Leadership Biographies

Director Locksley

In May 2022, Mr. Robin Locksley assumed leadership of the Operational Test and Evaluation Force. In this position, he is the senior leader of the Command, responsible for evaluating warfighting capabilities under realistic operating conditions in order to inform Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard Warfighters of system capabilities and limitations, in support of both operations and acquisition decisions.

In November 2019, Locksley was selected as the Deputy Commander of Operational Test and Evaluation Force. In this position he is responsible for evaluating new and upgraded naval, joint and multi-national systems as well as the executive and business management of the command.

Director

In October 2015, he was selected to the Senior Executive Service to serve as Director for Flight Test Engineering within the Naval Air Systems Command’s Integrated Systems Evaluation, Experimentation and Test (ISEET) Department. He served as the Chief Flight Test Engineer for naval aviation leading more than 900 flight test engineers across four geographic sites in the performance of systems test, evaluation, and experimentation to deliver critical war fighting capabilities to our sailors and marines.

In October 2011, he became the Head of the Systems Test Experimentation Management Division within the ISEET Department, where he led a national workforce performing the planning, execution, management, and reporting on all integrated systems evaluation, experimentation and test in support of acquisition programs managed by NAVAIR and the Naval Aviation Program Executive Offices (PEOs).

In April 2007, he became the Head of the PEO for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons Programs Test Branch providing technical direction and leadership of T&E efforts managed and conducted by 10 program offices performing Research, Development, Test and Evaluation.

In October 1998, he was Principle Flight Test Engineer for engineering and manufacturing development of the Marine Corps H-1 helicopter upgrades program. He provided technical leadership and risk management in the flight testing of three AH-1Z and two UH-1Y developmental aircraft and the subsequent execution of 2,500 hours of mishap-free, high-risk flight testing. Additionally, Mr. Locksley has conducted test and evaluation on Frigates, AEGIS Class ships, and avionics systems on SH-2F, SH-3H, HAS5 (AEW), and SH-60 aircraft.

Mr. Locksley received his Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Drexel University in 1989. He earned his Master of Science in electrical engineering from Florida Institute of Technology in 1995. Mr. Locksley is a graduate of the United States Naval Test Pilot School (Class 112), the NAVAIR Senior Executive Management Development Program, the Federal Executive Institute, and the Naval Postgraduate School. His awards include the Wernecke Award for technical excellence in rotorcraft T&E and a DoN Meritorious Civilian Service award. Mr. Locksley has over 32 years of civilian federal service.

CAPT McCallister

CAPT Ronald “MAC” McCallister hails from Seguin, TX and is a 1989 graduate of Rancho High School in Las Vegas, NV. Enlisting in the Navy in November 1989, he graduated Recruit Training Command San Diego, California. Follow on training included Sonar Technician Submarines “A” School and a host of advanced electronic technical training and service courses. He commissioned as a Surface Electronics Limited Duty Officer in November 2002 and has earned his Enlisted Submarine, Scuba Diving, Surface Warfare Officer and Information Warfare Officer designators serving aboard numerous Submarine and Surface Forces platforms.

CAPT McCallister’s enlisted assignments at sea include USS New York City (SSN 696) and USS Houston (SSN 713). Upon commissioning, sea tours included Electronics Material Officer in USS Curts (FFG 38), Electronics Material Officer in USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60), Combat Systems Maintenance Officer in USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and Combat Systems Officer in USS Gerald R Ford (CVN 78).

CAPT McCallister’s ashore assignments include Advanced Acoustic Analysis instructor at Submarine School, Groton, CT; N6 Department Head at Naval Telecommunications Station, Guam; Communications Planner at Special Operations Command, Pacific; Fleet Ordnance Officer at Commander Logistics Forces Naval Central Command in Bahrain; and N4 Department Head at AEGIS Training and Readiness Center, Dahlgren, VA and Commanding Officer of Naval Magazine Command Pacific East Asia Division Detachment Guam.

