Board of Directors
L.S. “Mike” Pittman- President
EMCM(SS) Mike Pittman served as Chief of the Boat on board U.S.S. Chicago from January 1987 until June 1990. After his COB tour he served as Command Master Chief of Carrier Air wing 11 which embarked on U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln for Desert Storm. His final tour of duty was as Force Master Chief for Commander Training Command U.S. Pacific Fleet.
He retired from the Navy on 1 September 1995. After his retirement from the Navy he taught NJROTC for 16 years. He taught at 3 different High School, Eastside High School in Gainesville Florida, Chaffey High School in Ontario California and finally at Pasco High School in Dade City Florida.
He enjoys his hobbies of Woodworking, Scuba Diving, Motorcycling, and has just completed a body off restoration of his 1974 Corvette that he has owned since 1981. He enjoys traveling and accomplishes most of his travels via Cruise Ships. And after 22 ½ years of submarine service he DO NOT BOOK AN INTERIOR CABIN.
Robert Brest- Vice President
MM1(SS) Brest served in Reactor Laboratory Division on board USS Chicago from September 1984 to November 1987. After leaving the Chicago, he reported to the USS Sam Rayburn (SSBN-635) which was undergoing refueling overhaul at Charleston Naval Shipyard and conversion into the Navy’s first Moored Training Ship (MTS). After completing overhaul and conversion, Petty Officer Brest served as a staff instructor and Crew D Leading ELT on the Sam Rayburn (MTS-635). Returning to Norfolk, he reported to the USS Montpelier (SSN-765) where he served as Leading ELT and Machinery Division Leading First. Prior to leaving Montpelier, he was selected to advance to Chief Petty Officer. He next reported to R-5 Division on the USS Puget Sound (AD-38), which was decommissioned in January 1996, following which he reported to R-6 Division on the USS Emory S. Land (AS-36). Chief Brest retired from active duty on October 31st 1997.
After retirement from the Navy he worked at Newport News Shipbuilding in the Aircraft Carrier Nuclear Overhaul Engineering Department. During his time at the shipyard he attended night school achieving certifications in computer programming and database administration. He then went to work for Newport News Public schools as a software developer and upon leaving the school district went to work for the College of William and Mary as an application engineer and database administrator where he still works today.
In his time off he enjoys motorcycle riding, animal welfare and foster care, working with his wife in their garden at their home in Port Haywood Virginia and spending time with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Kevin Perry- Treasurer
Kevin Perry MM1(SS)
Prior to his Navy enlistment, Kevin served as a corpsman/EMT in law enforcement units of the US Coast Guard. Transferring to the Navy submarine world in 1981, he reported to (then) PCU Chicago in October 1984 after serving on his ‘qual boat,’ USS Andrew Jackson (SSBN 619B), for two years. Arriving at the launch date, he remained aboard for the remainder of construction, sea trials, commissioning, and the transfer to San Diego. Perry left the boat at the end of January 1989 to another PCU, Asheville (SSN 758). During his time on Chicago, he was assigned to “M Div,” where he was eventually promoted to MM1, was one of the first two EMTs, one of two “dungarees wearing” Engineering Watch Supervisors, and, last, served as the log room yeoman.
Since leaving the Navy in 1991, Kevin joined an engineering insurance company as a commissioned National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspector until moving to a managerial role. In 1997, he switched to a different “EB” (“Equipment Breakdown,” that is, not “Electric Boat”) coverage company, serving as the assistant chief engineer before moving onto the underwriting side in 2020. His current role is national underwriting officer for the practice and the coverage line advisor to the company’s renewable/alternative energy coverage practice.
Kevin and his wife (of over 41 years and a former Chicago ombudsman) Vickie, live 25 miles north of Indianapolis, IN, near both of their sons, daughters-in-law and grandsons ( a 2yo and a 1 month old. Their sons are both first responders, in the Indianapolis area. (the oldest a 10Y Indianapolis Metro PD office and their youngest son is 7 FF lieutenant in one of the Indy donut counties), Kevin and Vickie enjoy their 4 “grand dogs.”
Kevin is the sitting Treasurer of the USS Chicago SSN-721 Association.
Brandon Korkowski- Secretary
Brandon reported onboard in September 1992 as the Chicago was returning from WestPac. He was a member of the hardest working group on the boat, A-Div. He left the Chicago in March 1997 and returned home to Minnesota where he still resides.
Chuck Rector- Public Affairs
Chuck Rector served as Reactor Operator aboard the USS Chicago from 1988 to 1992, during which time he took on an additional leadership role as Public Affairs Officer (PAO). He went on to share his nuclear operations expertise while training sailors at Naval Nuclear Power School for 3 1⁄2 years. Chuck’s next assignment was aboard the USS Norfolk submarine, where he was honored to serve again as PAO. His naval career - focused heavily on nuclear engineering - inspired Chuck to complete his Bachelors of Science degree in that field.
After retiring from 14 years of service, Chuck spent over a decade operating cyclotrons for Siemens medical equipment manufacturing. Seeking a new challenge, he pivoted into education 6 years ago as a Mechatronics and Pre-Engineering teacher at Pioneer Technology Center. Helping prepare the next generation of technical talent keeps Chuck actively engaged in the skills that defined his career.
An avid scuba diver and woodworking enthusiast, Chuck can also often be found restoring vintage tractors and expanding his knowledge of history. More than anything, he cherishes time spent with family and passing on his passion for engineering.
Past President
VACANT
Position will be filled by the most recent President after an election of the BOD.
