Board Member Mark H. Buzby ’75N
Former Farragut Board Member Mark H. Buzby ’75N: Three Stages of his Career
In June of 2017, Farragut Board Member and Alumnus of the Class of 1975N, Rear Admiral Mark H. Buzby was nominated for the position of the head of the Department of Transportation’s MARAD. These are the stages of his career leading to this position.
Stage One:
Admiral Farragut Academy
1971-1975
A review of the Admiral Farragut Academy (Pine Beach) Yearbook from 1975 shows the many accomplishments of Mark Buzby. Under his class picture lists that he is from Linwood, New Jersey; his nickname is “Buz”; his activities are numerous including Football, Softball, Volleyball, and Track. He was active at the waterfront racing the sailboats and whaleboats. He received ribbons for almost all awards available. Under Favorites, he listed Ships, The Sea, My Country. Under Ambition—United States Naval Officer. His Quote was “Clear the decks for action, men!!”
In the Who’s Who? section, Mark was chosen as “Most Dignified,” “Best Sailor,” “Most Respected,” and “Best Leader.” Under the title Water Under the Bridge where the yearbook editors write about their previous years at Farragut, at the beginning of the year 1974 they write: “Upon returning to school in September, we were not surprised to find Mark Buzby our Battalion Commander. Consequently, we knew we would have a great year.”
In the Class Prophesy it reads: “BUZBY – Mark has graduated from Annapolis, and, after 25 years of active duty, has become Chief of Naval Operations for the United States Navy.” In ‘75 Class Will, Mark says: “I leave my patience and leadership abilities to the next B.C.; my seamanship abilities to the ablest seaman; and a bit of advice to all Cadets I leave behind —don’t give up the ship!”
In one of the final pages of the yearbook, Mark took out the following personal advertisement: “A Word of Thanks—I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all my friends of the staff, faculty, and Corps of Cadets; too numerous to name, but have contributed in some way to make these last four years of my life. I will not soon forget the great things you have done for me. May you have calm seas always. Signed, Mark H. Buzby, Battalion Commander, Admiral Farragut Academy, 7 June 1975.”
Stage Two:
Naval Rear Admiral
1975-2013
A 1979 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Buzby earned his Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science and U.S. Coast Guard Third Mate License. He was commissioned in June 1979, is a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College and holds master’s degrees from the U.S. Naval War College and Salve Regina University in Strategic Studies and International Relations.
As a surface warfare officer, Buzby made numerous deployments aboard cruisers and destroyers to include: USS Connole (FF 1056), USS Aries (PHM 5), USS Yorktown (CG 48) and USS Shiloh (CG 67). Buzby commanded the destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) which included the ship’s first Mediterranean/Persian Gulf deployment.
Following this tour, Buzby returned to sea as U.S. 6th Fleet assistant operations officer participating in combat operations as part of NATO’s Operation Allied Force in Kosovo. He then assumed command of Destroyer Squadron 31 as the sea combat commander for the Abraham Lincoln Battle Group during two deployments in support of Operations Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan, respectively.
Ashore, Buzby has served on the Navy staff as the Point Defense Anti-Air Warfare section head for Surface Warfare Division and as Aegis Combat System development officer. Early joint experience was on the Joint Staff, Joint Operations Division as an operations officer and chairman’s briefer. He was the 16th commanding officer of Surface Warfare Officers School command.
As a flag officer, Buzby has served on the Navy staff as deputy for Surface Ships, deputy for Surface Warfare and deputy for Expeditionary Warfare. He has also served as commander, Joint Task Force Guantanamo, and most recently as deputy chief of Staff for Global Force Management and Joint Operations, U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Buzby served as the commander of the U.S. Navy’s Prep school Sealift Command from October 2009 to March 2013.
Buzby’s personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (four awards), Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (five awards) and various other unit and campaign awards.
Stage Three:
2013 to Present
After retiring from the Navy in 2013, Mark became the president and CEO of the National Defense Transportation Association, a group of transportation, logistics and passenger travel professionals in industry and government. He also sat on the boards of several maritime corporations and became a member of the Board of Directors for Admiral Farragut Academy. In June of 2017, President Donald trump nominated him to become the head of the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD). After Congressional Approval, Mark was sworn in as the new Administrator in August.
As Maritime Administrator, Mark leads an agency tasked with promoting the use of waterborne transportation and its seamless integration with other segments of the transportation system; and the development and maintenance of an adequate, well-balanced U.S. Merchant Marine, sufficient to carry a substantial portion of the nation’s waterborne commerce, and capable of service in time of war or national emergency. The Maritime Administration also oversees the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
At his swearing in ceremony, Admiral Buzby stated: “I grew up on the water, piloting vessels from the time I was nine years old, and have a love for the sea. It was one of my great honors of my life to serve as Maritime Administrator, and to start working to grow and revitalize the U. S. Merchant Marine, and ensure our nation continues its maritime leadership.”
