Ferguson ’78 to Relieve Locklear ’77 as Alumni Association Board Chair

At the 31 March meeting of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustees, ADM Mark Ferguson III ’78, USN (Ret.), was unanimously voted to succeed ADM Samuel J. Locklear III ’77, USN (Ret.), as chair of the Board at the conclusion of the 14 May Board of Trustees meeting.

Ferguson, a systems engineering major and Navy lacrosse player, graduated 10th in his class at the Academy and completed nuclear power training prior to entering the fleet as a surface warfare officer (nuclear).

Over his career, he operated in both the Atlantic and Pacific fleets in ships ranging from destroyers to aircraft carriers. His assignments include duty aboard South Carolina, Fife and Dwight D. Eisenhower, as well as command of Benfold and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 18.

In addition to various staff assignments focused on manpower and legislative affairs, he served as a special assistant to the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe during Operation Allied Force. His flag assignments include service as the Navy’s Chief of Legislative Affairs and Chief of Naval Personnel. From August 2011 until July 2014, he served as the 37th Vice Chief of Naval Operations.

He is a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College and holds a master's degree in computer science from the Naval Postgraduate School, which he attended as a Burke Scholar. He also completed a National Security Fellowship at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Ferguson served as the commander of Allied Joint Force Command located in Naples, Italy. In this capacity, he directed a combined NATO staff responsible for planning, preparing and conducting military operations throughout the Supreme Allied Commander Europe’s area of responsibility.

He concurrently served as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Africa.  His area of responsibility encompassed the waters bordering the coasts of Europe and Africa, including the Baltic, Mediterranean and Black Seas.

He is a recipient of various personal and campaign awards, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal (three awards), the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Legion of Merit (three awards).

Ferguson retired from active duty in 2016. Since then, he has served in advisory or consulting capacities for organizations including NATO, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, McKinsey & Company, MK3 Global Consulting, the Institute for Defense Analyses and the Center for Naval Analyses. He serves on the board of directors of VSE Corporation and Pacific Gas and Electric Company.