James F. Sumner III, Commander, USN (Ret.), Class of 1978

CDR Sumner’s career expanded for 20 years in the submarine service. He was posted on board four ships, USS GATO (SSN 615), USS ALASKA (SSBN 732), USS GEORGE C. MARSHALL (SSBN 654) and USS RHODE ISLAND (SSBN 740). He served a tour in the Pentagon in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations – Undersea Warfare, and a tour as the Executive Director of the Tactical Analysis Group on the staff of the Submarine Development Squadron TWELVE.

Jim received his commission and a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin. He also received a Master of Science in Financial Management, from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Following active duty, Jim has worked as a Quality Executive in several consumer products companies starting with General Electrics Appliances to his current job at Spectrum Brands – Home & Personal Appliance Division.

“The UW NROTC is truly a family affair to me, it commissioned me, my twin brother and most recently my own son. It is certainly a place that sets you up for great things in the future.”