2020 MPA Board of Director Elections

CAPT Anthony Corapi was born in Brooklyn, New York and graduated from The Citadel in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He received a Master of Science in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas in 2012.

He was designated a Naval Flight officer after earning his Wings of Gold in 1993. After initial training in the P-3C “Orion” he reported to his first operational flying tour with the VP-10 “Red Lancers.” His follow-on operational flying tours include a Fleet Replacement Squadron Instructor tour with the “Pro’s Nest” of VP-30, a Department Head tour with the “Screaming Eagles” of VP-1 and Command of the “War Eagles” of VP-16 and Command of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing ELEVEN. He also served aboard the USS CARL VINSON, CVN-70, as the Assistant Navigator.

His staff tours include J-3 Operations Directorate, Joint Chiefs of Staff; PERS-43 VP/VQ Assignments and CAPT Detailer, Navy Personnel Command; U.S. Navy Military Assistant to the DoD Executive Secretary, Office of the Secretary of Defense.
CAPT Corapi has been awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards) and numerous campaign and unit awards. He is married to the former Jill Smith and they have three children, Peter, Anna and Thomas.

Currently serving with the Royal Air Force as the Poseidon MRA Mk1 Chief Flying Instructor

Nov 2019 – present RAF Poseidon MRA Mk1 Chief Flying Instructor. Airborne and synthetic
Instruction. Developed the pilot RAF P-8A Post Graduate Syllabus which
involves delivering a DSAT compliant training programme for first RAF crews
to allow transition from USN to RAF combat ready operators. Collaborated in
designing a ground, simulator and air syllabus in accordance with MAA
regulations, and coordinated with Boeing, NAVAIR and DE&S to make the
course effective and appropriate. Helped to advise on RAF 1Gp and Delivery
Holder orders. RAF Central Flying School C to I.

Jun 2012 – Nov 2019 OC RAF Seedcorn Project, responsible for 14 RAF crew and families
Instructor Pilot on VP-30, NATOPS Evaluator, Instrument Rating Examiner, Formation Instructor, Lead P-8 Airshow Demo Pilot, Air-Air Refuelling pilot.

Apr 2011 – May 2012 Officer Commanding Wales University Air Squadron. Authorising officer responsible for the flying instruction and development training of 60 undergraduates. Responsible for areas of airfield management at MoD St Athan.

July 2009 – March 2011 Chief Flying Instructor on Nimrod MRA4. Teaching of conversion pilots on MRA4 Simulator. Ground-school instructor.

September 2007 – June 2009 Qualified Flying Instructor on Nimrod MR2, Nimrod Operational Conversion Unit 42(R) Sqn. Responsible for type converting new students, as well as the refresher and re-categorisation training of experienced Nimrod aircrew.

August 2005 – August 2007 Project Pilot on Nimrod MRA4 Development Aircraft, responsible for Avionics and Systems development, and HMI interfaces. Assessor for 2-man glass-cockpit flight deck and Thales/BAe Systems Nimrod MRA4 simulator, gauging simulator fidelity and writing syllabus for crews. FMS approval and integration.

January 2001 – August 2005 A2 QFI and Chief Flying Instructor on Glasgow University Air Squadron providing Elementary Flying Training on the Tutor T Mk1. Unit Test Pilot. Assessed as ‘Above Average’.

December 1994 – December 2000 206 Squadron pilot on Nimrod MR2. ‘Above Average’ Captain.

April 1990 – November 1994 Initial Officer Training and Pilot Training.

Courses Attended

2019 RAF Flying Supervisors’ Course (Renewal).
2010 CAA Approved CRM Course.
2009 RAF Flight Safety Officers’ Course.
2007 RAF Flying Supervisors’ Course.
2001 Central Flying School QFI Course. Winner of the Bulldog (Aerobatics) Trophy.
1998 RAF Flying Authorisers’ Course.
1996 RAF Approved CRM Foundation Course.
1994 Junior Officers’ Command Course.

General Education

2010 City and Guilds Member in Leadership Management.
2004 SMART Board Advanced Course.
1997 RAF Intermediate Staff College Course.
1994 RAF Officers’ Command Course.
1985 – 1989 MA (Hons) Social Sciences and member of the University Air Squadron, University of Glasgow.
1978 – 1995 Belmont House School, Newton Mearns, Glasgow. 4 Scottish Highers (French, German, Physics, Chemistry). 8 ‘O’ Levels.

DoD Program Manager & Intelligence Officer
CDMA-Intelligence Systems Support Office,
Tampa, Florida
CDR, US Navy Reserve, VP-62
Mr. Travers is a DoD Program Manager and Intelligence Officer within CDMAIntelligence Systems Support Office located in Tampa, Florida, in support of the
Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence. Mr. Travers manages all aspects of research
and development programs including cost, schedule and performance in advanced data
analytics, business intelligence, technology investment and immersive intelligence
supporting Combatant Commands, the Intelligence Community and Inter-agency
partners. Mr. Travers began his Government Civilian Career in 2003 as an Intelligence
Officer at the Joint Interagency Task Force South, Key West, Fl.
Mr. Travers began his military career in 1991 when he enlisted in the United States
Marine Corps Reserve and served until 2004 when he commissioned as a Reserve US
Navy Intelligence Officer. From 1991-1999 Mr. Travers attended a variety of
reconnaissance, sensor management and Marine Air Ground Task Force Intelligence
training schools and participated in numerous deployments and missions supporting
counter-narcotic operations on the Southwest Border, Fleet Marine Force missions
overseas and several cold weather NATO Operations.
From 1999-2000 Mr. Travers was mobilized to active duty as the current intelligence
chief and deployed to Commander Naval Striking Forces Southern Europe, Naples Italy
and Commander Sixth Fleet aboard USS LaSalle in support of Operation Joint Forge,
Kosovo and Operation Joint Endeavor, Bosnia. From 2001-2003 Mr. Travers was again
mobilized and deployed to 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom for the invasion and occupation of Iraq by Marine Corps
Forces.
In 2004 Mr. Travers was Direct Commissioned as an Intelligence Officer in the US Navy
Reserves. CDR Travers is currently assigned to Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron
SIX-TWO in Jacksonville, Fl. From 2004-2006 CDR Travers served with US European
Command at the Pentagon completing several periods of active duty to Headquarters US
European Command in Stuttgart, Germany and Joint Analysis Center, Molesworth
England.

