Biographies

Kenneth J. Braithwaite

Secretary of the Navy

The Honorable Kenneth J. Braithwaite was sworn in as the 77th Secretary of the Navy May 29, 2020. He previously served as the 31st U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Norway.

Admiral Michael Gilday

Admiral, Chief of Naval Operations

Adm. Mike Gilday is the son of a Navy Sailor. A surface warfare officer, he is a native of Lowell, Massachusetts and a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.  He holds master’s degrees from the Harvard Kennedy School and the National War College.

Gregory Slavonic

Acting Under Secretary of the Navy

Gregory J. Slavonic is the Under Secretary of the Navy, Acting. He previously served as the 18th Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.

Admiral William Lescher

Vice Chief of Naval Operations

Adm. Bill Lescher is a native of Highland Park, Illinois. He holds systems and aeronautical engineering degrees from the Naval Academy and Naval Postgraduate School, respectively, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Harvard Business School.

Russell Smith

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, Russell Smith (MCPON) reported to Recruit Training Command, San Diego, California, in September 1988 and began his career as an airman. He became a Weapons Technician in 1990, then converted to the Intelligence Specialist rating in 1993 and was selected for the Command Master Chief Program in 2007.

James F. Geurts

Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition)

On Dec. 5, 2017, Mr. James F. Geurts was sworn in as Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development & Acquisition (ASN (RD&A)), following his confirmation by the Senate November 2017.

Catherine Kessmeier

Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs)

Ms. Catherine L. Kessmeier is the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (Manpower & Reserve Affairs) and currently Performing the Duties of (PTDO), Assistant Secretary (Manpower & Reserve Affairs) (M&RA) for the Department of the Navy (DON).

Alaleh Jenkins

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management and Comptroller) Performing the Duties of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management and Comptroller)

Alaleh Jenkins was sworn in as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management and Comptroller) Performing the Duties of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management and Comptroller) Sept. 14, 2020.

Charles Williams Jr.

Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy, Installations and Environment)

The Honorable Charles A. Williams assumed his responsibilities on March 31, 2020 to include oversight and policy for Navy and Marine Corps facilities sustainment, restoration and modernization; military construction; acquisition, utilization and disposal of real property and facilities; environmental protection, planning, restoration and natural resources conservation; and safety and occupational health.

Robert Sander

General Counsel of the Navy

Robert J. Sander was sworn into office on January 6, 2020, as the 23rd General Counsel of the Department of the Navy after his confirmation by the U.S. Senate on December 19, 2019.

Melissa Cohen

Director, Department of Navy Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment and Suicide Prevention Office

On January 7, 2019, Ms. Melissa Cohen became Director, Department of Navy Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment and Suicide Prevention and Response Office .  Ms. Cohen is the principal advisor to the Secretary of the Navy on issues pertaining to the prevention of and response to sexual assault, domestic abuse and sexual harassment.