PHC(SW) (Ret) Wes Gibson – President & Webmaster
Wes retired as a Chief Photographer’s Mate in 2000 after serving for 20 years. Growing up in Connersville, Indiana, he enlisted in the Navy in 1980 and attended PH “A” School in Pensacola. After graduating “A” school, he was assigned to the USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62). The highlight of his career was back-to-back tours of Instructor Duty at the Pensacola schoolhouse (1983-89) teaching color photography, photojournalism, and then assigned to the team restructuring PH “B” School where he developed curriculum for and taught illustrative photography and portraiture. Wes was selected Chief Petty Officer after attending the Quality Control Program at RIT in 1989. As a Chief, he was assigned to USS ACADIA (AD-42) during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm where he qualified as Combat Information Center Watch Officer and Junior Officer of the Deck Underway; Sub Base, Bangor, WA Public Affairs; USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71) as OP LCPO; and Atlantic Fleet Combat Camera as Supply Chief. After the Navy, Wes worked in Rockford, Illinois as a service manager for 15 years in the business technology industry servicing copy machines, printers, and computer networks before fully retiring in 2015. Wes now travels the country full-time in his 5th wheel RV as a travel and wildlife photographer, making images he shares on social media and his website.
MC1 (Ret) Lisa Borges – Vice President
Lisa retired from the Naval Reserve after 20 years of service to the U.S. Navy. Eleven of those were on active duty as a photographer. Her first assignment was in Deck Department on the ARCO ARDM5 at Naval Submarine Base, Pt. Loma, San Diego. While an undesignated seaman, she struck to become a Photographer’s Mate, doing her on-the-job training at the base newspaper “The Periscope,” aboard ships USS McKee and USS Dixon, and at San Diego Submarine Training Facility. In 1993, Lisa graduated from Photo “A” school, reenlisted, and became a PH3 on the same day, after which, she was assigned to Naval Media Center, Washington D.C. Navy/Marine Corps News. In 1995, before attending “C” school, she achieved recognition having won two second-place MILPHOGS, which positioned her for attending the Military Motion Media Program at Syracuse University, class of 1997. Lisa left active duty in September 2000 after her last active tour of duty at Naval Media Center Fleet Support Detachment in San Diego. That same year, she became a Reservist supporting Naval Media Center Washington D.C. until retirement in 2010. During those years she worked as a videographer/photographer and then a communication specialist for Alion Science and Technology. Lisa completed her Bachelor of Science in Television, Radio, & Film from Syracuse University in 2010 and then a Master’s in professional studies, in Public Relations and Corporate Communications at Georgetown University. Lisa is currently the editor for the nonprofit magazine, “The Tin Can Sailor,” which supports the National Association of Destroyer Veterans. She also serves on the web development team for Legislative Public Affairs at United States Agency International Development (USAID) and with the American Legion as the Department of Massachusetts Commander’s Photographer.
PH1(AW/SW) (Ret) Brian McFadden – Secretary
Brian joined the Navy in 1987 and went to Photo School in Pensacola FL. After graduating from “A” school, his first assignment was aboard USS Carl Vinson in Alameda CA. After the Carl Vinson, he attended the Joint Photojournalism Course at Fort Benning, IN before transferring to the Amphibious Construction Battalion One in Coronado, CA. Next, he went to Rochester Institute of Technology to attend the Advanced Photojournalism program. Upon completing the course, he was stationed with Fleet Combat Camera Atlantic, where he deployed to Bosnia twice along with a deployment on the Mine Countermeasures Support Ship, USS Inchon. Upon completing his tour at Combat Camera, he was stationed at the Pentagon with the Joint Combat Camera Center. His final tour was aboard the USS Nassau where he served as the LPO. He retired in 2007 and is currently living with his wife in Hampton, VA, enjoying as much time as possible on his sailboat on the Chesapeake Bay.
