Retired Vice Adm. Richard Hunt will assume the position of president of the Surface Navy Association (SNA) at the association’s annual symposium in January. Hunt succeeds retired Vice Adm. Barry McCullough, who has been president since 2013.
Hunt is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was commissioned in February 1976 through the Officer Candidate School program in Newport, R.I. He attended Naval Post Graduate School, receiving a Master of Science in Telecommunications Systems Management in March 1988.
He has served in USS Sampson (DDG 10), USS Underwood (FFG 36) and USS Roark (FF 1053), and has commanded USS Crommelin (FFG 37) and USS Philippine Sea (CG 58). As a flag officer, he commanded Carrier Strike Group Six/John F Kennedy Strike Group; Commander, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa; U.S. Third Fleet and Naval Surface Forces/Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. He became Director, Navy Staff in August 2012 and retired from the Navy in November 2013.
His shore assignments include: assistant professor of the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Unit at Ohio State University; communications systems officer for Command, Control, Communications, and Computer Systems Directorate (J6), Joint Staff; executive assistant to Director, Surface Warfare (N86); executive assistant to Deputy Chief of Staff of Naval Operations for Resources, Requirements, and Assessments (N8), and Executive Assistant Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff. He additionally served as Deputy Director, Strategy & Policy (J5), Joint Staff and Director, Programming Division (N80), Navy Staff.
Hunt joined Raytheon Company in the position of Vice President, Business Development, Navy/Marine Corps Programs in January 2014 and assumed the role of Vice President for U.S. Business Development in June 2015. He transitioned to Chief Strategy Officer at Fincantieri Marinette Marine in April 2018.
McCullough retired from the U.S. Navy in 2011 where he was commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/Commander, U.S. 10th Fleet. He currently is vice president of strategy and business development for Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems.
“It’s been an honor and privilege to lead SNA for the past five years, and see our association grow in support of the surface warfare professionals in the Navy and Coast Guard,” McCullough said. “Rick Hunt brings his knowledge and professional experience as a Surface Warfare Officer, manger and leader to keep SNA on a steady course.”
Hunt will assume his position at the annual SNA banquet on Jan. 17th.
The SNA promotes greater coordination and communication among those in the military, business, and academic communities who share a common interest in naval surface warfare and to support the activities of surface naval forces, to include Coast Guard cuttermen. SNA provides for its members support, programs, and activities that enable professional growth, personal satisfaction, and camaraderie. SNA has more than 6,000 members in 26 chapters around the world.