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Headshot of Mike Connor

Mike Connor

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

A globally-recognized authority and speaker on undersea operations.

Bio
  • Bio
  • Press & media

Bio

Mike founded ThayerMahan in order to accelerate the United States’ ability to effectively and efficiently monitor ocean activity using autonomous systems. He serves as the company's CEO -- driving direction and decision-making.

Recognized globally as an authority on undersea operations, Mike brings a wealth of experience to this endeavor.  Over a 35-year career in which he rose to the rank of Vice Admiral in the United States Navy, Mike commanded at the ship, squadron, and task force levels.  His assignments include command of USS SEAWOLF, a nuclear-powered attack submarine; Submarine Squadron EIGHT; Undersea Forces in the Western Pacific; Undersea Forces in the Arabian Gulf; the United States Submarine Force; and NATO’s Allied Submarine Command.

Mike led the US Navy Submarine Force's move into robotic undersea systems, achieving key milestones including the first operational deployment and recovery of an unmanned vehicle from a submarine. He led an innovation effort that began the shift away from expensive undersea search operations platforms toward operations based on large numbers of inexpensive vehicles. In doing so, he broke new ground in undersea communications, development of undersea networks, and development of technology to support extended range undersea weapons.

Mike has written extensively on the future of undersea warfare and is a sought-after speaker on undersea warfare topics. 

Education

Bowdoin College
B.A. (Physics)

United States Naval War College
M.A. (National Security Studies)

Press & media

ThayerMahan growing quickly in Groton

New Offices in the Metro Washington D.C. Area

ThayerMahan Wins $19M Federal Contract

ThayerMahan To Open Mid-Atlantic Location in Virginia Beach

Courtney Applauds $19M Federal Contract for ThayerMahan

CT innovator IDs illegal trawlers with AI and ears in the ocean

Vineyard Wind Announces Investment In US-Based Bubble Curtain Supplier

ThayerMahan raises $30 million in Series C Funding

ThayerMahan Protects Subsea Cables

Vice Admiral Michael Connor addresses Technology Leadership Class of 2024

SEA-KIT Secures USV Export Deal

Groton Company Gets Spotlight for Connection to Offshore Wind

ThayerMahan Signs CRADA with NUWC-Newport

Ørsted, Eversource sign up Groton maritime technology developer

Industry Perspective: The Future of Maritime Domain Awareness [Connor]

Former Navy Rear Admiral Joins ThayerMahan as Defense Strategist

Connor Cited in Unmanned Systems Magazine

Kraken Receives $2.1 Million KATFISH Contract from ThayerMahan Inc.

Kraken and ThayerMahan Successfully Showcase SeaScout® during U.S. Navy Exercise

Kraken Announces Strategic Alliance with ThayerMahan

Undersea Manufacturing Ecosystem Taking Shape In Groton

Connor Joins Kraken Board

Kraken Robotics Inc. announced that retired Vice Admiral Michael J. Connor, U.S. Navy, has joined its Board of Directors.