Veteran, Retired Cop From Nutley Will Head Navy Association

NUTLEY, NJ — The Association of the U.S. Navy (AUSN) recently announced that Steven Rogers, a former town commissioner in Nutley, has been appointed as its executive director.

Rogers has served as the AUSN operations manager since January. He joined the association in 1985.

Rogers, a Nutley resident, began his military career in 1970, serving in the U.S. Air Force before enlisting in the U.S. Navy Reserves in 1986.

According to the AUSN website, Rogers served in multiple “pivotal” roles during his Navy career, including Deputy Director of Intelligence Support Group, Homeland Security, and Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence (N2) with the U.S. Northern Command, where he was assigned as the Senior Military Intelligence Officer to the FBI’s National Joint Terrorism Task Force in Washington D.C. He retired from the Navy in 2010.

In addition to his military service, Rogers served as a police officer for 37 years, retiring as detective lieutenant and commander of the Nutley Police Department’s criminal investigative division in 2011. His civilian accomplishments include teaching community policing methodologies at the Israeli National Police Academy and holding several elected positions in Nutley, including two terms on the board of commissioners. Rogers also established the first municipal government Military & Veterans Affairs Bureau in New Jersey.

Here's what Rogers will be responsible for at his new post, they said:

“In 2024, the AUSN reinforced its commitment to work with the department of the U.S. Navy and the Navy Museum Development Foundation on the Culture of Excellence 2.0, an initiative focused on building great people, leaders, and teams to enhance the Navy’s warfighting advantage in the critical decade ahead. Under Rogers’ leadership, AUSN will continue to advance key programs to bolster the five Pillars of Resilience that address challenges sailors and their families face in their physical, mental, social, financial and spiritual well-being.”

“My goal as executive director is to continue AUSN’s tradition as the leading advocate for sailors and Navy veterans while expanding our support in critical areas such as career development, health and wellness and family resources,” Rogers said.

“With initiatives like the Culture of Excellence 2.0 and our emerging Pillars of Resilience pilot programs, we are ensuring that every member of the Navy community—active, retired, veteran or family members—has access to the tools they need to succeed in all aspects of their lives,” Rogers said.

“Together, we will build a stronger, more resilient Navy family,” he added.

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