Lieutenant Commander David Christenson hails from Virginia Beach, Virginia and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2009. He was designated a naval aviator in 2010. He graduated from the United States Naval War College with a Master of Arts in Defense and Strategic Studies in 2020.

Operationally, Christenson served as an instructor pilot with Patrol Squadron TWO SIX (VP-26) where he deployed three times, serving in the PACOM, CENTCOM, and EUCOM areas of responsibility (AOR), and completed a surge augment to the SOUTHCOM AOR. He served as Flag Lieutenant to Commander Carrier Strike Group Eleven out of Everett, Washington. He is currently executing his Department Head tour with Patrol Squadron FOURTY (VP-40).

Ashore, Christenson reported to Patrol Squadron THIRTY (VP-30) as a P-8A FRS Instructor Pilot. At VP-30, he served as Instructional Systems Development Officer, Pilot Instructor-Under Training Standardization Officer, P-8A Air Refueling/Formation Lead Instructor Pilot, P-8A Production Officer, P-8A Instructor-Under-Training (IUT) Instructor, Fleet Instructor-Under-Training (FIUT) Instructor, and P-8A NATOPS Evaluator. His efforts as P-8A Air Refueling/Formation Lead Instructor Pilot resulted in two successful P-8A squadron Air to Air Refueling transitions.

LCDR Christenson’s decorations include Air Medal (First Strike/Flight Award), Three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and various other unit citations and campaign medals. He was awarded the 2017 Maritime Patrol Association’s Instructor Pilot of the year Award. He is most thankful for his loving family—Lindsey (Wife), Michelle (Daughter) and Evelyn (Daughter)--and the support they always provide him.

Lieutenant Carson M. Burton of Fairmount, Georgia enlisted as an Aviation Electrician’s Mate
in 2003. He reported to his first tour of duty at Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light
FOUR NINE (HSL-49), followed by an Individual Augment with Helicopter Sea Combat
Squadron EIGHT FIVE (HSC-85).
LT Burton graduated from the Naval Academy in 2011 with a Bachelor’s of Science in
Oceanography. He was designated a Naval Flight Officer (NFO) after earning his Wings of Gold
in 2014.
Operationally, LT Burton served as an Instructor TACCO with Patrol Squadron TWO SIX (VP26) where he deployed twice, serving in the PACOM, CENTCOM, and EUCOM areas of
responsibility (AOR) completing 1600 flight hours, of which 710 were combat hours in support
of operation INHERENT RESOLVE. He served as Flag Lieutenant to Commander, Carrier
Strike Group EIGHT embarked aboard the USS Harry S. Truman.
Ashore, LT Burton reported to Patrol Squadron THIRTY (VP-30) as a P-8A FRS NFO
Instructor. At VP-30, he served as the NFO Instructor-Under Training Standardization Officer,
Innovation Officer, Legal Officer, P-8A Instructor-Under-Training (IUT) Instructor, Fleet
Instructor-Under Training (FIUT) Instructor, Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI), and P-8A
Alternate NATOPS Instructor. Currently, he serves as the Outservice Education and Special
Fellowships Placement Officer (PERS-443) at Navy Personnel Command.
Lieutenant Burton’s decorations include Air Medal (2nd Strike/Flight Award), Navy and Marine
Corps Commendation Medals (3), Navy Achievement Medals (2), and various other unit
citations and campaign medals. He is most thankful for his loving family—Sara (Wife), Blair
(Daughter) and Adaline (Daughter)--and the support they always provide him.

RADM Richard E. Brooks, USN (Retired) is the President of Seabrook, LLC, a consulting company for aviation, safety, defense, and homeland security issues and teaches leadership for Eastern Kentucky University’s School of Aviation. RADM Brooks and his wife Sheryl live in Stanley, NC. They enjoy traveling and spending time with their three children and two grandchildren.

From March 2013 to August 2014 he was with the Department of Homeland Security, National Protection & Programs Directorate, and Office of Cybersecurity Coordination. From September 2005 to December 2012, he was a Senior Vice President with Alion Science and Technology where he served as a Group Manager of the Distributed Simulation Group and led a team of 400 personnel with yearly revenues of $140M. His business unit focused on the areas of modeling and simulation, staff support, software tools for safety and security, risk assessment and analysis, defense and investment strategies, and predictive readiness. RADM Brooks joined Alion after a 35-year career in the United Stated Navy.

RADM Brooks graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in June 1974 and was designated a Naval Aviator in September 1975. During his naval career, he graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School with a MS in Computer Information Systems Management and the Naval War College with a MA in National Security and Strategic Studies. He is also a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College.

