SAMUEL THORNE
Chesapeake,Virginia
Summary
Electrical Power Systems | Electromechanical Systems | DoD Engineering | Technical Program Leadership Engineering and technical operations leader with more than 22 years of progressive experience leading the operation, integration, sustainment, testing, troubleshooting, and modernization of complex electrical power, propulsion, control, and electromechanical systems supporting U.S. Navy and Department of Defense missions. Proven history leading multidisciplinary engineering organizations of more than 100 personnel, executing multimillion-dollar maintenance and modernization initiatives, solving complex technical challenges, and partnering with government engineers, shipbuilders, defense contractors, and OEMs to deliver reliable engineering solutions.
Overview
1
1
Certification
2
2
years of post-secondary education
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Engineering Operations Leader
USS Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD-29)
12.2023 - Current
- Lead an engineering organization of more than 100 personnel responsible for electrical generation, distribution, propulsion support, HVAC, auxiliary equipment, and industrial control systems.
- Established maintenance, qualification, electrical safety, reliability, and readiness programs to support fleet introduction as a plank owner.
- Coordinate with NAVSEA engineers, shipbuilders, OEM representatives, and defense contractors to resolve technical issues and implement engineering solutions.
- Led troubleshooting, operational testing, casualty response, and restoration of mission-critical electrical and electromechanical systems.
- Serve as principal engineering advisor regarding reliability, engineering risk, maintenance prioritization, and operational readiness.
- Led engineering department as Chief Petty Officer, overseeing operations and personnel.
Technical Training Program Manager
Recruit Training Command
07.2020 - 12.2023
- Managed technical training for over 1,200 personnel, enhancing skill development and operational readiness.
- Administered $2.2M organizational performance contract, ensuring alignment with training objectives and resource optimization.
- Improved qualification rates from 28% to 78% through structured technical mentorship.
- Oversaw curriculum implementation for technical training programs
- Developed training programs for recruits in alignment with Navy standards.
- Assessed training needs through surveys and feedback from recruits and staff.
- Collaborated with leadership to refine training materials and methodologies.
Electrical Distribution Operations Leader
USS Bataan (LHD-5)
01.2016 - 07.2020
- Oversaw electrical distribution to maintain operational readiness. Leading Chief Petty Officer
- Led a team of over 40 electricians and three Chief Petty Officers to achieve effective operations and adhere to safety standards.
- Executed two Planned Incremental Availabilities, managing 4,200 maintenance actions and modernization efforts exceeding $8M to enhance operational readiness.
- Directed electrical safety and tag-out programs for maintenance evolutions.
- Oversaw electrical distribution systems, maintaining operational efficiency and safety.
Electrical Technician
USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62)
06.2010 - 07.2012
- Maintained forward-deployed electrical generation and distribution systems, ensuring reliable propulsion support and auxiliary engineering operations.
- Conducted routine inspections of electrical equipment for safety compliance.
- Conducted routine inspections of electrical equipment for safety compliance.
- Conducted routine inspections of electrical equipment for safety compliance.
- Conducted routine inspections of electrical equipment for safety compliance.
Electrical Technician
USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74)
06.2005 - 07.2010
- Maintained aircraft carrier electrical generation, distribution, propulsion support equipment, and auxiliary systems.
- Assisted in troubleshooting electrical faults to maintain system functionality.
- Conducted routine inspections of electrical equipment for safety compliance.
- Operated specialized tools for wiring and circuit assembly tasks efficiently.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Liberal Arts
Excelsior University
Albany, NY 07.2024 - 07.2026
Leadership And Ethics
U.S. Senior Enlisted Academy
03.2023 - 05.2023
Senior Enlisted Propulsion Engineering
U.S. Navy Surface Officers School
01.2016 - 03.2016
Skills
- Engineering Leadership
- Engineering Operations Management
- Systems Integration
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Technical Mentorship
- Operational Readiness
- Engineering Program Development
- Risk Management
- Electrical & Power Systems
- Electrical Power Generation
- Electrical Distribution
- AC/DC Power Systems
- Steam & Diesel Plants
- Industrial Control Systems
- Electromechanical Systems
- Power Conversion
- Switchboards
- Frequency Converters
- Motor Control Systems
- Engineering & Reliability
- Reliability Engineering
- Root Cause Analysis
- Failure Investigation
- Operational Testing
- Test & Evaluation
- Preventive & Corrective Maintenance
- Engineering Documentation
- Lifecycle Asset Management
Certification
- Engineering Officer of the Watch (EOOW) – Steam Plant
- Engineering Officer of the Watch (EOOW) – Diesel Plant
- Electrical Safety Officer
- Electrical Safety Program Manager
- Tag-Out Program Manager
- Master Training Specialist (MTS)
- U.S. Department of Labor Registered Electrician Apprenticeship (8,000 Hours)
- U.S. Department of Labor Registered Maintenance Electrician Apprenticeship (8,000 Hours)
- U.S. Department of Labor Registered Computer Operator Apprenticeship (2,000 Hours)
- Active U.S. Secret Security Clearance
MAJOR ENGINEERING PROJECTS
- USS Richard M. McCool Jr. Fleet Introduction
- Established engineering maintenance strategy, qualification pipelines, electrical safety programs, operational testing procedures, and engineering readiness processes supporting transition from construction to fleet service.
- USS Bataan Planned Incremental Availabilities
- Directed engineering planning and execution during two large-scale maintenance availabilities involving approximately 4,200 maintenance actions and more than $8 million in modernization efforts.
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION & TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP
- USS Richard M. McCool Jr. Fleet Introduction
- Established engineering maintenance strategy, qualification pipelines, electrical safety programs, operational testing procedures, and engineering readiness processes supporting transition from construction to fleet service.
- USS Bataan Planned Incremental Availabilities
- Directed engineering planning and execution during two large-scale maintenance availabilities involving approximately 4,200 maintenance actions and more than $8 million in modernization efforts.
Timeline
Bachelor of Science - Liberal Arts
Excelsior University
07.2024 - 07.2026
Senior Engineering Operations Leader
USS Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD-29)
12.2023 - Current
Leadership And Ethics
U.S. Senior Enlisted Academy
03.2023 - 05.2023
Technical Training Program Manager
Recruit Training Command
07.2020 - 12.2023
Senior Enlisted Propulsion Engineering
U.S. Navy Surface Officers School
01.2016 - 03.2016
Electrical Distribution Operations Leader
USS Bataan (LHD-5)
01.2016 - 07.2020
Electrical Technician
USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62)
06.2010 - 07.2012
Electrical Technician
USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74)
06.2005 - 07.2010