Vice Admiral Nancy Lacore, Chief of Navy Reserve and Commander, Navy Reserve Force, recognized 41 civilian employers and guests representing companies from across the nation for their exceptional support of Navy Reserve Sailors during the Navy Reserve's annual Navy Employer Recognition Event (NERE) June 12, 2025.
The annual event recognizes employers who provide outstanding support to Navy Reserve Sailors who work for their organizations in a civilian capacity. The all-day event included a tour of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), static displays of aircraft and facilities and a presentation by representatives from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR).
"Reserve Sailors live and work in two worlds," said Lacore, addressing the assembly of employers and participants during the event's opening ceremony. "They serve in uniform, and they serve your organizations. And they do both incredibly well. But they don’t do it alone. They can’t. It only works when they have the backing of employers like you.”
Visiting executives from various employer organizations had the opportunity to experience a live demonstration from the Navy Marine Mammal Program, view an aircraft static display from Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VR-57) and observe a demonstration with the military working dogs from the Naval Base San Diego Security Department.
Employers and participants also met with Navy special warfare operators from SEAL Team 17 and enjoyed lunch at the Island Club provided by the ESGR.
NERE provides an opportunity for employers to get better acquainted with the military commitments of their employees who are members of the Navy Reserve, providing a deeper understanding of the importance of employer support to Navy warfighting readiness.
“It’s an incredible honor to be here,” said Alka Bhave, representing digital services company Fearless Solutions, LLC. “To see all of this with our own eyes — the equipment, the technology and the mission — is incredible. We are honored to be an employer in support of the Navy Reserve.”
The event also provides Navy Reserve Sailors an opportunity to thank their employers for supporting them and their families before, during and after mobilizations or deployments.
The day’s events concluded at the World Famous I-Bar, where Lacore took another opportunity to show appreciation for the gathering of supportive employers.
“You are not bystanders to this mission, You are partners in it,” said Lacore. “The time, trust, and flexibility you offer to your Sailors are acts of leadership—and of service. And they help keep this force, and this nation, strong.”
Rear Adm. Richard S. Lofgren serves as the Acting Chief of Navy Reserve and Acting Commander, Navy Reserve Force. In this role, he provides strategic leadership and oversight for Navy Reserve personnel and operations worldwide, supporting the readiness and integration of Reserve forces across the fleet. A Surface Warfare Officer, Rear Adm. Lofgren brings extensive operational and command experience across maritime expeditionary, coastal riverine, and surface warfare missions, including service in senior leadership roles supporting U.S. naval operations in multiple geographic combatant commands. His career reflects a sustained commitment to operational excellence, leadership development, and the effective employment of Navy Reserve forces in support of national security objectives.
Rear Adm. Luke Frost is a Surface Warfare Officer with extensive operational, command, and strategic leadership experience across the fleet. He has served in senior command roles at sea and ashore, including command of major surface combatants and amphibious forces operating throughout the Central Command and Indo-Pacific areas of responsibility. As a Flag Officer, Rear Adm. Frost served as Director, Reserve Warfare (OPNAV N0959) on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, where he provided oversight and strategic guidance for Reserve force integration and readiness. His career reflects a deep commitment to warfighting excellence, joint operations, and the effective employment of naval forces in support of U.S. national security objectives.
Rear Admiral John Saccomando is a Naval Aviator with extensive operational, command, and strategic leadership experience across both active and reserve components. He has served in multiple senior command and flag assignments supporting naval aviation, expeditionary operations, and installation readiness, including leadership roles within U.S. Fleet Forces and Naval Air Forces Atlantic. A combat-experienced aviator, Rear Adm. Saccomando brings deep expertise in joint operations, force integration, and operational readiness, reflecting a sustained commitment to advancing naval capabilities and supporting U.S. national security objectives worldwide.
Rear Adm. Greg Emery is a Navy Reserve flag officer with extensive leadership experience across naval oceanography, intelligence, and information warfare. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he has served in a wide range of operational, command, and staff assignments supporting global naval and joint operations, including senior leadership roles within Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command and the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Rear Adm. Emery brings deep expertise in intelligence integration, operational support, and information warfare, reflecting a sustained commitment to advancing decision advantage and mission readiness across the fleet.
Force Master Chief Nicole C. Rios serves as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of Navy Reserve, advising on the readiness, welfare, and professional development of approximately 59,000 Reserve Component Sailors supporting Navy, Marine Corps, and joint operations worldwide. A seasoned Command Master Chief, she brings extensive experience across aviation, expeditionary, and information warfare communities, with senior enlisted leadership assignments at the unit, regional, and force levels. Her career reflects a sustained commitment to Sailor advocacy, operational readiness, and the effective integration of Navy Reserve forces in support of national defense objectives.
Command Master Chief Lyons brings extensive operational and shore-based leadership experience across aviation, logistics, manpower, and readiness organizations within the Navy Reserve enterprise. Selected as a Command Master Chief in 2016, he has served in senior enlisted leadership roles at Navy Operational Support Center Pearl Harbor, Navy Personnel Command, Maritime Support Wing, Fleet Readiness Center Mid-West, and currently serves as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command. An Aviation Warfare Specialist, he is recognized for sustained excellence in leadership and readiness, earning multiple personal, joint, and unit awards throughout his career.
Command Master Chief Louvier enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1997 and brings extensive aviation maintenance and readiness leadership experience across multiple Fleet Logistics, Strike Fighter, Helicopter, and Reserve aviation commands. Selected as a Command Master Chief in 2015, he has served in senior enlisted leadership roles at VR-56, Commander, Tactical Support Wing, Fleet Readiness Center Reserve Mid-West, and currently serves as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve. An Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, he is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy and multiple executive leadership programs and has earned numerous personal and unit awards for sustained excellence in leadership and mission readiness.
Master Chief Jerry E. Dotson was born in Garden Grove, California, and raised in Sacramento. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on July 29, 2002, and completed recruit training and Electrician’s Mate “A” School in Great Lakes, Illinois. His career spans operational, reserve, aviation, and senior enlisted leadership assignments, and he currently serves as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Naval Information Force Reserve.