Leadership Biographies

Director Mason

In June 2026, Mr. Mason was appointed to the Senior Executive Service and assumed leadership of the Operational Test and Evaluation Force (OPTEVFOR). In this role, he is the senior leader of the Command, responsible for evaluating warfighting capabilities under realistic operating conditions to inform Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard Warfighters of system capabilities and limitations, in support of both operations and acquisition decisions.

Originally from Baltimore, MD, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Hampton University (1996), a Master of Strategic Studies from the US Army War College (2011), and a Master of Engineering Management from Old Dominion University (2026). In 1996, he was commissioned as a naval officer through the NROTCU Hampton Roads program.

Director

At sea, he served onboard USS OKLAHOMA CITY (SSN 723) as a junior officer, USS NORFOLK (SSN 714) as Weapons Officer, and USS SAN FRANCISCO (SSN 711) as Executive Officer. He has deployed in the Atlantic and Mediterranean areas of responsibility.

Ashore, he served as Command and Control Officer at CTF-144 Norfolk, VA, Eastern Pacific Action Officer at Joint Inter-Agency Task Force South (JIATF-S) Key West, FL, Submarine Force Action Officer at COMSUBFOR Norfolk, VA, Deputy Director Current Operations at US Fleet Forces Command Norfolk, VA, Commanding Officer at Navy Submarine Torpedo Facility Yorktown, VA, and an Assistant Program Manager at PMS 404 Undersea Weapons Joint Program Office Washington, D.C. Prior to relieving as the Deputy Director at OPTEVFOR, he served as the Undersea Warfare Director (Code 40 Division) for the command.

His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (two stars), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and others. He is DAWAI Level III certified in Program Management, Level I certified in Test & Evaluation, and qualified as an Acquisition Professional.

Deputy Director / Commanding Officer

Deputy Director / Commanding Officer CAPT Lambert

CAPT Matthew J. Lambert, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in International Affairs. He earned his “Wings of Gold” as a Naval Flight Officer on February 7, 2003, after completing flight training in Pensacola, Florida.

Operationally, CAPT Lambert’s flying tours include service with the “Wallbangers” of VAW-117 and two tours with the “Black Eagles” of VAW-113, where he deployed aboard USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) and USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) in support of operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM. He later deployed with the 45th Special Operations Squadron, executing combat search and rescue (CSAR) and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, and ENDURING FREEDOM.

He served with the “Screwtops” of VAW-123 as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer, completing consecutive COVID-era deployments aboard USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Inherent Resolve. CAPT Lambert also deployed as the only permanently embarked Maritime Operations Center Director with Commander Task Force 70 / Carrier Strike Group 5 aboard USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) and served as Chief of Staff for Carrier Strike Group 12 aboard USS GERALD R. FORD (CVN 78).

His shore assignments include duty as a Weapons and Tactics Instructor at the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, where he instructed at the E-2, EP-3, rotary wing, P-3, and strike warfare schools, as well as the Joint Terminal Attack Controller Course. He later served as Operations Officer for Commander, Airborne Command and Control and Logistics Wing (CACCLW), and as a Service Chiefs Fellow at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). On the Joint Staff (J8), he was the Chairman’s C4I capability and acquisition strategic analyst and the command-and-control lead for the Joint Staff’s Fourth Offset Innovation Group. While on the Joint Staff, he earned a Master of Military History from Norwich University.

Additional shore assignments include Officer-in-Charge, CACCLW Detachment Norfolk and the MQ-25 Fleet Introduction Team, where he oversaw all East Coast E-2C, E-2D, C-2A, and CMV-22 operations and MQ-25 milestones. CAPT Lambert currently serves as Deputy Director, Operational Test and Evaluation Force (OPTEVFOR).

Captain Lambert has logged more than 3,000 flight hours in multiple aircraft. His personal decorations reflect the accomplishments of the sailors and civilians with whom he has had the privilege to serve.

Chief of Staff (Acting) Mr. Lasseter
Mr. Lasseter currently serves as the Acting Chief of Staff at the Operational Test and Evaluation Force, bringing over 40 years of combined military and Department of Defense (DoD) civilian leadership experience in operational readiness, program management and workforce development. As Acting Chief of Staff, Mr. Lasseter is responsible to the Director for the daily operations and performance of all civilian staff. He serves as a critical advisor to Senior Executive Service (SES) and Flag Officers on operational capabilities, facilities management, civilian personnel policies, and risk posture to inform major acquisition decisions. Prior to his current role, he was the Director of Operations at OPTEVFOR where he directed the full scope of daily operations for Human Resources, Workforce Development, Training, Knowledge Management, and Integrated Risk Management, ensuring the alignment of multi-branch workflows with the overarching objectives of the Department of the Navy.

Chief of Staff (Acting)

Prior to his arrival at OPTEVFOR, he was a Program Manager at NETC where he directed a training portfolio valued at over $33 million with a throughput of over 18,000 students annually. He spearheaded cross-functional coalitions spanning academia, the Department of Defense (DoD), and private industry to deliver the Navy’s flagship "Ready Relevant Learning" (RRL) initiative, shifting legacy pipelines to modern, collaborative, and mobile-delivery environments with contracts approaching $1 billion. His data-driven approach institutionalized robust assessment metrics that measurably increased curriculum relevance and graduate fleet readiness.

Mr. Lasseter's career includes over 23 years of decorated active duty service in the United States Navy, where he held numerous leadership positions. His military tenure culminated in key leadership roles such as Maintenance Material Control Officer, where he led 10 production work centers and 200+ specialized personnel performing heavy maintenance on 13 MH-53E aircraft and managed budgets exceeding $19.2 million, and Command Senior Chief, serving as the primary advisor to the Commanding Officer on all matters impacting enlisted personnel. His naval career began in 1983 and included extensive experience as a Rescue Swimmer and NATOPS Instructor, where he accumulated over 2,400 accident-free flight hours.

Mr. Lasseter holds a Master of Science in Project Management from DeVry University, a Master of Arts in Education from American University, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Management from Excelsior College. His proven expertise in strategic planning, policy development, and workforce optimization makes him a vital asset to the OPTEVFOR mission.

Executive Officer

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.

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 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. Lopez began his naval journey by completing basic training in Great Lakes, Illinois, and subsequently attended Gunner’s Mate “A” 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.

Command Master Chief

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, 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). Lopez’s Command Master Chief 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. He served as the Defense Information Systems Agency Europe’s Senior Enlisted Leader in Stuttgart, Germany providing communications and IT services to EUCOM, AFRICOM and other mission partners. Command Master Chief Lopez is currently serving as the OPTEVFOR CSEL.

Lopez is a graduate of the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 182/Purple), CMC/COB Course, FELIX 16, and NFLEX. He is qualified as an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and Expeditionary Warfare Specialist.

He has been awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy 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
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Director Mason

Deputy Director / Commanding Officer CAPT Lambert

Chief of Staff (Acting) Mr. Lasseter

Executive Officer (Staff) LCDR Perry

Command Master Chief Lopez