Our Team
JOSEPH NOVAK
Chief Executive Officer
As the Chief Executive Officer and a Co-Founder of Patrona Corporation, Mr. Joseph Novak is responsible for oversight and supervision of all aspects of the company’s operation. Mr. Novak’s focus is setting strategic direction, fostering company culture and values, company growth, and achieving corporate objectives and goals.
Mr. Novak has more than 35 years of program and technical support experience. His strong leadership skills allowed Mr. Novak to work his way up from junior engineer to Vice President, In-Service Submarines at Perot Systems (formerly ADI Technology) and later move on to Concurrent Technologies Corporation as Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives prior to the founding of Patrona Corporation.
Mr. Novak received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.
STEVEN SCHULZE
President
Steven Schulze joined Patrona Corporation in September, 2019 as Vice President of Navy Technical Support Services and has since moved into the role of President. Mr. Schulze will expand, align and integrate the services provided by Patrona to ensure our customers receive timely, accurate, high quality support and products.
Mr. Schulze has more than 35 years of experience managing and executing submarine acquisition and sustainment programs, mobilizing and leading the Navy’s technical response to at-sea submarine mishaps, solving complex engineering and technical problems, and providing oversight of the Navy’s Special Emphasis Programs. Prior to joining Patrona Corporation, Mr. Schulze, a member of the Senior Executive Service, held leadership positions with the Naval Sea Systems Command including Executive Director, Ship Systems Engineering Directorate and Deputy Chief Engineer (SEA 05B) and Executive Director, Undersea Warfare Directorate (SEA 07B).
Mr. Schulze received a Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy, from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University. He also received a Bachelor of Science degree in Ocean Engineering from the Florida Institute of Technology.
BRUCE LEE
DIRECTOR,DOVER OPERATIONS
As Director, Dover Operations, Mr. Bruce Lee is responsible for leading and managing the contracted workforce for the Submarine Maintenance Engineering, Planning and Procurement (SUBMEPP) contract, ensuring Patrona products and services are delivered in a timely, accurate and cost-effective manner. Mr. Lee is also responsible for developing and nurturing customer relationships, ensuring customer satisfaction, and pursuing company growth.
Mr. Lee has more than 35 years of technical, senior management and strategic planning experience. Prior to joining Patrona Corporation, Mr. Lee served as the Senior Technical Representative/Senior Program Manager for ICI Services on the SUBMEPP contract. Mr. Lee also served as a Senior Analyst/Program Manager for Sonalysts, Inc in Waterford, CT. He is a U.S. Navy Submarine veteran of 26 years’, culminating his Navy Career as the Chief of the Boat on USS ALBUQUERQUE (SSN 706) and the Command Master Chief of Naval Submarine Support Center in Groton, CT.
Mr. Lee received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Management from the Eastern Connecticut State University. He also received a Master’s Degree in Educational Development from Central Connecticut State University.
GEORGE CHERVENIC
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF
MID-ATLANTIC OPERATIONS
As Executive Vice President Mid-Atlantic Operations, Mr. George Chervenic is responsible for leading and managing the Mid-Atlantic Operations workforce to ensure Patrona products and services are timely, accurate and cost effective. Mr. Chervenic is also responsible for developing and nurturing customer relationships, ensuring customer satisfaction, and pursuing company growth.
Mr. Chervenic previously served as the Team Submarine Chief of Staff and Deputy Program Manager, Strategic and Attack Submarines (PMS 392). Mr. Chervenic brings over 40 years of experience including operating nuclear reactors in the Navy (USS HENRY M. JACKSON and Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory) supervising nuclear testing (Portsmouth Naval Shipyard) and ensuring compliance with NRC requirements in private industry (Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant). Mr. Chervenic also managed submarine depot level maintenance availabilities, serving first as the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Submarine Factory Manager, then the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard Factory Manager before selection as the Principal Assistant Program Manager, Submarine Life Cycle Maintenance and Certification.
Mr. Chervenic was awarded the Navy’s Meritorious Civilian Service medal and Superior Civilian Service medal for his outstanding performance, accomplishments and service to the nation.
TRISH ARNONE
Director of Human Resources
As Director of Human Resources, Ms. Arnone oversees various aspects of human resources management including employee relations, legal compliance, recruiting, HRIS management, policy/handbook creation, compensation, benefits, rewards and recognition programs, training and development, and payroll administration.
Ms. Arnone has over 30 years of diverse human resources experience supporting both for-profit and nonprofit organizations as a business manager and account manager.
Ms. Arnone received an Associate degree of Applied Science in Management Development from College of Southern Maryland. She is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and holds a SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) certification.
