Full Biography for Richard F. "Rick" Nathanson

Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Folsom Cordova Unified School District

COMMANDER RICHARD F. NATHANSON, USNR, RETIRED

Commander Richard F. Nathanson was born 26 June 1954, the son of Joseph S. and Maxine M. Nathanson in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was commissioned Ensign, U.S. Navy, from the United States Naval Academy in June 1976.

Commander Nathanson reported aboard the Destroyer USS TURNER JOY (DD-951) in August 1978 where he served as Electronics Material Officer, Combat Information Officer and Weapons Officer until February 1981. After graduating with distinction at the Surface Warfare Department Head School in Newport, Rhode Island, Commander Nathanson served as Operations Officer in USS SCHOFIELD (FFG-3) from May 1984 to July 1986. He then served as Operations Officer in USS OBRIEN (DD-975) from August 1986 until February 1988. From April 1988 to December 1989 he served as Executive Officer of the USS GRAY (FF-1054). Commander Nathanson commanded USS MAUNA KEA (AE-22) from January 1993 through decommissioning on 30 June 1995.

Significant shore assignments include Director of the Gunnery School at Service School Command, Great Lakes, Illinois and Assistant Training Officer at the Naval Reserve Readiness Command Region ONE in Newport, Rhode Island. From February 1990 through June 1992, he commanded of the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Readiness Center in Sacramento, California. He assumed Director, Surface Reserve Personnel in New Orleans, Louisiana, in August 1995.

Commander Nathanson's awards include the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal (Jun 86) and Navy Commendation Medal (Aug 84 - Jul 86) while serving in USS SCHOFIELD and the Navy Achievement Medal (Aug 86 - Feb 88) while serving in USS O'BRIEN. He received his second Navy Commendation Medal (Apr 88 - Dec 89) while serving in USS GRAY and his third Navy Commendation Medal (Feb 90 - Jun 92) while in command of the Sacramento Readiness Center. While in Command of USS MAUNA KEA (Jan 93 - Jun 95) he received the Meritorious Service Medal while earning two Battle Efficiency Awards and two Chief of Naval Operations Safety awards.

Commander Nathanson is married to Mara Zebest of Randallstown, Maryland. They have two children, David (14) and Leah (10) The Nathansons retired in Folsom, California where Richard is the Senior Accounting Technician for the Accounts Payable division at the Sacramento County Office of Education.