John D. Pearson, a Prometheus Principal Scientist, was the Faculty Chair of Mine Warfare at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey CA from January 2000 through January 2005. He was also President of the Mine Warfare Association from 1998-2007, an internationally recognized professional association, and is a life member of the National Defense Industrial Association. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1961. He was a USN Surface Warfare Officer over 35 years, and retired as a Rear Admiral in 1996.
Rear Admiral Pearson commanded USS THOMAS C. HART (FF-1092) from 1979-81, and USS TRUXTUN (CGN-35) from 1981-84. Ashore, he was the Commander, Joint Task Force Four (the U.S. Atlantic Command’s counter-narcotics detection and monitoring command) as his first flag officer command. He then was the Commander, U.S. Navy Mine Warfare Command from 1991-96, when he retired. He is the “Cal Ripken” of mine warfare, in command longer than any previous mine warfare commander.
He is qualified in nuclear propulsion and was the commissioning engineer officer of USS CALIFORNIA (DLGN-36). He also holds a M.S. degree in Underwater Acoustics from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School.
