Robert Roncska
Dr. Robert "Navy Bob" Roncska has an impressive background and a diverse range of experiences. He has held various leadership positions in both the military and civilian sectors, focusing on leadership, safety, health, and high reliability.
After retiring as a Navy Captain in 2018, Bob joined AdventHealth's Central Florida Division South Hospital as the Executive Director for Patient Safety.
He subsequently took on roles as the Corporate Executive Director for High Reliability and Unit Culture and later as the CFD Radiation Safety Executive Director. In these positions, Bob implemented best practices from his experience in the Nuclear Navy to improve quality, reduce harm, and promote transparency in patient care.
Bob is the founder and CEO of Leading with Love and Navy Bob LLC, where he pioneers innovative leadership strategies and high-reliability practices that are transforming organizations. By integrating proven best practices with a unique leadership model, he has a demonstrated track record of elevating organizational outcomes, enhancing culture, and ensuring long-term sustainability beyond expectations.
In addition to his leadership work, Bob serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Central Florida’s School of Global Health Management & Informatics, where he teaches graduate-level courses, shaping the next generation of leaders.
Bob is the author of Beyond the Sea: Leading with Love from the Nuclear Navy to the White House and Healthcare and co-author of High-Reliability Healthcare: Applying the Secrets of the Nuclear Navy to Save Patient Lives with Dr. Jeffrey Kuhlman, former Physician to President Obama.
Before transitioning to his civilian career, Bob had a distinguished 28-year career in the U.S. Navy. As the Pacific Fleet’s top fast attack Submarine Commodore, he led the Navy’s largest submarine squadron, overseeing ten Los Angeles-class nuclear submarines, managing over 1,700 personnel, and commanding assets and a budget exceeding $25 billion. His leadership was instrumental in executing numerous unprecedented missions critical to national security.
As the Commanding Officer of the USS TEXAS (SSN 775), a Virginia-class fast attack nuclear submarine, Bob completed multiple deployments and led the first Virginia-class submarine Arctic certification. Under his leadership, USS TEXAS earned recognition as the squadron’s top-performing ship and achieved the highest personnel retention and lowest attrition in the Pacific Fleet for two consecutive years.
Bob's military career also included serving as the Naval Aide to the President of the United States, where he was responsible for the safety of the Office of the President and handled extremely sensitive national security programs while carrying the "Nuclear Football." He was warmly dubbed as “Navy Bob” by the 43rd President, George W. Bush,
Bob holds an Executive Doctorate of Business Administration from the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College. He is married to his wife Stephanie of over 30 years and has two children, Sophia and Zachary. They currently reside in Winter Park, FL.
