VADM Jeffrey Hughes
Deputy Chief of Staff, Capability Development, NATO Allied Command Transformation
VADM Jeff Hughes is the Deputy Chief of Staff, Capability Development, Headquarters Supreme Allied Command Transformation, Norfolk, Virginia. He is responsible for developing operational and strategic capability requirements on behalf of 32 North Atlantic Treaty Organization nations.
He is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and a 1988 graduate of Duke University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He graduated with distinction from the Naval War College in 2008 receiving a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies. He was designated a naval aviator in September 1989 and has flown MH-60R and SH-60B Seahawk helicopters throughout his career. His operational assignments include initial squadron and detachment officer-in-charge/department head tours with the Swamp Foxes of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 44 where he deployed on USS Carr (FFG 52), USS Elrod (FFG 55) and USS John Hancock (DD 981), supporting Strike Group deployments with the USS America (CV-66) and USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). He was named
HSL-44 Pilot of the Year and was the co-recipient of the Commanding Officer's Helmsman Award for calendar year (CY) 1993. He served as the flag lieutenant to Commander, Carrier Group 4, where he embarked all six East Coast aircraft carriers supporting six intermediate and advanced phase strike group underway training (C2X/JTFEX) periods. He served as the executive officer and 14th commanding officer of the Fighting Vipers of HSL-48. He was the Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing (HSM), U.S. Atlantic Fleet recipient of the Navy and Marine Association peer-selected leadership award for CY 2007. Additionally, he served as commander, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet during a period of significant transition and growth in the HSM community.
His shore staff assignments include: Navy Space Command Detachment Alfa officer-in-charge; assistant aviation captain detailer and HSL/HS Placement officer in Navy Personnel Command (PERS 43); division chief for Africa in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (J5) of the Joint Staff; and executive assistant to the Director, Air Warfare (OPNAV N98).
As a flag officer, he has served as commander, Navy Recruiting Command; commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 2; deputy chief of Naval Personnel/commander, Navy Personnel Command, and most recently as the deputy chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Development (N7). While at ESG 2, he was the commander, Task Force (CTF) 189 where he served as the joint force maritime component commander (forward) leading 4,500 Sailors and Marines conducting disaster relief operations in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico following hurricanes IRMA and MARIA.
His decorations include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal (two awards), Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (four awards), and various other personal, unit, service and campaign awards. He is proud to have served on teams that received numerous unit commendations and Battle Efficiency awards.
LtGen (ret.) H. Stacy Clardy
Former Commander, III MEF
LtGen (ret.) Herman Stacy Clardy III is a retired United States Marine Corps officer who most recently served as Commander, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Forces Japan. He entered active duty after commissioning in May 1983 and ultimately served in uniform for nearly four decades.
A native of Georgetown County, South Carolina, Clardy earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina. He holds a Master of Science in Management from Troy University and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.
Clardy’s operational assignments span from platoon to Marine Expeditionary Force level commands and include deployments in support of operations in the Middle East and Asia. He commanded the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, and served as the commanding officer of 2nd Marine Regiment / Regimental Combat Team 2 during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
As a general officer, he led Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command and the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms, and later took command of the 3rd Marine Division prior to his assignment to III MEF.
His staff and leadership assignments include serving as a tactics instructor at The Basic School and the Infantry Officer Course, Marine Officer Instructor at Tulane University, director of operations in headquarters U.S. Marine Corps, and community relations and public affairs roles. He also served in the Pentagon in multiple roles, including Deputy Director, J-8, Joint Staff (Force Management, Application & Support) and as the Military Deputy to the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.
Clardy’s awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (three awards), Bronze Star (with Valor) and numerous service, unit, campaign, and personal awards.
In addition to his military service, Clardy continues to provide leadership and strategic counsel in the civilian sector. He serves as a consultant, speaker, and mentor focusing on organizational performance, leadership development, innovation, and strategy.
Clardy is married to Alison (a fellow Marine veteran), and they have three daughters. He has returned to South Carolina where he remains active in civic and veteran affairs.
MG (ret.) Craig Whelden
International Best-selling Author, Leadership: The Art of Inspiring People to Be Their Best
MG (ret.) Craig B. Whelden is a retired United States Army general and Senior Executive Service official who now serves as a global speaker, leadership consultant, and author.
A decorated veteran of thirty years in the U.S. Army, Whelden went on to serve nine years as a Senior Executive in the U.S. Marine Corps. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree (with distinction) from Purdue University, where he was later inducted into the Purdue ROTC Hall of Fame in 2011.
