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.
JAY VANCE
Chief Financial Officer
As Chief Financial Officer, Mr. John (Jay) Vance is responsible for managing Patrona’s finances, including financial planning and budgeting, management of financial risks, record-keeping, and financial reporting.
Mr. Vance has more than 36 years of experience in accounting, finance, tax, and auditing. He has held numerous leadership positions, including Senior Accountant, Senior Director of Accounting, and Controller, in public accounting firms and private industry, specializing in Government Contracting. He joined the Patrona accounting team in 2010 and became the CFO in 2019.
Mr. Vance received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from James Madison University.
TIMOTHY BASSETT
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Of
NORTH EAST OPERATIONS
As Executive Vice President North East Operations, Mr. Timothy Bassett is responsible for leading and managing the North East Operations workforce to ensure Patrona products and services are timely, accurate and cost effective. Mr. Bassett is also responsible for developing and nurturing costumer relationships, ensuring customer satisfaction, and pursuing company growth.
Mr. Bassett has more than 39 years of technical, senior management and strategic planning experience. Prior to joining Patrona Corporation, Mr. Bassett served as Executive Director of NAVSEA’s Submarine Maintenance Engineering, Planning & Procurement (SUBMEPP) Activity located in Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine.
Mr. Bassett received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Massachusetts. He also received a Master Degree in Engineering Management from Western New England College.
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 costumer 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). 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). 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 been awarded the Navy’s Meritorious Civilian Service medal and Superior Civilian Service medal for his outstanding performance, accomplishments and service to the nation.
JOHN McCULLOUGH
Vice President
of Business Development
As Vice President of Business Development, Mr. John McCullough performs market assessments, identifies business opportunities, and leads new business capture efforts.
Mr. McCullough has more than 30 years of experience in the management and execution of engineering and technical services for a wide variety of federal agency customers. Prior to joining Patrona Corporation, Mr. McCullough held senior management positions with EG&G Technical Services / URS Federal Services and Cardinal Engineering, responsible for all aspects of contract award and execution, primarily focused on NAVSEA support services for submarine and surface warfare shipbuilding and sustainment.
Mr. McCullough received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the College of William and Mary, a Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Virginia and a Master of Science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from George Mason University. He also served as a Nuclear Engineering qualified Submarine Warfare Line Officer in the U. S. Navy.
AMY BURRELL
Vice President of Contracts
As Vice President of Contracts, Ms. Amy Burrell is responsible for providing leadership, policy, direction, training and oversight in support of the Company’s contract negotiations, documentation and relationship management. She is the principle advisor to the company on contractual matters and serves as the principle interface with government contract clients.
Ms. Burrell has over 25 years of experience in contracts, business strategy, accounting and finance. She has held numerous leadership positions, including Vice President of Strategy and Growth, Senior Technical Representative, Chief Financial Officer and Accounting Manager, supporting government contractors and small businesses in the private sector.
Ms. Burrell received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Southern New Hampshire University.
TRISH ARNONE
Director of Human Resources
As Director of Human Resources, Ms. Arnone overseas 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 Charles County Community College. She is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and holds a SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) certification.
