Matthews to assume command of Fleet Readiness Center Southeast

Matthews began his tour as the command executive officer in August 2005. He was born in Zurich, Switzerland and grew up in Chevy Chase, Md. and various overseas locations. He attended the University of Colorado and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in aerospace engineering in 1980. Matthews was commissioned in August 1982, and was designated an aeronautical maintenance duty officer in 1983. He reported on board USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) in March 1984. In December 1986, he was reassigned to VQ-2 in Rota, Spain. In January 1990, Matthews reported to VAQ-132 at NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. While with VAQ-132, he served as assistant maintenance officer and maintenance material control Oofficer supporting the EA-6B aircraft on board USS Saratoga (CV 60).

From 1993 to 1995, Matthews attended the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif., where he received his Masters Degree in aeronautical engineering. In 1995, he assumed the duties of air wing maintenance officer with

Carrier Air Wing 14 at NAS Miramar, Calif. He was reassigned in 1997 to the Support Equipment Program Office, Naval Air Systems Command.

Matthews was officer-in-charge of the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Detachment (AIMD), NAS Whidbey Island, Wash., where he served from June 1999 to April 2002. In May 2002, Matthews reported to the Naval Air Depot, Jacksonville as quality assurance officer and production officer. From September 2004 until July 2005, Matthews held the position of director, Joint Depot Maintenance Activities Group, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

Capt. John Scanlan II

Scanlan's most notable achievement while performing his duties as commanding officer of FRCSE has been to change the corporate culture of the command from business as usual, to delivering aircraft ahead of schedule and at a reduced cost to the customer or delivering to promise. This is one of the hardest objectives to achieve in an organization, because it requires the respect and buy-in from personnel of leadership and the commitment and dedication to the mission and values of an organization. It can take years to change corporate culture and then successes are sometimes small and may be almost non-existent. This is not the case for FRCSE. Under the leadership of Captain Scanlan using innovation, change in business practices, constant promotion and support of continuous process improvement tools, and holding all personnel accountable, while treating them with dignity and respect, FRCSE is now delivering its products to the fleet under costs and ahead of schedule.

Scanlan, who assumed command in August 2005, will retire from active duty and begin his new career as chief operations officer of the Oklahoma City Public Schools District.