Dylan Porter

Dylan Porter is a seasoned leadership expert and retired U.S. Navy Captain with over 20 years of experience leading elite teams, managing complex operations, and developing high-performing leaders in high-stakes environments. A Naval Aviator by training and a mentor by nature, Dylan’s career reflects a steadfast commitment to operational excellence, ethical leadership, and mission-driven culture. A native of Beaufort, South Carolina, Dylan earned his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Florida and was commissioned through the NROTC program in 2002. After earning his Wings of Gold in 2005, he deployed in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM, quickly establishing a reputation for cultivating trust, mitigating risk, and delivering results under pressure. Throughout his distinguished military career, CAPT Porter developed and led elite aviation teams, spearheaded flight safety programs, and mentored junior officers across various commands. As an instructor and Landing Signals Officer, he trained hundreds of aviators, earning a reputation for precision, mentorship, and operational excellence. Dylan held a wide range of leadership roles, including Department Head of VAW-126 “Seahawks,” Executive Assistant to the Commanding General of Joint Task Force Civil Support, and Commanding Officer of the VT-7 “Eagles.” In each role, he led with clarity and character, whether guiding aviators through critical training evolutions or coordinating joint operations with international partners such as the French Navy. As Air Boss aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72), Dylan oversaw the safe execution of thousands of flight deck operations in the Western Pacific, reinforcing national security objectives in the U.S. 7th Fleet. He currently serves as a senior facilitator at the Naval Leadership and Ethics Center in Newport, RI, where he prepares future commanding officers through immersive training in values-based leadership, ethical decision-making, and resilient command culture. Dylan holds a Master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College and has completed JPME Phase II. As a leadership consultant, he brings deep expertise in team development, strategic planning, and crisis leadership. His approach blends military precision with a human-centered ethos, equipping clients to lead with clarity, confidence, and integrity.