NAVSEA Executive and Leadership Team

July, 2026

Leadership Overview

NAVSEA has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, finance, technology, information, and operations.

Driven by a commitment to naval superiority, NAVSEA engineers, builds, buys, and maintains ships, submarines, and combat systems to meet the Fleet's evolving operational requirements, ensuring national security through advanced maritime capabilities.

Leadership Roles at NAVSEA

  • Chief Financial Officer - Yekaterina Sanner
  • Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Sea 21 - Paul Godek
  • Chief of Staff - Mike Adams
  • Chief Technology Officer - Elissa Trueman
  • Deputy Chief Technology Officer & Director, Navsea Technology Office - Timothy Barnard
  • Deputy Chief Information Officer, Enterprise Infrastructure - Dave VanDornick
  • Chief Information Officer, Activity - Nic DeCoteau
  • Chief of Staff for the Submarine and Submersible Directorate - Joan Bunker
  • Navsea Contracts Directorate Chief of Staff - Richelle Sweeney
  • Head Corporate Operations Chief of Staff - Eric LaCross
  • Yekaterina Sanner - Chief Financial Officer

    Yekaterina Sanner, the Chief Financial Officer at NAVSEA, directs all financial operations and fiscal strategy. Sanner manages budgeting, resource allocation, and financial reporting to ensure the command's fiscal health and accountability. This critical role involves overseeing the financial aspects of engineering, building, buying, and maintaining ships, submarines, and combat systems. By ensuring robust financial controls and strategic investment, Yekaterina Sanner supports the acquisition and sustainment of assets that meet the Fleet's operational demands. Sanner's leadership ensures that financial resources are effectively deployed to advance NAVSEA's mission and maintain national security through superior maritime technology.

    Paul Godek - Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Sea 21

    Paul Godek, the Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Sea 21 at NAVSEA, supports the financial oversight and strategic planning for the Sea 21 program. Godek assists in managing the fiscal resources dedicated to the modernization and sustainment of naval platforms. This role involves detailed financial analysis, budget execution, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations specific to shipbuilding and combat systems acquisition. By providing critical financial support, Paul Godek contributes to the effective delivery of ships and submarines that meet the Fleet's demanding operational requirements. Godek's efforts ensure financial discipline and optimize resource utilization for critical naval programs.

    Mike Adams - Chief of Staff

    Mike Adams, the Chief of Staff at NAVSEA, directs the strategic alignment of command staff and headquarters directorates. Overseeing critical administrative functions, Adams ensures operational efficiency across all organizational levels. This leadership role involves coordinating efforts between various departments to support the engineering, building, buying, and maintenance of naval assets. By managing internal communications and resource allocation, Mike Adams drives the effective execution of the command's mission to meet the Fleet's current and future operational requirements. Adams's focus remains on optimizing internal processes to enhance the delivery of advanced combat systems and maritime platforms.

    Elissa Trueman - Chief Technology Officer

    Elissa Trueman, the Chief Technology Officer at NAVSEA, architects the technological vision and innovation strategy for naval systems. Trueman guides the integration of cutting-edge technologies into ships, submarines, and combat systems, ensuring they meet future operational needs. This leadership position involves overseeing research and development initiatives, fostering technological advancements, and ensuring the cybersecurity of naval platforms. By driving technological superiority, Elissa Trueman directly supports NAVSEA's mission to engineer and maintain the most advanced maritime assets. Trueman's expertise ensures that the Fleet maintains a decisive technological edge in all operational environments.

    Timothy Barnard - Deputy Chief Technology Officer & Director, Navsea Technology Office

    Timothy Barnard, the Deputy Chief Technology Officer & Director, Navsea Technology Office at NAVSEA, drives technological advancement and implementation across naval systems. Barnard oversees the Navsea Technology Office, focusing on integrating innovative solutions into ships, submarines, and combat systems. This position involves managing technology roadmaps, fostering research collaborations, and ensuring the adoption of state-of-the-art capabilities. By directing technological development, Timothy Barnard ensures NAVSEA's assets remain at the forefront of maritime warfare. Barnard's leadership supports the command's objective to engineer and maintain systems that meet the evolving operational needs of the Fleet.

