Biography

Jeffrey L. McKenzie entered the U.S. Navy in March 1983 as an Aviation Officer Candidate and was commissioned as an Ensign in June 1983. He was designated a Naval Aviator in October 1984.

McKenzie’s first duty assignment was with Patrol Squadron Twenty-Four (VP-24), where he served as a Patrol Plane Commander, Mission Commander, and Instructor Pilot in the P-3C patrol aircraft.

His subsequent tours included Patrol Squadron Thirty (VP-30) as a Fleet Replacement Squadron Instructor Pilot and USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), where he served as Assistant Navigator and qualified as Officer of the Deck Underway. He also attended Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, and earned a Master of Arts in Military History from the University of Alabama.

McKenzie later returned to Jacksonville, Florida, where he served as Operations Officer with Patrol Squadron Sixteen (VP-16). Following his department head tour, he rejoined VP-30 as FRS Training Officer. He then reported to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower and Personnel) in Washington, D.C., where he served as Aviation Officer Community Manager and helped formulate personnel plans and policy with an emphasis on accessions, training, and retention initiatives.

Selected for command, McKenzie reported as Executive Officer of Patrol Squadron Eight (VP-8) in May 2001 and assumed command in May 2002. As Commander Task Group 67.1 and 67.3, he deployed to the Mediterranean, leading Maritime Patrol Forces in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In 2003, McKenzie was assigned to Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Group in Norfolk, Virginia, as Assistant Chief of Staff for Training and Readiness. He later reported to the Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center (ECRC) in July 2006 and officially established and assumed command of ECRC in October 2006. After three years supporting 30,000 Navy Individual Augmentees deployed to Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan, he relinquished command and retired from active duty in 2009.

During his naval career, McKenzie received two Legions of Merit, the Bronze Star, two Meritorious Service Medals, Air Medal with “V,” Air Medal Strike Flight Award, four Navy Commendation Medals, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and multiple campaign and unit awards.

After transitioning to private industry, McKenzie joined RBC Inc. in September 2009. He serves as Executive Advisor to Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Group in Norfolk, Virginia, and as Principal Analyst and fleet liaison for Naval Air Systems Command PMA-290 and the Advanced Sensors Technology Program Office. His work emphasizes the MPRF Family of Systems, including the MQ-4C Triton and P-8A Poseidon Multi-Mission Aircraft programs.