Navy's Program Executive Office, Ships, Changes Leadership

From Program Executive Office Ships Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships leadership changed hands Aug. 20, in a ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard.

Rear Adm. David H. Lewis relieved Vice Adm. William E. Landay, III, as the Program Executive Officer, Ships, assuming responsibility for the design and acquisition of all Navy non-nuclear surface ships.

Sean J. Stackley, assistant secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, delivered the keynote address, praising Landay's efforts and stressing the deep responsibility and historical importance of the office while serving in a time of war.

During Landay's tenure as PEO, the Navy started fabrication on seven ships, christened 11, delivered 16 and commissioned or accepted 14 ships, while also delivering more than 400 boats and craft to the Navy and allied nations. As PEO Ships, Landay emphasized the importance of design maturity prior to starting ship construction, encouraged efficient work sequencing to drive production efficiencies and embraced acquisition strategies to encourage competition. These efforts helped drive risk out of shipbuilding programs and have allowed the Navy to move more rapidly towards the award of fixed-price shipbuilding contracts.

"This is truly a great time to be a shipbuilder," said Lewis. "The quality of the people in the PEO is the best I have ever seen, and the internal plans and processes are superb."

Lewis takes charge of the PEO after serving as the vice commander of the Naval Sea Systems Command. Other previous assignments include the Navy secretariat staff; Aegis Shipbuilding Program Office; Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Bath, Maine; and Readiness Support Group, San Diego.

Lewis' previous major command assignment was as the program manager of the Aegis Shipbuilding Program Office in PEO Ships, where he helped deliver seven Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) guided-missile destroyers and procured another 10 ships of that class. He holds a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Landay leaves PEO Ships to serve as director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency in Washington, D.C.

"Navy shipbuilding is more than just a profession, it's a passion," said Lewis. "Anyone who is fortunate to be part of it soon gets caught up in excitement."