Johns Hopkins APL Names Terlaje Chief Government Relations Officer

Melissa Terlaje has been appointed chief government relations officer at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland. In this role, she will lead the Laboratory’s strategic engagements with government sponsors and stakeholders, ensuring APL’s critical contributions remain aligned with and continue to advance national priorities. Additionally, she will serve as board secretary for the Laboratory’s Board of Managers, which provides oversight of APL.

Terlaje most recently served as the strategy architect in APL’s Air and Missile Defense Sector, where she helped shape sector strategy and investments, led high-priority technical initiatives critical to national defense and coordinated senior-level stakeholder engagements.

“Melissa’s strategic insights and technical experience will further strengthen APL’s relationships with our government partners, and enhance the Laboratory’s ability to continue delivering innovative and high-impact contributions to the security and well-being of our nation,” said APL Director Dave Van Wie.

Terlaje began her career as an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) science and technology policy fellow, first in the U.S. Senate and later at the Department of Defense. At APL, she has served as a strategic studies lead to then-Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson and the special assistant to the Hon. Christine Fox, who was then the assistant director for policy and analysis. Among other roles, she has led multiple technical initiatives and coordinated the Laboratory’s Senior Fellows.

Terlaje is a Council on Foreign Relations Stephen M. Kellen Term Member and a member of AAAS. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering and a doctor of philosophy in energy, environmental and chemical engineering, all from Washington University in St. Louis.