REAR ADMIRAL MICHAEL A. SHARP, USN, (Ret.) is a native of Milwaukie, Oregon and a 1974 graduate of Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering.  In addition, he holds a Master of Science degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program.

His sea tours include Division Officer assignments and Weapons Officer, USS Swordfish (SSN 579); Chief Engineer Officer, USS Hawkbill (SSN 666); Executive Officer, USS Swordfish (SSN 579).  Rear Admiral Sharp was the Commanding Officer, USS San Francisco (SSN 711). 

Ashore, Rear Admiral Sharp served as a member of the Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board on the staff of Commander Pacific Fleet and Force Nuclear Power Officer for Commander, Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet.  Following sea command and transition to the Acquisition Corps, he served on the staff of the USS Seawolf (SSN 21) Combat System Program Office, followed by assignments as the Program Manager for Advanced Tactical Data Links and Program Manager for Submarine Communications.

Following promotion to Flag Rank in 2000, Rear Admiral Sharp served as the Program Executive Officer, Mine and Undersea Warfare, Vice Commander, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command and as the Chief Engineer for the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development Rear Admiral Sharp was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal upon retired after 30 years of service in January 2005.  In 2008 Rear Admiral Sharp was honored as an inductee into the Oregon State University School of Engineering Hall of Fame.  Since 2005, he has been employed by Raytheon Company and currently resides in Washington State.