REAR ADMIRAL KATHLEEN K. PAIGE Chief Engineer, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition/ Director, Theater Air and Missile Defense and Systems Engineering

Born in Schenectady, New York in August 1948, and raised in Scotia, New York, Admiral Kathleen K. Paige is a 1970 graduate of the University of New Hampshire and was commissioned in 1971.

Her first tour of duty was at VFP-63 San Diego, California. Subsequent tours of duty included: Fleet Combat Direction System Support Activity, San Diego, California; Acquisition Manager in the Navy's Standard Embedded Computer Resource Office, Arlington, Virginia; AEGIS C3 Warfare Officer, Arlington, Virginia; Baseline Manager for the Combat Systems Division of the AEGIS Shipbuilding Program, Arlington, Virginia; Chief Engineer, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme, California; and Technical Director, AEGIS Program Office, Arlington, Virginia.

Her first Flag Officer assignment was as Commander, Naval Surface Warfare Center in July 1996. In June 1998, she was assigned as Deputy Program Executive Officer for Theater Surface Combatants. In April 1999, she was assigned the additional duty as Chief Engineer to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition. In September 1999, she was assigned as Director, Theater Air and Missile Defense and Systems Engineering. In May 2000, Admiral Paige was frocked to Rear Admiral (Upper Half). She completed her Master of Science Degree from Naval Post Graduate School in 1976 in Monterey, California. She was designated an Engineering Duty Officer in 1981. She is a graduate of the Defense Systems Management College and the Cornell University Program for Executives. While attending the Engineering Duty Officer Basic Course, she was awarded the VADM Bryan Award for academic excellence.

Admiral Paige's personal decorations include the Legion of Merit (2 awards), the Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), and the Navy Achievement Medal.

She is married to Captain David Tuma, USN (Ret). They reside in Arlington, Virginia.