James "Hondo" Geurts
James “Hondo” Geurts is the former Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development, and Acquisition). Prior to his retirement in August 2021, Mr. Geurts was performing the duties of the Under Secretary of the Navy. At the same time, he was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Management Officer (CMO) for the Department of the Navy, overseeing all activities of the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps. Previously, he served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development & Acquisition, responsible for all research, development, acquisition, production, contracting, and sustainment for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines Corps, and Allies and Partners.
Geurts also spent nearly a dozen years in executive roles within the U.S. Special Operations Command. In those roles, he was responsible for acquisition, science and technology, and logistic support for all Special Operations Forces including Green Berets, Marine Raiders, Navy Seals, Army Rangers, and Air Commandos. He began his career as an Air Force officer where he served as an acquisition program manager and progressed through engineering and program management leadership positions. Geurts is a graduate from Lehigh University where he received a BS in Electrical Engineering. He holds a MS in Electrical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology and in National Security Resourcing from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy at National Defense University.
As a member of our Board of Advisors, Hondo offers a unique perspective gained through more than three decades serving multiple branches in the U.S. Department of Defense.