Over his military career, he commanded organizations from company through brigade levels, culminating in his selection as one of the youngest generals in U.S. Army history. His assignments included key strategic leadership roles in Europe and the Pacific, where he was deeply engaged in planning for the Asia-Pacific theater and strategic competition with China. As a senior executive with the Marine Corps, Whelden played a central role in repositioning 10,000 Marines from Okinawa across the Pacific in the context of evolving geopolitical dynamics.
Following his public service, Whelden has become a sought-after keynote speaker and leadership advisor. He is the author of Leadership: The Art of Inspiring People to Be Their Best, a multiple award–winning, best-selling work. He also serves as President of Velontra, an aerospace company focused on hypersonic unmanned vehicles.
His awards and decorations include senior-level defense and service medals, numerous campaign and unit awards, and recognition for leadership excellence throughout his career.
Whelden resides in Bluffton, South Carolina, and remains deeply active in leadership development, mentorship, and strategic consulting.
RADM (ret.) Mike Bernacchi
Former Director of Strategy, Plans, and Policy (J5) at U.S. Space Command
RADM Mike Bernacchi is a native of Pleasant Ridge, Michigan, and graduated from the University of Detroit with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and holds master’s degrees from University of Michigan in nuclear engineering and industrial engineering.
His operational tours include service aboard both attack and ballistic missile submarines including USS James Madison (SSBN 627), USS Albuquerque (SSN 706) and USS Santa Fe (SSN 763). He commanded USS Alexandria (SSN 757) and was commodore of Submarine Squadron 4 in Groton, Connecticut.
Ashore, he served as executive assistant to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations; executive assistant to the Chief of Naval Personnel; chief of staff for Submarine Group Two; deputy nuclear community program manager; special assistant to Naval Reactors for Office Matters; and cruise missile planner for theater operations at United States Strategic Command.
Previous flag assignments include commander, Naval Service Training Command where he was privileged to serve with a staff that was recognized with a Navy Unit Commendation, at the time only five previously awarded to shore commands in the last 30 years, Commander, Submarine Group 10 in Kings Bay, Georgia and United States Space Command as director, Strategy, Plans and Policy (J5) in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
He is entitled to wear the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (eight awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and various personal, unit and service awards. He was recognized by the Naval League of the United States while commanding officer of USS Alexandria with the John Paul Jones Award for Inspirational Leadership. He was the recipient of the Ordre national du Mérite - Knight.
Col. Eric Jnah
Special Operations Officer and Former Public Policy Fellow
COL Eric Jnah is an Army Infantry Officer who is a native of Chicago, Illinois. Over his 20-plus year career, Colonel Jnah has extensive experience working in interagency and deployed on multiple occasions to Afghanistan, Iraq, Jordan, Europe and Africa. Eric is a first generation American who speaks French and Polish. Colonel Jnah earned his Bachelor of Science degree in International Business from Marquette University and holds a Master of Arts in International Relations with a focus on Trans-National Security Studies from American Military University. He is married to Dr. Amy Jnah, who is faculty at UNC-Chapel Hill and East Carolina University. Together they have two children, Mya and Ryan, who both attend North Carolina State University. Eric’s research interests include counterterrorism, strategic competition, and organizational leadership and development.
RDML Matthew Pottenburgh
Commander, Naval Service Training Command
RDML Matt Pottenburgh, a native of Galena, Ohio, graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in industrial design and was commissioned through NROTC as a Distinguished Naval Graduate. He later earned master’s degrees in operations management and finance from the University of Arkansas and in national resource strategy from the Eisenhower School at National Defense University.
Designated a naval flight officer in 1997, Pottenburgh’s operational tours include VP-40 and VP-47, as well as command of VP-5, where he led a successful Western Pacific deployment and the squadron’s transition from the P-3C Orion to the P-8A Poseidon. He later commanded Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing ELEVEN, comprising 2,600 Sailors and civilians across nine squadrons and Aviation Support Detachment Jacksonville. Additional operational tours included service with Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet and Striking Forces NATO, Joint Command Lisbon, and as ISR operations officer with Multi-National Force–Iraq.
Ashore, he has held a series of influential staff assignments, including at the Joint Chiefs of Staff in both J6 and J8, as section head in OPNAV N80, deputy director of the Fleet Readiness Division (N83), and as executive assistant to both the Chief of Naval Operations and the Vice Chief of Naval Operations.
Pottenburgh has accumulated more than 3,000 flight hours in the P-3C Orion, P-8A Poseidon, and MQ-4C Triton.