As a rated aviator, RADM Brooks has operated throughout the world and been a career flight and ground school instructor responsible for all facets of aircrew training, qualification, and professional development. He served as a Squadron Instructor/Check-Standardization Pilot and has flown multiple aircraft. His flight time includes approximately 4400 total hours with: Pilot-in-Command: 2,700; Multiengine: 4,200; Single engine: 90; Instrument: 1,700; Night 1400; Instructor: 2800; Turboprop: 4,000. He is a certified Air Transport Pilot and is also rated as Airplane Single and Multiengine Land with Commercial Privileges.

Navy operational tours include Patrol Squadron ONE, Patrol Squadron
FORTY-EIGHT, and Patrol Wing TEN and command of Patrol Squadron NINETEEN and Patrol Wing FIVE. Additionally, he served aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) where he qualified as an Officer of the Deck and a Surface Warfare Officer. Ashore, RADM Brooks served as an Instructor/ Standardization Pilot and Student Control Officer in Training Squadron TWENTY-EIGHT.

During his Navy career, major staff duty assignments include Head Aviation Programs Analyst, Programming Division (N80), Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and on the Joint Staff (J3) as Head, Programs, Budget, and Requirements Branch, Counter Narcotics Division. Additionally, RADM Brooks served as the Executive Assistant to Director, Air Warfare (N88), Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, and as a CNO Fellow on the CNO Strategic Studies Group where he selected for Flag Rank in December of 1998. In August 1999, he returned to the Chief of Naval Operations Staff where he served as Deputy Director and Fleet Liaison for Space, Information Warfare, Command and Control (N6B) until August 2000. In September 2000, he assumed the position as Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Force Atlantic. This was followed by the position of Commander, Naval Safety Center in August of 2003 where he served in that role until his retirement from active duty in November, 2005.

Captain Sean Liedman, USN (Ret.) graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1991 and went on to serve as a Naval Flight Officer for 25 years, retiring as a Captain in 2016. He logged 3,800 hours in the P-3C “Orion” and P-8A “Poseidon” maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft while serving as a junior officer in Patrol Squadron FORTY-FIVE (VP-45); a Fleet Replacement Squadron Instructor in Patrol Squadron THIRTY (VP-30); a department head in Special Projects Patrol Squadron ONE (VPU-1); Executive and then Commanding Officer, Patrol Squadron EIGHT (VP-8); and Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing ELEVEN (CPRW-11). Afloat, he served as the Aide/Flag Lieutenant to Commander, Carrier Group ONE (CCG-1). His staff assignments include two tours in the Air Warfare Division (N98) on the Chief of Naval Operations staff in the Pentagon and a tour as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Commander of U.S. Central Command. He also served as a Military Fellow at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University from 2010-2011 and the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City from 2015-2016.

Sean currently serves as a Sales Director for Digital Solutions for The Boeing Company.

Sean is a Plankholder Member, Past President (2013-2014), and current Board Member of the Maritime Patrol Association, and also serves as the President of the Brunswick Naval Aviation Museum located in Brunswick, Maine.

He and his wife Mary reside in Topsham, Maine. Their son Luke resides in Kimball, Minnesota; son Jake is a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Richardson, Alaska; and daughter Grace is a sophomore at St. Anselm College in Manchester, NH.

Captain Charles Carter Nute, U. S. Navy (Retired), began his aviation career in June 1957 learning to fly an Aeronca Champion (N7487B) at Harrisburg (PA) Municipal Airport. Earning a modest salary as a part-time food supermarket bagger and paper route carrier, this seventeen-year-old concluded the $12 per flight hour (wet, with instructor fee) an expense he could not sustain beyond a few solo training flights. With fourteen hours general aviation experience under his belt Captain Nute formalized his aviation training by entering the Naval Aviation Cadet (NAVCAD) Program in Pensacola, Florida on 12 December 1962 and earned his Naval Aviator Wings of Gold and a Commercial (SEL, MEL, Instrument rating) license in June 1964.

He first served in Patrol Squadron TWENTY-ONE (VP-21) from January 1965 to December 1967 flying the Lockheed P-2 Neptune. In subsequent assignments, he flew the T-34 Mentor and T-28 Trojan as a navy flight instructor in Pensacola, FL from January 1968 to March 1971. Transitioning to the Lockheed P-3 Orion Captain Nute flew in Patrol Squadron TWENTY-THREE (VP-23) from April 1971 to June 1973, Patrol Squadron THIRTY-ONE (VP-31) from August 1974 to June 1977 and Patrol Squadron NINE (VP-9) from March 1979 to May 1981.

Captain Nute’s command assignments include Commanding Officer, U.S. Naval Facility, Guam from July 1978 to October 1979; Commanding Officer, Patrol Squadron NINE (VP-9) from May 1980 to May 1981; and Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Force SEVENTH Fleet (CTF-72)/Commander Patrol Wing ONE (CPW-1) in Kamiseya, Japan from June 1986 to June 1988.

His shore assignments include Land-Based Air Operations Officer, Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CINCPACFLT) from June 1981 to June 1984; Head, East Asia/Pacific Plans and Policy Branch (OP-6l2) from July 1985 to May 1986; Deputy Director, ASW Division (OP-7lB) from July 1988 to June 1990; Deputy Commander, ASW Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMASWFORPAC) from June 1990 to May 1992; and Director, Naval Command College (NCC) from June 1992 to July 1994 at the Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, RI.

