Admiral Robert Willard
Robert F. (Bob) Willard has served as President and CEO of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) since May 2012, leading the organization in execution of its mission “to promote the highest levels of safety and reliability – to promote excellence – in the operation of commercial nuclear power plants. Prior to joining INPO, Admiral Willard completed a distinguished career in the U.S. Navy, culminating in command of United States Pacific Command.
Bob graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1973 and holds a master’s degree in engineering management from Old Dominion University. He is also an MIT Seminar XXI alumnus.
An F-14 aviator, he served in a variety of west coast fighter squadrons, was Operations Officer and Executive Officer of Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and commanded the “Screaming Eagles” of VF-51. Following nuclear-power training, he was Executive Officer of USS Carl Vinson and commanded the amphibious flagship USS Tripoli (LPH 10), and the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).
As a Flag Officer, Admiral Willard served in the Pentagon twice, commanded Carrier Group Five aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) in Yokosuka, Japan, and commanded the U.S. Seventh Fleet. In 2005, he became the 34th Vice Chief of Naval Operations. In May 2007, he assumed command of the U.S. Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and in October 2009, he became Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command at Camp H.M. Smith in Hawaii.
In November 2024, Bob and his wife, Donna, celebrated their 50th anniversary. Donna is the lifetime sponsor of the Virginia class submarine, USS California. Bob and Donna have three children, Jennifer, Bryan and Mark, and four grandchildren.
Bob graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1973 and holds a master’s degree in engineering management from Old Dominion University. He is also an MIT Seminar XXI alumnus.
An F-14 aviator, he served in a variety of west coast fighter squadrons, was Operations Officer and Executive Officer of Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and commanded the “Screaming Eagles” of VF-51. Following nuclear-power training, he was Executive Officer of USS Carl Vinson and commanded the amphibious flagship USS Tripoli (LPH 10), and the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).
As a Flag Officer, Admiral Willard served in the Pentagon twice, commanded Carrier Group Five aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) in Yokosuka, Japan, and commanded the U.S. Seventh Fleet. In 2005, he became the 34th Vice Chief of Naval Operations. In May 2007, he assumed command of the U.S. Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and in October 2009, he became Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command at Camp H.M. Smith in Hawaii.
In November 2024, Bob and his wife, Donna, celebrated their 50th anniversary. Donna is the lifetime sponsor of the Virginia class submarine, USS California. Bob and Donna have three children, Jennifer, Bryan and Mark, and four grandchildren.
Page Last Reviewed/Updated Sunday, March 8, 2026
