A statue of a solitary sailor stands guard over the Breakwater pier in the historic naval town of Bremerton, Wash. Cast in bronze and weighing in at 620 pounds, the U.S. Navy petty officer wears the traditional Navy pea coat, with its collar popped and the young sailor's hands hidden inside his pockets. Called “Lone Sailor,” he serves a lasting tribute to all members of the sea services, says Ron Testa, who spearheaded the two-year effort to raise the $260,000 for the statue.
“It was a big effort,” says Testa, a retired U. S. Navy lieutenant commander and current First Command District Advisor. “It wasn’t just me though. It was me working with other folks through the power of teamwork.”
The maxim “The power of teamwork” is not just an empty slogan for Testa. It’s a testament to the way he leads his life. From his time as a hardnosed submariner, to his days as a District Advisor in northwest Washington, Testa has come to appreciate the importance of being a part of a team.
Spending 20 years of your life in and out of cramped submarines, submerged deep beneath the ocean, counting on the few sailors around you for your very survival, can really make you appreciate the value of teamwork, he says.
Even though Testa retired from active duty service in 1988, he continues to serve the Navy as a member of the Navy League of the United States. The Navy League is a civilian organization dedicated to educating the public about the sea services and the importance of sea power to U.S. national security. During his career, Testa served in various positions throughout the organization, including the board of directors and as a former Washington state and northwest region president.
“I’ve known him for years and years,” says Carol Meteney, a past president of the Navy League who served alongside Testa on the Lone Sailor committee. “I think he’s a tremendous person and I’d be on any committee with him at any time.”
Apart from his duties with the Navy League, Testa leads and participates in charitable efforts privately and through First Command. In recent years, his offices have helped sponsor Ride 4 Hope in support of the Boys and Girls Clubs and the Wounded Warrior Project, and they’ve run the annual Armed Forces Day celebration at the local Silverdale, Wash., office.
“Whether it’s raising funds for a statue or heading up a capital campaign at our church, we can get things done if we work together,” he says.
When he’s not working, serving on a board or raising funds for charity, Testa enjoys writing and making music, he says. Two years ago, he teamed up with retired U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Dave Shafer to write the official song for the Navy League.
“That was pretty cool,” Testa says with a chuckle. “We had a lot of fun.”
Contrary to rumors, though, Testa isn’t planning to quit his day job in favor of a budding music career. He’s got a good thing going here, he says.
“My job is great," he says. "I work with a great team of Advisors and we help clients make good, smart financial decisions with their money."