Jaenichen Confirmed as U.S. Maritime Administrator

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Paul “Chip” Jaenichen as Maritime Administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration.

Jaenichen has been with MARAD since July 2012 when he was appointed Deputy Maritime Administrator by President Obama. Jaenichen was later appointed Acting Maritime Administrator after the former Maritime Administrator, David Matsuda, resigned from the post in 2013.

Captain Jaenichen was a career naval officer of 30 years with the U.S. Navy spent most of his time stationed on nuclear submarines. His final assignment was as Deputy Chief of Legislative Affairs for the Department of the Navy from October 2010 to April 2012. He served as Commanding Officer of USS ALBANY (SSN 753) from September 1999 to June 2002 and as Commander, Submarine Squadron ELEVEN in San Diego, California from April 2007 to September 2008. His shore tours included assignments as Director, Submarine/Nuclear Officer Distribution where he was responsible for career progression and assignment of over 5200 officers; as Officer-in-Charge of Moored Training Ship 635, one of two nuclear powered training platforms in Charleston, South Carolina, where he was responsible for initial operational training and qualification of over 1200 officer and enlisted operators annually; and as Chief, European and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Policy Division on the Joint Staff where he was responsible for military-to-military engagement on security cooperation and involvement in coalition operations with all 26 NATO member nations.

Captain Jaenichen’s earned a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering from the United States Naval Academy and a Masters in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University. His personal military awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (four awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards) and the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards). He lives in Bowie, MD with his wife, Paula Auclair Jaenichen, who is a National Board Certified teacher.

Jaenichen’s confirmation was applauded by the American Maritime Partnership, which acts as the voice of the domestic maritime industry.

“AMP members appreciate Administrator Jaenichen’s understanding that a strong domestic maritime industry is critical for U.S. economic, national, and homeland security and that this essential industry is best supported by maintaining the Jones Act, which serves as the foundation of the nation’s vibrant domestic maritime policy. We look forward to working with him to ensure that the American maritime sector can grow and thrive as we proudly continue our service to the nation,” said AMP Chairman Thomas A. Allegretti.

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