Frank A. Morneau, RADM USN (ret) Succeeds Joe Cockrell in Inaugural Board Leadership Transition
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (Oct. 18, 2022) – The Navy Special Operations Foundation (NSOF) is proud to announce RADM (ret.) Frank Morneau as the new Chairman of the Board. He will help lead NSOF’s mission to be the singular point of support for Navy Special Operations (NSO) families by providing the tools necessary to overcome any challenges they may face. NSOF is the only organization exclusively serving the specialized communities of Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Navy Divers.
"I have spent my entire adult life as part of the EOD and Navy Diver communities and am honored to continue serving as chairman and ensuring our operators and their families have the support they need and deserve,” said Rear Admiral (ret.) Frank Morneau. “Not many understand the challenges and sacrifices that come with being a part of the Navy Special Operations community, and it’s our duty here at NSOF to make sure that those we love are never alone in the fight.”
Before retiring in 2016 both as a rear admiral and the senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and deep sea diving officer in the Department of Defense (DoD), RADM (Ret.) Morneau served more than 34 years in the U.S. Navy and commanded at the unit, group, task force, and flag officer levels. Notable assignments in his military career include Command of EOD Mobile Unit EIGHT; All Atlantic Fleet EOD Forces; Navy Expeditionary Combat Forces (TASK FORCE 56) throughout the Arabian Gulf, Iraq, and Afghanistan; and global Commander of the 20,000 Sailors and 138 commands comprising the Navy's Expeditionary Combat Forces.
Today, he is the Director of UXO and Special Operations for ThayerMahan, a world-leading company in autonomous maritime surveillance, offshore energy, and the management of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and munitions and explosives of concern (MEC).
Upon his appointment, Morneau’s first line of effort will be as a senior stakeholder supporting the NSO Memorial Project, located on Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach, Va.
“The NSO Memorial is extremely important to the entire EOD and Diving force for many reasons,” continued Morneau. “First and foremost, we will never be able to repay the debt that our brothers who paid the ultimate sacrifice have made, but we will create a place where we can connect with those that have gone before us and those that are still with us. This memorial is the intersection of our history, our challenges, our sacrifices, and our future as a community.”
Morneau will be succeeding the previous chairman and founder of NSOF, Joe Cockrell. Cockrell will continue to serve on the board of directors and remain influential in ensuring that NSOF’s mission continues.
“Rear Admiral Morneau is one of the most well-respected members of the community, and his genuine passion for those who serve and their families is unparalleled,” said Joe Cockrell, founder of NSOF. “Frank fully supports our vision at NSOF and has already moved the ball forward in several areas; we are all excited to learn from him as we look for ways to sustain and grow the organization.”
“NSOF is thrilled to welcome Rear Admiral Morneau’s extensive knowledge and reputation within the community which is invaluable when it comes to ensuring we deliver on our promise of providing resources and tools for our NSO families,” said Suzanna Fisher, executive director of NSOF. “As the only organization exclusively serving the specialized communities of Navy EOD and Navy Divers, we look forward to his leadership and experience on how to continue creating value and impact for these deserving heroes and their families.”
Click here to learn more about Navy Special Operations Foundation
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Navy Special Operations Foundation (NSOF) is a nonprofit organization 501(c)3, Tax ID 82-3607020, founded in the state of Virginia in memory of all our brothers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of this nation. Formed by former NSO members and their spouses, our guiding principles are driven by the strong bonds created during nearly two decades of combat around the globe. We understand through our experience what our families and operators need so they can stay in the fight and persevere through the most difficult circumstances.