates his removal was part of a broader Defense Department personnel shakeup overseen by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Media accounts linked the change to disputes over staff assignments and an administration effort to reorganize civilian leadership. Official statements thanked him for his service.
Where can I find official information about Jon Harrison?
Official university and government pages (e.g., Florida Atlantic University, USARC) and Department of Defense imagery/press releases are good primary sources for biography and appointment records. News outlets reported on the 2025 personnel changes and provide additional context.
Conclusion
Jon Harrison’s public career reflects a blend of diplomacy, Arctic and environmental policy work, defense-industry experience, and senior civilian service within the Department of the Navy. His rapid rise to — and departure from — the Chief of Staff role in 2025 highlights how career trajectories for political appointees can be affected by broader administrative priorities and personnel decisions at the highest levels of government.