Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion & Repair

A native of Harvey, LA, graduated from Tulane University with a BSE in Chemical Engineering, and was commissioned through the ROTC Program. He was assigned to USS KING (DDG-41) for tours as Communications Officer, Auxiliaries Officer, and Main Propulsion Assistant (1985-1988). He attended the Naval Postgraduate School and received a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1990, and was selected for the Engineering Duty Officer community.

He served at Norfolk Naval Shipyard from 1990-1994 where he was assigned availabilities on USS MISSISSIPPI (CGN-40) and USS TICONDEROGA (CG-47). He was also assigned as Senior Ship Superintendent of the USS AMERICA (CV-66) Docking Selected Restricted Availability and the USS LASALLE (AGF-3) Regular Overhaul. After serving as Amphibious and Auxiliaries Type Desk Officer at Commander, Regional Support Group, Norfolk staff (1994-1996), he stood up the Regional Maintenance Program Office in the Mid-Atlantic Region in 1996. From 1997 to 1999, he was assigned to the President, Board of Inspection and Survey Trials Board as the lead Damage Control Inspector.

CAPT Mitchell was then assigned to SUPSHIP New Orleans as Resident Supervisor New Orleans East, where he was responsible for LCAC, PC and Small Boat programs. In his role of Program Manager’s Representative (PMR) for LCAC and PC programs, he oversaw delivery of the last new construction LCAC and the last Patrol Craft, USS TORNADO (PC-14). Additionally, he oversaw delivery of two Dive School Training Craft (YDT), twenty-five Naval Special Warfare Boats, two Army Barge Derricks, and the first seventeen Armored Security Vehicles, which are presently employed in Iraq. In 2001, he was assigned as the Strategic Sealift Project Officer/PMR where he managed the construction and delivery of the final three BOB HOPE Class (TAKR-300) sealift ships. In this role he was the chief architect of SUPSHIP New Orleans’ first Integrated Trial, combining elements of Builder’s, Acceptance and Final Contract Trials into a single event. He was then assigned as Program Manager’s Representative and Project Officer for the SAN ANTONIO Class (LPD-17) ship acquisition at SUPSHIP Gulf Coast where he oversaw construction of five LPD-17 class vessels, including trials and delivery of the lead ship of the class. Upon promotion to Captain, he was assigned as Deputy Commander, Northwest Regional Maintenance Center from 2006-2009. After two years as SUPSHIP Gulf Coast’s Deputy for Operations, CAPT Mitchell assumed command of SUPSHIP Gulf Coast in September 2011.

CAPT Mitchell’s decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (4), Navy Commendation Medal and the Navy Achievement Medal (2).