CAPT. GORDAN EVANS VAN HOOK, USN (RET)

Gordan Van Hook is currently with Maersk Line, Limited as their Senior Director for Innovation and Concept Development, working out of their Arlington Virginia office. Recently retired from the US Navy after 29 years, Captain Van Hook is a third generation naval officer who was born in Panama City, Florida.  He grew up in a Navy family and travelled extensively in his youth. After graduation with a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University, he jointed the Navy and was commissioned through Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI.

 In the Navy, Capt Van Hook had a broad and varied career, serving afloat in various destroyers and frigates. He was the Chief Engineer in USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (FFG-58) when she struck a mine in the Persian Gulf in 1988 during “the Tanker War”, and he was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat “V” for his actions to save the ship featured in two books: No Higher Honor by Brad Peniston and Inside the Danger Zone by Harold Wise. Captain Van Hook later commanded USS O’BANNON (DD-987) and served as the operations officer for the Fifth Fleet to launch Operation Enduring Freedom after 9/11. Capt Van Hook also commanded DESTROYER SQUADRON 23, and served as Sea Combat Commander for the NIMITZ (CVN-68) Strike Group. In his final job in the Navy he served as the Executive Director of the CNO Executive Panel, a group of 32 civilian leaders from government, industry and academia that provide pro bono advice to the CNO.

 Capt. Van Hook has a MS in Information Systems from the Naval Postgraduate School and an MA in National Security Strategy from the Naval War College. In his position with Maersk Line Limited, Capt Van Hook is focused upon ways that US maritime services can leverage commercial best practices and innovation. With his significant naval experience he also assists in maintaining an active dialog between industry and government on maritime security issues. 

Capt. Van Hook is married to the former Jacqueline Anne Gilbert from Kailua, Hi. They have three children: Graham (23), Hunter (20), and Margaret (14). His son Ensign Graham Van Hook is the fourth generation naval officer and currently deployed to the Middle East in USS RAMAGE (DDG-61).

USCG/SNA Forum    March 25, 2009 U.S. Coast Guard Academy   Leamy Hall