Richard R. Behn
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| Richard R. Behn | |
|---|---|
 Rear Admiral Richard R. Behn, NOAA |
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| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps |
| Years of service | 1978 - 2007 |
| Rank | Rear Admiral (lower half) |
| Commands held | NOAA's Marine and Aviation Operations Centers NOAA's Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce |
| Awards | Department of Commerce Bronze Medal NOAA Corps Commendation Medal NOAA Corps Special Achievement Award |
Rear Admiral Richard R. Behn, NOAA (Ret.), is a former director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Marine and Aviation Operations Centers (part of NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO)), from August 2004 to September 2007. He was nominated for this position by President George W. Bush, confirmed by the Senate, and subsequently promoted to Rear Admiral in August 2004.
As director, Behn was responsible for the safe operations of NOAA aircraft and ships as well as the management of OMAO’s operations center’s $100M budget and more than 500 fleet personnel. The Aircraft Operations Center, located in Tampa, Florida, on MacDill Air Force Base, oversees NOAA’s fixed-wing aircraft, including the renowned NOAA “hurricane hunters.” The Marine Operations Centers, located in Norfolk, Virginia, and Seattle, Washington, oversee NOAA’s multipurpose oceanographic research, fisheries research, and hydrographic survey vessels. Port offices are located in Woods Hole, Massachusetts; Charleston, South Carolina; Pascagoula, Mississippi; San Diego, California; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Kodiak and Ketchikan, Alaska.
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[edit] Career
Behn has been a commissioned officer in the NOAA Corps since 1978. He has had the opportunity to work in and for almost all of NOAA’s line and staff offices. He has served aboard NOAA’s oceanographic and fisheries research ships, sailing the waters from the Arctic to the Antarctic, in both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. His last sea tour was aboard NOAA Ship McArthur, first as executive officer and then as commanding officer.
Behn’s shore tours have included a variety of administrative and management positions, all with increasing responsibility. Prior to his promotion to rear admiral, he was the executive director to NOAA’s Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce, where he assisted in managing NOAA employees nationwide along with the agency’s multibillion dollar budget. Other assignments include executive officer to NOAA’s chief scientist and executive director of the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations.
Behn currently serves as the co-chair of NOAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Steering Committee and as a member of NOAA’s Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Steering Committee. He is NOAA’s representative on the Federal Oceanographic Facilities Committee. He has served as acting chairman of NOAA’s Incentive Awards Board, NOAA’s Diversity Council and NOAA’s Equal Employment Opportunity Council. He led NOAA’s nationwide 30th Anniversary efforts and chaired the Department of Commerce’s Combined Federal Campaign--the world’s third largest campaign in 1998--raising more than $2.5 million in contributions. Behn is an active and lifetime member in the Military Officers Association of America, the Reserve Officers Association, and the National Military Family Association.
[edit] Accomplishments
Behn holds a bachelor’s degree in physical oceanography from Rutgers University. Since joining NOAA he has received more than 500 hours of management and leadership training and was selected to attend the Excellence in Government Fellows Program and the Federal Executive Institute. Behn has been awarded the Department of Commerce Bronze Medal (the highest award bestowed by NOAA), NOAA Corps Commendation Medals, NOAA Corps Special Achievement Awards, and NOAA Corps Director’s ribbons.
Earlier in his career, Behn attended the U.S. Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia, where he received formal training as a senior staff officer in support of Department of Defense activities.
[edit] Personal life
Behn is a native of Neptune, New Jersey. He and his wife, the former Alisa Nadean Benincasa of Stockton, California, currently reside in Rockville, Maryland. They have one daughter, Lauren, who is married to George Lukas of Olney, Maryland.
