Vice Adm. Blake L. Converse is a native of Pennsylvania and graduated from Penn State University in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He also holds Master of Science degrees in Space Systems Engineering and Applied Physics from the Naval Post Graduate School.

His career as a nuclear submarine warfare officer includes assignments aboard USS Lapon (SSN 661), USS Olympia (SSN 717), and USS Minneapolis-St.-Paul (SSN 708) as the executive officer. Command assignments include commanding officer, USS Louisiana (SSBN 743) from February 2006 to February 2009 and commander, Submarine Squadron 6 from October 2012 to August 2014. Ashore, he served as radiological controls officer on the staff of Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Submarine Force; special assistant to Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command; deputy commander of Submarine Squadron 17; Prospective Commanding Officer Course instructor at Naval Reactors headquarters; and chief of staff to Commander, U.S. Submarine Force.

As a flag officer, he served as director, Joint and Fleet Operations (N3), U.S. Fleet Forces Command and Commander, Submarine Group 9 in Silverdale, Washington, and commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor Hawaii.

Converse is currently the deputy commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (five awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Joint Commendation Medal, Joint Achievement Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (three awards) and various unit awards. In 2008, he was awarded the Rear Admiral Jack N. Darby award for Inspirational Leadership and Excellence of Command.