Cmdr. Jon Swallow, NSD Chief On June 27, Commander Jon Swallow, NOAA, officially assumed his new position as chief of the Office of Coast Survey’s Navigation Services Division.
In his new assignment, Cdr. Swallow will manage Coast Survey’s navigation response teams that conduct hydrographic surveys of ports and coastal areas, as well as supervising the navigation managers who work with port officials and maritime stakeholders on charting and surveying issues. Swallow will also supervise the updates and annual publication of the U.S. Coast Pilot, the series of nautical books with supplemental information that is difficult to portray on a nautical chart.
Swallow replaces the former long-serving chief, Howard Danley, who retired in March.
With 18 years of service in NOAA, Swallow brings a wealth of experience and expertise to navigation services. He spent nearly 12 years working in the hydrographic and geospatial fields, including sea tours on NOAA Ships Mt. Mitchell and Whiting. Experience ashore includes chief of operations for the Coast Survey’s Hydrographic Surveys Division, responsible for compiling national survey requirements, prioritizing operations, and planning survey missions for NOAA hydrographic vessels. He served with the National Geodetic Survey, supporting establishment of high accuracy reference networks for aviation safety and a national grid to support local surveys.
Swallow served as commanding officer, NOAA Ship Hi’Ialakai, conducting dive intensive operations in remote Pacific coral reef areas. Prior to his command, he served as confidential aide to former NOAA Administrator, Vice Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher (USN, Ret.).
Before joining NOAA, Swallow served in the U.S. Navy for nearly three years, qualifying as a surface warfare officer aboard USS Reasoner.
Swallow holds a Master of Science degree in administration, with a concentration in information resource management, from Central Michigan University. He received a bachelor’s degree in geography from Virginia Tech.
June 30, 2011 |
