Mr. Bill Fitzhugh is performing the duties of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. In this role, he serves as the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense and Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness on a wide range of matters, including civilian and military personnel policies, reserve integration, military community and family policy, and Total Force planning and requirements. He also maintains oversight of the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Defense Commissary Agency.

Mr. Fitzhugh previously served as Director, Officer and Enlisted Personnel Management. In this role, he was responsible for developing total force manpower and military personnel policies and programs, and providing departmental oversight of the Military Departments, Joint Staff, and other DoD Components on assignments, separations, military decorations and awards, force management policies and programs, and efficient allocation of total force manpower (active and reserve military personnel, civilian employees and contracted services) to ensure compliance with statutes, executive orders, and existing policies that sustain the All-Volunteer Force. He has held various leadership roles across the Department of Defense and at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Mr. Fitzhugh entered the Army in 1988 as an Infantryman. After serving five years on active duty and two years in the Pennsylvania National Guard, he received a commission as an Armor Officer in 1995. After Company Command, he switched to functional area designation Force Management. Over the course of a 23-year Army career, he served in troop assignments with 4th Infantry Division, PA National Guard, 101st Airborne Division, 24th Infantry Division, 3rd Infantry Division and 1st Armored Division; and served as a Strength Manager with Human Resources Command, Force Management Officer at Warrior Transition Command and 20th CBRNE (Chemical Biological, Nuclear, Radiological and high-yield explosives headquarters).

Mr. Fitzhugh holds a Master of Business Administration degree from George Mason University. He also studied at The Pennsylvania State University earning a Bachelor of Arts degree.