Following his July 1994 retirement from the navy, Captain Nute worked at his alma mater, Valley Forge Military Academy and College, as Director of Alumni Affairs from August 1994 to December 2001. In January 2002 Captain Nute and his wife, Barbara, moved to Gainesville, Florida to enjoy being fully retired grandparents and volunteer workers in their community and church. They have a son, a daughter and six grandchildren.

Upon learning a need for Flight Instructors at the local FBO (KGNV), Captain Nute responded and began training to become a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). Following a nearly nineteen-year absence from flying since his last navy flight duty in June 1988 Captain Nute earned his CFI (initial) certificate in November 2007. He subsequently earned his CFII and MEI certificates exercising the privilege to pass on the adventure of aviation to the next generation. A FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Captain Nute has amassed nearly 7000 accident free flight hours over the past sixty-three years and continues his flying career as a Private Pilot, Instrument Pilot and Multi-engine Pilot Flight Instructor. Captain Nute recently was honored to receive the FAA Wright Brothers “Master Pilot” Award in recognition of his contributions to building and maintaining the safest aviation system in the world, through practicing and promoting safe aircraft flight operations for 50 years.

A charter member of the Maritime Patrol Association (MPA) Captain Nute is a Life Member of the Association of Naval Aviation (ANA); Military Officers Association of America (MOAA); and Navy League of the United States. He is Past President of the Gainesville (Florida) Chapter, MOAA and remains an active Board of Directors member.

Captain Tom Spink received his Naval Flight Officer Wings of Gold in 1970. His first squadron was VP-46 and then VP-31 at NAS Moffett Field. While at VP-31, he was the COMNAVAIRPAC NFO NATOPS Evaluator.
He left active duty in 1977 and joined the Reserve squadron, VP-91. He was there for 11 years and was Commanding Officer from 1986 to 1988. After the squadron, he had various Reserve command and staff jobs at NAS Alameda, CINCPACFLT in Hawaii, and SACLANT in Norfolk, VA.
He worked for many defense electronics firms and retired from Lockheed Martin, where he worked on MILSTAR, which, at the time, was our nation’s most secure communications satellite constellation.
He is the C.O. of the San Francisco Bay Area Squadron of the Association of Naval Aviation (ANA). They have quarterly luncheons aboard the USS Hornet Museum. He is on the Board of Directors of the Moffett Field Historical Society and Museum and the Editor of their Sparrowhawk Newsletter. He started a Chapter of MPA at Moffett and they regularly host membership parties, especially for visiting P-3 and/or P-8 crews.
We have hosted a P-3 and a P-8 from VP-30 during the San Francisco Fleet Week for the last two years. We were scheduled to again host them until Fleet Week was postponed due to the pandemic.
I do not believe any Board Members live west of the Mississippi River. If elected, I will try to bring a voice to the West Coast active duty and reserve interests to the best of my abilities.

James Wyatt is the Vice President for Strategy and Business for Sparton. He is responsible for leading the business development and marketing team focused on customer relations and growth opportunities within the US Navy and International sonobuoy, undersea warfare, and ruggedized display markets.
He provides direct support to all Sparton efforts/initiatives with Department of Navy customers within the Maritime and Patrol Aviation community to include CPRG, N98, PMA-264 as well as Congressional Staffers.
From 2017 to 2019, he worked at Raytheon Corp on the Navy and Marine Corps programs business development team as a Senior Manager. He was responsible for identifying and pursuing Navy business growth opportunities and maintaining customer satisfaction. He was one of Raytheon’s primary contacts to the company’s Navy customers.
Prior to Raytheon, Wyatt served in the United States Navy as a P-3 Naval Flight Officer. His operational assignments included Patrol Squadrons 9, 49 and 56; Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 57 (CTF-57); USS MIDWAY, and Carrier Group 5 onboard USS INDEPENDENCE. He also completed various staff tours in the Pacific and Washington D.C., including, Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Force Pacific, two tours on the U.S. Pacific Fleet staff, a tour on the Joint Staff, and a tour on the Navy Staff (OPNAV) as the Deputy Director of Navy Staff.
Wyatt’s command tours included Commanding Officer, Patrol Squadron 9, Commander of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 57 (CTF-57), and Commanding Officer of The George Washington University Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Unit.
Wyatt’s education includes a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, a Master of Business Administration degree from Troy State University of Montgomery and a Master of Military Operational Art from Air Command and Staff College. He retired after 39 years of service.

Steve Laub was named director of P-8A and C-40A Sustainment in January 2020. Laub is responsible for Boeing’s U.S. and non-U.S. P-8A and C-40A programs, including successful execution of continued and continuing airworthiness requirements to support all phases of the P-8A/C-40A post-delivery program for the U.S. Navy, Australia, United Kingdom, Norway, South Korea and other Foreign Military Sales customers, and the P-8I variant for the Indian Navy.
Laub joined Boeing in 2009 and previously served as the C-17 base manager in Pápa, Hungary, supporting the Strategic Airlift Capability from 2016 thru 2019. He also led the base stand up for the Boeing C-17 program in Kuwait. Laub served six years in the United States Air Force (USAF) in the aircraft maintenance field, earning a command level award for leadership and technical knowledge. After his service, he continued his aviation career on C-21 aircraft for the USAF. Steve transitioned to Qatar in 2009 as the Boeing C-17 technical manager and served as a consultant for the Qatar Ministry of Defense on the C-17 program helping shape their training, organizational leadership, and maintenance programs. Laub rejoined Boeing as the Kuwait base manager in 2013.
Steve’s technical qualifications include a master’s degree in engineering management from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, an FAA Airframe and Power plant certification, European Military Airworthiness Requirements 145 (EMAR 145) Accountable Manager and numerous advanced type specific technical courses.

