Navy League Luncheon with Captain Thom Burke, U.S. Navy (Retired)

Welcome to the Cincinnati Navy League Luncheon featuring special guest Captain Thom Burke, U.S. Navy (Retired). Reserve your spot now! RSVP by Sunday, March 15th at noon.

Captain Thom Burke, a native of Royal Oak, Michigan, received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Michigan in 1984, and a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard University in 1996. He also attended the National Security Strategy, Naval War College.  

Commissioned through Aviation Officer Candidate School in 1985, he began his fleet career as a pilot flying SH-3H Sea Kings in Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron HS-4 aboard USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70).  In 1993 Captain Burke transitioned to the SH 60F and HH-60H while assigned to HS-6 aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72). In 1997 he was assigned to HS-8 aboard USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) in Carrier Air Wing NINE as Operations Officer and Squadron Weapons and Tactics Instructor.  In September 2002 Captain Burke reported to HS-8 as Executive Officer and assumed command in June 2003. 

Shore tours included assignment at the Joint Staff as a Politico-Military Strategist, serving in the Persian Gulf Branch of J-5 during Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. Additionally, he served on the Joint Staff as a desk officer for Central Asia and Afghanistan prior to and during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. He completed Nuclear Power training in June 2006.

From 2006 until 2008, Captain Burke was assigned as First Executive Officer aboard the USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN-77) stationed in Norfolk, VA.  In 2008, until 2009 he served as the Commanding Officer on the USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC-19) homeport, Yokosuka, Japan.  Finally, Captain Burke assumed the role of Commanding Officer on the USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN-76) out of San Diego, CA from 2010 until 2013.  He finished out his Navy career as Chief of Naval Operations Director, Fleet Readiness Division in Washington, D.C. from 2013 until 2016.

Thom Burke’s post military career includes, ST Engineering North America, a manufacturer of aerospace, electronics, land and marine systems, 2017 to present. He also served as Vice President, Washington Operations & Defense Business, (2018 to 2024) where he led the planning, proposal preparation, and customer engagement to land major contracts.  Additionally, Thom served as an elected official as City Commissioner in Walker, MI., a major suburb of Grand Rapids.  Thom Burke is now President of RENK America Marine and Industry, local company that recently acquired Cincinnati Gearing Company which is One of the world’s leading producers of mission-critical drive solutions for a wide range of defense and civil end markets.

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