NAVSEA Executive Director Provides Perspective

By Naval Sea Systems Command Office of Public Affairs

WASHINGTON - Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) welcomed new Executive Director, Pat Tamburrino, Jr. on May 4. "It is my distinct honor and privilege to be selected for this position and have this opportunity to work at NAVSEA again," said Tamburrino. "This is a job that I've always wanted to have and worked hard to prepare for."

Sharing his thoughts on continuing the NAVSEA transformation efforts, Tamburrino outlined the following factors as key to the command's continued transformation success:

Communication - Communication is key. We need to talk with each other, by whatever means are convenient and appropriate, on a consistent basis. Not just NAVSEA and Program Executive Office leadership, but managers and employees. The more we share ideas on how to approach problems, address challenges and conduct the business of the Navy, the better off we will all be. My goal as Executive Director is to maximize my availability to all of NAVSEA leadership and its employees - to work on the challenges of the moment or to strategize about future events.

Business Practices - One of the major takeaways from my time in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) is be sure our technical efforts are underpinned by solid business practices. My view is every manager needs to understand: (1) why things cost what they cost, (2) where the money they are responsible for is going, (3) what the return on that investment is and (4) why we are spending that money to begin with. This is all aimed at being a good steward of the funds we are provided to do our work and making certain those funds are working as hard as they can for the Navy as a whole.

Cost Management - The goal of reducing the cost of all goods and services remains key. I am convinced unless we keep striving towards reducing the cost of our enterprise our efforts to both transform and re-capitalize the Naval Service becomes increasingly challenging. Getting to a clean financial sight picture across all the NAVSEA and PEO accounts, products, and services is important for the Navy and I am anxious to help achieve that objective quickly. I wholeheartedly support the ongoing Lean/Six Sigma initiatives and look forward to becoming deeply involved with them.

Human Capital Strategy - The evolution of the Navy's Human Capital Strategy is clearly a "top 5" agenda item for me. Shaping and managing the future of the workforce is of paramount concern for me. There is a lot of change in process here, not the least of which is the implementation of NSPS. The focus will be on open communication across the workforce, training of all parties in the new system and leadership oversight to make certain the implementation of NSPS is done efficiently, effectively and equitably. I expect to spend a lot of time with all of you in advancing the good work that has already been done in NAVSEA.

Balance - From a personal perspective, life is all about balance. Each day for me is all about excelling as a federal employee as well as being a dedicated husband and father. The key is finding the equilibrium.

"I will always consider it a priority to explain and discuss with the Navy Enterprise at large the value that NAVSEA as an organization, as well as each individual employee, adds to our national mission. The work we do is vital and important to the long term GWOT," said Tamburrino.