Frederick (Jay) J. Stefany, III

Frederick J. Stefany, III (Jay) is a Visiting Guest Lecturer at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business.

On January 20, 2021, Mr. Stefany assumed the duties of Acting Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition. Prior to this assignment, he began serving as the Principal Civilian Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition (ASN RDA) in October 2019. His responsibilities include oversight and policy for Navy and Marine Corps research, development, and acquisition/sustainment programs for shipbuilding, aviation, space, weapon systems, and communication systems. His portfolio includes oversight of more than 100,000 people and an annual budget in excess of $50 billion. Mr. Stefany also leads the Department's Senior Executive Acquisition Corps.

Prior to that he served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Ship Programs from April 2018 through September 2019. In this role, he was responsible for executive oversight of all naval shipbuilding programs, major ship conversions, and the modernization and disposal of in-service ships. He was also responsible for executive oversight of cost, schedule and performance of surface ship, submarine, and Marine Corps combat systems, electronic warfare systems, shipboard radars, and Navy missile defense programs.

Previously Mr. Stefany served as Executive Director, Amphibious, Auxiliary and Sealift Office, Program Executive Office, Ships. He provided executive leadership to 200 personnel and oversaw one of the broadest acquisition portfolios in the Navy. His responsibilities spanned four major program offices where he oversaw several major shipbuilding programs including LHA 6, LPD 17, EPF, ESB, T-AKE, T-AO(X), and Heavy Icebreaker ship classes, as well as ship-to-shore connectors, landing craft, research ships, service craft & boats, and procurement of vessels for our Foreign Military Sales and other Federal Government partners.

Mr. Stefany entered the Senior Executive Service in March 2012, and has been in civil service for more than 37 years. Serving in a variety of key leadership positions throughout his career, including Program Manager and Deputy Program Manager for the LPD 17 Class Amphibious Transport Dock ship program (2004-2012). During his tenure, the first six ships of the San Antonio Class were delivered; and construction started on four additional hulls. He also assumed responsibilities for management of the initial concept work on a replacement for the Navy's Command & Control Ships and later, the replacement for LSD 41 and 49 class ships.

Previous assignments include Director of Naval and Commercial Constrution (2002-2004), responsible for oversight of the Navy's portfolio of Amphibious, Auxiliary and Special Mission ships and craft for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition (ASN RD&A); Assistant Program Manager in PMS 377 for LCAC and for Amphibious Ship Combat/C4I Systems; and Project Engineer for both the LHD 5-7 and LHD 1-4 ship acquisition programs as PMS 377 delivered LHD 1-6 and LSD 52 to the Fleet.

Mr. Stefany received his bachelor's of science in mechanical engineering from Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa., and his master's of science degree in management from the Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Fla. He is also a 1996 gradate of the Defense Systems Management College, Advanced Program Management Course. During his distinguished federal career, Mr. Stefany has received the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service, Navy Civilian Meritorious Service Award and two Navy Civilian Superior Service Awards.