Dennis McLaughlin is "energized" about his new role as Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) technical director. In his first month at NSWCDD, McLaughlin spoke to the workforce at the 95th Anniversary of the Dahlgren Naval Base on Diversity Day, visited with command departments, and discussed his goals with leadership at the command's management forum held at the base theater Oct. 23. The NSWCDD technical director provides senior leadership and stewards the command's technical excellence in executing research, development, test and evaluation, analysis, systems engineering, integration, and certification of complex naval combat, sensor, weapon, and strategic systems associated with surface warfare as well as homeland and force protection.
DAHLGREN, Va. (Oct. 24, 2013)—Dennis McLaughlin is busy meeting command personnel and achieving goals since assuming duties as the new Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) technical director in October.
"I am energized about my new role as technical director of NSWC Dahlgren Division and the opportunity to be part of this dynamic team," he said in an all hands email introducing himself to more than 6,000 NSWCDD government and contractor employees.
McLaughlin - who transferred from his position as NSWC Indian Head technical director - spoke to the workforce at the 95th Anniversary of the Dahlgren Naval Base on Diversity Day, visited with command departments, and discussed his goals with leadership at the command's management forum held at the base theater Oct. 23.
NSWCDD department, division and branch heads listened to the technical director outline goals that include maintaining the command's position as a Naval technology leader, collaboration with other warfare centers and Navy laboratories, and the ongoing development of employees in addition to the challenge of managing hiring in the face of a projected 20% reduction in manpower over the next five years.
"People are our most important asset," McLaughlin told NSWCDD managers, adding that in spite of the furloughs and sequestration, "you are still putting out great work."
His initial visits to command departments for briefings will be followed by a series of visits with managers, scientists and engineers to better understand the project work in each department.
"Despite all the unknowns in government budgets, Dahlgren is in excellent shape for taking on the future technological challenges," McLaughlin added in the email. "As we move forward, we will be striving for continual improvement in our business practices and processes. Achieving this objective requires both dedication and talent - both hallmarks of the Dahlgren workforce."
The NSWCDD technical director provides senior leadership and stewards Dahlgren's technical excellence in executing research, development, test and evaluation, analysis, systems engineering, integration, and certification of complex naval combat, sensor, weapon, and strategic systems associated with surface warfare as well as homeland and force protection.
As NSWC Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division technical director, McLaughlin directed a workforce of more than 1,700 employees, oversaw annual operations of more than $1 billion, while providing technical capability in energetics and EOD technology for all Navy warfare centers.
McLaughlin was commissioned as a Navy Officer in 1980, and held a variety of positions on active duty and as a Naval reservist before he retired as a Captain. In 2004, McLaughlin was appointed to the Senior Executive Service. A significant accomplishment in his career was his work on the open architecture design for the Navy's Virginia class submarine, the first such structural design for a U.S. Navy vessel. McLaughlin wrote the specification and led the design team for the submarine's combat control system.
In addition, McLaughlin has led the Navy's Disabled Veteran Outreach efforts and served as Naval Sea Systems Command director of the Wounded Warrior Program. This effort has resulted in the hiring of more than 700 Disabled Veterans since 2008.
"I have seen first-hand the benefits of hiring disabled veterans," McLaughlin told those in attendance at the Diversity Day event on the parade field Oct. 16. "I salute the Dahlgren Division human resource office and Equal Employment Opportunity office for your success in hiring wounded warriors and making sure they are assured of their value to the division and the greater Navy mission."