Seshagiri (Sesh) Munipalli - Institute for Security Governance

Resident Advisor

Mr. Seshagiri (“Sesh”) Munipalli commenced duty as the DSCA Ministry of Defense Advisor (MoDA) in Bangkok, Thailand in May 2021. As the MoDA, Mr. Munipalli serves as the principal focal point to the Thailand Maritime Enforcement Coordination Center (Thai MECC). Mr. Munipalli leverages existing and planned Security Cooperation projects funded through Maritime Security Initiative, Section 333 Building Partner Capacity, or other USG Title 10 and Title 22 funding sources to enhance Thai MECC’s Maritime Domain Awareness capabilities.

Prior to entering the MoDA program, Mr. Munipalli served the Task Force Representative (TFR) for the Joint Interagency Task Force West (JIATF-W), based at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii. In this capacity, he was responsible for the planning and oversight of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) counter-narcotics and counter- transnational crime programs and activities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Timor-Leste, Singapore, Brunei, India, and Bhutan. As the TFR, he planned, coordinated, executed, and monitored in-theater engagements with U.S. Embassy Country Teams and partner nation agencies to include capacity building of law enforcement and maritime security forces through DSCA-funded and JIATF-W training and infrastructure development programs. Mr. Munipalli also served as an Intelligence Analyst with JIATF-W and conducted analysis on transnational criminal networks.

Mr. Munipalli began his federal civilian career in June 2007 as the Director for Policy and Negotiations for the then-Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, Hickam AFB, Hawaii. As the Director, he was responsible for technical discussions and negotiations on personnel

recovery operations with representatives of foreign governments in Europe and Indo-Pacific regions. Prior to entering federal civilian service, Mr. Munipalli served 22 years in the U.S. Air Force in the intelligence, financial programming, engineering, and international political-military affair disciplines before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2007. He culminated his military career as the Special Assistant to the Commander and Deputy Foreign Policy Advisor, USINDOPACOM.

Mr. Munipalli earned an Executive Master of Business Administration from the Naval Postgraduate School, a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Florida Institute of Technology, and a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Jacksonville University. His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal. Mr. Munipalli was also awarded the Department of State’s Superior Honor Award.