Candidate: Steven Stroberger

Steve Stroberger grew up in a military family stationed around the United States and overseas. While living abroad at Clark AFB 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 United States 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 the President of the Perdido Key Rotary Club and serves as the Escambia Republican State Committeeman. 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.

Education:

Master of Business Administration (MBA Technology Management), University of Washington, Seattle WA

Bachelor of Science (BS Electronic Management), Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Other Education/Training:

Access Level 1

Basic Scheduling

Basic Earned Value

Military Education:

Aviation Safety Officers Course

ORM Aviation Fundamentals Course

Special Warfare Center Terrorism Course

Air Department Officer Indoctrination Amphib Course

Amphibious Warfare Indoctrination

Air ASW Oceanography

Electronic Warfare Familiarization

Officer Basic Acoustic Analysis

Functional Check Pilot Designation

Academic Instructor Training Course

Landing Safety Officer Course

Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course (SERE)

Advanced SERE Course

Undergraduate Naval Aviator

Aviation Officers Candidate School

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego

Experience:

Chief of Staff, District 2 County Commissioner 2022- 2024

Vice President, Gemini Air Group 2017-2019

Director of American Sales, Hopkinson Aircraft 2016-2017

Warranty Manager, PACCAR 2014-2016

Principle Consultant, Glideslope Advisors 2011-2014

Senior Program Manager, Heath Tecna 2008-2010

Military Programs Manager, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, 2007-2008

Installation Business Manager (NAS Whidbey Island), U.S. Government 2006-2007

Naval Aviator, U.S. Navy 1991-2007

Weapons System Technician, U.S. Marine Corps 1984-1991

Professional Associations/Clubs:

Member - Republican Party of Florida (RPOF)

Republican State Committeeman - Escambia County

Former Vice Chairman - Escambia County Republican Executive Committee

RPOF Election Integrity Committee

RPOF Veteran Engagement Committee

RPOF Local Government Committee

Navy League of Pensacola

Pensacola Yacht Club Marines

Marine Corps League

Volunteer - National Naval Aviation Museum

Facilitator - National Flight Academy

Board of Directors - NW Florida American Red Cross

Board of Directors - Perdido Area Chamber Foundation

President - Perdido Key Rotary Club

Order of the Daedalians

American Legion Post 240

American Veterans Post 292

American Aviation Historical Society

National Helicopter Association

Former Aerospace Instructor - Civil Air Patrol