Legion Of Merit News

Maritime Authority of Jamaica’s Director General, Rear Admiral (ret’d) Peter Brady, has retired, with the position being accepted by Bertrand Smith, formerly the MAJ’s Director of Legal Affairs.Brady has served in this role since the Maritime Authority’s inception in 1999.As Director General, he was primarily responsible for elevating Jamaica’s maritime status regionally and globally. He spearheaded several major initiatives by the MAJ including the development of Jamaica as a shipping hub with attendant services such as bunkering and drydocking…

NOAA has selected Arthur John “A.J.” Reiss, as the director of NOAA’s Ocean Prediction Center (OPC) in College Park, Maryland. OPC provides marine forecasts and critical decision support services for mariners, ensuring the safety of lives and vessels at sea by alerting to hazards like hurricane-force winds and high seas.“The nation’s maritime shipping industry is a $2.1 trillion economic activity for the U.S., making accurate and reliable weather forecasts at sea economically critical,” said Grant Cooper, Ph.D., acting NCEP Director.

Rear Admiral Mark Buzby is the Maritime Administrator, U.S. Maritime Administration.Rear Adm. Mark H. Buzby was appointed by President Donald Trump and sworn in as Maritime Administrator on August 8, 2017. Prior to his appointment, Buzby served as president of the National Defense Transportation Association, a position he has held since retiring from the U.S. Navy in 2013 with over 34 years of service. A 1979 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Buzby earned his Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science and U.S. Coast Guard Third Mate License. He was commissioned in the US Navy in June 1979, is a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College and holds master’s degrees from the U.S.

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point (USMMA) announced today that John R. Ballard, Ph.D., has been named the new Academic Dean and Provost at the federal service academy. In this position, Dr. Ballard will serve as the chief academic officer and principal advisor to the Superintendent in all matters relating to the academic program and faculty. He will also co-chair the educational priority working group for the recently released USMMA strategic plan.Dr. Ballard served as a Marine Infantry officer immediately following graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy.

Silver Ships, Inc. announced the hiring of Shawn Lobree, a recently retired U.S. Navy captain, as Federal Contracts Manager. Lobree has more than 25 years of military experience in maritime operations, human resources, information technology, shipbuilding and repair. His skillset will help give Silver Ships military customers a seamless contract and build process experience. In addition to his service in the Navy, Lobree’s career has included working as a maritime and defense consultant and assistant to a shipbuilding supervisor.

Hepburn and Sons has hired Rear Admiral Sam Perez as Chief, Advisory Services. Rear Admiral, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, earned his Masters of Art degree in Strategic Planning from Naval Postgraduate School and completed a year-long tour of the Federal Executive Fellowship (FEF) Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Perez served in the U.S. Navy for 36 years, following commissioning from the United States Naval Academy in 1980. His at-sea commands included command of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 and command of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1. During his tour as the Deputy Director Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATFS), Perez was assigned to Operation Unified Response as part of the U.S. response to the Haiti earthquake in 2010.

Insights: Rear Admiral Mark H. Buzby, USN (Ret), Maritime Administrator, U.S. Rear Adm. Mark H. Buzby was appointed by President Donald Trump and sworn in as Maritime Administrator on August 8, 2017. Prior to his appointment, Buzby served as president of the National Defense Transportation Association, a position he has held since retiring from the U.S. Navy in 2013 with over 34 years of service. A 1979 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Buzby earned his Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science and U.S. Coast Guard Third Mate License. He was commissioned in the U.S.

Rear Adm. Mark H. Buzby, USN, Ret. has been sworn in as the Administrator of the Maritime Administration by U.S Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao. As Maritime Administrator, Buzby will lead the agency tasked with promoting the use of waterborne transportation and its seamless integration with other segments of the transportation system; and the development and maintenance of an adequate, well-balanced U.S. merchant marine, sufficient to carry a substantial portion of the Nation’s waterborne commerce, and capable of service in time of war or national emergency.

