Admiral Frank L. "Skip" Bowman, U.S. Navy, is the Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. He began his naval career in June 1966, following graduation from Duke University. He subsequently completed a dual master's program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was awarded master of science degrees in nuclear engineering and naval architecture/marine engineering in July 1973, and was elected to Sigma Xi honorary. He is also a graduate of Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government (Senior Officials National Security Course), and a past member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

During his 32-year career, he has served around the world in various capacities aboard six Navy vessels (five of which were nuclear-powered submarines), including command of USS CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI (SSN 705) and USS HOLLAND (AS 32). Ashore, Admiral Bowman has served on the staffs of several high-ranking flag and general officers, including the Chief of Naval Personnel, the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was also a member of the CNO's Strategic Studies Group. His previous assignments as a flag officer are Deputy Director of Operations, Joint Staff (J-3); Director for Political-Military Affairs (J-5), Joint Staff; and Chief of Naval Personnel.

As the fourth Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion (a position first held by Admiral Hyman G Rickover), Admiral Bowman is responsible for the program that oversees the design, development, procurement, operation, and maintenance of all the nuclear propulsion plants that power the Navy's fleet of nuclear warships. He is also responsible for the safe operation of more than 100 nuclear reactors aboard submarines and surface ships on patrol worldwide. These ships are operated by thousands of officers and sailors who are selected and trained by the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. The extensive training and high standards established by this program are evidenced by the long tradition of safe operation of these nuclear propulsion plants and their support facilities. Since 1954, when USS Nautilus first went to sea on nuclear power, U.S. nuclear-powered ships have steamed over 112,000,000 miles (more than 4,800 reactor years) without a nuclear accident or an environmentally significant release of radioactivity. Finally, Admiral Bowman is responsible for research and development of advanced reactor designs for future warships.

ADM Bowman has been awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit, along with numerous other personal awards. In addition, he was recently named an Officier de l'Ordre National du Mérite by the Government of France.