2022 Humble ISD Distinguished Alumni Recipient
Christie (Barton) Walton is a proud graduate of Kingwood High School and has dedicated her life to the service of our country. After graduating from KHS in 1993, Christie attended Texas A&M University where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree, Magna Cum Laude, in Biomedical Science. She then attended the University of Houston College of Optometry earning a Doctor of Optometry Degree, Magna Cum Laude, with Clinical Honors. During the course of her studies, Christie completed internships in Colorado Springs at Fort Carson and the United States Air Force Academy. This journey led to her decision to join the U.S. military. She completed Air Force Commissioned Officer Training at Maxwell Air Force Base in 2001, earning Distinguished Graduate and Top Flight honors.
As an Air Force eye doctor, Christie served across the world, deploying to South and Central America and many
times to Africa. While stationed in Germany during the height of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Christie was
named Air Force Optometrist of the Year and Armed Forces Optometrist of the Year. That recognition led to an
opportunity to join the staff of the Air Force Surgeon General in Washington, DC.
Christie’s military career then took a unique arc. An avid writer from her high school days, her deployment
summaries were noticed and she was selected to serve in the Pentagon as a speechwriter for the 17th Chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen. She rose to Lead Speechwriter for 18th Chairman, General Martin Dempsey, and the 19th Chairman, General Joseph Dunford. She later transitioned to Chief Editor to oversee the Chairman’s executive correspondence to senior military leaders, foreign counterparts, and the Secretary of Defense.
Christie also served for four years as a volunteer White House Military Social Aide, where she supported the 43rd and 44th Presidents of the United States in more than 150 official White House events.
The Air Force promoted Christie four years early to the rank of Colonel, exactly 25 years after she served as the
Kingwood Fillies Colonel. Christie culminated her military career as Director of the Headquarters Air Force Strategic Execution Group. She led an elite team charged with designing strategic forums for the Secretary of the Air Force and Chiefs of the Air Force and Space Force to plan and prepare the armed forces for a complex future.
Christie retired from the United States Air Force in 2021 and is now a consultant with CB Walton, LLC. She currently resides in Alexandria, Virginia with her husband, Lieutenant Colonel (retired) John Walton, U.S. Army, and their sons, Will and Matthew.
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