In his final assignment, Rear Adm. Steven J. Romano assumed duties as the commander, Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) in August 2009.

Romano was commissioned through Officer Candidate School in November 1980 after receiving his Bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary Williamsburg, Va. He earned a Master’s degree in Logistics from National University. He also completed Air War College, Joint Forces Staff College and Dartmouth Executive Program.

His initial sea tour was as the disbursing and wardroom officer, aboard USS Coronado (AGF 11), a forward deployed flagship for commander, Middle East Force in Bahrain. He reported to USS John A. Moore (FFG-19) as supply officer in August 1984, completing a Western Pacific deployment. Subsequent sea tours included service as supply officer aboard USS Princeton (CG-59) during Operations Desert Shield and Storm, supply officer aboard USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3) during Operation Desert Fox and assistant chief of staff for logistics, U.S. 7th Fleet aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan.

Ashore, Romano served as supply and fiscal officer, Naval Communications Unit, Washington; Supply Management Inspection officer, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, San Diego; Supply Management Division head, Navy Supply Corps School, Athens, Ga.; special assistant to the comptroller, budget chief, Information Technology and chief of Navy Readiness, Defense Logistics Agency, Fort Belvoir, Va.; director of Navy Food Service and assistant commander for Logistics Information and Innovation, Naval Supply Systems Command, Mechanicsburg, Pa.; and chief, Strategy Division, Joint Staff.

His decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal (two awards), Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy Achievement Medal. He is a qualified Surface Warfare Supply Corps Officer and Naval Aviation Supply Officer and a member of the Navy Acquisition Professional Community.

Romano’s previous flag assignment was as the director of Logistics and Security Assistance, Headquarters United States European Command, Stuttgart-Vaihingen, Germany.

Last Updated: 9 February 2022