Former CNO Adm. Vern Clark to Chair SNA Board of Directors

Retired Adm. Vern Clark will assume the position of chairman of the board of directors of the Surface Navy Association (SNA) this week at the association’s annual banquet on Jan. 16.

Clark was approved by the board on Jan. 13 at the association’s annual board of directors meeting. He succeeds retired Adm. James Hogg, who has been chairman since 1994.

In addition to numerous ashore assignments, Clark served at sea aboard the destroyers USS John W. Weeks and USS Gearing. He commanded USS Grand Rapids, USS McCloy, USS Spruance, the Atlantic Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center, Destroyer Squadron 17 and Destroyer Squadron 5.

As a flag officer, he commanded the USS Carl Vinson Battle Group/Cruiser-Destroyer Group 3, the U.S. 2nd Fleet and U.S. Atlantic Fleet. He became the 27th chief of naval Operations in 2000 and retired in 2005. He serves on boards or as a trustee of corporations, organizations and universities.

Hogg is a 1956 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and was commissioned in 1956. His sea commands included a guided missile cruiser, two destroyer squadrons, a cruiser-destroyer flotilla and the U.S. 7th Fleet. He served for 35 years and retired from active duty in 1991 as an admiral. He was the director of the NO’s Strategic Studies Group at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, from 1995 to 2013. Hogg succeeded Adm. Arleigh Burke (then chairman emeritus) as chairman of SNA’s board.

“Vern Clark, with his experience and expertise as a surface warfare officer and as a leader, will ensure our association continues its steady course of growth, success and increasing value to the Navy and all those it serves.”

Retired Adm. James Hogg, outgoing chairman of the SNA board

“It’s been an honor and privilege to lead SNA for the past 25 years, and it has been immensely gratifying — both professionally and personally — to see our association grow in support of the surface warfare professionals in the Navy and Coast Guard in so many meaningful ways,” Hogg said. “Vern Clark, with his experience and expertise as a surface warfare officer and as a leader, will ensure our association continues its steady course of growth, success and increasing value to the Navy and all those it serves.”

“We have been incredibly fortunate to have Adm. Jim Hogg at the helm of our association during a period of incredible growth and success in meeting its mission,” said retired Vice Adm. Rick Hunt, who is the president of SNA. “Surface warriors have benefited from his leadership and his dedication to his shipmates, past, present and to come. SNA’s success in maintaining a strong membership, growing participation in our symposiums and professional development events, active chapters and sound financial health is in no small part due to his contributions.”