Dennis V. McGinn
Official portrait, c. 2013
Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Environment
In office
September 3, 2013 (2013-09-03) – January 20, 2017 (2017-01-20)
PresidentBarack Obama
SecretaryRay Mabus
Preceded byJackalyne Pfannenstiel
Succeeded bySteve Iselin (acting)
Personal details
Born (1945-08-26) August 26, 1945
Attleboro, Massachusetts, U.S.
Children4[1]
Alma mater
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of service1967–2002
RankVice Admiral
Commands
Battles/wars
Awards

Dennis Vincent McGinn (born August 26, 1945)[2][1] is a former American government official and retired United States Navy admiral. He served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Environment in the Obama administration from 2013 to 2017. A career naval aviator, McGinn was an officer in the United States Navy for 35 years, retiring as a vice admiral.

Outside of government, McGinn held memberships and advisory posts in various government-affiliated, corporate and non-profit organizations. Since 2018, McGinn has served on the board of directors of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).[3][4]

Early life and education

Born on August 26, 1945, McGinn is a native of Attleboro, Massachusetts. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1967 with a B.S. degree in naval engineering.[5][2] McGinn attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in 1973 and the Naval War College in 1990 as a CNO Strategic Studies Fellow.[1] He also participated in the National Security Program under the Harvard Kennedy School.[5]

Military career

Vice Admiral McGinn in 1998

McGinn received his commission on June 7, 1967, and was designated as a naval aviator in January 1969.[1][6] He served two operational deployments at sea aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61) as a landing signal officer and weapons officer respectively.[7][6]

His early seaborne assignments included serving as the operations and maintenance officer of Attack Squadron 146 aboard USS Constellation (CV-64) and executive officer of USS Coral Sea (CV-43). As a lieutenant commander and then commander, he commanded the Light Attack Weapons School and fleet replenishment oiler USS Wichita (AOR-1), as well as the strike fighter squadrons VF-125 and VA-27.[7]

As a captain, McGinn served as the final commanding officer of the Forrestal-class aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61) from August 21, 1991, to July 10, 1993, making an extended western Pacific and Indian Ocean deployment.[6][7]

Upon promotion to rear admiral (lower half), McGinn was assigned as chief of information systems and chief negotiator, Allied Command Europe Restructuring at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, and commanded Carrier Group 1 from 1995 to 1996. He became Director, Air Warfare Division of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in January 1996, and was promoted to rear admiral in September.[7][8]

McGinn's nomination as a vice admiral was confirmed on June 25, 1998, and he subsequently commanded the United States Third Fleet from November 1998 to October 2000.[9][10] His capstone assignment was as the first Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Requirements and Programs, and he retired in September 2002.[11]

Private civilian career

McGinn's experiences during the 1973 oil crisis instilled in him a longtime goal to reduce America's overreliance on fossil fuels, believing that it compromised the economy and national security. Consequently, he has joined various organizations that promote clean and renewable energy sources. McGinn said that "there is no one perfect new energy solution—we need a silver buckshot approach because there’s not a silver bullet".[12]

McGinn served as board chairman of the United States Naval Institute from 2001 to 2002, a member (later vice chairman) of the CNA Military Advisory Board from 2007 to 2013, and president and CEO of the American Council on Renewable Energy from 2011 to 2013.[1][13] Under CNA, he worked closely with former Republican senator John Warner.[12] Additionally, McGinn has been an International Security Senior Fellow of the Rocky Mountain Institute since 2002.[5][1]

Government career

In 2004, McGinn was appointed to the National Commission on Disabled Veterans Benefits, a government commission mandated by the 2004 NDAA to study the impact of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom on Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs resources. The commission released its findings in October 2007.[1][14] McGinn was appointed to the Department of Energy Electricity Advisory Board in 2012.[1]

Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Environment

McGinn (far left) and Vice Adm. William H. Hilarides, commander of Naval Sea Systems Command (far right) present the Safety Integration in Acquisition Award to Rebecca Funkhouser and Robert Heflin on October 20, 2014.

On July 8, 2013, it was announced that McGinn would be nominated by President Barack Obama to be Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Environment, replacing Jackalyne Pfannenstiel.[15][16][17] At his confirmation hearing, he pledged to consult Congress on any new energy programs initiated by the Navy and to carefully consider "opportunity costs" when reviewing such programs.[1][18] He was confirmed by the Senate on August 1, 2013, and assumed office on September 3, 2013.[19][20]

As ASN(EI&E), McGinn was responsible for overseeing Navy functions and programs related to energy, installations, safety and the environment, including the occupational safety of military and civilian personnel.[20] He gave a positive appraisal of the energy initiatives of Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, commenting that the base has "a good technologically-savvy workforce, a culture that is looking for ways to really value and save energy with energy efficiency".[21] He resigned on January 20, 2017, to make way for the incoming Trump administration.

