Gibbs & Cox Names Chris Deegan as President and Chief Executive

ARLINGTON, Va., June 21, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Gibbs & Cox, Inc. (G&C) Chairman Ned Daffan announced today the appointment of Chris Deegan as President and Chief Executive, effective immediately. Mr. Deegan previously served as Vice President of G&C's Engineering Group.

"Chris has delivered exceptional results in every job associated with maritime engineering and program management," said Mr. Daffan. "He is a perfect reflection of Gibbs & Cox's legendary corporate commitment to excellence."

Deegan will replace Rick Biben, who is retiring but will remain on the G&C Board of Directors. Mr. Biben came to G&C in 2010, after senior executive positions at SAIC, CSC (now CSRA), Anteon (now General Dynamics), and Northrop Grumman.

"Rick brought diverse, top-level corporate executive expertise to G&C just as we embarked on a major growth initiative," said Mr. Daffan. "With his direction, G&C expanded into new markets and reclaimed markets G&C had supported earlier in our history." 

Under Mr. Biben's leadership:

• G&C acquired Donald L. Blount and Associates, Inc. (DLBA) in 2015. DLBA is a firm renowned for its naval architecture and marine engineering services based in Chesapeake, Va., This acquisition expanded G&C's commercial market areas in engineering, design and construction management of high performance vessels including mega yachts, commercial craft, and production boats.
• G&C opened numerous new market areas, domestically & internationally, significantly diversifying and balancing G&C's portfolio in DOD, DHS, International, and commercial markets.
• G&C entered the USCG market alongside Bollinger Shipyard (now part of Edison Chouest Offshore) in the future Offshore Patrol Cutter program.
• G&C provided critical support for the restart and upgrade of the Navy's premier surface combatant with the development of the DDG 51 Class Flight III Preliminary Design.
• G&C solidified its key design and engineering role on the Littoral Combat Ship program (Freedom class variant) with prime contractor Lockheed Martin and shipyard Fincantieri's Marinette Marine.
• G&C expanded into the government services sector, winning prime contracts supporting the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Carderock Division's Combatant Craft Division, and NSWC Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD) Ship Systems Hardening organization.

Mr. Deegan spent nearly 28 years in the Navy's acquisition and cost engineering communities, leading nuclear submarine, ship and combat systems programs prior to joining Gibbs & Cox in 2013.  His last ten years with the Navy were as a member of the Senior Executive Service supporting NAVSEA and Program Executive Office, Integrated Warfare Systems. 

Mr. Deegan earned a Bachelor's of Science in Industrial Engineering from Penn State University, a Master's of Science in Engineering from the Catholic University of America.  He was selected as a Brookings Institute Fellow in 1997, serving on the staff of Congressman John Murtha. He was cited as NAVSEA Engineer of the Year in 1993, is a certified Program Management Professional, and a licensed Professional Engineer (Naval Architecture).

About Gibbs & Cox, Inc.
Gibbs & Cox Inc. is a global leader in maritime engineering and design, with over 8,000 vessels built to our designs since 1929. Gibbs & Cox supports military and commercial clients in the U.S. and internationally with all phases of marine design as well as construction and lifecycle management. Gibbs & Cox's breadth and depth of high performance commercial and military vessel skills are augmented with the acquisition of Donald L. Blount & Associates (DLBA).  DLBA specializes in the technical development of high-performance marine craft.  Independent and privately held, Gibbs & Cox is headquartered in Arlington, VA, with offices in Newport News and Chesapeake, VA; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; New Orleans LA., and Washington, D.C.. Learn more at www.gibbscox.com.

SOURCE Gibbs & Cox, Inc