After a 37-year career as an Ingalls shipbuilder, George Nungesser, Vice President Program Management has announced his intent to retire in February 2026. As Vice President of Program Management, George and his team hold profit and loss responsibility for all elements of program execution and serve as principal liaison to the customer for all platforms across Ingalls’ portfolio. Additionally, under George’s leadership, the Program Management team is responsible for the capture of new business within existing product lines at Ingalls.
A proud second-generation Ingalls shipbuilder, George began his career at the Pascagoula shipyard in 1988 as an industrial engineer. Prior to his current role, he served as the DDG 51 program manager, as well as the Planning Yard program manager. Under his program manager and vice president roles, George delivered 14 ships to the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard and returned two overhauled ships to the U.S. Navy fleet. Additionally, Ingalls was awarded the Amphibious and LCS class planning yard under his leadership.
Please join me in thanking George for his decades of service, leadership, and dedication to Ingalls Shipbuilding. As he begins to plan for his retirement, we extend our best wishes and appreciation for the lasting impact he has made on our organization and its people.
Effective in February upon George’s retirement, Eric Crooker will transition into the role of Vice President, Program Management. Due to the criticality of this role and the value we place on leadership succession planning, an announcement at this time allows for continuity in the role and the opportunity for Eric to integrate into the program management team. Eric is currently serving as Vice President of Infrastructure & Sustainability at Ingalls and will continue in this role until February.
In his current role, Eric and his team are responsible for Ingalls’ fire and safety programs along with the related care and protection of shipbuilders and the repair, maintenance, and capitalization of the shipyard, emphasizing shipbuilder development, customer service, and the introduction of new technologies and equipment, while minimizing disruption, enabling enterprise risk management, and developing and executing comprehensive mitigation strategies.
Eric began his career with HII in 2012 in the Law department, where he advised the company on matters related to U.S. Navy and Coast Guard shipbuilding programs, the Shipyard of the Future initiative, labor and employment matters, and the acquisition of our current dry dock. Eric previously served as Director of Contract Administration, then Vice President of Contracts & Pricing, where he was responsible for both negotiated and competitive contract awards and administration, estimating and pricing, and export/import licensing and compliance.
A second-generation shipbuilder, Eric holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a Juris Doctor from Tulane University. Prior to joining the company, Eric worked in the private sector of corporate law, compliance, emergency preparedness, and crisis management.
Please take a moment to recognize George and to congratulate and support Eric in his new role.
Brian Blanchette
President, Ingalls Shipbuilding