Barbette Lowndes

Captain Barbette Lowndes ’80 retired from federal employment after 35 years. She served 27 years active duty in the Navy and 8 years as a Navy civil servant. During her military career as a Supply Corps Officer, Barbette served at 10 commands including two tours at sea on USS MCKEE (AS-41) and USS CAPE COD (AD-43). She was the Commanding Officer of Defense Contract Management Area Boston. As a civil servant, Barbette was the Director of Total Force Management for Space and Naval Warfare System Command (now called Naval Information Warfare Systems Command).

Barbette graduated from USNA in May 1980 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Oceanography. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Business Management from Webster University and a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. She is a graduate of the Senior Executive Institute at the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Barbette recently completed four years as the inaugural President of the USNA Women’s Shared Interest Group (SIG) and was formerly the President of the San Diego Chapter and a Trustee of the Alumni Association Board of Trustees. She served as a non-Trustee for the Admissions, Membership and Alumni Services, and Governance Committees for the Board of Trustees. Barbette was a member of the Special Committee on Alumni Culture, Diversity and Inclusion.

She also volunteers for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society San Diego, the Armed Services YMCA San Diego, and in various roles for her church.