Sarah Bellian comes to us from the Museum of the Gulf Coast in Port Arthur, Texas where she recently completed a maritime renovation project. She has ten years of museum experience and four years as a county historic preservation officer along with an MA in History from the University of Idaho.
We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Sarah aboard!
Starting last month as the new executive director of the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, Andrew “Homer” Ring acknowledges the legacy of the USS Bowfin submarine and the brave men and women that she honors.
“As a former Navy submariner being asked to lead this esteemed submarine museum is just an incredible privilege,” said Ring, who takes over for Charles “Chuck” Merkel after serving as museum director for nine years. “We at the museum understand the huge role and responsibility in honoring all submariners for their service and sacrifice.”
Ring brings over 28 years of leadership experience from a distinguished career in the U.S. Navy, where he served as a submariner and a senior officer worldwide. Most recently, he was the Chief Staff Officer at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam located next door to the submarine museum, managing more than 4,300 personnel and overseeing $22 billion in infrastructure, as well as a $250 million annual budget.
Throughout his career, Homer led complex operations and large teams, from commanding the fast-attack submarine USS Houston and the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land to managing major construction projects and global undersea surveillance programs. His background also includes work in national security, counterterrorism, and global strategic planning.
A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Homer holds multiple advanced degrees in fields including national security, engineering management, and liberal studies. He was also a Federal Executive Fellow at Harvard University, where he studied Chinese foreign policy.
“I’ve always been fascinated with military history,” he said. “There are so many courageous and powerful stories of our U.S. submariners throughout history that have been told and yet to be told, and we are excited in providing that opportunity to our museum visitors.”
We look forward to the vision, discipline, and innovation that Homer will bring as he leads PFSM into an exciting new chapter. Welcome aboard!
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