CAPT Ricardo USN (ret.), a graduate of the University of Virginia, attended Aviation Officer Candidate School and was commissioned an Ensign in February 1982.  After flight training and initial carrier qualification aboard USS LEXINGTON (AVT-16), he was designated a Naval Aviator at NAS Chase Field in Beeville, Texas.  After training in the E-2C Hawkeye, Captain Ricardo joined the VAW-127 “Seabats” where he flew “Line of Death” sorties off the coast of Libya and in Operation EL DORADO CANYON.  He served in VT-23 in Kingsville, Texas as an intermediate jet flight instructor where he was recognized as the Chief of Naval Air Training’s “Landing Signal Officer of the Year.”  Captain Ricardo then joined the VAW-124 “Bear Aces,” flying combat missions during Operation DESERT STORM.  CAPT Ricardo also flew with the VAW-122 “Steeljaws” and later commanded the “Tigertails” of VAW-125 which earned both the Battle “E” and Safety “S” during his tenure.

Staff tours include Joint Staff intern, OPNAV, NATO SACLANT, Navy Personnel Command and U.S. Fleet Forces Command where he headed Homeland Security Operations.  In addition to the Naval War College diploma earned through the non-resident program, CAPT Ricardo earned Masters degrees in Business Administration and Public Administration while performing in shore duty assignments. 

CAPT Ricardo retired from active duty in 2006.  Currently he is President of TJ Hospitality Inc. and preparing to open a naval aviation-themed restaurant.  He resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia with his wife Sandy and their son Jordan.  Sandy received the Association of Naval Aviation’s Dorothy Flatley Award for inspirational support to the Navy for calendar year 2000.