| Search Our Site: | NPS Foundation Networks: |    |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Retired Rear Admiral Merrill Ruck became the Executive Director of the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation on October 1, 2005. He moved to the Monterey Peninsula from North Carolina after serving 34 years as a Naval Officer. During his time in the Navy, RADM Ruck served as officer in charge of a Swift Boat in Vietnam, Commanding Officer of USS Bagley FF1069, Engineering Officer USS Coral Sea CV43, Commander Destroyer Squadron 31, Assistant Deputy Director Political Military Affairs in the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Commander Naval Base San Francisco. [view full bio]
Cathy Bachl is the Director of Membership Programs for the NPS Foundation and has been with the NPS Foundation since August 2009. Ms. Bachl graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Business/Marketing. Ms. Bachl worked as a Marketing Coordinator for Doctors Hospital and Houghston Sports Medicine Hospital while in Columbus, GA and then transitioned to a career in Architecture/Engineering marketing with Gresham, Smith and Partners in Nashville, TN. Ms. Bachl then served as the Director of Marketing for five years with BCRA Architecture/Engineering Firm headquartered in Tacoma, Washington. [view full bio]
Lauren Ciullo is the Director of Programming for the NPS Foundation. Ms. Ciullo is originally from Buffalo, New York but moved to Monterey with her husband from Norfolk, Virginia where she previously worked as a Contract Specialist for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center. In addition to working for the Navy as a federal employee, Ms. Ciullo worked as a graduate intern with Lockheed Martin Corporation as well as the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Ms. Ciullo has a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Business Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Accounting and Finance from the Florida Institute of Technology. Ms. Ciullo is married to LT Dan Ciullo, USN who is a current student at NPS in Systems Engineering Analysis. [view full bio]
Natasha Merkle is the Director of Communications for the NPS Foundation. Ms. Merkle began working for the NPS Foundation in March 2009. In June 2010, she relocated to Virginia, but continues to work remotely for the NPS Foundation from the Northern Virginia/DC Metro area. Prior to her work at the NPS Foundation, Ms. Merkle worked in the Human Resources industry in Honolulu, Hawaii as a Human Resources Manager and Corporate Recruiter in the hotel and banking industries. Ms. Merkle is originally from Mason, Ohio and is a graduate of Miami University (Oxford, Ohio) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. She is currently enrolled at Gonzaga University to obtain her Master of Arts in Communication and Leadership Studies. [view full bio]
Karen Woodson is the Peacock Gift Shop Coordinator for the NPS Foundation. She began working for the NPS Foundation in March 2010. Ms. Woodson is originally from Fayetteville, NC and lived there until she moved to Monterey in January 2006. She obtained an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice at Fayetteville Technical Community College. After graduation she took a few years to focus her time as a stay-at-home mother. Previously, Ms. Woodson was an Elementary School Teaching Assistant for the Cumberland County School System in Fayetteville, NC. Ms. Woodson is married to Major Glenn Woodson, a graduate of the Defense Analysis Program at NPS. She is the proud mother of Spencer, Shelby, Sierra and Sterling. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering at local events. [view full bio]
