Captain Moran currently serves as Commanding Officer of the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). As a career naval aviator, he completed multiple combat tours flying the EA-6B Prowler aircraft, culminating with operational command of a carrier-based Electronic Attack Squadron. He gained experience across a broad spectrum of defense acquisition career fields with shore tours in program management, requirements generation and test & evaluation specialties. Additionally, he served as Deputy Commander for a joint unit in Baghdad, Iraq that fielded, maintained and tested systems designed to protect against Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Devices. Captain Moran earned a BS degree in Aero/Astro Engineering from MIT. He completed a Naval Postgraduate School/United States Naval Test Pilot School Cooperative Program, receiving an MS degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He earned a second masters degree as a distinguished graduate of the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy (formerly the Industrial College of the Armed Forces). His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards) and Air Medal (Individual with Combat "V" and 4 Strike/Flight awards).