Post-government career

Since leaving the government, McGinn has continued to occupy advisory roles in various energy-related organizations.[3] On April 12, 2018, it was announced that McGinn had been elected to a four-year term on the board of directors of the Electric Power Research Institute.[4][22]

In July 2018, McGinn wrote an op-ed through CNN that was critical of the Trump administration's climate change policy and Trump's focus on NATO defense spending.[23]

Personal life

McGinn is married to Susan Kelly Harris. They have 4 children.[1]

Awards and decorations

Gold star
Bronze star
Bronze star
United States Naval Aviator insignia
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
with two award stars[1]
Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit
with three award stars		 Distinguished Flying Cross
Meritorious Service Medal
with award star		 Air Medal
with award star and numeral "1" and "8" devices		 Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
with three award stars
Navy Unit Commendation
with bronze service star		 Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Navy "E" Ribbon, 2nd award
Navy Expeditionary Medal National Defense Service Medal
with bronze service star		 Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Vietnam Service Medal Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
with four bronze service stars		 Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
with Palm and Frame
RVN Campaign Medal
with "1960-" device		 Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) Navy Pistol Marksmanship Medal

Bibliography

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Nomination of Hon. Stephen W. Preston to be General Counsel of the Department of Defense; Hon. Jon T. Rymer to be Inspector General of the Department of Defense; Ms. Susan J. Rabern to be Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Financial Management and Comptroller; and Mr. Dennis V. McGinn to be Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environment" (PDF). Washington, D. C.: Senate Armed Services Committee. July 25, 2013. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  2. 1 2 Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Reserve Officers on the Active-Duty List. Bureau of Naval Personnel. October 1, 1984. p. 19. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  3. 1 2 "Dennis McGinn - Linkedin". LinkedIn. Washington, D. C. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  4. 1 2 "Board of Directors - EPRI". Electric Power Research Institute. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 "Vice Admiral Dennis V. McGinn, USN (Ret)". The Center for Climate and Security. March 30, 2017. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 "Captain Dennis Vincent McGinn (21 August 1991 - 10 July 1993)". www.uss-ranger.org. 2011. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Vice Admiral Dennis V. McGinn, United States Navy". U.S. Navy. Archived from the original on February 3, 2003.
  8. ↑ Defense Technical Information Center (January 31, 1997). "Department of Defense General/Flag Officer Worldwide Roster (December 1996)" (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Washington Headquarters Services. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 4, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  9. ↑ "PN1102 — Rear Adm. Dennis V. McGinn — Navy, 105th Congress (1997-1998)". U.S. Congress. May 12, 1998. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  10. ↑ "PN1282 — Vice Adm. Dennis V. McGinn — Navy, 106th Congress (1999-2000)". U.S. Congress. September 14, 2000. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  11. ↑ Legislative Calendar of the House Committee on Armed Services - 2002. Washington, D. C.: U.S. Government Publishing Office. July 10, 2008. Retrieved February 22, 2002.
  12. 1 2 "Powering America's Economy: Energy Innovation at the Crossroads of National Security Challenges" (PDF). CNA Analysis and Solutions. July 2010. p. 8. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Dennis McGinn, Vice Admiral, Retired and Former Assistant Secretary of the Navy". American Council on Renewable Energy. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Findings of the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission". GovInfo. U.S. Government Publishing Office. October 10, 2007. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  15. ↑ "President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts". Washington, D. C.: Office of the White House Press Secretary. July 8, 2013. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  16. ↑ LaGrone, Sam (July 9, 2013). "Retired Admiral and Biofuel Fan Nominated to be Navy Energy Chief". USNI News. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Navy Asst. Energy Secretary Jackalyne Pfannenstiel Resigning". Executive Gov. June 4, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  18. ↑ LaGrone, Sam (July 25, 2013). "Report: Obama Pick for Navy Energy Job Has Smooth Hearing". USNI News. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Nomination of Dennis V. McGinn, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Navy". U.S. Congress. July 9, 2013. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  20. 1 2 "Dennis McGinn, Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy, Installations & Environment)" (PDF). U.S. Navy. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 2, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  21. ↑ Hanks, Nathan (May 19, 2015). "Assistant Secretary of the Navy witnesses base energy program firsthand". DVIDS. Albany, Georgia: Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany Public Affairs. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  22. ↑ Electric Power Research Institute (April 12, 2018). "EPRI Announces Changes to Board of Directors". Globe Newswire. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  23. ↑ McGinn, Dennis (July 10, 2018). "The threat Trump has to acknowledge at NATO". CNN. Retrieved February 23, 2022.

Notes

  1. 1 2 As Fellow
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