Captain Byron Roger assumed duties of the Naval Research Laboratory as the Acting Executive Officer in July 2025.
He is a native of Hopewell Junction, New York, and graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in 1999, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering and commissioned into the Navy Reserve. He earned a Master of International Business Degree from the University of Wollongong, Sydney Business School in 2001.
Roger has worked in private industry and as a government civilian between tours on active duty. From 2002 through 2007, Roger was a design engineer and engineering manager on LOS ANGELES Class, attack submarines at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Selected to participate in the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) executive leadership development program was relocated to Washington, D.C., in 2007. Roger completed a series of high visibility assignments with Commander Pacific Fleet (N43), NAVSEA Strategic Plans, Advanced Seal Delivery System (ASDS) in PMS-399, and the future cruisers program office (CGX).
In 2009, Roger became an alumnus of University of Pennsylvania, Wharton Business School, Advanced Management Program with a Research and Development focus.
Roger was Main Propulsion Motor lead and later Technical Warrant Holder for submarine Integrated Power Systems in NAVSEA 05, Engineering directorate from 2013 through 2017 where he led the team developing the COLUMBIA Class submarine, electric power system including power generation, distribution, and propulsion from requirements generation through qualification testing and fielding of the initial production units.
Roger was acquisition lead for TRIDENT Missile Life Extension II (D5LE2) at Strategic Systems Programs from 2021 to 2022 focused on early system requirement development and command intellectual property policy. Roger served at Naval Reactors as the Lead for supplier base development from 2022 through 2025, a $750M program focused on restoring health to the Navy’s turbine generator supplier base.
Roger has held several consequential Navy Reserve positions and has been recalled to active duty three times. In 2010, he served as Division Head at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Corona, CA, leading the Weapons System Test Laboratory (WSTL) and calibration laboratory in Seal Beach, CA, from 2012 to 2013. Roger was Officer in Charge (OIC) of a Naval Reactors detachment from 2017 to 2020 in Fitchburg, MA, at the COLUMBIA Class main propulsion motor supplier site focused on improved industrial processes and supplier oversight. Roger served as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, J6 Reserve Director from 2020 through 2023.
Roger is certified DAWIA Program Management and Engineering and Technical Management certification tracks. Roger holds a U.S. Coast Guard engineer’s license to operate steam, diesel, and gas turbine ships of unlimited horsepower. His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal (two awards), the Navy commendation Medal (two awards), the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and various unit and individual awards.