Vice Admiral John Terence “Terry” Blake (Ret.) served more than 37 years in the United States Navy, retiring in 2013. He most recently served as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Integration of Capabilities and Resources (OPNAV N8). As the Navy’s Chief Financial Officer, he was charged with planning, programming and executing the Navy’s Budget. He also served in numerous leadership positions within the Pentagon, including Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Financial Management and Comptroller, and Deputy Director for Resources and Acquisition on the Joint Staff (J8), where he provided high-level fiscal and acquisition guidance for Navy and Marine Corps operations.
Throughout his distinguished naval career, Vice Adm. Blake commanded at sea, leading a Destroyer, an AEGIS Cruiser, and a Carrier Strike Group, demonstrating his operational expertise across multiple commands. His strategic acumen and leadership extended beyond sea command, as he played a critical role in shaping defense budgets and policies during his time at the Pentagon.
Since his retirement, Vice Adm. Blake has been an independent consultant, offering strategic advice and fiscal expertise to both defense and commercial sectors. His consultancy work spans across defense program management, resource allocation, and strategic planning.
In addition to his consulting work, Vice Adm. Blake holds the position of Conrad Chair for Financial Management at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, where he mentors future military leaders. In this capacity, he lectures on the Navy’s Planning, Programming, and Budgeting Process at the Graduate School of Defense Management. Mr. Blake also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Navy Mutual Aid Association, and sits on a number of advisory boards.
Mr. Blake earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the United States Naval Academy. He holds a Master of Science in Finance from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Master of Science in National Security from the National War College. He also completed the Seminar XXI program in International Relations at MIT.