CAPT McCallister is currently serving as Force Combat Systems Officer at Command, Naval Air Forces Pacific.

CAPT McCallister’s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Joint Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy Achievement Medal (six awards), and various other personal and campaign awards.

CAPT McCallister is married to Kristin Elizabeth McCallister.

Chief of Staff Dr. Leccia
Dr. Michelle L. Leccia’s career is defined by her exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to government service, particularly in her role as Chief of Staff at the Operational Test and Evaluation Force (OPTEVFOR) since March 2022. Starting her journey at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard within the U.S. Navy, Dr. Leccia dedicated herself to supporting the nuclear-powered fleet, including aircraft carriers, submarines, and training ships. Over the years, she climbed the ranks, accumulating invaluable experience in various naval capacities from test engineer to government inspector.

Chief of Staff

In 2018, Dr. Leccia was selected for the NAVSEA Commander’s Executive Fellowship Program, where she gained diverse experience across Navy and Department of Defense offices, enriching her executive perspective on government leadership. Her contributions during this program ranged from financial management and budget development to the revision of the Maritime Homeland Defense strategy, as well as involvement in the establishment of PEO-Digital Logistics.

Continuing her ascent, Dr. Leccia played significant roles within the Naval Sea Systems Command. Her achievements include serving as Deputy Technical Warrant Holder for Bridge Design Integration, Deputy Program Manager in PEO Ships, and pioneering the integration of human factors and psychology into the development of an Integrated Bridge Design for the surface fleet.

In 2019, she transitioned to the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment – Industrial Policy, where she served as the Director of the Shipbuilding Sector. Her leadership streamlined joint service efforts, aligning them with national defense strategy objectives. When the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, Dr. Leccia led a task force, at the request of the Secretary of Defense, to assess its impact on the industrial base and develop strategies for improvement and critical supply provision.

Dr. Leccia’s dedication to education and knowledge is evident through her academic achievements, including a Doctorate in Public Service Leadership, a Master of Science in Systems Engineering, and a Master of Engineering in Engineering Management. Her commitment to continuous learning extends to programs at prestigious institutions, such as Cornell University, IBM, Vann H. Lefcoe Association, and the Federal Executive Institute, enhancing her leadership skills.

Throughout her career, Dr. Leccia’s exceptional leadership has earned her numerous awards, including meritorious unit commendations and over 50 special act and spot awards, reflecting her outstanding results, commitment to safety, exemplary leadership, and innovative contributions.

Her remarkable journey and tireless dedication continue to shape the future of the U.S. Navy and the Department of Defense. Dr. Leccia’s role as Chief of Staff at OPTEVFOR is pivotal in ensuring the effectiveness, suitability, and cyber survivability of weapons systems, upholding the nation’s defense capabilities.

Executive Officer (Staff) LCDR Perry

Lieutenant Commander Vincent N. Perry, a native of Walnut, Mississippi, assumed duty as the Executive Officer of Operational Test and Evaluation Force in November 2023. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland and a Master’s of Science Degree in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University.

In August 1994 he enlisted under the Delayed Entry Program. He then attended Boot Camp at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL in June 1995. After completing recruit training he attended Yeoman “A” School in Meridian, Mississippi. Upon completion of “A” School in October 1995 he was assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff as Special Distribution Courier for Support Services Division. In December 1997 he was promoted to Petty Officer Third Class.

Executive Officer

In April 2009 he was commissioned as an Ensign via the Limited Duty Officer (LDO)/Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Program. After completion of LDO/CWO Officer School in May 2009, he reported to VFA-151 “Vigilantes” where he served as the Administrative Officer and Legal Officer. During this tour he completed two squadron Western Pacific Deployments onboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).

