Chamber Community Luncheon

MICHAEL KEPPEN. Recently selected for promotion to Commander, Michael is a strategic partner in the Navy's training and development chain, currently serving as the Chief Learning Officer at Recruit Training Command, the Navy's only "boot camp." He leads a military and civilian staff of 135 across four courses of instruction and spearheads the curriculum design, development and management of 166 basic military training topics, all classroom instruction, academic assessments, and instructor evaluations. His exemplary and creative leadership accomplishments span an extensive, 15-year career in the Navy's Aviation and Human Resources communities. As a Naval Flight Officer he logged over 1000 hours - he deployed to 5^th Fleet (Persian Gulf), 6^th Fleet (Mediterranean) and 7^th Fleet (Indo-Pacific) and conducted operational missions in over 26 countries in addition to flying 36 combat flights in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Since his transition into the Navy's Human Resources community in 2011, he has managed the naval curriculum, training, and talent management strategies for 98% of all naval officer and enlisted accessions nationwide. In recognition of exemplary service, Michael was selected as the Navy's Human Resources Junior Officer of the Year in 2014. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (Strike/Flight), Navy Commendation Medal (x3), Navy Achievement Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and various other awards.

 

STEPHEN DRUM. A combat-tested Navy SEAL senior enlisted leader with 25 years of leading and developing high-performance teams, Stephen has trained and led U.S. and foreign partner special operations forces on high-risk and strategically vital missions across the globe, including combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. During his time in the SEAL Teams, he trained, mentored, and advised U.S. and Foreign Partner Special Operations Forces at all levels of leadership. Stephen recently co-developed and currently teaches mental toughness training for Navy Basic Training (Boot Camp) and has personally trained thousands of elite military soldiers and Navy SEAL candidates helping them succeed in some of the most demanding combat operations and training courses in the world.  He uses his unique leadership experiences working with a wide variety of cultures and age groups to effectively coach organizational leaders on how to maximize collaboration, commitment, and enhance execution.