RADM Samuel Eliot Morison Dinner 2018

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Monday, 2 October  2023

Reception 11:30hrs

Lunch 12:00hrs

MIKE MANAZIR

RADM, USN, Retired

Former Top Gun Fighter Pilot, Rear Admiral, and Commander of the USS Nimitz, Mike Manazir, shares gripping stories and actionable insights gained from his successful career in the military and corporate world.

With 33 powerful stories Mike takes you on a transformative journey, revealing the fundamental principles of effective leadership. Each story highlights a key leadership lesson, such as leading from the heart, accountability, communication, and strategic thinking, providing readers with practical strategies to enhance their leadership abilities.

Mike Manazir has a passion for stories, leadership, big ships, fast jets, thundering Harleys,  and one woman: Kelly, his bride of more than forty years. 

He is a graduate of  Top Gun and commanded an F-14 squadron, the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier, and  a Carrier Strike Group. Mike retired as a Two-Star Admiral and is now an   executive with a Fortune 100 aerospace and defense company.

He mentors a  leadership style based on heart and trust that champions inclusion. Mike  believes if you have one or more people looking to you to show the way, you  are a leader. He wants to help you be the best leader you can be so you can   Lead to Win.

Navy Career

Rear Adm. Mike  Manazir entered the U.S. Naval Academy from Mission Viejo, California, and  graduated in 1981. He earned his naval aviation wings in April 1983 and deployed in the F-14A in July 1984.

Manazir commanded   the Tomcatters of Fighter Squadron 31 from June 1997 to September 1998, USS  Sacramento (AOE1) from January 2003 to July 04, USS Nimitz (CVN 68) from   March 2007 to August 2009 and Carrier Strike Group 8 embarked in USS Dwight  D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) from September 2011 to June 2013.

Prior to squadron   command, his afloat tours included service as a fighter pilot and landing  signal officer aboard various aircraft carriers on the west coast. Following   Navy Nuclear Power Training, Manazir served as the executive officer of the  USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) from July 2001 to December 2002.

Ashore, Manazir served as an action officer in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, on the   chief of naval operations staff as F-14 requirements officer and for the   commander, Naval Air Forces as the assistant chief of staff for readiness.

As a flag officer,  Manazir served as director, strike aircraft, weapons and carrier programs on   the chief of naval operations staff (N880) from August 2009 to September 2011 and on the chief of naval operations staff as the director, air warfare,  Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV N98) from July 2013 to May   2016.

Manazir qualified in  the F-14A/D and F/A-18E/F aircraft and has flown more than 3,750 hours and 1,200 arrested landings during 15 deployments aboard aircraft carriers on   both coasts.

Manazir served as  the deputy chief of naval operations for warfare systems, OPNAV N9, on the   staff of the chief of naval operations. In this capacity, he was responsible   for the integration of manpower, training, sustainment, modernization,  research and development and procurement of the Navy’s warfare systems.

Manazir is the  recipient of various personal and campaign awards including the Legion of   Merit (six awards), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious   Service Medal (two awards) and the Strike/Flight Air Medal (two awards).