CAPT Alan G. Poindexter, USN
NASA Astronaut (Former)
Dean of Students and Executive Director of Programs
Naval Postgraduate School
Monterey, California

Born November 5, 1961 in Pasadena, California.  Married to the former Lisa A. Pfeiffer of Gulf Breeze, Florida. They have two grown children. Recreational interests include hiking, kayaking, photography, motorcycling, and fitness activities.

EDUCATION: Graduated from Coronado High School, Coronado, California. Graduated with highest honors from Georgia Institute of Technology with a bachelor of aerospace engineering degree and a master of science in aeronautical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1995.

EXPERIENCE: Poindexter was commissioned following graduation from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1986 and reported for flight training in Pensacola, Florida. He was designated a Naval Aviator in 1988 and reported to Fighter Squadron 124, Naval Air Station Miramar, California, for transition to the F-14 Tomcat. Following his initial training, Poindexter was assigned to Fighter Squadron 211, also at Miramar, and made two deployments to the Arabian Gulf during Operations Desert Storm and Southern Watch.  In 1993, he was selected to attend the Naval Postgraduate School/U.S. Naval Test Pilot School Cooperative Program. Following graduation in December 1995, Poindexter was assigned as a Test Pilot and Project Officer at the Naval Strike Aircraft Test Squadron (NSATS), Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Maryland. After  his tour at Patuxent River, Poindexter reported to Fighter Squadron 32, NAS Oceana, Virginia, where he was serving as a department head when he was selected for Astronaut training.  Initially, Poindexter served in the Astronaut Office Shuttle Operations Branch performing duties as the lead support astronaut at Kennedy Space Center.  He served as a CAPCOM for several missions and is a veteran of two space flights.  Captain Poindexter has logged more than 669 hours in space.   In 2008, he served as Pilot on STS-122, and in 2010 was the Commander of STS-131.  After his departure from NASA in December 2010, Poindexter returned to the Navy and assumed the duties as the Dean of Students and Commanding Officer of the Student Element at the Naval Postgraduate School.

Captain Poindexter has more than 4500 hours in over 30 aircraft types and has logged more than 450 carrier landings.  He is entitled to wear the following awards:  Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, NASA Flight Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat V, and various other service and campaign awards.