Calendar of Events

Event Details:  

Type of Category: Social/Networking 

Type of Activity: Business Acumen 

Date: Monday, 11/17/2025  

Time: 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm  

Registration Close Date: Friday, 11/7/2025 

PDUs: (2)  

Cost: $5.00 early bird registration through 10/20/2025 (10/21 – 11/7: $10.00)  | Veterans FREE

Location: USS Orleck (DD 886), 610 E Bay St, Jacksonville, Florida 32202 https://jaxnavalmuseum.org/  

Event Schedule:

• 5:30 pm Registration Opens (Raffle and Drink Ticket provided)  
• 6:00 pm Opening remarks by PMI Board, 1st Raffle Pull & Social/Networking 
• 6:30 pm Guest Speaker John Bear
• 6:50 to 7:50 pm Social/Networking 
• 7:50 to 8:00 pm Closing Remarks & Final Raffle Pull 
• 8:00 pm Event secured

Speaker: John Bear

Speaker Bio:

CDR John Bear is a native of Philadelphia, PA who retired in December 2024 as Navy Surface Warfare Officer after 32 years of service to our country. He is the current Chief Executive Officer of Five Star Veterans Center, a non-profit organization that assists veterans facing housing instability to overcome barriers and build independent lives through access to permanent homes and sustainable income opportunities.

While serving in the Navy, his last assignment was the Commanding Officer of the USS ST. LOUIS (LCS 19) Gold Crew, where he took command of the ship after completing a major overhaul, repair, and upgrade period. His team of superior warriors brought the ship back to life through several operational test and inspection evaluations. Additionally, his Sailors certified in all aspects of naval warfare and ship operations to perform operations at sea in support of national defense and deployment requirements to the 4th Fleet Area of Operations.

His previous sea commands are USS REUBEN JAMES (FFG 57) as Combat Information Center Officer and Operations Officer, USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) as Reactor Mechanical Division Officer, USS SIMPSON (FFG 56) as Combat Systems Officer, and USS GEORGE H W BUSH (CVN 77) as Reactor Training Assistant.

Assignments ashore include Naval Nuclear Power Training Command, Nuclear Power School as an Advanced Reactor Plant Operations Division Director and Instructor for Officer students, Center for Surface Combat Systems Unit Dam Neck in Virginia Beach, VA, as Director of Training, Weapons Officer, Facilities Manager, and Executive Officer, and Officer in Charge of Commander LCS Squadron Two Training.

CDR Bear commissioned via the Seaman to Admiral 21 program following twelve years of service as a Nuclear Surface Machinist Mate. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering (Cum Laude) from North Carolina State University, a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University (Magna Cum Laude), and is a graduate of the Air University Air Command and Staff College where he earned credit for Joint Professional Military Education Phase I.

Personal Awards: Meritorious Service Medal (2), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3) and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2).