Rear Admiral John W. Bitoff

RADM Bitoff's career has covered the spectrum of operational and high-level staff assignments, both at sea and ashore. He commanded all the combat logistics ships in the U. S. Third Fleet during the first Gulf War and was responsible for the coordination of all U. S. Navy activities in Northern California. In the latter capacity, he directed the Navy rescue and recovery efforts following the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, an effort that included rescue operations, medical and fire fighting assistance, air re-supply, restoration of electrical power, housing, road clearing and other civil engineering projects. His last Washington assignment was Executive Assistant to the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff. Upon retirement, he was appointed by the Mayor of San Francisco as Director of Emergency Services.

The admiral did graduate work at the Catholic University of America, the National Defense University and Golden Gate University. He holds graduate degrees in international security policy and human resources management and was awarded a Doctor of Laws degree from Golden Gate University. He is currently an executive with the San Francisco Unified School District. He serves as a Director on the Salvation Army (San Francisco) Advisory Board, the First Responder Foundation, Protocol Professionals Inc. and The Veterans Health Research Institute.

Admiral Bitoff and his wife Maureen have a daughter Elizabeth, who is married to a U.S. Army Colonel currently serving in Afghanistan.