Navy acquisition chief Sean Stackley began serving as acting Navy secretary Jan. 20 following the exit of Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, an Obama administration appointee.
Stackley is expected to fill the temporary post until a permanent Mabus successor is nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Senate. Stackley has been assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition since 2008. Allison Stiller, a Navy acquisition deputy, has succeeded Stackley as acquisition chief.
Thomas Hicks, deputy undersecretary of the Navy for management, will also serve as the Navy’s No. 2 official until a replacement for former Navy Undersecretary Janine Davidson takes office.
Separately, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), whose director, Arati Prabhakar, left office Jan. 20, indicated on its website that Steven Walker, deputy director since 2012, is now acting director. Stefanie Tompkins, director of DARPA’s Defense Sciences Office, has become the agency’s acting deputy director.