Cathy Van Hoesen, Deputy Director, Total Force Pay

Cathy Van Hoesen is the Director of Total Force Pay for the Defense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS), effective April 2026. In this position, she plays a critical role in ensuring warfighter readiness by delivering timely, accurate, and transparent pay services to the Total Force. She is responsible for one of the largest financial operations within the Department of Defense, transforming the pay experience for 6.4 million warriors, military retirees, and federal civilians across the globe.

Leading a dedicated workforce of 2,200 employees with a $230 million operating budget, Mrs. Van Hoesen directs the annual disbursement of over $610 billion. Her strategic oversight covers a diverse portfolio that includes Military Pay, Civilian Pay, Travel Pay, and Retiree and Annuitant Pay, making her leadership essential to the financial well-being of the entire defense community.

Previously, she was the Deputy Director of DFAS Indianapolis, managing the day-to-day operations of the federal government’s third-largest building and over 4,100 global employees who provide finance and accounting services to the U.S. Army, Air Force, Veterans Administration, and 26 Defense Agencies.

She also held the position of Director of Finance Standards and Customer Services, where she led efficiency and standardization for pay transactions for military personnel, federal civilians, and retirees, totaling over $579 billion annually. In this capacity, she also oversaw the DFAS Customer Care Centers, DoD Overseas Banking and Credit Unions, and Operations Contingency Planning teams.

Mrs. Van Hoesen began her federal career as a budget analyst with the Department of the Navy, serving in the Navy Comptroller’s office and the Future Aircraft Carrier Program. She joined DFAS in 2009, holding numerous additional roles, including Director of Financial Management for a Working Capital Fund budget exceeding $1.4 billion and 12,000 work years, and Director of Strategic Planning and Management, where she led the development and execution of the Agency Strategic Plan and guided initiatives to drive organizational change.

She earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in Public Affairs from Indiana University with a concentration in policy studies.