« Back to Board of Directors

Mike Nowakowski


Vice President, Defense Contracting Group, Colonna's Shipyard
Mike Nowakowski

REAR ADMIRAL (RET) MICHAEL P. NOWAKOWSKI

RearAdmiral (ret) Michael P. Nowakowski is a native ofTorrington,Conn.He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree fromOhioUniversity. Following graduation, he enteredOfficerCandidateSchooland was commissioned in October 1974.

At sea, he served in USS Barnstable County (LST 1197) as Communications Officer and Assistant First Lieutenant; USS Biddle (CG 34) as Missile Battery Officer; USS Pharris (FF 1094) as Engineer Officer and in USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) as Executive Officer. Other sea tours include Material Officer on the Staff of Commander, Destroyer Squadron Ten and Flag Secretary to Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group Eight. His command at sea tours include: USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) and the amphibious assault ship USS Saipan (LHA 2).

Ashore, RearAdmiral. Nowakowski served as Assistant Professor of Naval Science at the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Unit, State University of New York Maritime College; Department Head Engineering Instructor at Surface Warfare Officer School Command, Newport, R.I.; Financial Management Officer for the Navy's Research and Development account in the Office of the Navy Comptroller, Washington, D.C.; Head, Surface Commander Assignment Branch, Bureau of Naval Personnel; and a joint duty assignment as Appropriation Liaison Officer in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller).

Flag officer assignments include: Director, Shore Activities Readiness (N46) on the staff of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; Commander, Amphibious Group Two;  Commander, Mine Warfare Command; Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; and President, Board of Inspection and Survey.

He earned his Master of BusinessAdministration degree fromHofstraUniversityand a master's degree in National Security Strategy from theNationalWarCollege. Among his decorations are the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (5), Meritorious Service Medal (4), Navy Commendation Medal (4) and various unit and service awards.

Shortly after retiring from the Navy in 2007,  Mr. Nowakowski joined the senior management team at Colonna’s Shipyard inNorfolk,Virginiawhere he is Vice President, Defense Contracting Group.