Dr. Tracy D. Connors, Captain USN (Ret)

 

Captain Tracy D. Connors, USN (Ret.), graduated from Jacksonville University (AA), the University of Florida (BA), and the University of Rhode Island (MA), followed by graduate study in public communications (University of Maryland), and human resource development (Bowie State University).

In 2013 he was awarded the Ph.D. Degree (with Distinction) in Human Services at Capella University with a specialization in Management of Nonprofit Agencies.  His dissertation is entitled, “Towards a Theory of Self-Renewed Excellence for Philanthropic Organizations, Defining and Validating Management Constructs Associated with Organizational Performance Improvement.”

In December 2013, Dr. Connors delivered the Commencement Address for JU’s Fall graduation.  At that time, Jacksonville University President Tim Cost conferred an Honorary Ph.D. in Leadership Excellence on Dr. Connors to recognize his “unsurpassed publication record” in the field of charitable-philanthropic organization management, and his “distinguished U.S. Navy service.” In addition, President Cost conferred the University’s first Honorary Associate of Arts Degree to recognize Dr. Connors’ tenure as a JU Student from 1957-1959, during which he was a member of JU’s first Soccer Team and President of the JU Chorus.

Captain Connors’ military career began when he enlisted at age 17 as an Airman Recruit in the Naval Air Reserve, followed by training as an Aircrewman and Hospital Corpsman. It concluded in Washington many years later where he served on the staff of the Secretary of the Navy as the senior military officer of the LIFELines Initiative. In between was sea duty on several ships, Surface Warfare Officer qualifications, duty on numerous senior flag staffs, and several tours of duty on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations with responsibilities in public affairs and project management.

His civilian career includes senior management positions with private and public sector organizations, including serving as Chief of Staff for Congressman Charles E. Bennett and as Director of Satellite Learning Services for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington.

His U.S. Navy service (Airman Recruit to Captain) included 32 years of active and inactive duty on several ships, Surface Warfare Officer qualifications, duty on numerous senior flag staffs, and several tours of duty on the staff of the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations with duties in public affairs and project management. His civilian career includes senior management positions with both private and public sector organizations, including serving as Chief of Staff for Congressman Charles Bennett and as Director of Satellite Learning Services for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington.

His personal military awards include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (six awards), the Navy Commendation Medal (two awards) and the Navy Achievement Medal, in addition to various service awards.

Since publication of his Nonprofit Organization Handbook (McGraw-Hill) in 1979, the first such management publication in the field, to the present, Nonprofit Handbook: Management Third Edition (John Wiley & Son), the largest and most comprehensive management handbooks in print for nonprofit organizations have been those he prepared.

In addition to Truckbusters From Dogpatch and Baited Trap, The Ambush of Mission 1890, his other publications include: 

Nonprofit Handbook: Management (Third Edition + Annual Supplements), John Wiley & Sons, 1990-2001

• Flavors of the Fjords, Co-authored with Faith R. Connors, BelleAire Press, 1996
• Volunteer Management Handbook, John Wiley & Sons, 1995
• Nonprofit Organization Handbook (Second Edition), McGraw-Hill, 1979, 1985
• Dictionary of Mass Media & Communication, Longman, 1982
• Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations, AMACOM, 1982

Periodical publications in national news media and trade press, includes: U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings Magazine, All Hands Magazine, Surface Warfare Magazine, Direction, Navy News, Navy Wire Service, International Defense Images, Public Affairs Communicator, and National Productivity Review.

Captain Connors began Truckbusters as a memorial to his uncle, 1st Lt. Archie Connors, a Mustang pilot with the 67th Fighter-Bomber Squadron. During a daring helicopter “pilot pickup” rescue mission on 25 June 1952 during which he was attempting to escort the helicopter to safety, Lt. Connors was killed in action. The tribute to his uncle has grown into a much much comprehensive history of the 18th Wing in the Korean War.