PH1 (Vet) Samuel Trice – Treasurer
Mr. Samuel Trice. Samuel graduated from The Naval Schools of Photography in 1958 and served 10 years and was discharged as First Class Photographer’s Mate. His tours included: Naval Special Weapons Facility at Kirtland, NM, MCB-5, and NAS Brunswick, ME. After his Naval Service, he attended college under the GI Bill and earned his MBA in Taxation. He is a semi-retired CPA living in Los Angeles and his hobbies include salmon fishing in Alaska and sampling his favorite beers in Germany.
PHCS (Ret) Tim Timmerman – Lifetime Director
Tim, a native of Greenville, SC, enlisted in the Navy in 1952. He is a graduate of Navy Schools of Photography, “A” and Motion Picture “C” in Pensacola, FL; Army Motion Picture School at FT. Monmouth, NJ; Disney Studios Cinemascope Motion Picture Course and USC Cinema Program. Duty stations include Naval Photographic Center (1953-55, 1959-62), Staff Antarctic Support Forces (1955-1959), Atlantic Fleet Combat Camera Group (1962-66, 1969-72), NAF El Centro, and CHINFO Film Production Unit (1966-69). Retiring from active duty in 1972, Tim attended the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, majoring in education, and after returning to the US in 1973 continued studies at Tidewater Community College in Virginia Beach and Norfolk State majoring in Mass Communications. Tim returned to the Navy in 1974 as a civilian Audiovisual Specialist and worked 21 years with the Chief of Naval Training at Dam Neck, VA., completing a total of 43 years of Naval Service in 1996. He currently resides with his wife, Judy, in Ellenton, FL.
LT (Ret) Jeff Hilton – Director
Iowa native Jeff Hilton served from 1974-1999. Early assignments after PH A School were: FAPL CUBI PT, FAPL GUAM, NFSA (Operation Deep Freeze) followed by Syracuse University to earn an 8148 Photojournalist NEC. After making PH1, Jeff served his first of two instructor tours in BLDG 1500, was a Battleship IOWA Plankowner then returned to BLDG 1500 as a PHC. From 1990-1999 he was a Photo LDO with assignments aboard USS BLUE RIDGE during Desert Shield/Desert Storm, as OIC at FLEET IMAGING CENTER Jacksonville, and as a contracting officer for Armed Forces Information Service. From 1999-2001 he put his 8148 skills to work at Clay Today newspaper, the weekly paper for Clay County Florida, and the NAS JAX AIR NEWS. Since 2002 Jeff has put his Navy 3M experience to work as a commercial real estate facilities engineer in Jacksonville taking care of one, 94-year-old, 12-story building and 11 other much more modern buildings.
PHCS (Ret) Gary Mann – Director
PHCS Gary Mann served for 26 years beginning in 1966 and retiring in 1992. Duty stations included VP-56, CINCUSNAVEUR London, VP-9, Fleet Imaging Rota Spain, USS Cape Cod (AD-43) in San Diego, NRD Harrisburg and Fleet Imaging Rosy Roads. After the Navy, Gary worked at a few jobs including spending 17 years with the Navy Exchange Service Command. His last position was as the Program Manager for the telecommunications department. Gary is a founding Life Member of the NANP and coordinator for two reunions, including our last reunion in San Antonio. He is a widower with a lot of time to dedicate to the NANP as a Director. Lastly, Gary is a life member of the American Legion and active member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
LCDR Michelle Tucker – Director (Active Duty Liaison)
LCDR Michelle L. Tucker was designated as a public affairs officer in 2014 after 8 years of enlisted service as a mass communication specialist. She completed enlisted tours at Naval Special Warfare Command, the U.S. Navy Parachute Team “Leap Frogs,” and Fleet Combat Camera Pacific in Coronado, California. Her officer tours include Defense Media Activity at Fort Meade, Maryland, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West in Coronado, Chief of Naval Air Training in Corpus Christi, Texas, and she currently serves as a public affairs officer at NATO Allied Maritime Command in Northwood, United Kingdom. Michelle deployed to Bahrain in support of Combined Task Force 56.1 and aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. She has earned a bachelor’s in graphic design and a master’s in digital journalism.