CAPT Richard T. Porter, USN (Ret)
VP-22, VP-31, VP-19

Captain Dick Porter was born in Seattle, Washington. He joined the Navy Reserves as an E1 corpsman in 1954. After receiving his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in 1960, he reported to OCS, Newport, R.I. where he graduated with distinction and his commission in September 1961.

Following his first tour at U.S. Naval Facility, Eleuthera, Bahamas, where he served as Oceanographic Watch Officer and Operations Officer, Captain Porter entered the NAO training pipeline in January 1964, receiving his wings at NAS Corpus Christi in August 1964. He was the top of his class in Preflight School, Basic NAO School, and Advanced Air Navigation School.

In March 1964 he joined Patrol Squadron Twenty Two at NAS Barbers Point, HI, where he served as Tactics Officer and P3A NAO NATOPS evaluator. He qualified as ASW Tactical Coordinator in the P3A aircraft. He made deployments with VP22 to NS Sangley Point, RP, flying Market Time missions in the Vietnam theater, and to Adak, Alaska. During his tour, VP22 earned the Navy Unit Commendation, the Arnold J. Isabel Award, and the Battle Efficiency “E.”

Because of his proficiency in the German language, his tour with VP22 was cut short by assignment in October 1967 to Marineflieger Geschwade Drei (German Naval Air Wing Three) as OIC U.S. Navy Mobile Training Team, Nordholz, Germany, where he set up a ground school and trained German aircrews in ASW tactics flying the Brequet BR-1150 aircraft.

In July 1968, Captain Porter reported to Patrol Squadron Thirty One, NAS Moffett Field, California, as NAO flight instructor and ground school instructor in aircraft systems. He attended Lockheed P3C factory school, and upon return was assigned as VP31 P3C Training Coordinator, during which he was the first PACFLT NAO to qualify as a Tactical Coordinator and NATOPS evaluator in that aircraft. In 1970, Captain Porter received the new Naval Flight Officer (NFO) designation. He was a member of the VP31 crew that accepted from Lockheed the first P3C aircraft ever delivered to the Pacific Fleet.

In 1971, Captain Porter joined Patrol Squadron Nineteen at NAS Moffett Field, where he served as Training Officer Department Head. He qualified as Mission Commander, Tactical Coordinator, and NATOPS evaluator in the P3B aircraft. He made deployments to NAS Cubi Point, RP and NAS Naha, Okinawa, flying Market Time and PARPRO missions.

In 1974, Captain Porter was assigned to Commander Patrol Wings Pacific at NAS Moffett Field, where he was Director of the newly installed Tactical Support Center. He later assumed the duties as Command and Control officer, responsible for ASW mission planning and the scheduling, briefing and debriefing of MPA crews flying operational missions.

Captain Porter was next assigned as Officer-in-Charge of Fleet Air Support Unit Western Pacific, home-ported at NAS Cubi Point, RP. During this tour he was assigned TAD to Commander Fleet Air Western Pacific as Officer-in-Charge of NAS Cubi Point Naval Air Facility at Clark Air Base, RP. There, during the closure of the Cubi Point runways for repairs, he oversaw all Western Pacific aviation operations normally conducted from NAS Cubi Point.

In July, 1978, he reported as Commanding Officer, U.S. Naval Facility Keflavik, Iceland. Under his command, NAVFAC Kef won two Meritorious Unit Commendations and a Navy Unit Commendation for exceptional operational performance.

Captain Porter was next assigned as Operations Officer and later after his promotion to Captain, as Chief Staff Officer, to Commander Oceanographic Systems Atlantic in Norfolk, Virginia. While there, Captain Porter became involved in U.S. Navy research operations in the high Arctic, earning his qualification as Station Leader of Navy ice stations.

In 1985 Captain Porter reported to the CNO Staff in OP-95, Washington DC, to establish a classified program. He moved with his program to Commander Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command in Crystal City, VA in 1987 where he qualified as a Designated Program Manager. As Officer-in-Charge of Arctic Operations, he supervised the construction of ice stations and ice floe runways in the High Arctic for C130, DHC-6 Twin Otter, C47 Tri Turbo, and Bell 205 helicopter operations in support of his programs. He retired from the Naval Service in 1990 at the end of that assignment.

Captain Porter has been awarded the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (Strike Flight, 4 awards), Navy Commendation medal, Arctic Service ribbon, and other Vietnam campaign medals and naval service ribbons. He was a Proven Subspecialist in Antisubmarine Warfare and Physical Oceanography.

Captain Porter is married to the former Sharon Kay Hall of Midland, Texas. They have three sons, Todd, Russell, and Jonathan, and reside in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, near where his career in maritime patrol aviation all began.

SUMMARY
A retired Master Chief Naval Aircrewman – Operator of 32 years of experience. Mr. Cunningham is presently am the liaison between the Royal Australian Air Force, 229 SQN, and VP-30 in ensuring the currency of their P-8 Poseidon Replacement Aircrew Courseware. Additionally, he is a fully qualified P-8 Contract Instructor supporting the Acoustic Training Track at Patrol Squadron Thirty (VP-30).

