Captain David Schnell (Navy)

A former officer of the U.S. Navy, Captain David Schnell has served as commanding officer on both the USS Ford and the USS Peleliu. During the deployments of these warships, he led a number of key functions, including aid to Pakistan following flooding in 2010. Before taking his first commanding officer post in 2003, when he assumed leadership of the USS Ford, Captain David Schnell refined his leadership abilities and military acumen as surface operations officer at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command in Bahrain. There, he oversaw naval operations in such missions as Operation Southern Watch and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Captain Schnell has also served with the U.S. Navy in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. He has accepted deployment on sea tours with the USS Berkeley, USS Tarawa, and USS Callaghan, and as a former executive officer on the USS Vincennes. Also a former staff member of the War on Terrorism and DEEP BLUE directorates, he earned a service medal, a commendation medal, and an achievement medal over the course of his service.

Now honorably discharged from the military, Captain Schnell remains involved with the U.S. Naval Institute and serves as general manager with Xerox's Americas Commercial and State Government Transportation Group.