Cmdr. “PJ” Tech joined the faculty at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in June, 2010.  He currently serves as the operations officer for the College of Security Studies.  He has taught courses on China, Maritime Security, the South China Sea, and Law of the Sea.  He has served as a seminar leader in both the Advanced Security Course and the Comprehensive Response to Terrorism Course, as well as acting as course coordinator for the Asia-Pacific Orientation Course.

A native of Phoenix, Cmdr. Tech entered the Navy as a Naval Aviation Cadet (NAVCAD) in January 1990, and was commissioned and winged on Dec. 6, 1991, following completion of flight training.  Initially flying the C2A Greyhound “COD” with Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 (VRC-40), he completed two Mediterranean deployments on board the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). He then served on board Naval Air Facility (NAF) Mildenhall, United Kingdom and NAF Washington on Andrews AFB in various department head billets, as the legal officer, assistant operations officer and as the NATOPS officer/ instructor pilot on the UC-12.  He separated from active duty in December 2000 and joined reserve squadron VR-59, flying the C-40A, a Boeing 737.  Concurrently, he flew for American Airlines as a flight engineer on the Boeing 727 and as a first officer on the McDonnell Douglas “Super” 80.  In October 2003, he accepted temporary recall to active duty to become the commanding officer of Navy Operational Support Center, Lubbock.  Following his command tour, he was mobilized to U.S. Special Operations Command in Tampa, FL as a planner in the Future Operations Division, Global Synchronization Branch where, he coordinated combatant command, government inter-agency, and international communication supporting the DoD’s efforts in the Global War on Terror.  Returning to active duty, Cmdr. Tech was designated a foreign area officer for East Asia and the Pacific.

Cmdr. Tech studied at the U.S. Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, graduating with a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. He also completed the Mandarin Chinese course at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA.  Previously, Cmdr. Tech earned a Master of Science degree in International Relations through Troy State University’s online curriculum, concentrating in East Asian studies, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in liberal arts from Regents’ College of the University of the State of New York with concentrations in psychology and sociology.

Cmdr. Tech’s personal decorations include the Joint Commendation Medal, two Navy Commendation Medals, the Joint Achievement Medal, three Navy Achievement Medals and various unit, expeditionary, and service awards.