Captain Tracy D. Connors USN (Ret)

Tracy D. Connors attended Jacksonville University, and earned Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Florida and the University of Rhode Island, respectively. His management and military career includes over 40 years total experience in a variety of responsible positions in business, government and philanthropic organizations.

Captain Connors’ military career began when he enlisted at age 17 as an Airman Recruit in the Naval Air Reserve, followed by training as an Aircrewman and Hospital Corpsman. It concluded in Washington many years later where he served on the staff of the Secretary of the Navy as the senior military officer of the LIFELines Initiative. In between was sea duty on several ships, Surface Warfare Officer qualifications, duty on numerous senior flag staffs, and several tours of duty on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations with duties in public affairs and project management.

His civilian career includes senior management positions with private and public sector organizations, including serving as Chief of Staff for Congressman Charles E. Bennett and as Director of Satellite Learning Services for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington.

From 1985 to 1999 he served in a variety of highly responsible positions for the Secretary of the Navy, the Chief of Naval Operations, and six Echelon I and II Navy commands in the National Capital Region prior to his Navy retirement in 1999.

His personal military awards include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (six awards), the Navy Commendation Medal (two awards) and the Navy Achievement Medal, in addition to various service awards.

Since publication of his Nonprofit Organization Handbook (McGraw-Hill) in 1979, the first such management publication in the field, to the present, Nonprofit Handbook: Management Third Edition (John Wiley & Son), the largest and most comprehensive management handbooks in print for nonprofit organizations have been those he prepared.

In addition to Truckbusters From Dogpatch and Baited Trap, The Ambush of Mission 1890, his other publications include:

• Nonprofit Handbook: Management (Third Edition + Annual Supplements), John Wiley & Sons, 1990-2001
• Flavors of the Fjords, Co-authored with Faith R. Connors, BelleAire Press, 1996
• Volunteer Management Handbook, John Wiley & Sons, 1995
• Nonprofit Organization Handbook (Second Edition), McGraw-Hill, 1979, 1985
• Dictionary of Mass Media & Communication, Longman, 1982
• Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations, AMACOM, 1982

Periodical publications in national news media and trade press, includes: U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings Magazine, All Hands Magazine, Surface Warfare Magazine, Direction, Navy News, Navy Wire Service, International Defense Images, Public Affairs Communicator, and National Productivity Review.

Captain Connors began Truckbusters as a memorial to his uncle, 1st Lt. Archie Connors, a Mustang pilot with the 67th Squadron. During a daring rescue mission to extract a downed Navy pilot deep in enemy territory on 25 June 1952, Lt. Connors was killed in action. The tribute to his uncle has grown into a much much comprehensive history of the 18th Wing in the Korean War.

	Serving as Officer of the Deck (underway), USS F. D. Roosevelt (CVA-42). During over three years and two deployments to the U.S. Sixth Fleet aboard the Roosevelt, Connors was a division officer qualified in bridge, quarterdeck and CIC watch standing.  During his final 18 months he served as Assistant Navigator, General Quarters and Sea Detail Officer of the Deck underway.
	LT Connors (center) during on-board Press Conference, USS Liberty attack incident, serving on the CINCLANTFLT Public Affairs Staff, Norfolk.  During his tour of duty at CINCLANT Fleet, he was heavily involved in command efforts to respond to such international stories as the USS Liberty attack, the USS Forrestal flight deck fire and the loss of USS Scorpion.  He also prepared the command's first directive and policy statement on command internal relations, including initiatives to improve morale and esprit de corps.
	Congressman Charles E. Bennett (right) saying goodbye to his former Chief of Staff. Bennett, the third senior Member of Congress at the time, was Chairman of the Seapower Subcommittee, House Armed Services Committee and Chairman of Florida's Congressional Delegation.  Connors also served as Executive Secretary for the Florida Congressional Delegation.
	Standing a bridge watch, USS Saipan (LHA-2), during NATO operations in Norway.
	CDR Connors presents a Naval Order of the United States award to Admiral Arleigh Burke, USN-Ret. Prior to the commissioning of USS Arleigh Burke, Connors served as Public Affairs Officer for Admiral Burke during preparations for the construction and commissioning of USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51).
	CDR Connors frequently led public affairs teams during NATO North Atlantic operations. (Left) While serving as Director of the Allied Public Information Center (APIC) during NATO operations in Northern Norway.
	Captain Connors briefs Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig while reviewing progress on the LIFELines initiative.  Connors inaugurated the Quality of Life Broadcast Network, a worldwide partnership that produced and aired quality of life programming.  He served as the senior military officer for the LIFELines initiative that was launched in 1999 to provide, worldwide, information and electronic access to Navy and Marine Corps support services.