Vice Admiral Mary M. Jackson, U.S. Navy (Ret.)

Jackson retired in July 2020 after over three decades of service in the United States Navy. She began her career as a Surface Warfare Officer serving on and off Navy warships achieving command of USS McFAUL (DDG 74), an Arleigh Burke class destroyer. She subsequently went on to command the Navy’s largest Navy base, Naval Station Norfolk where she was the equivalent of a city manager or Mayor for a city with a population of 64,000 people, managing operational and service industries while managing the Navy’s relationship with local agencies, surrounding communities, regulators, and national media. Upon selection as a Flag Officer, she served in Shore installation Regional and Enterprise level (Navy Installations Command) assignments ultimately accountable for $7.5B and 53,000 personnel executing efficient and effective operational, material and personnel programs from facility management, utilities, port and air operations, security, crisis response, and Sailor/family support services (lodging, food services, childcare, fitness) for 71 Navy installations across 10 Regions providing global support to the Navy and Joint forces.

Currently, Jackson remains engaged through a portfolio of activities, including service as an Independent Director, consulting as an advisor to clients, and serving as a board member for the Greater Jacksonville Area USO and the Surface Navy Association. Additionally, she is theChair of the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone Jacksonville Advisory Council and serves on the Blue Star Families Racial Equity Committee.

Jackson holds a Bachelors Degree in Physics (Oceanography emphasis) from the United States Naval Academy and a Masters of Engineering Management from George Washington University.

Vice Admiral Jackson was raised in the Middle East, where her father worked for U.S. Geological Survey, and claims Texas as her home state. She and her family currently reside in Jacksonville, Florida.