WASHINGTON – Rear Adm. Brian Metcalf relieved Rear Adm. Tom Anderson as Program Executive Officer, Ships (PEO Ships) during a change of office ceremony held at the Washington Navy Yard’s Leutze Park, May 30.
Charged with nine shipbuilding program offices, PEO Ships is responsible for the design, construction and delivery of the majority of the Navy’s surface ships.
Dr. Brett Seidle, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research Development and Acquisition, served as the presiding official. Vice Adm. (Ret.) David Lewis served as the guest speaker.
“For 34 years, Admiral Anderson’s unwavering commitment to standards of excellence contributed to a stronger and more lethal fleet,” said Seidle. “His impact on our acquisition community and the Navy as a whole will be felt for decades to come.”
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Anderson retired from the Navy after 34 distinguished years of service.
Since reporting as PEO Ships in May 2020, Anderson’s tenure was driven by mitigating impacts of the Covid-19 global pandemic and ramping up production of ships within his extensive portfolio. In 2024, Anderson oversaw the delivery of seven ships across six different ship classes, the most delivered in one year in the history of PEO Ships.
Under his command, significant long-term surface shipbuilding contracts were awarded, including the fiscal year 2023-2027 Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, multi-year procurement, the Amphibious multi-ship procurement and the John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oiler block buy.
Additionally, from August 2023-January 2024, Anderson served as Acting Commander of Naval Sea Systems Command. In that role he oversaw a global team responsible for the development, construction, delivery and maintenance of the Navy’s ships, submarines and systems.
“It has been an honor to be part of the Navy’s shipbuilding enterprise. It is hard work, done by talented people, with a passion for what they do and who they do it for,” said Anderson. “I leave the Navy with a seabag full of great memories and the knowledge that those that come behind me are well prepared to carry on.”
Relieving Anderson, Metcalf assumes the role of PEO Ships after most recently serving as the acting NAVSEA Vice Commander.
“I accept this responsibility with great pride, humility, and determination, said Metcalf. “And I am grateful to serve in this role alongside my fellow PEOs, entrusted with building the Navy that our Nation needs. Our collective efforts help to protect the Nation’s interests, keep the oceans safe and open for commerce, and ensure our way of life.”
Metcalf is a 1994 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. As an engineering duty officer with over 30 years of experience, he has held leadership positions throughout a number of shipbuilding commands to include the Supervisor of Shipbuilding Newport News, San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock program, Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyer program, and notably as the program manager for the Ford-class aircraft carrier program.
PEO Ships, one of the Department of Defense’s most extensive acquisition organizations, is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships and craft, and auxiliary ships, including special mission ships, sealift ships and support ships.
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