Guest Speakers

Fleet Master Chief Raymond D. Kemp entered the U. S. Navy in June 1986 as a Data Processing Technician; completed Basic Training at Recruit Training Center San Diego, California and Class-A School at Service School Center San Diego.

Sea duty assignments include: USS Independence (CV 62); USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72); Staff of Commander Amphibious Group One; USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Shore duty assignments include: Naval Security Station Washington DC; Tactical Support Center, San Diego, CA; Commander Naval Space Command Dahlgren, VA; OPNAV Communications Information Systems and Network (N6), Washington DC.

He was selected into Command Master Chief (CMC) Program in 2009 and chosen to represent the Navy as a student at the US Army Sergeants Major Academy, CLASS 60. Command Master Chief tours include USS Mason (DDG 87); USS Harry S Truman, Navy Inspector General, and retired as the U.S. Naval Forces Europe/U.S. Naval Forces Africa Fleet Master Chief.

Throughout his career, he has completed combat deployments in the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Fleet areas of responsibilities and participated in operation Desert Storm, Operation Restore Hope, Operation Southern Watch, Continue Hope, Sea Angel II, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

Fleet Master Chief Kemp's personal qualifications and awards include the Enlisted Surface Warfare, Enlisted Aviation Warfare, and the Enlisted Information Warfare; two Meritorious Service Medals, four Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, a Combat Action Ribbon, and various unit and campaign awards.

Retired Navy Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman (Fleet Marine Force) Bob Asztalos was appointed as Deputy Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs on July 6, 2021. FDVA is a 1,500-member constitutionally chartered State Veterans’ Affairs department with a $160 million annual budget responsible for serving the nation’s third largest veteran population. 

He stepped down as the Chief Operating Officer for Medical Equipment and Supplies of America, a disabled veteran-owned small business that provides durable medical equipment to Veterans on behalf of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Prior to that, he worked in government relations on health care issues at both the state and federal levels since 1985. In Tallahassee, Bob served as the Chief Lobbyist for the Florida Health Care Association, representing nursing home and other long-term health care providers. In addition to lobbying, Bob coordinated the FHCA’s Emergency Response team in the State Emergency Operations Center during hurricanes and disasters. 

In Washington, D.C., Bob served as the Senior Congressional Affairs Representative for the American Health Care Association, Associate Director of Government Affairs with the American Physical Therapy Association, and a Legislative Specialist with the law firm of Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering. 

He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Master’s Degree in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University. 

Bob completed 29 years active and reserve service in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve serving with shipboard and U.S. Marine Corps ground units. He currently serves in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary as a small boat commander and Aids to Navigation Verifier.

He completed a term as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Florida Veterans Foundation, is the Vice President of Fleet Reserve Association, Branch 34, and serves on the Board of Directors of Ladies Learning to Lead and the Pines of Sarasota Rehabilitation & Senior Care Community.