Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Captain Quinn enlisted in the United States Navy in January, 1970. From November 1971 - December 1975 he served as an Electronics Technician (Radar) in USS RATHBURNE (DE-1057), completing an extended deployment in the Tonkin Gulf, and a deployment to the Tonkin Gulf, Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. A 1980 Amherst College graduate with a BA degree in Political Science, he earned his commission at Navy Officer Candidate School in September of that year.

Captain Quinn’s sea assignments include duty as Navigator in USS BREWTON (FF-1086), where he completed three Western Pacific deployments; Weapons Officer in USS OUELLET (FF-1077), with a Northern Pacific deployment; Combat Systems Officer in USS TEXAS (CGN-39), deploying to the Arabian Gulf; Executive Officer, USS PRINCETON (CG-59), deploying to the Arabian Gulf; Commanding Officer, USS CURTIS WILBUR (DDG-54), in Yokosuka, Japan, operating throughout the Western Pacific, completing a no-notice Arabian Gulf deployment; and duty as Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations (N3) on the staff of Commander, SIXTH Fleet, embarked in USS LASALLE (AGF-3), homeported in Gaeta, Italy, deploying to the Black Sea, Adriatic Sea, and throughout the Mediterranean.

In September, 2004, Captain Quinn took command in USS ANTIETAM (CG-54), deploying in February 2005 as Air Defense Commander in the CARL VINSON Strike Group, including 116 days of operations in the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On this deployment ANTIETAM made history as the first-ever Aegis cruiser embarked by a foreign flag officer for coalition combat operations, serving as flagship for Commander, Task Force 58, a Royal Australian Navy flag officer and staff, conducting Maritime Security Operations, and directing Iraqi oil platform defense over the course of two months on station at Abot and Kaaot oil terminals in the North Arabian Gulf combat zone. Departing the Arabian Gulf, ANTIETAM transited the Red Sea and Suez Canal, and steamed in the Mediterranean and Atlantic, returning to the Pacific and homeport in San Diego via the Panama Canal, completing a seven month around-the-world deployment.

A Navy political-military sub-specialist, Captain Quinn earned Masters Degrees in National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School, and in International Relations at the Naval War College. His assignments ashore included duty as Associate Chairman, Political Science Department, United States Naval Academy; Surface Warfare staff officer in the Chief of Naval Operations Navy Roles and Missions Cell (N3A/5A); duty at the Bureau of Naval Personnel as the Surface Lieutenant Commander Detailer (PERS 411), and Surface Commander Detailer (PERS 410), and a tour of duty as Surface Strike/Tomahawk Section Head (N764F), and Warfare Systems Branch Head (N764) in the Surface Warfare directorate at OPNAV. Reporting as Executive Officer in November 2006, Captain Quinn assumed the duty as Commanding Officer, Tactical Training Group, Atlantic in April 2008. Captain Quinn assumed the duty as Commander, Navy Munitions Command in August 2009.

Captain Quinn has been awarded the Legion of Merit (3 awards), Meritorious Service Medal (5 awards), Navy Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy Achievement Medal, and Navy Enlisted Good Conduct Medal in addition to various campaign and unit awards. In September 2000, the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy appointed then-Commander Quinn an honorary Navy Chief Petty Officer.

Frances G. Holt
Executive Director
Navy Munitions Command

Dr. Frances G. Holt has been Executive Director of the Navy Munitions Command since 2006. She was a key visionary and leader for the establishment of the Command.

During the period 1993-2006, Dr. Holt was Executive Director of organizations responsible for management of the Atlantic Fleet’s East Coast ordnance operations. These organizations included the Atlantic Ordnance Command and its predecessor commands, the Weapons Support Facility Yorktown and the Atlantic Division of the Naval Ordnance Center. In 1987, Dr. Holt was selected as the first Deputy to the Commanding Officer at WPNSTA Yorktown. She served in this capacity until 1993.

From July 1984 to March 1987, Dr. Holt was Technical Director of the Weapons Quality Engineering Center of WPNSTA Yorktown. She was the first woman selected to a GM-15 position in the Station's history. Additionally, she served as Deputy to the Director of Combat Systems, Field Operations, and the Ordnance Support Group of Naval Sea Systems Command.

Dr. Holt held the position of Head, Engineering Department of the Naval Mine Warfare Engineering Activity from July 1983 to July 1984. She held the position of Head, Test Engineering Department from June 1981 to July 1983. From 1966 to 1981, Dr. Holt served as the materials engineering expert of the Naval Mine Warfare Engineering Activity. She created the Materials Engineering Division.

Before becoming a civil servant, Dr. Holt worked as a research chemist for the Dow Chemical Company. She headed the Microscopy Laboratory for the Research Department of Dow’s James River Plant, Williamsburg, Virginia.

Dr. Holt's many awards include two Navy Superior Civilian Service Medals, three Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Medals, numerous Letters of Commendation, Superior Performance Award for Air-Launched Missile Maintenance Improvements, career-sustained Outstanding Performance Awards, three patent disclosures, numerous technical publications, and the award of Federally Employed Woman of the Year for the federal activities in the Norfolk area.

Dr. Holt has earned degrees from North Carolina State University, George Washington University, and the College of William and Mary in Virginia. She graduated from Apex High School in Apex, NC as class valedictorian and president. She graduated with high honors from N.C. State, where she was a Talent for Service Scholar, a member of the national scholastic society of Phi Kappa Phi, an officer in many college organizations, and a cheerleader.