Zoah Scheneman
Advisor to the Board since August 2025
A seasoned former naval officer with over three decades of service, Captain (ret) Zoah Scheneman began his career in 1987 as an enlisted Operations Specialist. His initial tour aboard the USS WISCONSIN (BB-64) saw him deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, participating in Tomahawk strikes and the last-ever 16-inch naval gunnery support. He continued sea service with the USS ANZIO (CG-68) and Commander Carrier Group EIGHT (CCG8), supporting operations in Serbia and the protection of the Kingdom of Jordan.
He was commissioned in 1996, serving as Gunnery Officer and Ship’s Training Officer on the USS BRISCOE (DD-977) before his department head tours as Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer on the USS MCFAUL (DDG-74), where he deployed twice in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.
Captain Scheneman’s career in missile defense began at the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), where he served as Deputy of Operational Concept Development, focusing on the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense program and coordinating with foreign partners. He also served as Flag Aide to the Aegis BMD Program Director. He went on to command the USS MAHAN (DDG-72) as both Executive Officer and Commanding Officer during two deployments, executing Ballistic Missile Defense as the BMD Commander in the 6th and 5th Fleets .
Selected for major command, he served as Commodore of DESTROYER SQUADRON 26, deploying with the EISENHOWER Carrier Strike Group and supporting Operation SENTINEL during the COVID pandemic. In this role, he kept his forces at sea for an unprecedented 205 days. His other active-duty assignments included Commanding Officer of Afloat Training Group Norfolk and Commanding Officer of USS BARRY (DDG-52). He retired from the U.S. Navy in October 2022 on the deck of the USS WISCONSIN (BB-64), where his career began. He is a recipient of the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
After retiring from active duty, Captain Scheneman served as a civil servant for the U.S. Navy as Director of Training, Exercise, and Wargames at the Navy Warfare Development Center. He ended his government service in April of 2025 and joined Kitty Hawk Technologies as the Director of Navy Surface Warfare Solutions who specialize in digital and mission engineering.