DEGREE
Bachelor of Science, Workforce Development-Training and Development, Southern Illinois University, Illinois, 2002

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
April 2020 – Present: Andy Harold & Associates at Patrol Squadron Thirty Revision & Maintenance; Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) liaison. Mr. Cunningham ensures the RAAF maintains common courseware for Pilot, Naval Flight Officer, Acoustic and Electronic Warfare Operators, to include verifying NATOPS and Software version material are accurate and current. He also ensures courseware is prepared for foreign disclosure review and modified when needed.

November 2016 – Present: LB&B, Associates Inc. at Patrol Squadron Thirty – Contract Instructor
In 2016, Mr. Cunningham was designated as Lead Acoustic Contract Instructor responsible for conducting simulator operations, simulator flight training, classroom instruction and aircraft demonstrations for the P-3C Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA). This training included aircraft systems, operating procedures, acoustic sensor systems including Multi-static Active Coherent (MAC) system, weapons systems, tactical employment of the P-3 aircraft and to include flight briefs and debriefs. I also assist in teaching, updating and maintenance of related curriculum syllabi, which will include updating instructor lesson guides, simulator scenarios, computer-based training, and classroom lectures. As lead instructor, he had the collateral duty of scheduling of five contract instructors to satisfy over 28 hours of training per day, which included their professional development and instructor currency. In November of 2017, Mr. Cunningham’s status shifted to part-time while undergoing P-8 transition. He completed the transition syllabus approved by VP-30 mostly on his own time and on a not-to-interfere basis.

In October 2018, he was designated as P-8 Fleet Replacement contract instructor, Mr. Cunningham conducted training using WST/WTTs, PTTs, and table-top stations, to support simulator operations, simulator flight training, classroom instruction and aircraft demonstrations for the P-8 Poseidon. This training involved similar focus on the systems he had previously gained experience with while Lead Acoustic Contract Instructor for the P-3C, as well as instructing, reviewing, and reviewing instructor lesson guides, simulator scenarios, computer-based training and classroom lectures.

December 2011 – November 2016; Computer Sciences Corporation, Inc. at Patrol Squadron Thirty – Contract Instructor
As the Lead Acoustic Contract Instructor, Mr. Cunningham employed simulators, classroom instruction, and aircraft demonstrations while instructing students in the basics of AIP aircraft systems, operating procedures, acoustic sensor systems, weapon systems, and tactics of the P-3C aircraft that included pre-flight briefs and post-flight debriefs. He provided critical input for updating and maintenance of related curriculum syllabi, which included instructor lesson guides, simulator scenarios, computer-based training, classroom lectures, and other tasks as assigned. As lead instructor lead, he was also responsible for the professional development, instructor currency and the work schedules of seven full-time and three part time acoustic instructors to satisfy over sixty hours of training per day.

August 2010 – December 2011; Cubic Worldwide Technical Services, Inc. at Patrol Squadron Thirty – Contract Instructor
As the Lead Acoustic Contractor Instructor, Mr. Cunningham provided critical leadership to seven full-time and three part time contract instructors in order to satisfy over sixty hours of training per day. he was responsible for conducting simulator operations, simulator flight training, classroom instruction and aircraft demonstrations for the P-3C aircraft. This training included aircraft systems, operating procedures, acoustic sensor systems, weapons systems, tactical employment of the P-3C aircraft and to include flight briefs and debriefs. Additionally, he also taught, updated, and maintained related curriculum syllabi, which included instructor lesson guides, simulator scenarios, computer-based training, and classroom lectures.

 
August 1993 – August 2010 - Logistic Services International, Inc.
December 2009 – August 2010: E-2D Courseware Developer – Aircrew

Mr. Cunningham was the lead developer of a six-person team that constructed Level 100 through 300 training for the E-2D Airborne Early Warning Fleet Replacement Squadron (VAW-120) and the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. He was responsible for topic matter research, test question development; art requirements and online construction of pilot-related subject matter following NAVEDTRA 130 series instructions and VAW-120 requirements for the development process.

August 2003 – December 2009: Patrol Squadron Thirty Revision and Maintenance Team - Lead

Mr. Cunningham led a nine-member team to revise and maintain all Officer and Enlisted Track courseware, which included Department Head and Prospective CO/XO courses and enlisted fleet returnees. He provided direct supervision of the Fleet Feedback System, student critiques, test trend analysis, and learning center logistic support. In this capacity, he provided direct supervision of all learning center operators. Additionally, he provided the initial input to all employee evaluations, oversaw company-related professional development and security clearance annual training. His collateral duty included instructional material review for quality and accuracy before customer reviews and, ultimately, final delivery to VP-30.

May 2000 – August 2003: P-3C Block Mod Upgrade Team Acoustic Lead

Mr. Cunningham was personally selected to task analyze, create objectives, develop test items and methods, computer-based instruction and supporting training material for the U.S. Navy Reserves Block Mod Upgrade for the P-3C. In this capacity, he created over 80 hours of training designed for Full Time Support and Selected Reserve (SelRes) Acoustic Operators. This material was designed to work within the two-week annual training period most Reservists serve, and today, this material serves as the transition course for Reserve Acoustic Operators.

October 1995 – April 2000: VP-30 Revision and Maintenance Team – Acoustic Representative

In October 1995, Mr. Cunningham was handpicked to form the initial Revision and Maintenance effort for VP-30. He directly supported initial positional training efforts and the P-3C Weapons and Tactics Unit for fleet-level emergent systems training. In this position, he created, revised, and maintained training materials for the Acoustic and Observer training tracks, which included all supporting material such as Student and Instructor Guides, Training Aids, Gradebooks, Demonstration Sheets and Part-Task and Crew Training Simulator Scenarios.

