The Honorable James Geurts, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Research, Development, & Acquisition
Virginia Ship Repair’s February Membership Luncheon was a record success with a total of 197 attendees. The Honorable James Geurts, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Research, Development, & Acquisition, was also in attendance as guest speaker. Mr. Geurts began his presentation by thanking those in attendance and noting the opportunity to put into context where the U.S. Navy is headed with regard to Industry concerns. Of particular interest to the ship repair industry was the goal of ramping up production. Last year 8 ships were commissioned by the Navy, while the goal for 2019 stands at 13. Mr. Geurts then outlined the following areas of focus: delivery and sustainment of lethal capacity, increasing agility, driving affordability, and building the workforce to compete and win.
Throughout his discussion, Mr. Geurts elaborated on each point individually, but also illustrated their interconnectivity. He discussed how overcoming inefficiencies and reacting to obstacles increases agility, but also how agility is increased - and the warfighter empowered, by making the most of resources like time and talent, which also drives affordability. He set the goal of creating a sustainable and credible environment that is mutually beneficial to both Industry and the warfighter. To this end, Mr. Geurts cited that only 30% of ships are currently meeting planned turnover rates, and that while the challenges are understood, improvements are needed.
Mr. Geurts also discussed the importance of creating a business environment that increases talent as a means of building the workforce, as well as the importance of this within the ship repair industry due to the overall impact on fleet readiness. Mr. Geurts concluded his presentation by noting the opportunities ahead and the importance of groups like VSRA, because the weight of the combined voices of many allows for swifter government action and solutions. He also opened the floor to questions from association members, which furthered discussion on predictability, unilaterals, creating a common training standard certification, and improving standardization and planning, as well as work transparency.
Mr. Geurts closed by thanking membership attendees and making the commitment to keep striving forward.
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