Nickolas Guertin to Lead Research and Development in the Department of the Navy

Guertin was confirmed by unanimous consent in the U.S. Senate.

The U.S. Senate today held a recorded vote to confirm one individual nominated by President Joe Biden to serve in the executive branch of government - specifically in the Department of the Navy led by Secretary Carlos Del Toro since August 2021.

With a voice vote, Nickolas Guertin was confirmed as Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition. This position has been led by an acting official since January 2021, when James Geurts resigned after serving since December 2017.

Guertin was nominated to this position by Biden in September 2022. Since December 2021, he has served as the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation within the Department of Defense. Last month, Biden nominated Douglas C. Schmidt to succeed Guertin in that role.

Guertin boasts a four-decade combined military and civilian career in submarine operations, ship construction and maintenance, development and testing of weapons, sensors, combat management products, and defense acquisition.

His confirmation today came hours ahead of the final vote in the Senate to pass the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024. That must pass legislation still requires approval in the U.S. House of Representatives and a signature by the President.