On Feb. 4, 2021, James F. Geurts was designated as Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary of the Navy. In addition to serving as the deputy and principal assistant to the SECNAV, he serves as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Management Officer for the Department of the Navy. Additionally, he will oversee intelligence activities, intelligence-related activities, special access programs, critical infrastructure, and sensitive activities within the department.

Geurts previously served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development & Acquisition (ASN (RD&A)), from Dec. 2017 until Jan 2021. As the Navy’s acquisition executive, Mr. Geurts had oversight of an annual budget in excess of $100 billion and the responsibility of equipping and supporting the finest Sailors and Marines in the world with the best platforms, systems and technology as they operate around the globe in defense of the Nation.

Mr. Geurts previously served as the Acquisition Executive, U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), at MacDill Air Force Base (AFB), Florida, where he was responsible for all special operations forces acquisition, technology and logistics. His contributions have been were recognized by both private and public institutions to include earning the Navy Distinguished Public Service Medal, Presidential Rank Award, USSOCOM Medal, William Perry Award and Federal Times Vanguard Award for Executive of the Year.

Prior to Senior Executive Service, Geurts began his career as an Air Force officer where he served as an acquisition program manager with engineering and program management leadership positions in numerous weapon systems.
     
He has over 30 years of extensive joint acquisition experience and served in all levels of acquisition leadership positions including Acquisition Executive, Program Executive Officer and Program Manager of Major Defense Acquisition Programs.