WASHINGTON, D.C. --- A former staff director at U.S. Transportation Command has been nominated to become the Chief of Naval Operations it was announced here Monday.

Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen announced that the President has nominated Navy Adm. Vern E. Clark to succeed Adm. Jay L. Johnson to become the CNO.

Senate confirmation is required prior to assumption of the new position.

Johnson is scheduled to leave the post later this summer.

Clark is currently commander in chief of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, a post he has held since Sept. 1999.

He served as the USTRANSCOM director of plans and policy (J5) and director of financial management and analysis (J8) in the early 1990’s. His first flag assignment was at USTRANSCOM.

Clark was born in Sioux City, Iowa, and was raised in the Midwestern states of Nebraska, Missouri and Illinois. He received an undergraduate degree from Evangel College in Springfield, Missouri and then received an MBA from the University of Arkansas.

Following graduation, he entered Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, and was commissioned in August 1968.

Admiral Clark has received the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (three awards), the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (three awards), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), the Navy Commendation Medal, and various other service medals and unit awards.