Ross E. Saxon, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Association of Diving Contractors International
http://www.adc-int.org

Dr. Saxon has, since 1992, served as the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of The Association of Diving Contractors, established in 1968. Between 1992 and 2001 the Association has grown from 200 member companies to over 460 engaged in commercial diving and underwater operations and to member company representation from 38 other nations. Under his leadership the Association has developed the resources and abilities to promote Safety, Communication and Education in commercial diving matters throughout the world.

Dr. Saxon served in the United States Navy between 1953 and 1974, advancing from Seaman through Chief Petty Officer and then, from Ensign through Lieutenant Commander. During active duty he served in one heavy cruiser, five submarines, as Officer in Charge of a mobile training team to transfer ownership to the Government of Italy of two U.S. submarines and to train their personnel. He was a pilot of the Bathyscaph TRIESTE II during which he made five dives on the sunken USS Scorpion. He also performed as a member of a team assigned by the Chief of Naval Operations to examine the construction and certify operators of civilian submersibles; and for some years prior retirement was Executive Officer of USS Ortolan (ASR-22) in the building and commissioning of a new class of Submarine Rescue Ship designed with two installed 810' saturation diving systems and the ability to deploy Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles [DSRV's].

At the time of retirement from active duty LCDR Saxon was the first, and at that time the only U.S. Naval officer, to ever hold the simultaneous qualification and or certifications of:

Qualified for Command of Submarines
Qualified for Command of Surface Ships
Qualified as a Deep Sea Diving (HEO2) Salvage, and Saturation Diving Officer
Qualified Deep Submergence Vehicle Operator [USN Certification No. 17]

Dr. Saxon attended the Armed Forces Staff College, completed the curriculum of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, holds a Bachelors Degree in Oceanographic Specialties, and both a Masters and Doctorate in Business Administration.

Since retirement from the U.S. Navy in 1974, Dr. Saxon has been actively employed in areas relating to underwater activity. His working involvement has been with:

Subsea Equipment Associates Limited [SEAL], London, and responsible for worldwide operations.
HydroTech International as Sales Manager, Eastern Hemisphere and later, responsible for business development.
Perry Oceanographic, Sales Manager, diving and submarine systems throughout the world.
Nautilus Environmentals as President and Chief Executive Officer during which the company delivered over 200 chamber systems and auxiliary equipment for diving, hyperbaric medical, and hypobaric training.
G & G Marine as Executive Vice President and Director. The company furnished commercial diving services for underwater hull inspection, repair, and cleaning to more than 200 shipping companies.

Dr. Saxon served as a member of the National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee (NOSAC) between 1995 and 2002; a Committee appointed by the Secretary of Transportation to assist the Commandant of the Coast Guard in developing, implementing, and refining policy for regulations and procedures under the jurisdiction of the USCG.

In 2000 Dr. Saxon was awarded the Association of Diving Contractors International highest award, the John B. Galletti Memorial Award presented to an individual who has demonstrated a life-long commitment to improvement of the commercial diving industry.

Dr. Saxon has written and published many articles in Industry Trade Magazines both in the United States and elsewhere. His doctoral dissertation has also been published as a guide to the development of International Standards for Commercial Diving.