Dr. Eric Fretz
Lieutenant Commander United States Navy (ret.)
Dr. Eric Fretz was born and raised in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., where he earned his Eagle Scout rank. After graduating from the University of Michigan the first time in 1989, he
began his career on USS CHOSIN (CG-65), deploying for the first Persian Gulf War as a Surface Warfare Officer. From 1994-96, at Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, LCDR Fretz supervised all Gas Turbine technician schools, qualified as Master Training Specialist and oversaw a revolutionary multi-million dollar classroom technology project, the Gas Turbine Interactive Electronic Technical Manual.
In 1996, he joined the Naval Reserve Unit, SELSERVSYS 125, assigned to maintain and operate the nation’s draft infrastructure. He served in various roles including Commanding Officer, and lead trainer for New Officer training both state and nation-wide. He deployed twice more to the Persian Gulf combat zone, first for a 6 month recall to COMUSNAVCENT as a Battle Watch Officer for 5th Fleet in 2005, then a year-long mobilization to Baghdad, Iraq serving in the Multi-National Corps – Iraq, assigned to the Army’s 18th Airborne Corps in 2008. While in Iraq he also started a scout troop and built a camp for Iraqi youth on an Iraqi Special Forces base near his base.
Dr. Fretz has also completed a second Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in Education from
Southern Illinois University, with a focus on Instructional Technology. He completed a Masters Degree in Psychology (2002) and a dual PhD in Psychology and Education (2010) at the University of Michigan. He retired from military service in 2009. Dr. Fretz currently a Teaching Professor at the University of Michigan in the College of LSA and College of Engineering. He teaches the largest and most popular courses in top-ranked Graduate and Undergraduate Entrepreneurship programs, and is a multi-year “Golden Apple” nominee. He travels internationally as a consultant for the William Davidson Institute, including the borders of Syria and Ukraine. He also co-owns and co-manages multiple businesses and non-profits, and does speaking and training engagements state and nation-wide on veteran success. He is Governor appointed as the GS-15 Michigan State Director of the Selective Service System. He serves the community in various roles including: Chair of the Region 9 Veterans Community Action Team serving 6 counties and over 50,000 veterans, Founder and President of two Veteran-helping charities (501c3), the Editorial Board of the Journal Of Veteran Studies, Executive Board of the Veterans Studies Association, and Washtenaw County Veteran Treatment Court as Mentor Program Director and associate producer and host for Veterans Radio America. He and his wife, Dr. Jennifer Fretz, and their grown son and two daughters live on the outskirts of Ann Arbor on the Huron River.
Dr. Fretz has been recognized as a National Outstanding Eagle Scout by NESA, and received a Distinguished Service Award from the University of Michigan SVA chapter. He has received 30 military awards including: the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal w/ 2 gold stars, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with bronze star, Navy Battle E ribbon with 2 E’s, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (OIF/OEF), Southwest Asia Service Medal (Desert Storm), Armed Forces Reserve Medal with bronze hourglass, bronze 2 & mobilization M, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal with bronze star, Navy Sea Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze star.
