Why I am a trustee:
I have known about St. Mary’s College for 20 years and I have grown more and more impressed with the institution and what it offers to college students throughout Maryland and the world, as well as what it offers to the local community. I spent my adult life in public service as a member of the U.S. Navy, and when I retired three years ago my wife and I decided St. Mary’s County was our home. I have always been surrounded by educators – my grandmother, mother, uncles, aunts, sister, and wife were all teachers, so it seemed only natural to volunteer for the Board of Trustees in order to continue my service in a location that I love.

Graduated from (and year):
United States Naval Academy, B.S. (1975)
United States Naval Postgraduate School, M.S. (1985)

Profession:
U.S. Navy Officer (fighter pilot)

When I was in college I studied:
American Political Systems (B.S.), Aeronautical Engineering (M.S.)

Today I wish I had studied:
I am very satisfied with the mix of technical and non-technical studies I was fortunate to get. 

Favorite books:
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway, All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Remarque, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Favorite films:
Gallipoli (1981), The English Patient (1996)

Favorite cuisine:
Thai, Indian, Italian

Role model:
Abraham Lincoln

Education/Career Advice for Students:
Try to always do what you will be proud of in 20 years.

Bio

Heely graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1975 with a bachelor’s of science degree in American political systems and earned a master’s of science degree in aeronautical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif. He received his wings in 1977 and flew the A-7E Corsair II in Attack Squadrons 146 and 97 from Naval Air Station, Lemoore, California, and aircraft carriers in the Pacific and Indian oceans. In 1990, he transitioned to the F/A-18C Hornet, and commanded Strike Fighter Squadron 192 "World Famous Golden Dragons." While in command, his squadron was honored with the Commander, Naval Pacific Battle Efficiency Award, as well as the Estocin Award, as the top Hornet Squadron in the United States Navy. In August 2000 he was selected to flag rank and was named Commander, Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division and Naval Air Systems Command's Assistant Commander for Research and Engineering. He assumed the position as Program Executive Officer, Strike Weapons and Unmanned Aviation in March 2004. He retired in the summer of 2008 after a 33-year career. He is currently the president of Systems Planning Analysis Research and Technology Associates (SPARTA), which was recently acquired by Cobham Analytic Systems, a British defense contracting firm. He and his wife, Cherie, are active Arts Alliance members and regularly attend the River Concert Series.