Navy Recruiting Appoints New Executive Leader

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Zachary S Eshleman | 190109-N-VS214-0089 Millington, Tenn. (January 09, 2019) Commander, Navy Recruiting Command (NRC) appointed a new deputy commander/executive director. Dr. Kevin Sullivan, Ph.D. took charge for Gary Peterson, who resigned from the position after eight years of honorable service. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zachary S. Eshleman/Released)  

TN, UNITED STATES

01.18.2019

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kyle Hafer 

Commander, Navy Recruiting Command

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) – Commander, Navy Recruiting Command (NRC) appointed a new deputy commander/executive director on Jan. 18.

The position oversees strategic planning, manpower, personnel organization and administration, as well as day-to-day business in recruiting operations. Dr. Kevin Sullivan, Ph.D. took charge for Gary Peterson, who resigned from the position after eight years of honorable service.

Peterson checked in at NRC in 2011, one year after his Navy retirement as a captain. With 26 years of operational experience under his belt, Peterson said he never had the opportunity to work in Navy recruiting but was excited to take on the challenge.

“There are a few things that stand out in my career as something that I consider very significant,” said Peterson. “There are three things that I am most proud of: one is being in the A6 [Navy aircraft] community, another is being the executive officer of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), and the third is being able to work here at Navy Recruiting Command.”

Peterson’s successor, Sullivan, retired from the Navy as a lieutenant commander in January 2007, following nearly 21 years of service. He joined the Navy as an enlisted communications operator, working his way up to the rank of chief petty officer in just seven years. Sullivan then accepted a commission as a limited duty officer in October of 1995. His final tour in uniform was with NRC, and he’s been working as a government civilian at NRC since his retirement, as the director of information technology.

Sullivan earned a bachelor’s degree in business management with the University of Phoenix, and a master’s degree in computer resource and information management from Webster University. He earned his doctorate from Webster University in August 2018.

“I love the Navy, and I love that I get to be a part of shaping the next generation of Sailors, as a part of Navy Recruiting,” Sullivan said about his new position. “I started out as a junior enlisted Sailor, and because of the great programs offered by the Navy, I was able to not only go from enlisted to officer, but also receive a college education. I like being a part of making those same opportunities a reality for other young men and women, as well.”

Sullivan’s new duties require him to serve as a direct representative of commander, Navy Recruiting Command, on all levels of the recruiting enterprise. He said that he is both excited and honored to take on this new role.

“I am personally extremely grateful to Mr. Peterson for his strong leadership and complete dedication to our mission. He will be sorely missed here,” said Rear Adm. Brendan R. McLane, commander, Navy Recruiting Command. "I am excited for the future of recruiting working with Dr. Sullivan in his new role."

NRC consists of a command headquarters, two Navy Recruiting Regions, 20 Navy Recruiting Districts and six Navy Talent Acquisition Groups that serve more than 1,300 recruiting stations across the country. Their combined goal is to attract the highest quality candidates to assure the ongoing success of America’s Navy.

For more news from Commander, Navy Recruiting Command, go to http://www.cnrc.navy.mil. Follow Navy Recruiting on Facebook (www.facebook.com/NavyRecruiting), Twitter (@USNRecruiter) and Instagram (@USNRecruiter).

• Date Taken: 01.18.2019
• Date Posted: 01.18.2019 11:59
• Story ID: 307540
• Location: TN, US