Rear Admiral Larry Baucom (USN, ret.) graduated from the US Naval Academy and holds master’s degrees from the University of Southern California in Systems Management and from the Naval War College in National Security and Strategic Studies. His 31-year career in Naval Aviation included achieving over 4000 hours and 900 carrier landings in Navy fighter aircraft including the F-4 Phantom II and the F-14 Tomcat. He commanded Fighter Squadron 143, the amphibious assault ship USS TRENTON (LPD 14), and the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70). In CARL VINSON, deployment to the Arabian Gulf included combat operations in support of Operation Desert Strike and he was awarded the 1996 US Navy League John Paul Jones Award for inspirational leadership. He was voted San Franciscan of the Year in 1996 for his community outreach and service. As a flag officer he served as Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans and Policy at NATO’s Supreme Allied Command Atlantic and as Director of the Navy’s Current Readiness and Environmental Protection, Energy and Safety Programs. Following retirement from active duty he became a consultant for the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security in the development and employment of nationwide geospatial information sharing capability and served as a senior advisor for the Navy’s aircraftncarrier readiness program. He taught Crisis/ Disaster Consequence Management, National Security Affairs, and Grand Strategy and Military Operations as an Adjunct Professor at Regent University. He is Past President of the World Affairs Council of Greater Hampton Roads.