Rear Adm. Tom Anderson, former head of the U.S. Navy Program Executive Office for Ships, has been named acting commander of Naval Sea Systems Command during an assumption of command ceremony held at the Washington Navy Yard.
He succeeds Vice Adm. William Galinis, who retired after three years of leading the NAVSEA enterprise and its global workforce of more than 86,000 civilian and military personnel, the command said Friday.
During his tenure, Galinis oversaw the delivery of 22 battle force ships and 260 vessels to the Navy fleet and led the completion of 168 Chief of Naval Operations availabilities and 1,600 continuous maintenance availabilities.
As PEO for Ships, Anderson managed the design and construction of amphibious ships, surface combatants, logistics support ships and support craft for the U.S. military and foreign military sales customers.
He previously served as commander of NAVSEA’s Surface Warfare Centers, commander of Navy Regional Maintenance Center and NAVSEA director of surface ship maintenance, modernization and sustainment.
In March, President Biden nominated Rear Adm. James Downey to serve as the next NAVSEA commander. Downey has been temporarily assigned as a special assistant to the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition while awaiting confirmation.