    Dave VanDornick - Deputy Chief Information Officer, Enterprise Infrastructure

    Dave VanDornick, the Deputy Chief Information Officer, Enterprise Infrastructure at NAVSEA, directs the strategy and execution of the command's IT infrastructure. VanDornick oversees the development and maintenance of robust, secure, and scalable enterprise networks and systems that support all NAVSEA operations. This role is crucial for ensuring seamless communication and data flow essential for engineering, building, buying, and maintaining naval assets. By optimizing infrastructure, Dave VanDornick enhances operational efficiency and supports the technological requirements of the Fleet. VanDornick's focus on enterprise solutions ensures the reliability and security of critical information systems.

    Nic DeCoteau - Chief Information Officer, Activity

    Nic DeCoteau, the Chief Information Officer, Activity at NAVSEA, leads the information technology strategy and operations for specific NAVSEA activities. DeCoteau ensures that IT systems effectively support the command's diverse functions, including the engineering, building, buying, and maintenance of naval platforms. This position involves managing IT resources, implementing cybersecurity measures, and driving digital transformation initiatives within assigned areas. By optimizing IT services, Nic DeCoteau enhances operational capabilities and supports the seamless integration of technology across NAVSEA's mission-critical projects. DeCoteau's leadership ensures robust information management and technological support.

    Joan Bunker - Chief of Staff for the Submarine and Submersible Directorate

    Joan Bunker, the Chief of Staff for the Submarine and Submersible Directorate at NAVSEA, provides strategic leadership and operational coordination for submarine programs. Bunker directs efforts to ensure the effective engineering, acquisition, and sustainment of submarine and submersible assets. This role involves managing directorate operations, aligning resources, and facilitating communication across various teams involved in complex naval projects. By enhancing organizational efficiency, Joan Bunker supports the delivery of advanced capabilities that meet the Fleet's stringent operational requirements. Bunker's focus is on optimizing the processes critical to maintaining naval superiority through cutting-edge submersible technology.

    Richelle Sweeney - Navsea Contracts Directorate Chief of Staff

    Richelle Sweeney, the Navsea Contracts Directorate Chief of Staff at NAVSEA, oversees the strategic operations and administrative functions of the Contracts Directorate. Sweeney ensures efficient contract management processes that support the acquisition of ships, submarines, and combat systems. This leadership position involves coordinating contract development, negotiation, and oversight to meet program requirements and fiscal constraints. By streamlining contract execution, Richelle Sweeney enhances NAVSEA's ability to procure essential maritime assets. Sweeney's efforts are vital for ensuring timely and cost-effective acquisition, directly contributing to the Fleet's operational readiness and technological advantage.

    Eric LaCross - Head Corporate Operations Chief of Staff

    Eric LaCross, the Head Corporate Operations Chief of Staff at NAVSEA, directs the strategic alignment and operational efficiency of corporate functions. LaCross oversees key administrative and support services essential for the command's overall mission. This role involves coordinating efforts across various departments to ensure seamless execution of plans related to engineering, building, buying, and maintaining naval assets. By optimizing internal operations and resource management, Eric LaCross enhances NAVSEA's capacity to deliver advanced ships, submarines, and combat systems. LaCross's leadership ensures that corporate operations effectively support the Fleet's current and future operational needs.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding NAVSEA Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads NAVSEA?
    NAVSEA is led by Yekaterina Sanner (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Paul Godek (Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Sea 21) and Mike Adams (Chief of Staff).
    Who is part of NAVSEA’s executive team?
    The executive team of NAVSEA includes leaders such as Yekaterina Sanner (Chief Financial Officer), Paul Godek (Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Sea 21), Mike Adams (Chief of Staff) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does NAVSEA have?
    NAVSEA has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in NAVSEA’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of NAVSEA includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Sea 21, Chief of Staff, Chief Technology Officer, Deputy Chief Technology Officer & Director, Navsea Technology Office.