A native of Cassville, WI, Joe Frommelt enlisted in the United States Navy in January 1988. Following completion of basic training at Recruit Training Command, Orlando, FL, he reported to Naval Nuclear Power Training Command, Orlando, FL, where he completed Machinist’s Mate “A” School and Nuclear Power School. He then reported to the S1W Prototype in Idaho Falls, ID, completing the nuclear training pipeline.
His Navy career included at sea assignments as a member of machinery division onboard USS ALBUQUERQUE (SSN-706) and USS JACKSONVILLE (SSN-699), Machinery Division Chief Petty Officer onboard USS NEWPORT NEWS (SSN-750), Engineering Department Master Chief onboard USS BREMERTON (SSN-698) and USS MINNESOTA (SSN-783).
His shore duty assignments include Naval Nuclear Power Training Command as a staff instructor in Reactor Plant Technology Division where he earned the Master Training Specialist Designation, Main Propulsion Assistant to Commander Submarine Squadron One, Force Machinist’s Mate to Commander Submarine Force Atlantic and the S9G – S6G FIDE Lead and Engineering Department Master Chief at Submarine Learning Facility Norfolk.
After retirement from the Navy in January of 2018, he transitioned into the private sector as a Program/Project Manager at L3Harris. His primary responsibility was the support of alteration and modernization work conducted on submarines and surface ships.
He assumed his current duties as Development and Programs Manager of the Virginia Ship Repair Association on March 28, 2022.
Joe is married to the former Kelli Smith of Winter Park, FL. They reside in the Crestwood community of Chesapeake, VA and are the proud parents of four sons: Ian, Logan, Taylor and Alexander ‘AJ’.