USD Magazine Summer 2021

[ e x t r a o r d i n a r y ]

cused specifically on sailor and family care.” A third generation San Die- gan, he didn’t come from a ca- reer military family, though his father served in the Navy Supply Corps during the Korean War and his uncles served in World War ll. “I always knew I wanted to be a naval officer,” he says. “I wanted to be of service to the country. But I was only thinking of doing it for maybe three or four years. I never contemplated making it a lifelong career.” More than three decades later, Stamatopoulos is USD’s high- est-ranking military alumnus. During his long and illustrious career, he has deployed around the globe aboard submarines, amphibious assault ships and aircraft carriers. Just prior to his appointment as NAVSUP com- mander, he served as director of

by Karen Gross W The man in charge of the U.S. Navy’s supply chain NOT SELF, BUT COUNTRY ith his understated demeanor and down- to-earth manner, it’s

he serves as the Navy’s 49th Chief of the Supply Corps, re- sponsible for the leadership de- velopment and career path of more than 2,000 Navy supply corps officers and some 20,000 enlisted sailors. “In simple terms, NAV- SUP is responsible for ensuring that the sailors on board our air- craft, ships, submarines and ex- peditionary forces, whether they’re at home or at sea, get what they need,” he says. “They need parts, they need food, fuel

equipment and services to meet Navy missions and to assure their units are ready to respond when needed.” But that’s not all. Stam- atopoulos also oversees the Na- vy Exchange system, which pro- vides lodging and retail operations for all active duty, re- serve forces and retirees and their family members. “Shop- ping, dining, hotels, barber- shops, hair salons and other re- tail services,” he adds. “So it’s quite a large organization, fo-

a bit hard to believe Rear Adm. Peter Stamatopoulos ‘88 (BBA) is in charge of the U.S. Navy’s entire supply chain. But as com- mander of the Naval Supply Sys- tems Command (NAVSUP), Sta- matopoulos runs a $35 billion business. He oversees more than 22,000 personnel, both military and civilian, and commands 11 subordinate organizations around the globe. In addition,

38

USD MAGAZINE