Robert J. Footer Jr. assumed the duties of deputy Supervisor of Shipbuilding (SUPSHIP), Conversion and Repair Bath, Maine, in February 2008. As SUPSHIP Bath’s senior civilian, he is responsible for overseeing the design and construction of five Navy ship classes at four private shipyards across the country. These include: Arleigh-Burke (DDG 51) and Zumwalt (DDG 1000) class destroyers being built at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine; Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) being built at Marinette Marine Corporation in Marinette, Wis.; Mobile Landing Platform ships being built by NASSCO in San Diego, Calif.; and Auxiliary General Purpose Oceanographic Research (AGOR) ships being built by Dakota Creek Industries in Anacortes, Wash.
From 2005 to 2008, Footer served as deputy program manager’s representative for the DDG 51 Program, where he was responsible for overseeing all elements of the ship production process. His work included facilitating a significant facility expansion at Bath Iron Works to accommodate larger production units with the goal of reducing cost and improving cost performance for the Navy. Prior to this position, Footer served as ship delivery officer from 2001 to 2005 for USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Momsen (DDG 92).
Footer worked at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard from 1989 to 2001. In his last position, he served as the assistant chief engineer for mechanical engineering in the overhaul, repair and modernization of Los Angeles Class submarines.
Footer graduated from University of Maine, Orono, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is a member of the Acquisition Professional Community with a Level III certification in Production Quality Management.