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Pepperdine University Names Michael Bucchi to its Board of Regents
Pepperdine University has announced the appointment of Michael Bucchi to its Board of Regents. Bucchi will serve on the finance and administration committee and the religious standards committee.
Before his current position as senior vice president of Analex, a subsidiary of QinetiQ North America, Bucchi served a long and distinguished career in the United States Navy, retiring in 2003 as Vice Admiral and Commander of the United States Third Fleet.
Designated a naval aviator in 1971, Bucchi’s military career is highlighted by numerous significant achievements. He was the first east coast fleet pilot to fire a Phoenix missile; served as an instructor at Top Gun, the navy fighter weapons school; and was the operations officer for Fighter Squadron 31 during its first year as an F-14 squadron.
In the 1990s, Bucchi participated in several U.S. missions in the Middle East. As deputy commander, Bucchi participated in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Provide Comfort, logging over 30 combat missions and more than 100 combat flight hours. Bucchi has completed various Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, and Persian Gulf cruises aboard the USS John F. Kennedy, USS America, and USS Theodore Roosevelt, amassing over 6,000 total flight hours and more than 1,000 carrier-arrested landings.
After assuming additional duties as deputy commander, Joint Task Force Southwest Asia in 1997, Bucchi received his second star and became the chief of naval air training. He subsequently received his third star in route to his assignment as commander, U.S. Third Fleet and the director of the navy’s sea-based battle lab.
Bucchi’s service to the country spans more than 30 years. During this time he received several honors including the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, five Navy Commendation Medals, and the Humanitarian Service Medal, just to name a few.
Immediately after retiring from active duty, Bucchi became chief operating officer, executive vice president, and later president of Ocean Systems Engineering Corporation (OSEC), a high tech software company.
Bucchi is also president of the San Diego Christian Foundation, an elder of the El Cajon Boulevard Church of Christ, and a member of Oklahoma Christian University’s Board of Directors for the Academy of Leadership and Liberty. He and his wife Marilyn Kay reside in Carlsbad, California. Their five grown children live in various parts of the country including Texas, Arkansas, Indiana, and New York.