PH2 (Ret) W.R. (Sammy) Solt – Awards Chairperson & Past President
Sammy is a Charter Member of the NANP and has been actively involved in the roundup and conventions since 1984. Sammy enlisted in late 1961 with his first duty station being NAS Quonset Point where he worked in the Crash Crew as a firefighter. From there to the USS FDR (CVA-42) where he went to work in the Photo Lab. Sammy trained at NATTU Pensacola and completed PH “A”, “B”, and “C”(MOPIC) schools throughout the course of his career. Other duty stations as a Naval Photographer included HU-2/HC-2 at NAS Lakehurst, RVAH-3, RVAH-11 (USS Forrestal (CVA-59), USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63)), CRAW-1, FAPL Sanford, FAPL Albany, NADC Warminster and finally retiring from the USS America (CVA-66). Sammy worked in the transportation industry for many years as a general manager in the Orlando, Pensacola, San Diego, and Norfolk areas before retiring in 2011.
PHC(AW/NAC) (Ret) Greg McCreash – Reunion Chairperson & Merchandise Chairperson
Greg joined the Navy in 1986 and attended Photo School in Pensacola, FL. His first assignment was VF-194 and VF-154 in Miramar, CA. After TARPS he went to Fleet Imaging Center, Oceana, VA, where he ran the Norfolk Detachment at Naval Base Norfolk. Next, he attended Naval Aircrew School and moved to Fleet Imaging Command, Combat Camera, Atlantic, deploying to Bosnia twice. Greg attended Syracuse Motion Media studies during 1998-99 and had a follow-on tour aboard USS Eisenhower, CVN-69, as the OP LCPO. His final tour was at Fleet Combat Camera, Atlantic, where he was the Operations LCPO, Training LCPO, and Video Department LCPO. He retired in 2006 and now is employed by General Dynamics Information Technology where he designs, builds, and outfits Naval Media Departments onboard CVN, LHD, LHA, and shore-based imaging facilities.
LT (Ret) Todd Beveridge – Historian & Past President
Todd is a retired Navy Photographic Officer and currently the Video Producer for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) in Quantico, VA. He is a graduate of the Naval Schools of Photography (“A” School-1982 & Motion Picture “C” School-1985). His duty stations include: HQ, Naval District Washington, D.C./FLTIMAGCOMLANT (Combat Camera Group)/ Patrol Squadron 93/ FLTIMAGCOMPAC (Combat Camera Group)/ U.S. Atlantic Command PSYOPS Audiovisual Unit/ CHINFO Public Affairs Det. NAS Atlanta and Fleet Combat Camera Atlantic. He has civilian experience as a Producer, Director, and Cameraman on numerous feature films, video projects and sporting events in the Detroit, L.A. & Charlotte markets. He owned/operated a full-service video production company in Charlotte for 20 yrs with clients ranging from Coca-Cola to the U.S. Navy. He was a weekend sideline cameraman for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers for 15 yrs. His other military schools include: USMC Infantry School-1985/ Naval Amphibious Landing School-1985/ University of Southern California Film School -1986-87/ Naval Aircrew School-1987/ Navy Direct Commission Officer School-2000/ DINFOS (Public Affairs Officer Course)-2004.
