Loyalty, Love, and Legacy

Bernie and Jan Webber’s lives are defined by loyalty—loyalty to the University of Washington, where the couple first met; loyalty to Aerojet, their shared employer where they both worked for over 20 years; and, most importantly, loyalty to each other. 

Bernie Webber (BA 1967) grew up in Illinois and was drawn to study business at UW by a scholarship offer from the U.S. Navy Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. In addition to classes, he managed a canteen on campus at Clark Hall. Among his coworkers was Jan Saether (BA 1968), a member of the Corvettes, a collegiate women’s unit affiliated with the Navy.      

They started as friends and frequent lunch companions. “We would walk back to Haggett Hall together. Gradually, we got close,” said Jan. “There was a Valentine’s Day Navy dance coming up, and he invited me.” The couple fell in love, were engaged by May 1967, and married the following year. 

From Seattle to submarine deployment 

Upon graduation, Bernie’s naval service deployments included serving as the first Navy Supply Corps Officer aboard the USS Dace (SSN607), a submarine based in Connecticut. Jan joined him there, started her teaching career, and earned a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology from the University of Connecticut. She also provided counseling services to veterans returning from Vietnam while interning at Mitchell College. 

A deployment aboard a submarine requires special training and isn’t for everyone, but Bernie was comfortable on board the specialized vessels. “Being on a submarine was no problem for me,” he said. “I was trained well, and you adapt to the situation.” 

Transitioning to civilian life at Aerojet 

As a Navy procurement officer, Bernie honed his skills and experience with contracts, sourcing, and negotiations, making him an ideal candidate for a contract management role at Aerojet. He started at the company in 1977 working in Sacramento.  

“It was a smooth transition (to the private sector),” he said. “I was applying many of the same skills and was well-versed in marine systems.” Later, while at Aerojet, Bernie earned an MBA from Golden Gate University and further developed his expertise, becoming a CPCM and Fellow with the National Contract Management Association. 

Aerojet also had openings in its human resources department. Jan, a skilled communicator with a gift for bringing people together, joined the company and flourished, rising through the ranks to serve as Director of Human Resources specializing in employee and labor relations. 

Both of the Webbers excelled at Aerojet. “It was a great company to work for,” said Bernie. “We both enjoyed our jobs and the people we worked with, including the rocket scientists building the engines for the space shuttle.” 

While the couple initially worked in different company divisions, their roles in procurement and employee relations had much in common, as both centered on negotiation skills. 

“It’s about finding common ground,” said Jan. “The give and take is the tough part, but the most satisfying as well.” 

Supporting veterans at Foster 

Now retired, the Webbers have returned to the Pacific Northwest and are supporting UW in several areas. In 2019, the couple established the Bernard A. and Janice L. Webber Endowed Scholarship, which supports scholarships for Foster veteran MBA students. Veterans comprised 18% of Foster’s MBA enrollment last year. 

“Our goal is to help veterans in the business community,” said Jan. “These are people who have served our country and deserve our respect. We have always wanted to support people who have sacrificed; we appreciate them.” 

Bernie, who leveraged his military service into a highly successful business career, is enthusiastic about Foster’s programs for veterans. He believes there is tremendous capacity to help his fellow veterans leverage their experience serving our country and successfully transition to business. 

“Military service and a great education are a powerful combination,” Bernie concluded. “Veterans can be a tremendous asset in the business world, and Foster is making that happen.”