James Geurts

James F. Geurts is an American former government official and retired United States Air Force colonel who served in 2021 as the official performing the duties of United States Under Secretary of the Navy.[1]

For installation artist James Geurts, see Adelaide Railway Station § Renewal.
James Geurts
Performing the Duties of United States Under Secretary of the Navy
In office
February 4, 2021 – August 24, 2021
PresidentJoe Biden
Preceded byGregory J. Slavonic (acting)
Succeeded byMeredith A. Berger (acting)
Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition
In office
December 5, 2017 – January 20, 2021
PresidentDonald Trump
Preceded bySean Stackley
Succeeded byFrederick J. Stefany (acting)
Personal details
EducationLehigh University
Air Force Institute of Technology
National Defense University

Career

Geurts served from 2017 to 2021 as Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition). Prior to that role, he served in the Senior Executive Service as Acquisition Executive for United States Special Operations Command, where he was responsible for all special operations forces research, development, acquisition, procurement, and logistics.[2][3][4]

He previously served in the U.S. Special Operations Command as Deputy Director of Special Operations Research, Development and Acquisition Center, and as Commander of the Joint Acquisition Task Force Dragon. Geurts also served as Program Executive Officer for the Fixed Wing Aircraft at the U.S. Special Operations Command. He is a recipient of the Federal Executive of the Year Vanguard Award, Presidential Rank Award, William J. Perry Award, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster, and Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster.[2]

Geurts was commissioned a United States Air Force officer after graduating from Lehigh University's ROTC program in 1987. While in the Air Force, he managed programs involving intercontinental ballistic missiles, surveillance platforms, tactical fighter aircraft, advanced avionics systems, stealth cruise missiles, training systems, and manned and unmanned special operations aircraft. In 2009, he retired from the Air Force as a colonel.[5] Geurts was the driving force behind ThunderDrone and Sofwerx, two military-civilian idea incubators in Florida. These incubators helped develop the Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit, which is a robotic exoskeleton suit.[6]

He stepped down from all government positions and formally retired in late August 2021.[7]

References
  1. "James F. Geurts". www.navy.mil. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  2. "President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Personnel to Key Administration Posts". whitehouse.gov. September 7, 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2017 – via National Archives.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. Freedberg Jr., Sydney (September 12, 2017). "Making T-Rex Run: Can SOCOM's Geurts Speed Up Navy Shipbuilding?". Breaking Defense. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  4. "PN1008 — James F. Geurts — Department of Defense". U.S. Congress. November 16, 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  5. Eckstein, Megan (September 11, 2017). "SOCOM's James Geurts Nominated to Serve as Navy Acquisition Chief; Modly Nominated as Under Secretary". USNI News. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  6. "Trump taps SOCom executive to serve as assistant secretary in the U.S. Navy". Tampa Bay Times. September 8, 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  7. Shellbourne, Mallory (2021-08-04). "UPDATED: Geurts Stepping Down From Navy Under Secretary Role, Retiring From Government". USNI News.
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