Since rejoining Electric Boat, I have worked with the senior leadership team and others on how to best organize our company for success. Today, I am sharing a new structure that will streamline our company, create clearer lines of accountability and sharpen our focus.
Operational excellence is a key priority for the EB team. Accordingly, Sean Davies, Vice President, Quonset Point Operations and Jim Gildart, Vice President, Groton Operations, will report directly to me.
Kurt Hesch is named Senior Vice President, Programs and Planning. Kurt’s team will focus on pre-production areas including design, procurement, strategic sourcing, planning and ship’s management in support of Operations. In the coming weeks, we will stand up a new program office focused on Strategic Sourcing. This will allow EB to address and widen our industrial base in support of two major programs. Blair Decker and his team will focus on strengthening our current supplier network and improving material availability across the enterprise.
Reporting to Kurt will be:
•Emil Casciano, Vice President, Engineering and Design
•Blair Decker, Vice President, Supply Chain
•Mike Gresh, Chief Information Officer/IPDE
•Stan Gwudz, Director, Ship’s Management
•Charlie Montalbano, Director, Planning
•Beth Rafferty – Vice President, Columbia Program
•Cathy Smith – Vice President, Virginia Program
John Leonard has been named Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. John will be responsible for finance, contracts, tax, strategic planning, Applied Physical Sciences and the Washington Engineering Office. We will soon announce a new lead for the execution of the Facilities Master Plan (FMP), reporting to John. Since assuming leadership of FMP in June, Matt Luxton and the FMP team have achieved several important milestones and have maintained momentum on this important and complex project, which represents an investment in our infrastructure of nearly $2 billion. The new FMP lead will assume responsibility for this project, and Matt will focus on representing and protecting the enterprise in all legal matters, reporting to me.
Reporting to John will be:
•Carol Balerna, Director, Finance
•Tom Callender, Manager of Navy Programs
•Kevin Carroll, Director, Contracts
•Rocco Cavalieri, Director, Business Finance
•Charles Corrado, President, Applied Physical Sciences
•Tom Plante, Director, Strategic Planning
•Pete Romeo, Director, Finance
•Hank Teskey, Director, GD Marine Group Tax
Will Lennon, Vice President, Quality and Radiological Controls, and Elicia Spearman, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer will continue in their current roles, reporting to me.
I believe this new structure, which takes effect immediately, provides the right alignment to achieve Operational Excellence and establishes a structure for mutual support and teamwork across the enterprise.
Thank you for all you do.
Kevin Graney
President
Powering HeartStrong 50: Thank You, EB Teams—Let’s Keep the Momentum Going!
Thank you to our incredible EB Heart Walk teams, our community partners, and everyone who joined the American Heart Association (AHA) Torch Journey photoshoot. Your enthusiasm and dedication made this milestone truly special. Now let’s keep our HeartStrong 50 energy going—our goal is 50 teams and $50,000 raised for the 2026 AHA Eastern Connecticut Heart Walk on October 3 at UConn Avery...Continue reading→
Speed Cameras to be Installed in the City of Groton
The City of Groton Police Department announced that automated speed enforcement cameras will be installed at several locations throughout the city. The cameras will be installed after the required 30-day public notification period, which began on Aug. 7, 2026. Camera locations: Mitchell Street Thames Street Clarence B. Sharp Highway (Route 349) Police said the purpose...Continue reading→
MDA Apprenticeship Application Now Open
Application Window: August 1, 2026 – August 31, 2026 The MDA Apprenticeship Program is a four-year initiative designed to develop a highly skilled workforce for Electric Boat. This program provides three years of on‑the‑job training alongside qualified subject matter experts, combined with classroom instruction across various technical disciplines. Participants gain advanced skills, broaden their expertise, and...Continue reading→
Building 600 Tech Stop Relocation
On Monday, August 3, 2026, Facilities will be relocating the Tech Stop currently located in Building 600 4th Floor East to its new location in Building 130-01 Classroom 7. During this time, please utilize the alternate Tech Stop location: B708 (625 Long Hill Road) Hours: Monday – Friday: 7:00 am – 3:00 pm The tech stop will resume...Continue reading→
A Message From Mark Rayha: Historic Contracts/Rayha Report
Today marks one of the most significant moments in Electric Boat’s history. As part of its $76.6 billion submarine contract announcement, the U.S. Navy has awarded Electric Boat ship construction contracts valued at $29.5 billion for five Columbia-class submarines and $42.1 billion for nine Virginia-class submarines, along with incentives for shipyard infrastructure. Click here to read the...Continue reading→
Electric Boat featured in latest episode of ‘Cast in Steel’
General Dynamics Electric Boat is featured in the latest episode of Cast in Steel, a web series that showcases the leaders of America’s steel industry as part of their competition to promote careers in metalworking. The Cast in Steel team visited our Quonset Point facility to highlight how EB’s shipbuilders transform flat steel into nuclear...Continue reading→
EB’s Groton Shipyard Celebrates 100 Years of Submarine Construction
The first submarine ever built in Electric Boat’s Groton shipyard slid gracefully from its ways into the Thames River 100 years ago, taking to the water with “scarcely a splash” before a crowd of 1,500, according to newspaper accounts at the time. A century after the 800-ton, 200-foot-long R2 was launched, EB shipbuilders continue to...Continue reading→
President Trump Gives Our Submarines a Shoutout at Pennsylvania Innovation and Defense Summit
During his remarks at the Pennsylvania Innovation and Defense Summit held on July 15 at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA, President Donald Trump introduced attendee Danny Deep, president of General Dynamics. In his quick words to Danny, President Trump recognized General Dynamics for building “the greatest submarines in the world.” Continue reading→
Rayha Report Ep. 23: Matt Olander Honored by UConn College of Engineering
In this episode of the Rayha Report, EB President Mark Rayha speaks with Matt Olander, senior vice president of programs and engineering, about his personal career journey and recent return to UConn’s College of Engineering as an honorary degree recipient and 2026 commencement speaker. Watch Matt’s commencement speech on the UConn College of Engineering YouTube channel.Continue reading→
Rayha Report Ep. 22: Run to Home Base 2026
In his latest Rayha Report, EB President Mark Rayha talks with Run to Home Base co-chair Tammee Sweck and runners Amy and Greyson Stephenson about why this annual fundraiser means so much to our veterans, service members, and their families. Learn how Team General Dynamics is preparing for the July 25 event at Fenway Park...Continue reading→
