A biography of Linda Bithell Oliver at age 60.
Published on her 60th birthday, this book documents the life of a woman from
rural eastern Idaho, where she grows up on the edge of her beloved desert
(and the United States' experimental nuclear reactor facility), only to
leave home to marry a sailor and experience the world.
Her life as a reporter, teacher, mother, small business owner, lawyer, CEO
and senior civil servant is told against the background of the Cold War and
Linda's personal experiences in our Federal Government, as well as the Far
East, Europe, Russian and Iraq.
NANCY BITHELL MERRICK is a graduate of The University of Idaho where she was
a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. Her degrees include a Bachelor of
Science in Education with a major in Elementary Education and a Bachelor of
Science in Home Economics with a major in Child Development.
She has taught school in Blackfoot, Idaho for the Blackfoot School District
since 1973
Merrick is a past member of the Professional Standards Commission Evaluation
Team, a State of Idaho Textbook Commissioner, and served as a Master Teacher
for Improvement of Instruction. She was Blackfoot Education Association
Secretary/Treasurer and was editor of the Blackfoot Education Association
Newspaper.
Her community activities include League of Women Voters, Board of
Directors-KISU Public Television, Board of Directors-Quality Time Day Care
Center, co-host for KISU Fund Raising Festival Programs, and Child Abuse
Task Force Committee.
Merrick was chosen as Blackfoot School District Teacher of the Year,
Blackfoot Education Association Teacher of the Year, and was runner up to
Idaho Teacher of the Year. She is listed in Outstanding Young Women of
America and Who's Who in American Teachers.
Nancy is the daughter of Nondus Hoge (dec.) and Walter C. Bithell (dec.) of
Blackfoot, Idaho. She has been married to Leo Merrick since 1973. They
have two daughters, Joni and Natalie.
DAVE OLIVER is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of EADS
North America. In this capacity, he has direct oversight and responsibility
for all marketing and business development activities of EADS North America
and manages the operations activities of the EADS North America holding
company. He reports directly to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Prior to election to his current position, Dave served in Baghdad as the
Director of Management and Budget for the Coalition Forces in 2003.
Following Senate conformation in 1998, Dave served as the Principal Deputy
Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology through two
Administrations until July 2001. He subsequently became a consultant (Dave
Oliver, Jr., Associates). He currently serves as a director on public and
private boards as well as teaching Leadership and Management at the
University of Maryland.
In 1995, Dave joined Westinghouse Electric Systems Group in Baltimore,
Maryland and directed a major international program. After acquisition by
Northrop Grumman, he was Director of Technology and Business Development for
the Naval Systems sector.
In the Navy, Admiral Oliver served at sea aboard both diesel electric and
nuclear submarines. He commanded a nuclear submarine and two submarine
groups. He also directed significant assignments for the Navy, including
requirement establishment and budget programming. His last Navy appointment
was as Principal Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research,
Development and Acquisition.
His military decorations include the Defense and Navy Distinguished Service
Medals as well as six awards of the Legion of Merit. His awards for public
service include the Bronze Palm to the Department of Defense Award for
Distinguished Public Service.
Dave graduated from the United States Naval Academy. He received a Master
of Arts in Political Science and International Affairs (Middle East) from
American University. In addition to many leadership articles, Dave has
written Making It in Washington (Trafford Press, 2003), Lead On: A Practical
Approach to Leadership (Presidio Press, 1992), and the biography of his
wife, Wide Blue Ribbon (Trafford Press, 2004)