G. Russell Kirkland Distinguished Visiting Executive Lecture

Dean John E. Gamble 
and the faculty of the College of Business at
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
hosted the Kirkland Lecture honoring

Captain Steve Banta, Commanding Officer

Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, TX

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

University Center Anchor Ballroom

7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Captain Steve Banta

Captain Steve Banta was born at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California and is a 1991 graduate of the United States Naval Academy where he earned a bachelor’s degree in general engineering. He completed primary naval aviation training with the VT-27 Boomers at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi and became a naval aviator in 1994.

Capt. Banta’s first operational squadron was a helicopter anti-submarine squadron in Mayport, Florida. He completed deployments to the Mediterranean, Arabian Gulf, and Caribbean theaters and embarked on various cruisers, destroyers, and frigates. He also served as the squadron’s Assistant Operations Officer. He was a part of the first fleet unit to deploy and fire the Hellfire missile. Capt. Banta was next assigned as a flight instructor, serving in several officer positions. He left that post in September 2000 and reported to his next post where he coordinated all aspects of the group’s helicopter assets. He was deployed during the September 11, 2001, attacks and coordinated the daily schedules for over 40 helicopters in 16 different aviation units during the first four months of Operation Enduring Freedom. Capt. Banta’s next assignment was to HSL-46 for his Department Head/Officer-in-Charge tour.

In 2004, he was assigned to the Pentagon where he served with the staff conducting analysis for the Navy’s role in Operation Enduring Freedom. He was selected for command and served as the Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of the World Famous HSL-48 Vipers, earning several awards. After completing a year at the National War College and earning a master’s degree in National Security Strategy, he was assigned to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency where he served as lead Country Program Director for Afghanistan. Capt. Banta received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and several unit awards.

For more information call 361-825-2786 or email cobdeansoffice@tamucc.edu.