In February 2012, he reported to Naval Air Systems Command where he served as the Flag Secretary to Commander, Naval Air Systems Command. In April 2013, he was promoted to Lieutenant. In March 2014, he reported onboard USS Peleliu (LHA 5) where he served as the Administrative Officer. During this tour he completed a Western Pacific Deployment and qualified as Surface Warfare Officer. In April 2015, he reported to Naval Personnel Command where he served as Branch Head for the Selection Board Administration. His follow on assignments as the Administrative Officer for Navy Pay and Personnel Support Center, Millington, Tennessee. In September 2019, he was promoted to the grade of Lieutenant Commander. In July 2021, he reported to USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) as the Administrative Officer.

Lieutenant Commander Perry’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (2), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (8), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3), as well as other campaign and unit citations.

Command Master Chief Officer

Command Master Chief Lopez
Command Master Chief Rodolfo Lopez, a native of El Paso, TX, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in July 1997. He has a distinguished career that spans various leadership positions and deployments, demonstrating his exceptional leadership and management skills. Command Master Chief Lopez began his naval journey by completing basic training in Great Lakes, Illinois, and subsequently attended Gunner’s Mate “A1′ School at Naval Station Great Lakes and “C” School in San Diego, CA. He gained extensive experience at sea, serving aboard USS O’Brien (DD 975) in Yokosuka, Japan, where he completed two tours to the Arabian Gulf. He then served as the leading petty officer (LPO) for the Combat Gunnery (CG) division and as a member of the Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) team aboard USS Higgins (DDG 76). It was during this time that he earned a Combat Action Ribbon for the capture of a mine-laden Iraqi tug and 13 Iraqi officers in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lopez also served with Riverine Squadron One, attending the Marine Corps School of Infantry (SOI) and Marine Combat Craft Coxswain School. He completed two combat tours to Iraq in support of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and was promoted to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Later, he served aboard USS Preble (DDG 88) as the Weapons Department Leading Chief Petty Officer (LCPO), participating in one deployment to the Arabian Gulf and contributing to humanitarian aid efforts under Operation Tomadachi. Subsequently, he served on USS Hopper (DDG 70) as the Weapons Department LCPO and command fitness leader, completing a training cycle and a deployment to the 5th and 7th Fleet AOR.

During his shore assignments, Command Master Chief Lopez made significant contributions as the training department Leading Petty Officer and reserve order writing specialist at the Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center in Greensboro, NC. He also served at Commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet in San Diego, working in the Anti-Terrorism, Force Protection / VBSS Office and assuming the role of Pacific Force Physical Readiness Control Officer (PRCO).

Command Master Chief Lopez’s tours further exemplify his leadership and management capabilities. He played a pivotal role at U.S. Naval Support Facilities Deveselu, Romania, where he established all command Navy programs at the Navy’s first AEGIS Ashore site and coordinated multiple Congressional Delegation (CODEL) and Distinguished Visitor (DV) visits. He then served aboard USS Coronado (LCS 4), overseeing the ship’s successful completion of INSURV and an out-of-area DSRA in Portland, OR. He continued his exceptional service on USS Ross (DDG-71), completing three patrols in the Sixth Fleet AOR and High North, including the rescue at sea of three Turkish mariners in the Turkey straits. Additionally, he contributed to the UK-led Flag Officer at Sea Training.

In January 2022, Command Master Chief Lopez assumed the duties as the Defense Information Systems Agency Europe’s Senior Enlisted Leader in Stuttgart, Germany.

Command Master Chief Lopez is a graduate of the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 182/Purple) and CMC/COB Course. He has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (6 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (7 awards), Good Conduct Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and various campaign and unit awards.

Contact the PAO: usn.hampton-roads.optevfor-norva.list.pao@us.navy.mil
Contact the Webmaster: usn.hampton-roads.optevfor-norva.list.webmaster@us.navy.mil

Director Locksley

CAPT McCallister

Chief of Staff Dr. Leccia

Executive Officer (Staff) LCDR Perry

Command Master Chief Lopez