James Geurts became an advisor to the Board of Directors in October 2024. The Honorable James Geurts, known to most as Hondo, has over three decades of leadership in the national security sector, including service as the Under Secretary of the Navy, the Department’s number two civilian with responsibility for the effective global business operations of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps team. From 2017 until 2021, after his Presidential Appointment and unanimous Senate confirmation, he served as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition. As the Department of the Navy’s most senior acquisition official, he was responsible for ensuring the effective procurement and sustainment of platforms, systems, technologies, and services to enhance the capabilities and readiness of Sailors and Marines serving around the globe. He previously served as the Acquisition Executive for US Special Operations Command after a career in the US Air Force as an acquisition program manager for complex weapon systems. Since his retirement from government, Geurts has worked extensively to improve the Nation’s defense industrial base and mentor’s public and private sector teams on scaling, agility, innovation, teamwork, talent development, and leadership.
