Navy Secretary John Phelan has announced that Brett Seidle, a Senior Executive Service member for nearly a decade, will be performing the duties of the under secretary of the Navy.
In a post on the social media platform X on Wednesday, Phelan said Seidle replaces Victor Minella, a U.S. Navy veteran who has been serving as deputy under secretary of the Navy for intelligence and security since 2022.
Seidle will provide oversight and develop policy for defense and naval strategy, intelligence and intelligence-related activities, special access programs, critical infrastructure, space activities, small business programs and the naval audit service.
He will also be responsible for performance management, business operations and risk management within the Department of the Navy, or DON.
Brett Seidle’s Career Background
Seidle has been serving as acting assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, or ASN RD&A, since January.
He previously served as the principal civilian deputy to ASN RD&A, a position in which he provided oversight and policy for Navy and Marine Corps research, development, and acquisition/sustainment programs for shipbuilding, aviation, weapons systems, space and communication systems.
His previous roles within DON include deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development, test and engineering; executive director for Naval Surface Warfare Center, or NSWC, and Naval Undersea Warfare Center; and division technical director at NSWC Crane.
Seidle started his career in the private sector as an electrical engineer at General Motors. He also served as plant manager of CMI-Precision Mold casting facility and Alcoa’s Kentucky Casting Center.
The Navy official has a doctorate in public policy from Indiana University.
