RADM Neagley '82 returns to a campus quite different from the one he remembers

Monday, June 4, 2018
RADM John P. Neagley '82 talks to UNH students.

UNH was honored to welcome Rear Admiral John P. Neagley '82 to campus recently when he was in New Hampshire for the commissioning of the USS Manchester. Neagley, who graduated with a degree in , toured UNH’s new John Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center and the before having lunch in Thompson Hall with Jan Nisbet, Wayne Jones, Jon Wraith, Glenn Shwaery, MarkMilutinovich, Bob McGrath and Tom Cronin and learningabout UNH’s Navy-funded research and analytics and data science programs and partnerships.

Following graduation from UNH, Neagley received his commission from Officer Candidate School then went on to earn a Master of Science in Environmental Management from Duke University, a Master of Science in Financial Management from the Naval Post Graduate School and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval Command and Staff College.

He served at sea during Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Desert Fox, and ashore in the Pentagon and several major Navy commands in California and Washington D.C., among other assignments.

Neagley is now the Program Executive Officer for Unmanned and Small Combatants and manages a team of 200+ people at the Washington Navy Yard. He also manages the Navy's development and acquisition of maritime robotics systems, mine warfare systems, anti-submarine sensors and weapons and other shipborne technologies.

Although the Edison, New Jersey native has come a distancefrom his days on UNH’s campus, he credits the university with giving him the foundation to build a successful career. Back on campus, hewasimpressed by the university's advanced research technology and vigorous commitment to drive innovation, and the possibilities both offers for students and external partners.

“Take this time to find out what you’re passionate about, then go all in to pursue that passion and surround yourself with people who share that passion,” he says when asked what advice he has for students. “Every great accomplishment we achieve, we achieve mostly as a team.”

You can listen to the full podcast .

  • Written By:

    Sarah Schaier | College of Life Sciences and Agriculture