August 1993 – October 1995: P-3C AIP Courseware Development Team Member – Acoustic

Mr. Cunningham served as an acoustic subject matter team member on the development of the P-3C ASUW Improvement Program (AIP) to ensure that the instructors could rapidly analyze, learn, and use emerging aviation sensor systems which included hardware and software, to create leading edge technical training. He directly supported the VP-30 initial positional training effort and the P-3 Weapons and Tactics Unit for fleet level emergent systems training. He created, revised, and maintained training materials for the Acoustic and Observer training tracks. As the ultimate team lead, he managed the workflow and tracked completion of all assigned recommended corrective actions to the overall syllabus.

October 1981 – December 2013: U.S. Navy and U.S. Navy Reserve
August 1990 - December 2013: Patrol Squadron Sixty-Two, U.S. Navy Reserve

Upon affiliation with the Navy Reserve, Mr. Cunningham was designated acoustic NATOPS instructor, positional and crew training/system device instructor and Personnel Qualification Instructor for both the P-3C AIP and BMUP versions. In 1992, he advanced to AWC and became the AW Division Leading Chief. While an AWC, he led an Operations Department of over 45 full-time and SelRes aircrew and was responsible for mentoring six Chief Petty Officers and the professionally developing 11 First Class Petty Officers. In 1996, he selected for AWCS and served as the Operations Leading Senior Chief, tracking operator qualifications/readiness, and planned numerous operational detachments. While in this position, he was dual-hatted as acting Command Master Chief upon their absence. In 2002, Mr. Cunningham advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer, and became the Gold Wing Command Master Chief, responsible for half the Selected Reserve Sailors assigned. With the advent of centralized maintenance, the full time assigned Command Master Chief billet was gapped for two years. At that time, he was designated CMC, in which capacity he was the senior advisor for all enlisted affairs to the Commanding Officer. Additionally, he led over 25 Chiefs and was the primary liaison to the Command Ombudsman. During this time, he maintained all Navy Aircrew and readiness qualifications for Combat Aircrew Eight as the Sensor Station One operator. He continued in the senior advisor role after a full-time Senior Enlisted Advisor was assigned. In 2010, he reached High Year Tenure, and transferred to the Volunteer Training Unit, with cross-assignment to VP-62. In 2013, he volunteered to deploy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and P-8 Transition on the initial Reserve deployment to Okinawa. He retired with 32 years of service upon his return.

January 1987 - August 1990: Patrol Squadron Thirty, U.S. Navy

In 1996, he interviewed and was selected for Fleet Replacement Instructor Duty. In this position, he taught a generation of replacement acoustic operators and earned the Navy’s Master Training Specialist designation. He completed transition to the Update III and continued pipeline training for another 30 plus replacement acoustic operators. Additionally, he represented the Navy in acceptance of two Update III Weapon System Trainers for both NAS Brunswick and NAS Jacksonville. While at VP-30, he advanced from AW2 to AW1.

March 1982 - January 1987: Patrol Squadron Forty-Five, U.S. Navy

In March 1982, after training with VP-30, Mr. Cunningham reported to his initial VP command as an AWAA Non-Acoustic Operator. Facing a manning shortfall for the upcoming deployment, he was selected to undergo basic Jezebel analysis and completed his initial qualification as a P-3C acoustic operator via on-the-job training, the last VP-45 Operator to do so before the Navy instituted mandatory pipeline training attendance for awarding a Navy Enlisted Classification Code and earned Naval Aircrewman wings. He achieved Sensor One qualification before the squadron’s Rota-Lajes deployment in 1984 and finished his first sea tour on-top of Soviet Ballistic Missile submarines in the Yankee Box during the squadron’s Bermuda deployment in 1986. Mr. Cunningham advanced to AW2 by the end of his tour.

October 1981 – March 1982: Various – Initial and Pipeline Training, U.S. Navy

Military Career Summary
Mr. Cunningham completed 32 years of Honorable service. For his entire career, he was aeronautically qualified, accumulating over 6300 flight hours, and qualifying as acoustic sensor operator on ALL versions of acoustic sensors from the AQA-7 to the BMUP UYS-1. His additional qualifications included Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) cameras installed from AVX-1 to AIMS and qualified as a Safety of Flight (SOF) Weather Radar Operator. He completed three operational deployments and numerous detachments while assigned to VP-45, three VP-30 operational detachments, one Reserve Annual Training deployment and over 50 Reserve detachments in 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 7th Fleet Areas of Responsibility (AORs).

PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIPS

VP-45 Association
In February 2017, Mr. Cunningham was asked to assume the duties of Treasurer of the Association when an Association Officer became terminally ill. In October of 2018, was elected Vice President/Reunion Coordinator, in which capacity he plans all reunions to include all logistics for an Association membership exceeding 500 paid members.

AWARDS, FELLOWSHIPS, HONORS

Multiple U.S. Navy awards including the Legion of Merit.

