SENATE CONFIRMS NEW LEADERSHIP FOR NOAA CORPS AND
NOAA MARINE AND AVIATION OPERATIONS

Aug. 3, 2004 — The Senate has confirmed Capt. Samuel P. De Bow Jr. as director of the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps and NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations. The Senate also confirmed Capt. Richard R. Behn as director of Marine and Aviation Operations Centers. The NOAA Corps is one of the nation’s seven uniformed services. (Click NOAA image for larger view of Admiral Samuel P. De Bow Jr. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations has two marine operations centers—Norfolk, Va., and Seattle, Wash.—and an aircraft operations center in Tampa, Fla. Port offices are located in Pascagoula, Miss.; San Diego, Calif.; Honolulu, Hawaii; Woods Hole, Mass.; and Charleston, S.C. The centers oversee operations of the NOAA fleet of research and survey ships and aircraft.

Upon confirmation, both captains were promoted to rear admiral. De Bow is a two-star admiral (upper half); Behn is a one-star admiral (lower-half).

President Bush nominated the officers for their new positions on May 18, 2004. The Senate confirmations took place late on July 22; the President signed the legislation on July 27. Both admirals assumed their duties on Aug. 2 after Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans signed their temporary appointment certificates late yesterday afternoon. A formal assumption of command ceremony, to take place at Robinson Terminal in Old Town Alexandria, Va., with NOAA ship Thomas Jefferson alongside, is scheduled for Sept. 10.

“We are extremely pleased with the confirmation of these two outstanding NOAA Corps officers,” said U.S. Navy retired Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher Jr., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “They are both forward-looking leaders and command the loyalty and respect of those with whom they work.” (Click NOAA image for larger view of Admiral Richard R. Behn. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

“Rear Adm. De Bow has time and again proven his leadership capabilities under extremely stressful conditions—most notably, as commanding officer of the NOAA ship Rude, which located the wreckage of downed TWA flight 800 in 1996, and as the on-scene coordinator of Rude’s search for and discovery of the wreckage of John F. Kennedy Jr.’s aircraft in 1999,” said Lautenbacher.

Lautenbacher praised Rear Adm. Behn’s exceptional track record in policy planning, management and administration. “Adm. Behn will be a powerful force in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the NOAA fleet. For the past four years he has had management responsibility for the day-to-day operations of all NOAA offices, and understands the issues facing NOAA programs and how their research and operational needs can best be supported by NOAA ships and aircraft,” Lautenbacher said.

De Bow began his career as a NOAA Corps officer in 1976 and has focused on NOAA’s mission to ensure safe navigation. He has served aboard three NOAA hydrographic survey ships and two mobile hydrographic field units. His shore tours have included a variety of staff, management and technical positions—including chief of the Hydrographic Surveys Division—the majority of which were in support of NOAA’s mapping and charting mission. As manager of the nation’s hydrographic survey program, he was instrumental in revitalizing NOAA’s aging hydrographic fleet while managing more than $100 million in private sector contracts for data. He has senior-level experience in executive decision-making, financial and personnel management, policy direction, strategic planning, and congressional and constituent relations in support of NOAA’s mission.

During his career, De Bow has been a member of a group awarded the Department of Commerce Gold Medal (the Department's highest award), and received individually two Department of Commerce Silver Medals and a NOAA Bronze Medal (NOAA's highest award) for his achievements. He has also received a U.S. Coast Guard and three NOAA Corps commendation medals.

De Bow holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce and engineering from Drexel University and a master’s degree in hydrographic sciences from the Naval Postgraduate School. He was a senior executive fellow at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and attended the Federal Executive Institute. He is a native of Philadelphia, Pa., and currently resides in Olney, Md.

Behn began his career with NOAA in 1978. He has served aboard three NOAA oceanographic research ships, including a year as commanding officer. His shore tours have included a variety of administrative and management positions of increasing responsibility, most recently as executive director to NOAA’s third-highest ranking official, the deputy undersecretary of commerce. Behn helped manage more than 12,500 NOAA employees nationwide and NOAA’s $3.3 billion budget. While serving at NOAA, he chaired the Commerce Department’s Combined Federal Campaign, which raised more than $2.56 million in contributions, led NOAA’s nationwide 30th anniversary efforts and coordinated President Bush’s visit to NOAA’s Silver Spring campus in 2002—the first presidential visit to a NOAA facility.

Behn holds a bachelor’s degree in physical oceanography from Rutgers University. During his career, he has completed more than 500 hours of training in management and leadership, including the U.S. Armed Forces Staff College, Excellence in Government Fellows Program and the Federal Executive Institute. He has been awarded the NOAA Bronze Medal, two NOAA Corps commendation medals, and numerous other special achievement awards and ribbons. Behn is a native of Neptune, N.J., and currently resides in Rockville, Md.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of the nation’s coastal and marine resources. NOAA is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Relevant Web Sites
NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations

NOAA Corps: Officers of the Nation's Smallest Uniformed Service

NOAA Hydrographic Survey Ships Aid the Nation During Disaster Recovery Efforts

Media Contact:
Jeanne Kouhestani, NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations, (301) 713-3431, ext. 220