National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO), a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, announced that effective January 1, 2006, Frederick J. Harris, 60, will become president of NASSCO, succeeding Richard H. Vortmann, 61. Vortmann will become chairman of the board of NASSCO.
“The 23-year span of Dick Vortmann’s leadership as president of NASSCO encompasses dramatic changes in both the company and the shipbuilding industry, and he has kept a steady hand on the organization’s helm throughout his tenure,” said Michael W. Toner, General Dynamics executive vice president and group executive for Marine Systems.
“Fred Harris, who has served the Electric Boat subsidiary of General Dynamics and its customers with an intense focus on quality, innovation and efficiency, will carry that commitment and energy to NASSCO as he leads the company forward,” Toner said. “Fred has an intimate understanding of shipbuilding, shipyard operations and our customers’ expectations, and is committed to helping NASSCO excel.”
Harris joined Electric Boat in 1973 as a senior engineer in the Trident ballistic-missile submarine program. He held positions of increasing responsibility, including Deputy Program Manager–Advanced Propulsion Plant Technology Program for the Virginia-Class Submarine, before being appointed senior vice president for programs at Electric Boat. In that position, he was responsible for execution of several key design, construction and fleet support programs, including the Seawolf- and Virginia-class submarine programs, CVNX
Aircraft Carrier Design, Submarine Planning Yard & Fleet Support, and Submarine Life-Cycle Engineering.
Harris graduated from Maine Maritime Academy with a bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering. He sailed for several years in the U.S. Merchant Marine, notably aboard the U. S.-registered SS Transglobe, the most decorated American merchant ship of the Vietnam War. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard Chief Engineer’s License of Unlimited Horsepower. In 1972, Harris received an MBA degree from Babson College, graduating with distinction.