When Capt. Roger Dubé and Capt. Orlando Lorié met through the U.S. Navy Reserve, they found a shared sense of service and a strong connection to their alma mater, the University of Central Florida (UCF). Both are alumni of the UCF College of Business and come from military families—Dubé’s father served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, while Lorié’s father was in the U.S. Army National Guard.
Although they graduated nearly ten years apart, both credit UCF with providing them a foundation that supported their careers in both military and civilian life. They have advanced through the ranks of the Navy Reserve while maintaining professional careers and family responsibilities.
Captains Dubé and Lorié are among UCF’s highest-ranking alumni Reservists in the Navy Supply Corps. Reservists typically serve one weekend per month and two weeks annually but may be called for additional duty or deployment during conflicts or contingencies.
“Roger and I have always believed that what defines the Navy Reserve isn’t the rank or the ribbon — it’s the people,” said Lorié, who holds a bachelor’s degree in management from UCF. “They’re doctors, engineers, teachers, small business owners. They leave their families and jobs behind to answer the call, and they do it without expecting recognition.”
Dubé has served for nearly 30 years across various fields including corporate accounting, surgical product sales, and real estate development. He emphasized his career as being shaped by those he worked alongside: “I’ve had the honor of serving with extraordinary men and women — people who embody quiet professionalism,” said Dubé, who earned a bachelor’s in accounting from UCF. “They’re the ones who make the Reserve what it is.”
Lorié echoed this sentiment: “The story isn’t about us,” he said. “It’s about every reservist who serves in silence, who misses birthdays and anniversaries, who stands ready even when no one’s watching. They’re the real heroes.”
Both men highlighted how their experiences at UCF influenced their approach to leadership and service.
“UCF was young, growing fast and hungry to make a mark,” Dubé recalled about his time at university. “That energy inspired me. It taught me to be adaptable, to take initiative and to always look for a better way forward.”
Lorié remembered feeling part of something larger on campus: “There was this sense that we were part of something bigger,” he said. “You could feel that UCF was on the rise…that motivated me to aim higher and think globally.”
Their military careers included deployments abroad; Lorié served as commanding officer deployed to Afghanistan while also working as an airline pilot in civilian life. He remains committed to mentoring younger sailors: “Mentorship is everything,” he said.
Dubé focused on leading with integrity—a value shaped by both his time at UCF and service in uniform: “Leadership isn’t about authority,” he stated. “It’s about listening…setting an example…and never asking someone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself.”
Both men continue following developments at UCF closely as it grows its reputation for innovation and public service.
“UCF and the Navy Reserve both represent…the same idea,” Dubé said.“They’re about building people up…giving them tools…and trusting them to lead.”
Lorié reiterated his respect for fellow reservists: “The story isn’t about us…it’s about every reservist who performs their duty quietly…at great personal cost…who stands ready…and goes into harm’s way without hesitation.”
Reflecting on their ongoing ties with each other—and with their university—Dubé concluded: “Once a Knight, always a Knight…That sense of belonging doesn’t end when you graduate…it stays with you—wherever you serve…”
