NAVSEA Executive and Leadership Team

Gregory Benton, the Chief Executive Officer & Executive VP, Naval Shipyard Installation (Norfolk) at NAVSEA, directs all industrial maintenance and infrastructure modernization efforts across the Norfolk facility. Benton manages complex shipyard operations, ensuring that critical repair schedules for surface combatants and submarines align with broader Fleet readiness mandates. By optimizing dry-dock throughput and resource allocation, the Chief Executive Officer & Executive VP, Naval Shipyard Installation (Norfolk) drives efficiency in heavy industrial processes. This leadership role involves coordinating with regional command staff to synchronize maintenance cycles with operational deployment windows. Gregory Benton maintains rigorous safety and quality standards, overseeing the workforce responsible for the structural integrity of the naval fleet. Through strategic oversight of shipyard capital improvements, the Chief Executive Officer & Executive VP, Naval Shipyard Installation (Norfolk) secures the long-term operational capacity of the command, directly supporting the mission to build and maintain superior maritime combat systems.

Yekaterina Sanner, the Chief Financial Officer at NAVSEA, manages the fiscal health and budgetary execution of the command, ensuring that resources align with critical shipbuilding and maintenance programs. Sanner oversees the allocation of funds across headquarters directorates and field activities, maintaining strict compliance with federal financial regulations. By optimizing the procurement process, the Chief Financial Officer drives cost-effective solutions for the acquisition of complex combat systems. This leadership role involves providing financial transparency to the Board and external stakeholders, ensuring that every dollar supports the operational readiness of the Fleet. Yekaterina Sanner monitors expenditure patterns to identify efficiencies in the lifecycle management of naval assets. Through rigorous financial planning, the Chief Financial Officer secures the necessary funding to sustain long-term engineering projects. The Chief Financial Officer maintains the fiscal discipline required to support the command's mission, ensuring that financial constraints never compromise the delivery of essential maritime capabilities.

Lou Olawoye, the Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Peo Aircraft Carriers at NAVSEA, manages the financial operations and budgetary oversight specifically for the aircraft carrier program. Olawoye ensures that the funding for the construction and maintenance of these massive platforms remains aligned with the program's strategic objectives. By monitoring the financial performance of the carrier program, the Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Peo Aircraft Carriers drives cost-efficiency in the acquisition of complex naval assets. This leadership role involves coordinating with program managers to ensure that all financial resources are utilized effectively to support the Fleet's operational requirements. Lou Olawoye oversees the financial reporting for the carrier directorate, providing transparency to the command's leadership. Through the management of the program's budget, the Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Peo Aircraft Carriers secures the financial stability necessary for the long-term maintenance of the nation's aircraft carrier fleet.

Brook Murphy-Larkins, the Chief of Staff at NAVSEA, coordinates internal administrative functions and aligns headquarters directorates with the overarching strategic mission. Murphy-Larkins manages the flow of information between the command staff and affiliated Program Executive Offices, ensuring that organizational priorities remain synchronized. By streamlining communication channels, the Chief of Staff facilitates rapid decision-making across the diverse field activities of the command. This role involves managing high-level executive workflows and resolving operational bottlenecks that impede the engineering and procurement of naval systems. Brook Murphy-Larkins monitors the execution of command-wide initiatives, providing the necessary structure for the successful delivery of ships and combat systems. Through the integration of administrative processes, the Chief of Staff maintains the operational tempo required to support the Fleet. The Chief of Staff ensures that all internal departments function as a cohesive unit, driving the organizational efficiency necessary for sustained maritime dominance.

Elissa Trueman, the Chief Technology Officer at NAVSEA, architects the long-term technical roadmap for naval systems, focusing on the integration of next-generation combat capabilities. Trueman oversees research and development initiatives that enhance the lethality and survivability of ships and submarines. By directing the transition of emerging technologies into active service, the Chief Technology Officer ensures that the Fleet maintains a decisive advantage in contested maritime environments. This leadership role involves collaborating with industry partners and academic institutions to foster innovation in naval engineering. Elissa Trueman evaluates the technical feasibility of new combat systems, aligning development cycles with future operational requirements. Through the management of advanced engineering directorates, the Chief Technology Officer drives the modernization of existing platforms. The Chief Technology Officer provides the technical vision necessary to navigate complex maritime challenges, ensuring that the command remains at the forefront of naval warfare technology.