Last month we were offered an in-depth discussion on marine salvage with Captain Gregg W. Baumann, U.S. Navy, Director of Ocean Engineering, Supervisor of Salvage and Diving. Captain Baumann and his team have a long history regarding difficult missions accomplished, including most recently the location and filming of the lost TOTE containership El Faro. What is the scope of the responsibility of the Supervisor of Salvage & Diving; Director of Ocean Engineering? The responsibilities of the Supervisor of Salvage & Diving…

U.S. Coast Guard Vice Adm. Charles Michel formally assumed the role of vice commandant of the Coast Guard during a ceremony at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters Monday. As vice commandant, Michel will oversee the Coast Guard’s operations, strategic development, organizational governance and management of the service’s more than 58,000 employees and 30,000 volunteers. "I am humbled and honored to be given this important opportunity to further serve the American people and the men and women of the United States Coast Guard,” said Michel. Michel became the 30th vice commandant of the Coast Guard after serving as the service's deputy commandant for operations…

To begin the ship's final deployment, USS Simpson (FFG 56) departed her homeport Nov. 14, for regularly scheduled theater security missions in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. Commanded by Cmdr. Ken Anderson, the crew concluded a highly-successful maintenance availability and intense training exercises, and was outfitted with four Fire Scout (MQ-8B) vertical takeoff and landing tactical unmanned aerial vehicles prior to departure. Simpson returned from her last 6th Fleet…

Capt. Michael Taylor relieved Capt. Robert Crowe as commanding officer, Supervisor of Shipbuilding (SUPSHIP), Bath, during a ceremony at Bath Waterfront Park on Sept. As the 30th commanding officer, Taylor reports to SUPSHIP Bath after serving most recently as the test and evaluation director for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program Office. Over the course of his 21-year career, he also served assignments with the Programming Division of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV N80), the Arleigh Burke-class Program Office, and the Personnel Exchange Program in Ottawa, Canada. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, he has also served aboard USS Anzio (CG 68).

Cmdr. Steve Murray assumed command of Naval Surface Warfare Center, Corona Division from Capt. Eric Ver Hage during a change of command ceremony held Friday, Aug. Rear Adm. Lawrence F. Creevy, commander of the Naval Sea Systems Command Naval Surface Warfare Center, served as the presiding officer and keynote speaker at the ceremony. Creevy presented Ver Hage with the Legion of Merit, praising his significant accomplishments during nearly three years in command, citing strengthened ties across the Navy, expanded community outreach and enhanced partnering with regional business and academia, such as the Navy's award-winning, first patent cross-licensing agreement. In his remarks, Ver Hage celebrated his co-leader, Dr.

On June 4 2012, Deputy Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen was named Acting Maritime Administrator. With the U.S. Maritime Administration since July 2012 when he was appointed Deputy Maritime Administrator by President Obama, Jaenichen would no doubt like to be confirmed as the Administrator; sooner, rather than later. Nevertheless, he’s not letting any grass grow under his feet in the meantime. Beyond this, the affable Jaenichen has rejuvenated an arguably ineffective Marad organization that had in recent years drifted aimlessly without strong leadership. With enthusiasm and a genuine passion for the domestic maritime industry, he has once again put Marad squarely in the conversation even as the collective U.S.

Rear Adm. Timothy C. Gallaudet relieved Rear Adm. Brian B. Brown  as commander of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NAVMETOCCOM) in a traditional change of command ceremony held June 18 at Stennis Space Center. Gallaudet was promoted to the rank of rear admiral (lower half) just prior to the ceremony. Brown said he felt “blessed and lucky” to have worked with the Navy’s military and civilian oceanography workforce to perform a mission so critical to the warfighting effectiveness and readiness of the fleet and joint force despite personal hardships…

Franciscan Alvernia University is to award an an Honorary Degree of Humane Letters to Vice-Admiral Matthew L. Nathan before he addresses the Class of 2014 at the upcoming May 2014 Commencement. Nathan is Surgeon General of the Navy and Chief of the Navy’s Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. Alvernia inform that Nathan’s education and naval background is extensive: he is board certified and holds Fellow status in the American College of Physicians and the American College of Healthcare Executives. He also holds an appointment as Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and is a recipient of the American Hospital Association’s Excellence in Leadership award for the Federal Sector.

