Wide Blue Ribbon

About the Book

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.

About the Author

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)