Tim Kinsella

Raised in Dublin, Ireland, Captain Tim “Lucky” Kinsella, USN (Ret), joined the University of West Florida as the Director of the Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz Center for Leadership at the University of West Florida College of Business, following more than 33 years of service in the United States Navy, A graduate of the United States Naval Academy and of the University of San Diego, Tim served as a Naval Aviator and flew helicopters all over the world, including several combat deployments to the Middle East. He also served two tours in the Pentagon, was White House Liason for the Secretary of the Navy, and served at NATO headquarters in Mons, Belgium. Most recently Tim was Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Pensacola, where he led the installation through a devastating terrorist attack that claimed three lives and wounded nine others, a catastrophic hurricane that caused more than $500M in damages, and a global pandemic. Despite these challenges, under Tim’s leadership NAS Pensacola was named as the recipient of the Navy’s Installation Excellence award as the top US Naval Installation in the world. Tim is passionate about furthering educational opportunities for all children, and counts the establishment of a STEM academy at NAS Pensacola for all Escambia and Santa Rosa Title One fifth graders as his most important achievement. He also collaborated with the local State College to create a dual enrollment charter high school. His numerous awards include the Daedalian Award for Distinguished Airmanship, the Navy League of the United States John Paul Jones Award for Inspirational Leadership, the Valley Forge Freedom’s Foundation George Washington Honor Medal for Public Communications, and the Director of the FBI’s Community Leadership Award. Tim is married with three wonderful children, and his hobbies include golf, supporting Liverpool Football Club, reading history, travel, writing, and attempting to play guitar.