Peter H. Hekman

Vice Admiral (VADM) Hekman is a native of Ripon, CA.He enlisted in the Naval Reserve in 1951 and retired from active Navy service in 1991 with the permanent rank of Vice Admiral. At the time of his separation he was serving as Commander of the Naval Sea Systems Command, at the time the largest Material Command in the Department of Defense. He is a 1958 graduate of the US Naval Academy and was awarded a Master of Science Degree in Management from the US Naval Post‐Graduate School in 1970. He is also a graduate of the Navy Nuclear Power Program and served for many years in that field.

VADM Hekman’s career was characterized by extensive involvement in shipboard engineering, readiness, maintenance, ship and ship systems design and deployment, and in the field of technical training. In addition, he served as Commanding Officer of three ships, of a Cruiser‐Destroyer Group comprised of over 70 ships, and of a Task Force in the Western Pacific Ocean area. He also served on the Joint Staff and as Deputy Director, Navy Research and Development, Office of the CNO. Post Navy experience includes Management of the DOE’s Savannah River Site – its largest site, Vice President of Syntek Technologies, and President of Babcock & Wilcox of Ohio.

VADM Hekman is presently an Independent Consultant, advising in the areas of management, scientific and technical matters and in the preparation of bids and proposals for major Government contracts. He also remains active in civic and cultural affairs in San Diego. He founded the San Diego Fleet Week Foundation, serves as Secretary of the six State Southwest Defense Alliance and serves on the Energy and Environment Committees of the DOD sponsored five State Western Regional Partnership. He was thrice the Chairman of the Military Affairs Committee of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to VADM Hekman's military service awards and medals which include the Bronze Star Medal and four awards of the Legion of Merit, he is the recipient of the Department of Energy Exceptional Service Award and Medal, of the Defense Department Superior Service Medal and is a recipient of the American Society of Naval Engineers H.E. Saunders Award in recognition of lifelong contributions in the field of Naval Engineering. VADM Hekman is presently serving as a Board member of Maytag Aviation and of Final Mile Logistics. He was also a consultant for many years to the President and Board of (then) Commonwealth Edison of Illinois, in nuclear plant operations.

VADM Hekman has previously served as a member of the VMRF Board of Directors and is presently serving as a member of the VMRF Finance Committee and Chair of the VMRF Compensation Committee. His wife is a retired Registered Nurse, his daughter is presently a Middle School Teacher in the San Diego School System, and his son is a retired US Navy Commander locally employed as an Engineer in support of Navy ship maintenance programs.