NAVSEA Commander Downey Retires, 2 Admirals Take Over Roles in Interim

The dual-hatted Naval Sea Systems Command and Portfolio Acquisition Executive Industrial Operations Vice Adm. Jim Downey retired last week, the Navy announced.

Downey, who took charge of NAVSEA in early 2024, retired from both roles in a Thursday ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C.

“What we do and how we treat people matters,” Downey said in a statement. “This legacy strengthens the Navy and all of us who ready the ships that our warfighters take to sea.”

Downey commissioned into the Navy in 1987 after graduating from the State University of New York. He’s a career surface warfare officer and prior to Naval Sea Systems Command, he served as the PEO Aircraft Carriers led the Navy Regional Maintenance Center and was the program manager for the Zumwalt guided-missile destroyer program.

Now, NAVSEA chief engineer Rear Adm. Pete Small will take charge as interim NAVSEA commander.

“Small assumes acting command of NAVSEA following a dual-role assignment as NAVSEA’s Chief Engineer and NAVSEA Deputy Commander for Naval Systems Engineering since June 2024, and as Commander, Naval Surface and Undersea Warfare Centers since June 2025,” reads a Navy statement.

The newly formed PAE IO oversees maintenance and management of the Navy’s four public shipyards. Rear Adm. Todd Weeks, the In-Service Submarines and Industrial Base for the Director Submarine Programs, will serve as the interim PAE IO director.

Weeks is one of three submarine program executives who worked directly for Vice Adm. Rob Gaucher who is overseeing submarine construction for the Navy as a direct report Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg.

“Weeks will provide unified leadership over the four Naval Shipyards and seven Regional Maintenance Centers. Serving as the Navy’s single, accountable office for ship and submarine depot maintenance, PAE IO’s non-negotiable mission is to deliver combat-ready ships and submarines back to the fleet on schedule,” reads a statement from the Navy.

Downey’s retirement comes as the Navy has reorganized how it buys and repairs ships and aircraft. PAE Maritime, the office in charge of surface ship and aircraft carrier repair and maintenance, reached initial operational capability last month. Last week, PAE Maritime director Chris Miller was moved to lead PAE Robotic and Autonomous Systems and Rear Adm. Casey Moton is now leading PAE Maritime, USNI News reported.