Leadership

Commander Karen J. Teague

Commanding Officer, Naval Technical Training Center Meridian

Cmdr. Karen J. Teague, a native of Oakdale, California, graduated from the University of California, Davis in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Biology. She received her commission through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps from the University of California at Berkeley. After completing flight school, she was designated a naval aviator in March 2008. In 2011, she transferred to the Human Resources (HR) community. She holds a Master of Science in Operations Research at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, a Joint Professional Military Education Phase I certification and a Foundations of Executive Leadership certificate from Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri.

Lieutenant Commander Allison R. Samp

Executive Officer, Naval Technical Training Center Meridian

Lt. Cmdr. Samp, a native of North Palm Beach, Florida, graduated from the George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2012. Upon graduation, she received a commission through the Naval Reserve Officers Trainings Corps as a human resources officer. She holds a Master of Science degree in Operations Research and a Joint Professional Military Education Phase I certification at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California in 2016. Samps was awarded the Military Operations Research Society (MORS) Tisdale Graduate Research Prize for outstanding thesis.

Command Master Chief Richard C. Branam, II

Command Master Chief, Naval Technical Training Center Meridian

Command Master Chief Richard C. Branam, II, a native of Bedford, Texas, graduated from L.D. Bell High School in May 2000. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in September 2001 and began his career as a submarine radioman. He is a graduate of the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 201/Blue) and Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat Course. He was selected for the Command Master Chief Program in February 2021. He is a specialist in submarine warfare.