Maritime Administrator Sean T. Connaughton today announced the selection of Rear Admiral Allen Worley as Superintendent of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point.  Worley’s career has spanned more than 30 years of public service as a U.S. Navy officer and an educator.  He is currently Superintendent of the Texas Maritime Academy in Galveston.

   “Admiral Worley has a long career of leading, educating and inspiring young men and women in the Navy and as Superintendent of the Texas Maritime Academy,” said Connaughton, a 1983 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.  “His wealth of experience will allow him to positively and immediately impact the future direction of Kings Point.”

   “My wife, Margena, and I are very excited to have the opportunity to join the Kings Point family in continuing our lifelong passion of serving our Nation,” said Rear Admiral Worley.  “I look forward to working with the experienced faculty, staff, alumni and the Regiment of Midshipmen in charting a course for Kings Point as the premier maritime academy in the world.”

    The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y., is operated by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration.  The superintendent of the academy is responsible for the development of scholastic standards which encourage the intellectual, professional growth and physical well-being of midshipmen and effective and economical operation of the Academy facilities.  The position reports to the Maritime Administrator, and is often an influential position in the maritime industry worldwide.

   Worley is a 1974 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and holds advanced degrees from Webster University and the Naval War College.  During his tenure in the Navy, he served in various aviation and surface billets in both training and combat roles such as Squadron Commander and culminating with the position of Navy Base Commander in Diego Garcia.  Worley also held various staff roles throughout the Navy and served as Deputy Director for Programming on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations.  He also served as Professor of Naval Science and Commanding Officer of the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps at the University of Illinois.