Lando W. Zech, Jr., Commissioner

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Lando W. Zech, Jr., a retired Vice Admiral and nuclear submarine Commander, became Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission on July 1, 1986. He has been a member of the Commission since July 5, 1984.

Chairman Zech’s last assignment before joining the Commission was Chief of Naval Personnel and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Manpower, Personnel, and Training. He was stationed in Washington, D.C., from July 1980 until his retirement on October 1, 1983.

During his 39 years of commissioned service in the U.S. Navy, he was Commanding Officer of both surface ships and submarines, including the experimental-high-speed submarine USS ALBACORE (AGSS-569), the nuclear submarine USS NAUTILUS (SSN-571), the fleet ballistic missile nuclear submarine USS JOHN ADAMS (SSBN-620), and the guided missile cruiser, USS SPRINGFIELD (CLG-7), flagship of Commander SECOND Fleet.

His shore duty included an assignment to the Secretary of the Navy’s Office of Program Appraisal; Deputy Chief of Legislative Affairs, Department of the Navy; and Deputy Commander of the Navy Recruiting Command, all in Washington, D.C., from 1970 to 1974. He then assumed the duties of Commandant of the Thirteenth Naval District, Seattle, Washington, until 1976, and Chief of Naval Technical Training, Memphis, Tennessee, until 1978. From 1978 to 1980, he served as Commander of U.S. Naval Forces in Japan.

Chairman Zech graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1944 and received an M.S. degree in International Affairs from George Washington University in 1971. Among his honors are two Distinguished Service Medals, two Legion of Merit Awards, and the Navy Commendation Medal.

June 1988

Note: Admiral Zech is now deceased.