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Michael Bucchi, who comes with a distinguished military background and leadership experience at high-tech companies, has been appointed as the newest member of the Pepperdine Board of Regents.
The addition of Bucchi, who will sit on the Finance and Administration Committee and the Religious Standards Committee, completes the board’s 40 members.
“Probably the most exciting thing is that this position places me with students,” said Bucchi, who resides with his wife, Marilyn Kay, in Carlsbad, Calif. “The students are where we get our energy and passion because by observing them you see what great things they’re accomplishing, and they’re what keep bringing us back to work.”
Before his position as senior vice president of Analex, a subsidiary of QuinetiQ North America, Bucchi served a rewarding career in the U.S. Navy, retiring in 2003 as Vice Admiral and Commander of the United States Third Fleet.
“For a number of years, we have known Admiral Bucchi and admired him,” President Andrew K. Benton said. “San Diego is an important area for us, and we wanted to add leadership to our board from that region of the state.”
According to Benton, Bucchi will be asked to attend quarterly board meetings, actively participate on two committees and “help us to advance the university in San Diego and elsewhere through his influence and contacts.”
Designated a naval aviator in 1971, Bucchi’s military career is highlighted by an array of accomplishments, among them serving as the first east coast fleet pilot to fire a Phoenix missile and acting as an instructor at Top Gun.
Bucchi also participated in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Provide Comfort, logging over 30 combat missions and more than 100 combat flight hours as deputy commander.
“Along with his stellar record in the military, the fact that he is an active church leader and that he understands and supports our mission all contributed to the decision of our regent membership committee to invite him to stand for election,” Benton said. “He did and was elected in June.”
Following his 30-plus-year military career, Bucchi served as chief operating officer, executive vice president and, ultimately, president of Ocean Systems Engineering Corporation, a high-tech software company. He is also president of the San Diego Christian Foundation and says his life experiences will help guide his new role with the Pepperdine community.
“The military is all about good planning in order to ensure success,” Bucchi said. “In war you have to make sure you have to plan for logistics and contingencies, but you don’t have to be in war to be involved with streamline planning.
“So both my military experience and the business world I’m in today will help me in working with a group of people with different ideas to make a plan and execute those plans.”
A team approach is very important to Bucchi, who also eagerly talked about his goals with the board.
“Not only do I want to help accomplish with a team of players the ability to keep education stable, but also bring it to another level,” he said. “I want to help the University maintain its Christian aspects and to, specifically, help those in financial situations as well.”
Submitted 08-27-2007
MALIBU, CA