Capt. Kevin P. Gavin relieved Capt. Donna L. Cottrell as commanding officer of Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron Jacksonville during a change of command ceremony at HITRON Friday. HITRON is America's first airborne law enforcement unit trained and authorized to employ airborne use of force and intercept go-fast vessels suspected of transporting illicit narcotics toward U.S. borders. During the ceremony, Vice Adm. Robert Parker, Atlantic Area commander, presented Cottrell with a Legion of Merit, highlighting many of her accomplishments. "Capt. Cottrell has led with superior grace and initiative," said Parker. Under Cottrell's command…

Former USCG Admiral Thad Allen is a transformational leader in the history of the service, a rock through thick and thin. Today he talks about resource allocation, risk management and homeland security. As part of Booz Allen Hamilton’s Justice and Homeland Security business group, Executive Vice President and former U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen leads the development of thought leadership and client engagements regarding the future direction of law enforcement and homeland security. The Coast Guard is under pressure to either pare its mission mix or downscale what it does.

Rear Admiral Susan L. Dunlap commissioned into the United States Maritime Service by Deputy Secretary of Transportation John Porcari. The ceremony was conducted in the presence of administration, faculty, staff and the Regiment of Midshipmen. Maritime Administrator David Matsuda also attended the commissioning ceremony along with Marlise Streitmatter, chief of staff for the Department of Transportation. "We're thrilled to welcome Captain Dunlap on-board to help continue the important work of training and preparing the next generation of Merchant Mariners," said deputy secretary Porcari.

Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. announces the appointment of Richard K. Murphy as a senior manager working on Coast Guard and other governmental programs. Murphy joins Bollinger Shipyards following a very successful 30-year career with the United States Coast Guard, culminating with the rank of Captain. His most recent assignment was Commanding Officer, U.S. Coast Guard Yard, Baltimore, Md. His prior assignments include staff tours at Coast Guard Headquarters, Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard Civil Engineering Unit in Miami…

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) will welcome 237 “plebe candidates” of the Class of 2017 into the Regiment of Midshipmen as they take the Academy oath administrated by Rear Admiral Helis during Acceptance Day Ceremony and Parade, Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. They will be sworn in as U.S. Navy Reserve midshipmen by Vice Admiral Robin R. Bruan, chief of Navy Reserve, commander, Navy Reserve Force. Braun has accumulated 5,800 flight hours in Navy aircraft. Her awards include Defense Superior Service Medal…

The Navy League of the United States mourns the death of its past national president, Capt. Daniel B. Branch Jr., USN retired. He died on Oct. 21, 2013, of complications from mesothelioma cancer at the age of 75. Memorial services will be held Thursday Oct. 24, at 2 p.m. at St. Ambrose Episcopal Church, 7520 South Boulder Road, Boulder, Colo. Burial services will be held at a future date at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. Dan was born in Greenbelt, Md., in 1937, and graduated in 1959 from the U.S. Naval Academy.

Rear Adm.(lower half) Brian B. Brown relieved Rear Adm. Jonathan W. White as commander of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NAVMETOCCOM) in a traditional Navy change of command ceremony on Aug. 3 at Stennis Space Center. "I am blessed to once again be part of the Navy's operational oceanography team and humbled to have been selected among so many talented officers to lead this command," Brown said to Naval Oceanography employees at the ceremony. For the past year, Brown has been the Executive Assistant to the Oceanographer and Navigator of the Navy in Washington, but he previously served at Stennis as commanding officer and executive officer of the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) and on the NAVMETOCCOM staff. NAVOCEANO is NAVMETOCCOM's largest subordinate command.