Rear Admiral Thomas A. Cropper was appointed president of Cal Maritime in May 2012, following a 31-year career in the United States Navy. Most recently, Cropper directed education and at-sea training for Navy ships and aviation squadrons deploying to the western Pacific and the Middle East.

Throughout his service in the Navy, Cropper has held a number of challenging shore assignments, including attendance at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, service as military assistant in the Office of Secretary of Defense William Cohen, and appointment as the Navy Federal Executive Fellow at the Brookings Institution. He also led "Strike University" at the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, served as chief of staff, U.S. 3rd Fleet, headed the Joint Chiefs of Staff Working Group chartered with the development of national level security strategy, and led and managed 24,000 people in combat operations as deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces, U.S. Central Command.

Cropper's honors include the Michael Ripley Award as Naval Test Pilot School Instructor of the Year, the U.S. Atlantic Fleet Pilot of the Year, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Meritorious Service Medal.

Read President Cropper's full biography.

Education

B.A., Engineering Operations, Iowa State University
M.A., National Security and Strategic Studies, U.S. Naval War College
M.A., Aviation Systems, University of Tennessee
M.A., World Politics, Catholic University of America