MCC(SW/AW/SS) (Ret) Steven van der Werff – Member/Recruitment Chairperson
Steve is a graduate of the Naval Schools of Photography (8133 and 8143) and Motion Picture Program at Syracuse University (8144). He retired as Chief Mass Communications Specialist in 2009 after a 21-year career. At sea, Steve served as photographer aboard USS Carl Vinson and deputy public affairs officer aboard USS Boxer, deploying throughout the Western Pacific, Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. While with Fleet Combat Camera Group Pacific he deployed to Japan, Guam, Russia, and Thailand. As the Navy’s official photographer during a scientific expedition to the North Pole Steve deployed aboard the fast attack submarine USS Pogy and earned his “Dolphins.” Shore assignments include aerial photographer and public affairs road supervisor for the Blue Angels, public affairs manager for Naval Special Warfare Command, and creative services manager for Commander, Navy Recruiting Command. After retiring from the Navy, Steve began his civil service career as a media officer at Naval Education and Training Command aboard NAS Pensacola. During his civilian career, he has also worked for the Navy’s Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, and Naval Research Laboratory. Steve recently retired from civil service as PAO of Naval Medical Research Center.
CDR (Ret) Jerry Billings – Database Manager & Past President
Jerry is a retired Navy Photographic Officer and now resides in Bradenton Florida. He enlisted in the Navy in 1978 after earning his AAS in commercial photography from Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood Springs, Co. He served 12 years as an enlisted Photographer’s Mate at Chase Field, Beeville, Texas; Naval Station Keflavik Iceland; and as an A-School Instructor at BLDG 1500, Pensacola. He advanced to Chief Petty Officer before being commissioned in 1991 during his assignment as the OPS Chief for the White House TV unit. He served another 20 years in a variety of assignments including the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, Joint Intelligence Center, HI; USS MT WHITNEY, Atlantic Fleet Combat Camera, USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, Office of Naval Intelligence, CHINFO at the Pentagon, and US Central Command as the Combat Camera Planner. His final tour took him to San Diego where he served as the last Photographic Officer to Command the Fleet Imaging Command Pacific. He retired in 2010 after serving 32 years and moved to St. Augustine, Florida to be with his wife, Sheila, in their retirement home. He then earned his Master’s degree in Management and Leadership. In 2012 after 2 years of college, tennis, and golf, he started to miss working in his beloved field along with the active-duty troops, so he accepted a position as a Supervisory Audio Visual Specialist at the Defense Media Activity onboard FT Meade, MD. Jerry retired again from Federal service in 2020 and rejoined Sheila in their home in Bradenton, FL. He is a life-long member of NANP and one of his favorite hobbies it to hunt down vintage film cameras at estate sales and flea markets.
PH2 (Vet) Ray Simonse – Auditor
A veteran of the United States Navy, Ray served as a Photographer’s Mate from 1980 to 1985. Ray graduated from PH “A” School in January 1981. He later returned to the Pensacola schoolhouse, in the spring of 1983, to attend Illustrative Photography and Still Documentary Photography training. Ray served aboard the USS Independence (CV-62) his entire enlistment. Following his separation from Active Duty as a PH2 in September 1985, Ray was active in the US Navy Reserve with AVU-0193 (Combat Camera) in Willow Grove, PA until May 1987 when he moved to Bonn, Germany to work as a Security Patrol Officer at the U.S. Embassy. In 1989, Ray departed Germany to attend the British Campus of New England College in Arundel, England, and completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in late 1991 with a double major in International Business and Political Science. During the same time, he participated in the Model United Nations program in Cairo, Egypt, and an international conference in Rome, Italy. Returning to the United States in early 1992, Ray took a position with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) in Newark, New Jersey, performing multiple duties including those of a Naturalization Examiner, Firearms Instructor, Special Agent, and Supervisory Special Agent. Following the September 11, 2001 attack(s), Ray initiated the first Newark INS investigative response to assist the FBI in the investigation of leads in New Jersey. Following the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, Ray transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), where he performed duties as a Supervisory Detention and Deportation Officer, later holding positions as a Deputy Field Office Director and Field Office Director in Atlanta, Boston, Newark, and New York. Ray retired from federal service in late 2016 as a GS-15. He presently works as a Program Manager for a private firm managing an armed government security contract in New York City.