Gene is a designated CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, a mentor and a military advocate in
his community. As a Financial Advisor, he is licensed in over twenty states and works
directly with families and small businesses to design and implement investment
strategies to achieve their unique financial goals.
Since retiring from the Navy in 2005, Gene has been active in the local Maritime Patrol
and Reconnaissance community in northern Virginia. He serves as the coordinator of
VPNet, a local networking group formed for the purpose of connecting transitioning VP/
VQ members to local contacts. He has served as a Panelist for multiple Military
Executive Transition workshops hosted by the Military Officers Association of America
(MOAA), and contributed financial advice to MOAA’s monthly magazine. In addition, he
has recruited, trained and mentored retiring military officers who have joined the
financial services industry.
Gene’s Navy career included duty stations on both coasts. His Sea Tours were in VP45,
CARGRU THREE (CVN70 and CVN72), VP26 and VP10. Shore tours were in VP30,
BUPERS, Naval War College, Navy Staff (N70), Joint Chiefs (N33), and SECNAV (BRAC
2005).
Academic credentials include a business administration degree from Campbell University
and Masters degrees in Business Administration from Central Michigan University and in
National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College in Newport, RI.
In 2016, he completed a Certificate program in Financial Planning from Georgetown
University and received a CFP® Certification.

SUMMARY: Currently the Vice President of Programs for Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) for their $110M, 500+ employee Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) portfolio. Responsible for P&L for over 30 contracts, and Capture and Business Development. Formerly a regional Director for Engility Corporation. Before that, led Dynamic Research Corporation’s (DRC) Hampton, VA field office that included all DoD, USCG and NATO programs. Military experience includes naval aviation squadron and wing command. Experience includes demanding private sector, naval and joint leadership positions where performance, team building, change management and technical innovation were required. Superb business, business development, leadership, technical, and interpersonal skills.

SKILLS: - PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT - SYSTEM ANALYSIS - BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT - STRATEGIC PLANNING
- INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - LEADERSHIP

Portfolio Management: Managed contracts from both a government and contractor perspective. Current portfolio consists of personnel in seven states. Won 100% of recompetes in 2019 and 2020 totaling $200+M. Was responsible for NAVAIR’s Logistics, Maintenance and Supply Support (LMSS) and NAVSEA’s SEAPORTe contracts. DRC won 16 of 30 submitted LMSS proposals with total revenue of $115M. As a Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR), directed a $17M/yr. contract for 300 support personnel who developed systems engineering solutions. Prepared requirements, led source selection boards, and recommended service providers. Managed Emergency Broadcast System (EBS) contract for White House Military Office.

Business Development: Managing a pipeline of $300+M. Five proposals worth $126M were submitted in 2018, four in 2019 totaling over $100M.

Information Technology: Oversaw 15 IT related contracts including software development and maintenance (databases, websites and applications), network administration, Information Assurance and Help Desk Support. Introduced Information Technology Infrastructure Library concepts into software application contract allowing a staff reduction of 12%.

System Analysis: Directed Naval Aviation Readiness Integrated Improvement Program (NAVRIIP) efforts for five Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) Wings and the Fleet Replacement Squadron. Reviewed P-3 and EP-3 aircraft and personnel readiness statistics. Analyzed maintenance and parts data for trends and cost savings opportunities. Briefed highest levels of OPNAV, NAVAIRFOR and NAVAIR on status.

Leadership: Played critical role in keeping 600+ person workforce focused through three acquisitions in less than four years, two company-wide reorganizations in the past two years, and three major office relocations. Developed four Directors and previously nine Program Managers (PMs) through almost daily personal contact. Commanded Patrol Squadron and Patrol Wing. Chief of Staff for a Naval Aviation Group and an operational task force.

Strategic Planning: Developed Navy Account Business Development Plan. Linked multiple PMs together to share resources, best practices and lessons learned. Oversaw simultaneous P-3 sustainment/sundown plan and introduction of P-8A and MQ-4C Triton.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

• Vice President, Programs, SAIC 2019-Present
Responsible for every aspect of customer satisfaction and contract adherence, profit, capture, business development and company growth for $110M Business Portfolio.

• Director, Engility 2015 – 2019
Responsible for every aspect of customer satisfaction and contract adherence, profit, capture, business development and company growth for $77M Business Portfolio.

• Director, Dynamics Research Corporation 2007 – 2015
Responsible for every aspect of customer satisfaction and contract adherence, profit, business development and company growth for $38M Business Portfolio.

• Chief of Staff, Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Group, 2005 – 2007
Oversaw maintenance, training, new systems development, administration, and force distribution of 10,000 person, 165 aircraft force. MPRA community repeatedly cited as leading all Naval aviation communities in implementing cost saving measures.

• Commander Reserve Patrol Wing, 2002-2005
Transformed and integrated seven geographically dispersed Reserve P-3 squadrons into active duty force. Transitioned wing from ASW force into same mission sets as active duty counterparts. Led effort to have Reserve Component aircrews train to fleet readiness standards.

• Chief of Staff, Command Task Force Eight Four, 2000-2002
Designed Navy ASW performance assessment, and conducted first annual multiplatform, multi day exercise that included Explosive Echo Ranging (EER). Directed several intelligence gathering operations and oversaw the multinational analysis of them.

• Dep Dir for National Systems Support (J35A/NRO), The Joint Staff, 1998-2000
Introduced Customer Support Plans for each of the Combatant Commanders as Senior Operations Officer at the Operational Support Officer of the NRO. Worked with Joint Staff J2 to bring intelligence solutions to J-3 operational issues.

ADDITIONAL ASSIGNMENTS: Commanding Officer of 400 person Maritime Patrol Squadron. Duty as an Emergency Plans Officer in the Presidential Contingency Directorate of the White House Military Office. Served as a Federal Executive Fellow at The Atlantic Council of the United States. Extensive overseas experience.

EDUCATION:

- M.S. in Astronautical Engineering (Space Systems Engineering), Naval Postgraduate School. Nominated for Astronaut Michael J. Smith Award for Leadership.
- B.S. in Operations Research, United States Naval Academy (51/930)