Rear Admiral Paul J. Verrastro

Rear Adm. Verrastro is the Director of Logistics Programs and Business Operations Division in the Office of Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV N41). Verrastro was raised in Saugerties, N.Y. He is a graduate of the State University of New York at Albany, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and was commissioned in May 1986 through the Officer Candidate School program. He holds a Master of Science degree with distinction in Contract and Acquisition Management from the Naval Postgraduate School, as well as a Master of Arts degree with highest distinction in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. He is also a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business, Executive Development Program. Verrastro’s sea duty assignments include tours in USS New Jersey (BB 62), Supply Officer in USS Chandler (DDG 996) and Supply Officer in USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Ashore, he has served as assistant community manager for the Supply Enlisted Ratings and Supply Corps Officer Detailer, Navy Personnel Command, Washington; program manager for Fleet Requirements, Ship's Husbanding Services and Contingency Contracting, Naval Regional Contracting Center, Naples, Italy; director, F/A-18 Integrated Weapons Support Team, Naval Inventory Control Point, Philadelphia; deputy for Supply Policy, Training and Assessments, Commander, Naval Air Forces, San Diego; country program director for NATO and Coalition Affairs, Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Arlington, Va.; and director, Aviation Operations at the Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Weapon Systems Support Command, Philadelphia. His most recent assignment was as commanding officer, NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Pearl Harbor. Verrastro's personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, three Meritorious Service Medals, four Navy Commendation Medals, two Navy Achievement Medals and various campaign and unit awards. He is a qualified Naval Aviation Supply Officer, Surface Warfare Supply Corps Officer and is a member of the Navy Acquisition Professional Community. He was also the 2005 recipient of the USS John C Stennis, "Straight Furrow" Leadership Award.