Media Center

Ship Sponsor Dana Richardson

Dana Richardson was born in Corvallis, Oregon, where most of her family resides (Sheridan, McMinnville, Eugene, Newburg, Portland to name a few places). She moved around the United States growing up, which gave her practice with the ground always shifting under her feet. Dana holds a degree in music education/flute from Seattle Pacific University.

Dana met her husband, now-retired U.S. Navy Adm. John Richardson, in York Beach, Maine in 1976 when the two were in high school. They have five children, ranging in age from 17-32 years. A son and daughter-in-law are serving in the Navy in Yokosuka, Japan; a second son and daughter-in-law live in Manoa, Hawaii working as a soil scientist and teacher, a daughter and son-in-law are pursuing their PhDs in biomechanical engineering and electrical engineering at the University of Virginia; a daughter who is a senior in college at Christopher Newport University; and a son who is a senior at Gonzaga College High School.

For the past four years Dana has focused her time on military spouse initiatives, family programs and family resources, serving on multiple boards and in a variety of leadership roles.

Outside of her professional, volunteer and family life, Dana is active in sports running, rowing (crew), lifting and walking her family dog. She’s recently started playing flute again in a rock band. Dana also enjoys reading, traveling and gardening.

Dana’s primary focus has been on Navy families, offering support and showing them by example and personal contact that it’s possible to raise a family while pursuing career interests, enjoying the adventure and handling the challenges that a military lifestyle can offer.

Kevin Graney

President, General Dynamics Electric Boat

Kevin Graney became president of General Dynamics Electric Boat in October 2019.

Graney began his shipbuilding career with General Dynamics Electric Boat in 1995, as a senior engineer, working on the high-speed turbine generator set for the Virginia-class submarine. He was then assigned as a fluid systems supervisor, working with Newport News Shipbuilding to design the reactor plant fluid systems of the next-generation aircraft carrier – the CVN 78 program. He later managed a team of Electric Boat designers and engineers in the development of fluid systems for the British Astute-class submarine program. After working on the British submarine program, he became the program manager of capital projects and metrics in the Virginia-class submarine program office. He joined NASSCO in January 2006 as director of quality assurance and was promoted to vice president of engineering in July 2007. In 2010, Graney assumed the post of vice president of Programs and in January 2013 was promoted to vice president of Operations. In November 2013, Graney was named vice president and general manager, a position he held until assuming the role of president.

Graney was born in Cheektowaga, New York, in January 1964. He earned a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering and nuclear science from State University of New York Maritime College in 1986. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a naval officer and served aboard submarines and as an instructor at Nuclear Power Training Unit Ballston Spa in New York. Graney currently lives in Jamul, California and is married to Cheryl Kidd Graney from Colchester, Connecticut. Together, they have a daughter, Katherine, currently attending the University of California, Davis.

CDR Daniel A. Patrick

Commanding Officer, PCU Oregon (SSN 793)

CDR Dan Patrick, a native of Taylor, Michigan, enlisted in the Navy in 1994 and attended Electronics Technician A-school and Naval Nuclear Propulsion Training in Orlando, Florida. In 1995, he was accepted to the Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Michigan where he graduated in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences.

He joined his first submarine, USS Tennessee (SSBN 734) (GOLD), in May of 2001 in Kings Bay, Georgia. He served aboard the USS Tennessee as a Junior Officer from May 2001 through January 2004, where he conducted five Strategic Deterrent Patrols. Following his tour on the USS Tennessee, he was assigned to Naval Reactors in Washington D.C. where he worked in the Special Submarine Operations division, assigned to the Virginia and Seawolf class building and operations programs. While at Naval Reactors, he completed his masters of Engineering Management from Old Dominion University.

In August 2006, he completed the Submarine Officers Advanced Course (SOAC) and reported to the USS Montpelier (SSN 765) as the Navigation and Operations Department Head, where he completed one CENTCOM deployment and one combined CENTCOM/AFRICOM deployment. After his relief in November 2009, CDR Patrick was assigned as the Operations Officer at Commander Submarine Squadron EIGHT and SIX (CSS6 & CSS8) where he supported all Norfolk based submarine operations. Following his tour at Submarine Squadron SIX, he attended and graduated from the Dutch Perisher course 112 as the 5th American to graduate from the Dutch Submarine Command Course.

He reported to the USS Helena (SSN 725) as the Executive Officer in September 2012 where he completed a CENTCOM deployment. Following his XO tour, he served as the XO for the Atlantic Fleet Tactical Readiness team from May of 2014 through September of 2015. He was then the Director of Submarine Special Operations at Commander, Submarine Forces Atlantic from September 2015 through December 2016.

CDR Patrick reported as Commanding Officer of PCU Oregon (SSN 793) in October of 2017.

CDR Patrick is married to Charlotte Patrick, also from Michigan, and has two sons, Tyler and Zachary.

MMACM(SS) Jon T. Kerstetter

Chief of the Boat

MMACM(SS) Jon T. Kerstetter, a native of McAlisterville, Pennsylvania, enlisted in the Navy on November 6, 2001. After completion of basic training in Great Lakes, IL, he attended Machinist Mate “A” school in Charleston, SC. He then reported to Naval Submarine School in Groton, CT for Basic Enlisted Submarine School and Machinist Mate “C” School.

Upon completion of training, he reported to the USS Buffalo (SSN 715), stationed in Pearl Harbor, HI. During his tour, he was advanced to Second Class Petty Officer and served as both a member of the Auxiliary Division and as the Dry Deck Shelter Leading Petty Officer. In May of 2006, he transferred to the USS Albuquerque (SSN 706), stationed in Groton, CT. While on Albuquerque, he was advanced to First Class Petty Officer and served as the Auxiliary Division Leading Petty Officer.

In June of 2008, he transferred to the Naval Submarine Support Facility (NSSF) in Groton, CT, where he was advanced to Chief Petty Officer. While at NSSF, he served as both the Valve Shop and Outside Machine Shop Leading Chief Petty Officer. In December of 2010, he transferred to USS Alexandria (SSN 757), homeported in Groton, CT. While on Alexandria, he served as the Auxiliary Division Leading Chief Petty Officer and was advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer. After Alexandria, he transferred to the Naval Submarine School in Groton, CT, where he served as the High Risk Training Division officer and as the Training Support Department Master Chief.

He completed his Chief of the Boat qualifications and attended the Senior Enlisted Academy during his time at SUBSCOL. In June of 2017, he attended the CMC/COB course at the Naval Ethics and Leadership School in Newport, RI. Upon completion, he reported to PCU Oregon (SSN 793) as Chief of the Boat.

MMACM(SS) Kerstetter currently resides in Norwich with his wife, Tracie, and their children, Rylie and Coltin.