Capt. Gordan E. Van Hook, USN (Ret)

Former MOAA Board Member

Capt. Gordan E. Van Hook, USN (Ret)

Capt. Gordan E. Van Hook, USN (Ret) is a maritime consultant with his own company, Maritime Insights LLC, and contracted by Odense Maritime Technology. Previously, he was senior director for Ship Management and Chartering and senior director for Innovation and Concept Development with Maersk Line Ltd. In 2009, he led the Maersk crisis team in Mombasa, Kenya, responding to the hijacking of Maersk Alabama, organizing repatriation of the crew while assisting U.S. naval forces that rescued Capt. Richard Phillips.

In the U.S. Navy, Van Hook served as executive director of the CNO Executive Panel; commander, Destroyer Squadron 23; sea combat commander, USS Nimitz (CVN-68) Strike Group; operations officer for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Fifth Fleet during the USS Cole (DDG-67) bombing and launch of Operation Enduring Freedom after 9/11; commanding officer, USS O'Bannon (DD-987); executive officer, USS Scott (DDG-996); chief engineer, USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58) when she was mined in 1988; division officer in USS Barbey (FF-1088) and USS Goldsborough (DDG-20); and aide to COMCRUDESGRU 3/Battle Group Bravo. He also served ashore in OPNAV N86, N51/52, and NATO C3 Agency.

In addition to serving on MOAA's board of directors, Van Hook is a board member for the U.S. Naval Institute and the Navy League. He has a Master of Science in information systems from Naval Postgraduate School and a Master of Arts in national security strategy from the U.S. Naval War College.

Career Highlights

  • Led the Maersk crisis team in Mombasa, Kenya, responding to the hijacking of Maersk Alabama, organizing repatriation of the crew while assisting U.S. naval forces that rescued Capt. Richard Phillips
  • Former executive director of the CNO Executive Panel
  • Current board member for the U.S. Naval Institute and the Navy League