Rear Admiral (Rtd) Michael Steffen

Former Commander, Navy Reserve Fores Command & HSL-60 US Navy

Rear Admiral (Ret.) Michael Steffen is the founder and CEO of Steffen Strategic Solutions LLC with the mission of facilitating the growth of small to mid-size companies through business development strategies, data analytics, risk management, and workforce development.

Concurrently he is a trustee for the Naval Helicopter Association whose mission is to create a strong community for vertical lift professionals by providing resources, support, and opportunities for connection, as well as promoting the vertical lift aviation industry with a focus on education, collaboration, and shared experiences.

A career aviator in the U.S. Navy, Mike has flown over 3,000 hours (w/1000+ night vision device hours and 125 combat missions) in various rotary and fixed-wing platforms, including every Navy variant of the H-60. His flight experience spans an array of expeditionary operations around the globe working with NATO, other allies, partners, and multi-national coalitions, including multiple carrier air wing deployments, weapons school instructor, counter-drug operations at sea, and four land-based combat deployments to Iraq conducting special operations.

He commanded Helicopter Anit-Submarine Squadron Light SIX ZERO (HSL-60), the Maritime Support Wing, and Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth. As a Flag Officer, he served as Commandant, Naval District Washington and Deputy Commander Second Fleet, facilitating the re-establishment of this warfighting staff during a time of unprecedented foreign adversary activity in the Atlantic and the global COVID pandemic. His final military assignment was as the Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command where he was responsible for the manning, training, and equipping of 57,000 Navy reservists and the execution of a $4B budget.

Mike’s background in the Navy is highlighted by innovation and real-world implementation of new tactics, technology and weapons systems, while building and leading high-performing teams to take on the hardest mission sets in the Navy portfolio.

Mike is a proud graduate of Virginia Tech where he received a Bachelor’s degree in History and earned a Master of Science in Global Business Leadership from the University of San Diego.