Candidate: Steven Stroberger

Steve Stroberger grew up in a military family stationed around the United States and overseas. While living abroad in the Philippines, Steve first learned to fly the Piper J-3 Cub and F-4 Phantom simulator as part of the Civil Air Patrol’s (CAP) Ground School curriculum at Wagner High School. 

On January 4, 1983 Steve began recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), San Diego later becoming an AV-8 Harrier Weapons System Technician stationed at MCAS Yuma, and completing a WestPac in 1986. While in the Marine Corps, Steve earned a B.S. in Electronic Management from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in three years while also attaining the rank of Sergeant. He was selected to attend Aviation Officers Candidate School (AOCS) at NAS Pensacola, and in February 1991 Steve was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy. Soon after he began Primary Flight Training at NAS Corpus Christi, and was designated a Naval Aviator receiving his “wings of gold” from Helicopter Training Squadron Eight, NAS Whiting Field, on February 5, 1993.

While stationed at NAS Mayport, Steve would go on to complete a Mediterranean Cruise on the USS Doyle in 1994, and a Persian Gulf Cruise on the USS Underwood in 1996, his first as an SH-60B Helicopter Aircraft Commander (HAC). Steve would return to NAS Whiting Field to become a Flight Instructor in January 1997.

Following a sea tour aboard the USS Iwo Jima as the Mini Boss and Aircraft Handler in 2002, Steve was stationed in NAS North Island before accepting an assignment to the American Embassy’s Office of Military Cooperation (OMC) in Cairo, Egypt as the SH-2G Field Team Commander advising the Egyptian Air Force and Navy on anti-submarine warfare and small deck operations. 

Since his retirement from the Navy, Steve has worked in a variety of industries. Most recently Steve was the Vice President of Gemini Air Group in Scottsdale, Arizona. He completed an MBA in Technology Management from the University of Washington’s Foster Business School in 2012. 

Steve is a Perdido Key Rotarian and serves as Vice Chairman of the Escambia County Republican Executive Committee. Additionally, Steve is the President of the Innerarity Island Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)4 dedicated to protecting the Innerarity Island environment and the surrounding waters of Perdido Bay.

Steve’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, United Nation Medal, NATO Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, and various unit awards.  

Steve and his wife Gina have five children, five grandchildren, and reside in Perdido Key, Florida.