J Eric Smith Author

Rear Admiral James Robert McNeal, SC, USN (Ret.) graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1986. After six years on active duty in the Supply Corps, he transitioned into the Reserve component, retiring in 2017. He serves as an adjunct professor at the Naval Academy as well as an assistant coach with the Academy's Sprint Football Team.

Following eleven years with the Naval Reactors headquarters directorate, J. Eric Smith transitioned to the nonprofit sector, where he held four CEO positions and maintained a long-standing writing and advisory career. He lives in Sedona, Arizona.