U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford’s Commanding Officer Speaking in Grand Rapids

Captain John Meier, the first commanding officer selected for the Navy’s newest class of nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford, will be the guest speaker in Grand Rapids today and tomorrow, Nov. 17 and 18. Meier will speak at The Economic Club of Grand Rapids’ luncheon on Monday (Nov. 17) at noon. He will also be speaking at a free lecture event at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Capt. Meier will also Join Andy Rent on "Andy in the Morning," 100.5 The River Tuesday (Nov. 18) for a live interview at 8:15 a.m.

Meier graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1986, was “winged” as a naval aviator in 1988, and served with electronic attack squadrons and carrier air wings, accumulating more than 4,000 flight hours and 675 carrier landings. His decorations include the Legion of Merit (three awards) and various other personal and unit level awards. The Gerald R. Ford will replace the U.S.S. Enterprise, which was inactivated in 2012.