Downey Takes Command of Regional Maintenance Centers; Galinis To Become PEO Ships

July 11, 2016 3:52 PM
Capt. James Downey, then-DDG 1000 program manager, speaks to assembled crew and guests in the hangar bay aboard the future guided-missile destroyer USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) following a transfer of ownership ceremony on May 20, 2016. US Navy photo.
Capt. James Downey, then-DDG 1000 program manager, speaks to assembled crew and guests in the hangar bay aboard the future guided-missile destroyer USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) following a transfer of ownership ceremony on May 20, 2016. US Navy photo.

Former DDG-1000 program manager Rear Adm. James Downey took over as Commander of Navy Regional Maintenance Center (CNRMC), and his predecessor there will soon become the new Program Executive Officer for Ships.

In addition to leading the four major Regional Maintenance Centers, Downey will also serve as the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) deputy commander of surface warfare (SEA 21), a role that was merged with CNRMC last year.

Downey served as major program manager for the Zumwalt-class destroyers since 2010, overseeing delivery of the first of three ships. He previously served as the CG(X) next-generation cruiser program manager and the chief engineer, principal assistant program manager and warfare systems director for the Ford-class aircraft carrier program.

He took command of CNRMC and SEA 21 in separate ceremonies on June 29 and July 1, respectively.

Rear Adm. William Galinis, who served as CNRMC since 2013, will take command of PEO Ships in a planned July 20 ceremony at Washington Navy Yard. Galinis has a long record on both the ship design and repair side – both of which PEO Ships deals with. Galinis held multiple positions at the Supervisor of Shipbuilding organization and led surface ship maintenance at Norfolk Ship Support Activity. He also served as the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock (LPD-17) program manager from 2005 to 2009.

The Navy could not confirm to USNI News if outgoing PEO Ships Rear Adm. David Gale, who also served as CNRMC for three years before becoming PEO Ships, was retiring or moving to a new assignment.

Taking the helm of the DDG-1000 program office is Capt. Kevin Smith, who most recently served as major program manager of the Zumwalt Integrated Combat Systems office within PEO Integrated Warfare Systems (IWS), located at Washington Navy Yard along with PEO Ships.

Megan Eckstein

Megan Eckstein

Megan Eckstein is the former deputy editor for USNI News.

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