Rear Adm. Thomas J. Jurkowsky, USN (Ret), graduated from Boston University with a bachelor's in journalism and has a master's in public relations from American University in Washington, D.C. During 31 years of naval service, including two years as an enlisted man, he served in several key public affairs positions, including public affairs officer for U.S. Pacific Fleet and the U.S. Naval Academy and chief of information for the Department of the Navy.

Following his retirement, he was chief of corporate communications for the U.S. Mint and vice president for media relations for Lockheed Martin Corp. He is an adjunct instructor at Anne Arundel Community College, teaching courses on communications and global events. He resides in Annapolis, Md.