Biography - Mark Kuharik, LCDR, U.S. Navy (Retired)

Mark was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio.  He graduated from West Technical High School in June 1975.  With a Congressional Appointment, he entered the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland in July 1975.  Mark graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Oceanography in May 1979 and was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. 

After attending Surface Warfare Officer School in Coronado, California, he reported to the pre-commissioning crew for USS FLETCHER (DD 992) in San Diego, California.  USS FLETCHER was commissioned in July 1980 at Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi.  He served as Damage Control Assistant for eighteen months; Gunnery & Fire Control Officer for six months; and Navigator & Administrative Officer for twelve months.  During his service on USS FLETCHER, Mark completed all of the qualifications and was officially designated as a Surface Warfare Officer.

In August 1983, he reported to the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.  He earned a Master of Science degree in Physics in December 1985.  He then attended Engineering Duty Officer School in Mare Island, California.

Then, in March 1986, he was transferred to the Naval Underwater Systems Center in New London, Connecticut.  He served as the Program Manager of the U.S. Navy Surface Ship Torpedo Defense Program at this facility for two years.  Then he served as the Deputy Division Head for the Tactical & Fleet Support Systems Division for two years.  During these four years, Mark completed all of the qualifications and was officially designated as an Engineering Duty Officer.

In March 1990, he was assigned to the Naval Sea Systems Command in Arlington, Virginia.  For the next three years, he served as the Acquisition & Logistics Manager for the US/UK Surface Ship Torpedo Defense Joint Project Office.

Then, in March 1993, he was transferred to the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, Virginia.  He served as the Military Assistant for the Weapons Systems Department and as the facility Ordnance Officer.  During 1995, Mark completed all of the qualifications and was officially designated as a Navy Acquisition Professional.  In November 1995, he officially retired from the U.S. Navy as a Lieutenant Commander. 

However, starting in August 1995, he went to work for CACI Incorporated in Arlington, Virginia as a Senior Logistician.  For the next three-and-a-half years, he provided acquisition & logistic support to the Naval Surface Fire Support Program in the Naval Sea Systems Command.

In March 1999, Mark went to work for Anteon Corporation in Arlington, Virginia as a Technical Director.  For over two years, he provided program management & acquisition support to the Program Executive Office for Theater Surface Combatants.

Then, in June 2000, he went to work for ELS Incorporated in Arlington, Virginia as a Principal Engineer.  For a year-and-a-half, he provided acquisition, logistic, and engineering support to the Navy Program Office that provided control consoles and processing cabinets to DDG 51 class ships as they were being built. For two-and-a-half years, he provided acquisition & logistic support to the Navy/Marine Corps Intranet Program. Finally, from June 2004 until his retirement in December 2018, Mark worked directly for the Program Manager of the DDG 51 Shipboard Network and provided him acquisition, financial, logistic, and engineering support.

Mark met his future wife Carol while he was a sophomore at the Naval Academy and they were married in June 1979 in Annapolis, Maryland after he graduated.   They are still married and have three children and nine grandchildren.