Naval Institute Announces New Chief Executive Officer, Publisher

The following is the Aug. 29, 2023, press release from the U.S. Naval Institute announcing its new chief executive officer and publisher.

ANNAPOLIS, MD – August 29, 2023 – The United States Naval Institute announced today that Rear Admiral Ray Spicer, U.S. Navy (Ret.), will become its new Chief Executive Officer and Publisher. A well-respected Navy and business leader, Spicer will succeed Vice Admiral Peter Daly, U.S. Navy (Ret.), assuming responsibilities on December 1.

“We are confident Ray Spicer is the right person to build on our successes and lead the Naval Institute into the future. He is a person of strong character who gets things done,” said former Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert O. Work, Chair of the U.S. Naval Institute. “The Board of Directors and Members of the Institute owe Pete Daly a tremendous debt of gratitude for his dedicated service, strong leadership, and the superior results he has delivered.”

A 1979 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Spicer served 31 years on active duty, with extensive leadership experience in assignments that included command at sea of the destroyer USS MITSCHER (DDG-57), Destroyer Squadron SEVEN, and Carrier Strike Group TWELVE. During his naval career, he completed eight deployments, including combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Ashore, he served in numerous major assignments on the Pacific and Atlantic Fleet staffs. He also served as Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Military Office, where he was responsible for all military assets supporting the White House and Continuity of Government, including Air Force One, Marine One, Camp David, the White House Communications Agency, and the White House Medical Unit.

Following his successful Navy career, Spicer was the director of Kestrel Programs for the Intelligence Systems Group at Boeing Defense, Space & Security. He joined IBM in 2015, most recently leading IBM Federal’s Defense and Intelligence Technology Sales team, responsible for providing IBM products and support to the Defense and Intelligence Communities.

“We selected Ray Spicer from a wide field after an extremely thorough search process,” said former Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jonathan Greenert, U.S. Navy (Ret.), Vice Chair of the U.S. Naval Institute. “Ray is a proven leader who is dedicated, smart, hard-working, and humble. I have the highest confidence we will continue our positive momentum.”

Spicer succeeds Daly, who has led the Naval Institute since 2011. During Daly’s tenure, the Naval Institute launched several significant initiatives to enhance the organization’s mission, including establishing USNI News, digitizing the Naval Institute’s assets, expanding reach and engagement through social media and live events, and strengthening the Institute’s fiscal posture. He oversaw the design and construction of the $29 million, state-of-the-art Jack C. Taylor

Conference Center. Opened in 2021 and funded entirely with private donations, the Center adjoins the Naval Institute’s headquarters in Beach Hall at the U.S. Naval Academy and serves as the physical flagship for engagement in the Institute’s open forum.

“The capital project to build the Jack C. Taylor Conference Center is perhaps the most obvious recent success of the Naval Institute Foundation,” said the 16th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, retired Marine General Peter Pace, Chair of the Naval Institute Foundation. “But it is only one of many accomplishments of the Institute, thanks in large part to the tremendous leadership of Vice Admiral Pete Daly. The Trustees and I thank Pete for his years of dedicated service, and we look forward to working closely with Ray in his new role at the Naval Institute, connecting with our donors, and providing opportunities for thoughtful discourse and professional growth.”

“It has been a privilege and honor to serve as CEO and Publisher and work with our members, donors, boards, and staff — a wonderful community of people — on such a worthy mission,” said Daly. “My goal coming here twelve years ago was to set conditions for the Institute to thrive. That goal has been met, and, as we celebrate our 150th anniversary in October, and with Ray Spicer as incoming CEO, the future is bright.”

Founded in 1873, the Naval Institute is an open, nonpartisan 501(c)3 whose mission is to provide an independent forum for those who dare to read, think, speak, and write to advance the professional, literary, and scientific understanding of sea power and other issues critical to global security. The Naval Institute gives voice to those who seek the finest Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

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