Rear Adm. Kurt Rothenhaus is a native of New York City, New York. He received his commission in 1992 upon graduating from the University of South Carolina where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He also earned a Master of Science in Computer Science and a Ph.D. in Software Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School and transferred into the Engineering Duty Officer community in 2003.

His operational assignments include serving as the combat systems/C5I officer on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and chief engineer on USS O’Brien (DD 975). Additionally, he served on the staff of Destroyer Squadron 15 and on USS Fife (DD 991). He completed an Individual Augmentee tour in Baghdad, Iraq.

His shore tours include: program manager for PMW 160, the Navy’s Tactical Networks Program Office, at PEO C4I and commanding officer of Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific. He also served as the deputy program manager for the Navy Communications and GPS Program Office (PMW/A 170), the assistant program manager for the Consolidated Afloat Network Enterprise Services (CANES) in PMW 160, and the Maritime Tactical Command and Control (MTC2) assistant program manager in the Navy Command and Control Program Office (PMW 150).

In May 2020, he assumed duty as program executive office Command, Control, , Computers, Communications and Intelligence and program executive office Space Systems, Naval Information Warfare Systems Command.

His personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint and Navy and various unit and service awards.