Dianna Pleasants, the Deputy Chief of Staff at NAVSEA, supports the execution of administrative policies and organizational directives across the command. Pleasants manages the daily operations of the headquarters staff, ensuring that departmental goals align with the broader strategic objectives of the organization. By overseeing the implementation of internal processes, the Deputy Chief of Staff enhances the operational agility of the command. This role involves coordinating with various directorates to resolve logistical challenges and improve the efficiency of support functions. Dianna Pleasants monitors the progress of key initiatives, providing the necessary oversight to ensure that all administrative tasks contribute to the successful maintenance of naval systems. Through the management of cross-functional teams, the Deputy Chief of Staff facilitates seamless collaboration between different branches of the command. The Deputy Chief of Staff drives the organizational stability required to support the Fleet's complex operational requirements.

Eric LaCross, the Head Corporate Operations Chief of Staff at NAVSEA, directs the internal business operations and corporate infrastructure that support the command's engineering and maintenance activities. LaCross manages the operational framework of the headquarters, ensuring that all corporate functions provide the necessary support for field activities. By optimizing internal business processes, the Head Corporate Operations Chief of Staff drives efficiency in the delivery of services to the Fleet. This leadership role involves coordinating with executive leadership to align corporate resources with the strategic priorities of the command. Eric LaCross oversees the implementation of operational policies that govern the day-to-day activities of the organization. Through the management of corporate support systems, the Head Corporate Operations Chief of Staff ensures that the command maintains the operational capacity to build and maintain naval platforms. The Head Corporate Operations Chief of Staff provides the foundational support necessary for the success of all naval engineering programs.

Joan Bunker, the Chief of Staff for the Submarine and Submersible Directorate at NAVSEA, coordinates the specialized engineering and maintenance efforts dedicated to the submarine fleet. Bunker manages the administrative and operational workflows within the directorate, ensuring that all projects meet the rigorous standards required for undersea warfare. By facilitating communication between technical teams and program managers, the Chief of Staff for the Submarine and Submersible Directorate drives the timely delivery of submarine combat systems. This leadership role involves overseeing the integration of complex technologies into submersible platforms, ensuring that the Fleet maintains its undersea superiority. Joan Bunker monitors the progress of maintenance cycles, providing the necessary oversight to ensure that all submarines remain mission-ready. Through the management of the directorate's internal operations, the Chief of Staff for the Submarine and Submersible Directorate supports the critical mission of maintaining the nation's undersea capabilities.

Nic DeCoteau, the Chief Information Officer, Activity at NAVSEA, architects the digital infrastructure and cybersecurity framework that protects the command's sensitive engineering data. DeCoteau manages the information technology systems that support the design, procurement, and maintenance of naval combat systems. By implementing robust digital solutions, the Chief Information Officer, Activity drives the modernization of the command's information architecture. This leadership role involves collaborating with technical directorates to ensure that all IT systems meet the security requirements of the federal government. Nic DeCoteau oversees the deployment of advanced data analytics tools, enabling the command to make informed decisions based on real-time information. Through the management of the organization's digital assets, the Chief Information Officer, Activity ensures that the command maintains a secure and efficient information environment. The Chief Information Officer, Activity provides the technological backbone necessary for the successful execution of all naval engineering and maintenance programs.

Timothy Barnard, the Deputy Chief Technology Officer & Director, Navsea Technology Office at NAVSEA, leads the technical evaluation and implementation of innovative solutions within the technology office. Barnard manages the research and development pipeline, ensuring that new technologies are effectively integrated into the command's engineering processes. By directing the efforts of the technology office, the Deputy Chief Technology Officer & Director, Navsea Technology Office drives the advancement of naval combat systems. This leadership role involves coordinating with technical experts to assess the viability of emerging technologies for future Fleet requirements. Timothy Barnard oversees the execution of technical projects, providing the necessary guidance to ensure that all research initiatives align with the command's strategic goals. Through the management of the technology office, the Deputy Chief Technology Officer & Director, Navsea Technology Office supports the continuous improvement of naval platforms, ensuring that the command remains at the cutting edge of maritime technology.