A generous gift from Capt. James F. McCarthy, Jr. and Cheryl E. McCarthy has created the named headship. Capt. James F. McCarthy, Jr. graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering in 1979, which created his foundation for a successful career in the United States Navy.

Capt. James F. McCarthy, Jr.

Mr. McCarthy is currently serving as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Integration of Capabilities and Resources (OPNAV N8B) on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO). His mission is to exercise centralized supervision of Navy warfare requirements, allocation of resources, program planning, and study efforts to ensure integration of planning, programming, budgeting, and assessments within OPNAV. He manages the development of the Navy’s Program Objective Memorandum (POM), with annual Total Obligation Authority of over $130B aimed at delivering a fiscally balanced annual budget with increased naval capability and capacity for the worldwide Combatant Commanders.

He entered the Senior Executive Service (SES) in January 2007 after 28 years as a nuclear-trained surface warfare officer – serving from 1979 to 2007. He then retired from active duty as a Captain after commanding USS DONALD COOK (DDG 75) and USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CG 57). While on active duty, McCarthy was awarded a proven sub-specialty in financial management, which was achieved as a result of his having earned an MBA from Marymount University and subsequently serving in 4 separate assignments in the Pentagon totaling over 9 years of duty associated with DoN and DoD budget formulation.

Mr. McCarthy’s first SES assignment was as the Deputy Director for Warfare Integration on the CNO’s staff from January 2007 - January 2010. He was responsible for management of the Navy’s investment accounts including the Navy ship and aircraft procurement plans as well as equipment modernization accounts. Additionally, Mr. McCarthy served as the U.S. Principal to the Maritime Theater Missile Defense Forum (MTMDF) and as the Chairman, of the NATO Naval Armaments Group. As Chairman, Mr. McCarthy has played a key role in NATO’s ability to field and fund capabilities during a time of pivotal coalition operations around the world.

Mr. McCarthy’s awards and recognition since becoming an SES include selection as a Presidential Meritorious award winner for 2015, Purdue University “Old Master” in 2010 and induction into the Purdue University Tri-Service ROTC Hall of Fame in 2012. In the autumn of 2014, the President of the French Republic awarded Mr. McCarthy the highest decoration in France, the National Order of the Legion of Honour at the rank of Chevalier (Knight) for his contributions to improving allied interoperability and developing integrated missile defense capability in NATO.

Having graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering in 1979, McCarthy is also a distinguished graduate of the Air War College. His civilian personal awards and decorations include the Navy Superior Civilian Award (2011) and Meritorious Civilian Service Award (2007). Active duty awards are the Defense Superior Service Medal (1997), Legion of Merit (3 awards), Joint Meritorious Service Medal (1996), Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), Navy Commendation Medal (3 awards) and the Navy Achievement Medal (2 awards).

Mr. McCarthy married his wife, Cheryl in 1979.

Source: NE News