William Toti

William Toti has more than 40 years of experience in defense and more than a decade leading multi-billion-dollar, global businesses. He spent 26 years on active duty in the Navy, then 15 years in industry rising to the position of CEO of Sparton Corporation. He now speaks on the best way to train and integrate military veteran leaders into the workforce.

Prior positions include president of the navy sector at L3 Technologies; vice president of the defense segment at HP; president of Cubic Global Defense; and vice president of Raytheon’s Mission Support Operations. He has served on Boards of Directors of ERAPSCO, JT3, and Calzoni. He has extensive experience in both the products and services domains.

On active duty, Toti served as commander of Fleet Antisubmarine Warfare Command Norfolk, as commodore of Submarine Squadron 3, and as commanding officer of the nuclear fast attack submarine USS Indianapolis (SSN 697). He served for more than nine years in the Pentagon, including tours as special assistant to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, as Navy representative to the Joint Requirements Oversight Council, and as deputy director of the Navy War Plans Cell, Deep Blue.

Toti holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from the U.S. Naval Academy, a master’s degree in spacecraft systems engineering and the pre-doctoral Electrical Engineer degree from the Naval Postgraduate School, and has done executive coursework at the Harvard Business School. He served as a Federal Executive Fellow at the Brookings Institution and as a Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI Fellow in International Affairs. He has more than 30 published articles and op-ed pieces, and is author of the 2022 book, “From CO to CEO: A Practical Guide for Transitioning from Military to Industry Leadership” (Forefront Books).

Toti has worked to support the survivors of the World War II cruiser USS Indianapolis (CA-35) for more than 25 years, was instrumental in the exoneration of their captain, Charles B. McVay (2001), was named an Honorary Survivor (2005), chairman of the USS Indianapolis Legacy Organization (2022), and has been featured in several global release Navy-related documentaries: “The Lost Ships of World War II” (2022, Fox), “USS Indianapolis: The Final Chapter” (2019, PBS), “USS Indianapolis: Live from the Deep” (2017, PBS), and “USS Indianapolis: The Legacy” (2016).

His narrative titled “Antoinette,” describing his experiences during the September 11, 2001 attack on the Pentagon was incorporated into the book “Operation Homecoming” (Random House, 2006). He has been featured in several related documentaries: “9/11: One Day in America” (2021, National Geographic), “9/11: The Pentagon” (2020, The History Channel), and “9/11: Inside the Pentagon” (2016, PBS).

Toti is a seven-time recipient of the Legion of Merit, a recipient of the “Wash 100” list of most influential leaders in the government contractor sector (2016), HP Executive of the Year (2013), the FedScoop 50 Industry Leadership Award (2012), and the Rear Admiral John J. Bergen Industry Award from the Navy League of the United States (2010). He is a lifetime member of the U.S. Naval Institute, the Military Officers Association of America, the Navy League, the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association, the National Eagle Scouts Association, and was awarded the Honor Medal by the Boy Scouts of America (2002).