Principal Civilian Deputy for ASN (RD&A) (Acting)
In October 2022, Ms. E. Anne Sandel re-assumed the duties of Acting Principal Civilian Deputy to the ASN (RD&A). She had previously served in this position beginning January 2021 through May 2022. In this position, she provides oversight and policy for Navy & Marine Corps research, development, and acquisition/sustainment programs for shipbuilding, aviation, space, weapon systems, and communication systems. In her most recent assignment, she was selected as the Senior Acquisition Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development & Acquisition (ASN (RD&A)) in May 2022.
In July 2018, Ms. Sandel began serving as the Executive Director, Office of Naval Research where she is responsible for oversight of the coordination, execution, and promotion of science and technology for the United States Navy and Marine Corps.
Ms. Sandel began her professional career in Private Industry with the Newport News Shipbuilding Engineering Team supporting aircraft carrier & submarine design and production. The Naval Sea Systems Command later recruited her where she served in a series of progressively more responsible positions in the design and construction of surface combatants, aircraft carriers, submarines, polar icebreakers, and mobile offshore bases.
She was subsequently appointed to the Senior Executive Service within the then newly established Program Executive Office (PEO) Aircraft Carriers where she was responsible for the CVN 77 Nimitz Class Aircraft Carrier Acquisition Program, and Future Aircraft Carrier Acquisitions (subsequently the Ford Class). She later served in a variety of policy and senior leadership positions throughout the DON, including appointment as a PEO, a Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (DASN), and as Executive Director for multiple organizations.
Ms. Sandel is often the first in leadership positions as an “Agent of Change” including the founding Executive Director for PEO Integrated Warfare Systems and the first DASN for Integrated Warfare Systems. She was also the DASN responsible for the implementation of Open Architecture within the DON.
Ms. Sandel holds Graduate Studies in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from Old Dominion University. Ms. Sandel successfully completed the Defense Systems Management College Program Management, Acquisition and Program Management Course, as well as the Defense Systems Management College (DSMC) Program Manager’s Courses (PMT 310, 302, 401, and 402). She is DAWIA certified Advanced Program Management and Engineering Technology Management.
She has earned the Presidential Rank Award (Meritorious Executive Recipient), Harold E. Saunders Lifetime Achievement Award (American Society of Naval Engineers), Silver Medal Award, Association of Scientists and Engineers, three Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Awards, and three Navy Superior Civilian Service Awards. She is also a three-time Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Awardee.