orm began military service as an Air Force pilot flying mobility and special operations aircraft. He later commanded an Air Force special operations wing and joint special operations task forces during combat. While serving as commander of Special Operations Command Pacific, Norm led his forces in the development and execution of regional strategies teaming with interagency, allied, and partner nation counterparts across the Indo-Pacific region. As vice commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, Norm shaped multi-year resourcing and readiness programs for 19,000 Airmen and guided the professional development of active duty military and civilian members. Norm’s duties during Pentagon assignments included operational planning, force structure assessments, and politico-military counsel as a member of Secretary of State delegations.

After graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science in international relations, Norm subsequently completed master’s programs at Troy State University, the Naval War College, and Air University’s School of Advanced Airpower Studies. He also studied as a National Defense Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. Norm retired from the Air Force as a major general after more than 31 years of service. 

As a defense industry advisor, Norm informed strategies to mature client technologies, coauthored a report on precision munitions requirements, and joined former U.S. officials in a deterrence dialogue with an ally’s military leaders. As an independent consultant, Norm mentored senior executives taking part in a unique command team experience and foreign students studying strategy development at Joint Special Operations University, U.S. Special Operations Command. 

Norm grew up in “almost heaven” West Virginia and his wife Lisa was born and raised in the “great lakes state” of Michigan. Norm and Lisa adopted Pensacola as their home on Florida’s Emerald Coast. They enjoy serving as directors at their church. Norm also serves as an advisor to two national faith-based veterans organizations.